Analyzing Jerry Dipoto's first offseason deals as Mariners GM

Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto (shown above) overhauled the roster this offseason. And the Mariners have seen the benefits. Start the slideshow to see what's worked. Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto (shown above) overhauled the roster this offseason. And the Mariners have seen the benefits. Start the slideshow to see what's worked. Photo: AP Photo: AP Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Analyzing Jerry Dipoto's first offseason deals as Mariners GM 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto's decision last winter to acquire a handful of players coming off lackluster seasons appears smarter with every week the surprising Mariners remain in first place in the American League West.

No GM was more active this offseason than Dipoto, who went about making the M's more athletic, better defensively and deeper while building around the core of ace Felix Hernandez, designated hitter Nelson Cruz, third baseman Kyle Seager and second baseman Robinson Cano.

The quartet are all off to impressive starts, which helps explains why the Mariners are 28-18, the second-best record in the American League behind only the Boston Red Sox. They are 7-2 in their past nine games, 23-10 over their past 33 games and 26-12 since a five-game home losing streak ended April 13. They ranked second in our Week 7 MLB power rankings before taking two of three from the Athletics at Safeco Field to start the week, capped by Wednesday's 13-3 drubbing.

They're off to fourth best start through 46 games in club history, which is less impressive when one considers the franchise's accomplishments (just four trips to the postseason, two trips to the ALCS, no World Series appearances). But still, there's finally reason for optimism for a fan base that watched the club miss the playoffs for 14 consecutive seasons, the longest drought in Major League Baseball.

Let's take a gander at the early returns on Dipoto's biggest offseason trades.

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