The Seattle Mariners concluded the 2006 season by missing the playoffs for the fifth straight year. Following another last place finish in the American League West, general manager Bill Bavasi and manager Mike Hargrove are both sitting on the hot seat heading into Opening Day. A poor start for the Mariners this season and both could be looking for work in the winter.
Seattle has finished last in the AL West standings in each of the past three seasons. Last year the squad finished three games below .500 and struggled in every facet of the game. The Mariners were shut out a league worst 15 times, while posting a miserable 4.60 team ERA.
Seattle addressed its pitching needs in the offseason, by acquiring right-handers Miguel Batista, Sean White and Chris Reitsma and left-hander Horacio Ramirez. The addition of these players allows the Mariners to overhaul their starting rotation, while improving an already solid bullpen.
However, Seattle is still searching for its staff ace after the departure of Joel Pineiro in the offseason. As of now, Jarrod Washburn or Felix Hernandez will be asked to fill the void until someone comes to the forefront. The Mariners are hoping that Washburn can return to form and recover from last season's 8-14 record and disappointing 4.67 ERA and emerge as the staff ace.
At the plate, the Mariners are hoping to upgrade their lineup with the signing of outfielder Jose Guillen. Guillen missed most of last season with an elbow injury, but gives the Mariners a powerful bat in the middle of the line-up that should help improve upon last season's pitiful .325 on base percentage.
It is no secret that centerfielder Ichiro Suzuki is the heart and sole of this organization. He proved this once again in 2006 by batting .322, while collecting his sixth straight 200 hit season. Seattle must now find the right mix of players, and a batting order that can take advantage of the many opportunities created by Suzuki.
Overall, the start of the season will most likely determine the outcome of the season for Seattle. A strong start coupled with the emergence of its starting rotation could fuel Seattle to the top of the West. However, a slow start could lead to a front office change and a change in management. Only time will tell if the Mariners are ready for the challenge.
Below we take a capsule look at the 2007 edition of the Seattle Mariners, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:
2006 Finish (78-84) - Last Place (AL West)
KEY OFFSEASON ADDITIONS: INF-Jose Vidro, RP-Miguel Batista, LP-Horatio Ramirez, RHP-Sean White, OF-Jose Guillen, RP-Chris Reitsma; SP-Jeff Weaver
KEY OFFSEASON SUBTRACTIONS: Chris Snelling (OF), Raphael Soriano (RP), Emiliano Fruto (RP), Gil Meche (RP), Joel Pineiro (RP).
PROJECTED LINEUP: Ichiro Suzuki (CF), Jose Vidro (DH), Adrian Beltre (3B), Raul Ibanez (LF), Richie Sexson (1B), Jose Guillen (RF), Kenji Johjima (C), Jose Lopez (2B), Yuniesky Betancourt (SS)
PROJECTED ROTATION: Felix Hernandez (RHP), Jarrod Washburn (LHP), Miguel Batista (RHP), Horacio Ramirez (LHP), Cha-Seung Baek (RP).
PROJECTED CLOSER: J.J. Putz (RHP)
MANAGER: Mike Hargrove
INFIELD
The Mariners infield is a talented one led by high-priced players like Adrian Beltre and Richie Sexson. However, it is the emergence of All-Star second baseman Jose Lopez that has the team excited for the 2007 season.
Beltre is penciled in at the hot corner and will once again be counted on to lead the Mariners on the field. Despite a slow start last season, Beltre finished the year batting .268 with 25 home runs and 89 RBI. His bat will be counted on in the three hole to help generate runs, while his prowess in the field makes him one of the best defensive third baseman in the league.
First baseman Richie Sexson also struggled early on in 2006, but rebounded to hit 34 home runs and a team best 107 RBI. If Sexson can find his swing early in the season, the Mariners should have no problem winning games. Although he is streaky at times, Sexson gives the Mariners a powerful bat at the five spot and a solid fielder at first base.
Lopez and shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt are a deadly doubly play combination and both overachieved at the plate in 2006. Lopez completed his All-Star season by batting .282 with 79 RBI and 28 doubles, while Betancourt hit .289 with 47 RBI. Both are athletic in the field and make every play look easy. This combination could be one of the best in the Majors and will be needed to back up a questionable starting rotation.
Kenji Johjima will get the start behind the plate for the Mariners again this season. Johjima is a quality hitting catcher, who has the ability to go both ways with the ball. He batted .291 with 18 home runs and 76 RBI last season and should solidify the bottom half of the Mariners batting order. However, Johjima must work on his defensive skills behind the plate, as he tends to allow a high-number of passed balls.
OUTFIELD
Suzuki sets the bar for major league outfielders, both at the plate and in the field. His smooth stroke at the plate makes him the best lead-off hitter in the league. He batted .322 last season and knocked in 49 runs. However, his natural abilities in the outfield are just as impressive. Suzuki has a great jump on the ball and covers ground quickly. His overall play will only be magnified if he can get some help at the plate from his teammates.
Raul Ibanez may be overshadowed by Ichiro, but his numbers are just as good. The power hitting rightfielder finished the 2006 season batting .289 with 33 home runs and 123 RBI. Slated to bat cleanup this season, Ibanez will only get better if Beltre and Sexson can be consistent at the plate. In the outfield Ibanez makes up for his slow first step with long strides that allow him to cover the field. Overall he is one of the most underrated outfielders in the American League.
Guillen will handle the right field duties this season and could prove to be the biggest upgrade for the Mariners during the off season. He supplies an explosive bat at the bottom half of the order and should be put in a position to help score runs. Guillen is coming off an elbow injury that may affect him early in the season. However, if he can return to form he may prove to be one of the best free agent acquisitions for the 2007 season.
DH
Jose Vidro was acquired this offseason and will serve as the team's designated hitter. Vidro, 32, spent all 10 of his major league seasons with the Washington/Montreal franchise. He hit .289 with seven homers and 47 RBI in 125 games last season. For his career, he is a .301 hitter with 115 homers and 550 RBI.
A switch-hitter, Vidro gives Seattle a solid bat at the top of the order. He has the ability to move runners without giving up and easy out, and can take the ball either direction. He has been slowed a bit on the base path due to some lingering knee injuries, but Vidro is still a viable threat as a base stealer.
STARTING ROTATION
Although it is unsure of who the Opening Day starter will be, most signs point to right-hander Felix Hernandez. Hernandez is the only other starter besides Jarrod Washburn to return from last year's team. The right-hander finished his first full major league season with a 12-14 record and a 4.52 ERA. He is a power-pitcher who throws in the high 90's and has the stamina to throw into the late innings. The only knock on Hernandez is his lack of experience. He will not turn 21 until April 8th, and may not be seasoned enough to carry the Mariners just yet.
Washburn will be the key to the success of the starting rotation in 2007, as he is the most polished pitcher of the bunch. The crafty left-hander is coming off a disappointing 2006 season that saw him go 8-14 with a 4.67 ERA. Washburn has a good fastball and a curveball to boot, but tends to get careless at times which makes him prone to the long ball.
Newly acquired right-hander Miguel Batista could develop into the most consistent starter this season. The right-hander is coming off a career season with the Diamondbacks, in which he won a career best 11 games. Batista is a fastball pitcher that can throw into the late innings. He does not walk many batters and pitches better when he is ahead in the count. He needs to become more consistent and limit his chances in order to succeed in the American League.
Ramirez and Jeff Weaver should fill the last two spots in the rotation. Ramirez came to the Mariners in a trade with the Braves during the off season. The right-hander has decent stuff, but spent most of the 2006 season on the DL. He has a history of arm problems that make him a liability in a starting role.
As for Weaver, he pitched for Anaheim and St. Louis last season, combining for an 8-14 record with a 5.76 earned run average in 31 starts. The 30-year-old Weaver, who signed a one-year deal worth close to $9 million, was traded by the Angels to the Cardinals in July after being designated for assignment after posting a 3-10 mark with a robust 6.29 ERA in 16 starts.
Weaver went 5-4 the remainder of the season for St. Louis and clinched Game 5 of the World Series for the Cards. For the postseason run, he went 3-2 with a 2.43 ERA in five starts.
BULLPEN
Seattle's bullpen is strong on paper, but could easily lead to the teams demise this season. Heading into opening day the club has three solid relievers in right-handers Reitsma, Mark Lowe and closer J.J. Putz. However, the health of all three will come into question early in the season, as both Reitsma and Lowe are still recovering from off season surgery.
Reitsma was brought to Seattle as a free agent in the off season. The Mariners believe in his ability to overpower batters in the middle innings, while giving them a second option at closer if he is needed. However, the right-hander missed most of the 2006 season due to hand surgery and will have to show that he has regained both his control and velocity.
Lowe is the wild card right now in the bullpen, as he is coming off arthroscopic elbow surgery that could sideline him for a good portion of this season. If healthy, he gives the Mariners a proven middle-reliever, who can secure a lead in the late innings. However, if he is unable to go, Seattle will turn to offseason acquisition Sean White to help out.
Putz is regarded as one of best relievers in the American League and will return to the closing role again this season. The right-hander made the switch in May of last year and went on to capture a career best 36 saves. He has an explosive arm that can consistently throw in the mid to high 90's and a hard cutting slider that confuses most hitters. Putz will be asked to toss a lot of innings early in the year, until the Mariners can address the overall health issues of their bullpen.
BENCH
Adam Jones is another player who could make the jump to the majors this season after a successful run in Triple-A in 2006. Drafted as a shortstop, Jones has moved to the outfield where he could be an option for the Mariners if Guillen should struggle early. The Mariners would like to give Jones time to develop at his new position, but with problems in the front office he could be called upon earlier than expected.
OUTLOOK
Seattle has a lot of questions heading into the season, especially in regards to management and the health of its pitching staff. If things go south early it could be another long year for the Mariners. Although winning does cures all ailments, and if Seattle can put together a strong push through the month of April anything is possible.
However, that is not likely to happen. The Mariners have plenty of firepower at the plate if they play up to their potential. However, aside from Ichiro no one else has been able to put together a a full season in Seattle. Mix in an unproven, injury ridden starting rotation, and a manager who has been put on a short leash and you have a recipe for disaster.
Seattle may have some of the pieces in place, but their lack of pitching will ultimately cost them any shot of competing for the American League West title. Expect a close to .500 finish and a place at the bottom half of the AL West standings for Seattle in 2007.
