With the new "Control the zone" policy, framing will be important, as well as staying ahead in counts - for both pitchers and batters. Being good at both will depend on good technique, as well as consistent umpiring.
As in prior years, I expect that early on the Mariners will have an issue with inconsistent umpiring. It seems that each and every year, the Mariners have this issue, and it seems to at least distract the Mariners for a while each year. How these Mariners adapt / accept / fight these scenarios will dictate the rest of the year.
Will the pitchers start catching more of the plate after a few walks? Will the batters be steadfast in their belief of the policy even after striking out or being forced to hit in bad counts continually? Will Servais get thrown out of several games just to support his players and this new philosophy? Will Mather or Lincoln tell Servais to stop the team arguing about calls, since it is ruining the family environment or worse the league thinks the Mariners complain too much?