Seattle Mariners

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

After averaging 98 wins over the last four seasons, the Mariners crashed, losing 99 games. The infield tanked, as John Olerud, Bret Boone, Rich Aurilia and Scott Speizio combined to hit .240. Edgar Martinez ran out of gas, posting a .263/.342/.385 mark in his final season. On the pitching side, Jamie Moyer allowed 44 home runs, boosting his ERA by two runs. The bullpen lost Rafael Soriano and Eddie Guardado to injuries, and Shigetoshi Hasegawa could not maintain his current level.

 

This season, the Mariners should expect significant improvement from the offense. Jeremy Reed is a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate. He provides outfield depth for the M's. Reed's arrival enables Raul Ibanez to slide into the DH slot, where he should platoon with minor league vet Bucky Jacobsen. Richie Sexson, assuming he's healthy, replaces John Olerud at first base. Olerud lost his ability to hit for power, while Sexson should post a slugging percentage above .500. The black hole at third base that has suffered through Scott Speizio and Jeff Cirillo will see a true superstar, Adrian Beltre, man the position. The Mariners have never had a truly good third baseman, so Beltre is a welcome change. Jose Lopez should improve on a subpar rookie campaign, and Pokey Reese will provide insurance there. Indications are that Lopez will move to second base when Boone departs. Miguel Olivo gives the Mariners an offensive force there the M's have missed since Dan Wilson stopped hitting.

 

The pitching is less promising, but since the Mariners finished seventh in runs allowed, it is not a huge problem. The M's hope Jamie Moyer is not quite finished, and can rebound. Soriano, Guardado, and Joel Pineiro need to rebound from injuries. Some improvement is likely from Gil Meche.

 

On the prospect side, Shin-Soo Choo looks like a legitimate leadoff prospect. Choo carries plate discipline and speed to burn. I keep hearing they have some pitcher in the minors, but I haven't checked, to be honest.

[Mik 0]

The one thing about pitchers is.... you never know. I just read yesterday that the Indians are shutting down their "future ace" Adam Miller because of elbow tenderness.

 

I just hope Felix is as good as advertised because I wasn't around for Gooden and I want to see some true dominance.

[Precious Roy 0]

Ichiro is going to score crazy runs this year, and they'll be in a fight with Anaheim in the West if their pitching can simply perform to average expectations.

 

Or Adrian Beltre goes back to hitting .240, Sexson never recovers his power, and Moyer gives up 88 homeruns.....

[Precious Roy 0]

I just hope Felix is as good as advertised because I wasn't around for Gooden and I want to see some true dominance.

 

Did you not see Johnson and Pedro over the last decade?

[iggymcfly 0]

I still don't think the Mariners are going to do well this year. Their team was a ticking time bomb that just finally exploded in their face last year. Adrian Beltre is a good patch, and he should bring fans out to Safeco, but the M's aren't really going to be good again until their young players develop. I say they get somewhere in the 70-75 win range this year.

[Guest LooneyTune]

Hmm... another team I don't keep track of religiously, but I think it's safe to say they'll be better than last year (63-99), but the pitching staff looks very questionable.

 

Their closer (Eddie Guardado) spent half the 2004 season on the DL, and before that, blew a career high 7 saves (25 save situations), but held batters to a .194 batting average (a career low).

 

Joel Pineiro and Gil Meche had pretty good numbers in 2003, but Pineiro scored a record of 6-11 with a 4.67 ERA, while Meche spent part of the season in AAA after a poor start, and came back to end the season with a 7-7 record with a 5.01 ERA.

 

Their batting lineup looks pretty good, picking up Beltre and Sexson, but was bringing in Pokey Reese that important?

 

Prediction: 77-85, 3rd in AL West.

[Precious Roy 0]

Reese has a great glove, if they play him at short the left side of the infield will be hella-solid defensively, and he can back up old man Boone too. I guess they figure with the big bats they added that they can take a gamble on his O near the back of the lineup.

[Styles 0]

YOUR projected lineup and starters:

 

PROJECTED LINEUP

1. Ichiro Suzuki RF

2. Jeremy Reed CF

3. Adrian Beltre 3B

4. Richie Sexson 1B

5. Bret Boone 2B

6. Raul Ibanez DH

7. Randy Winn LF

8. Miguel Olivo C

9. Pokey Reese SS

 

Rotation

1. J. Moyer

2. J. A. Pineiro

3. R. Franklin

4. G. Meche

5. B. Madritsch

 

They've obviously made serious offense upgrades with Sexson and Beltre, and with Ichiro at the top, this will be an effective run producing lineup. Their pitching is still seriously lacking, as Moyer is likely on his last leg, and the others guys have to show their potential. They're in a tough division too, even with just 4 teams.

Predicted finish: 3rd place.

[Guest Deadbolt]

This year looks pretty good with Beltre, Sexon, Ichiro that's going to be a sweet batting order. Ptiching should be ok and Guardado will be pretty solid in the bullpen. The AL West is always up for grabs, who knows what the angels will do, the a's have young pitching and could be a sleeper and Texas is in the hunt as well. Should be quite a season and a fun one for M's fans if the team can stay healthy.

[Vern Gagne 0]

On the prospect side, Shin-Soo Choo looks like a legitimate leadoff prospect. Choo carries plate discipline and speed to burn. I keep hearing they have some pitcher in the minors, but I haven't checked, to be honest.

 

That name just screams Seatle or the announcers doing the train whistle.

 

The Mariners. Good offense, on paper. We'll see what Beltre does after a fat contract, and really only 1 good season.He shouldn't have difficulty adjusting to a more pitcher friendly park, since he played in Dodger Stadium. Boone's usually good, for a bounceback season, and looking at the players around him, i think it's a distinct possibility.