PEORIA, Ariz. -- A year ago at this time, many were wondering whether Marco Gonzales even belonged among Seattle's starting five pitchers. It seems like a lifetime ago now, but indeed, things have changed.
Fast forward to 2019, as the Mariners open preparations for a new season with a fresh core of players, the 27-year-old southpaw finds himself regarded as a cornerstone of Seattle's rebuilding process and perhaps the No. 1 pitcher now atop that rotation.
James Paxton was traded to the Yankees. Felix Hernandez is coming off a difficult 2018.