PEORIA, Ariz . — Once, not so long ago, they were the shining hope of the Mariners, a trio of power arms dubbed “The Big Three” who were going to help lead them out of the wilderness.
Now, only one remains, and James Paxton hopes — again — this is finally the year he harnesses his massive potential. Same goes for Taijuan Walker, but he’s now toiling down the road with the Arizona Diamondbacks. And Danny Hultzen is a college student again, sitting this year out while finishing his studies at the University of Virginia, hoping against hope that his damaged left shoulder recovers enough to allow him to continue his career in 2018.