Marniners Preview

[#1 Jays Fan]

Last season: 88-74, 2nd in A.L. West

Manager: McLaren, 1st full season, 43-41 (.512) career record

New faces: LHP Erik Bedard (BAL), IF Miguel Cairo (STL), Greg Norton (TB), OF Bronson Sardinha (NYY), P Carlos Silva (MIN), OF Brad Wilkerson (TEX)

Left town: OF Ben Broussard (TEX), RHP Jorge Campillo (ATL), OF Jose Guillen (KC), OF Adam Jones (BAL), LHP John Parrish (TOR), LHP George Sherrill

Overview: When one looks at the strengths and weaknesses of the Mariners, it becomes quite clear that the bullpen is its number one strength. Closer J.J. Putz was arguably the best shutdown reliever in the game in 2007. The rest of the 'pen is young and fearless. And the same can now also be said of the rotation when G.M. Bill Bavasi was able to pry Erik Bedard, the left-handed Canadian ace, away from the Orioles, giving the M's a starting staff worth of, at least, Wild Card consideration. What has held this club back is an inability to bunch hits. The loss of Jose Guillen has left a home run void in the everyday line-up.
Stat to ponder: If the Mariners are to reel in the high-flying Angels, new ace Erik Bedard is going to have to improve on his numbers, 1-3, 6.18 ERA in 5 career starts against the best in the West. Top prospect: C Jeff Clement. Their first pick in the 2005 draft is on the fast track to the Pacific Northwest thanks to 20 HR and 80 RBI at Triple-A and two more HR in nine games as a September call-up.

Hitting
2007 AVG: .287 (3rd), RUNS/GAME: 4.90 (12th), HR: 153 (20th)
The arrival of Bedard will allow Felix Hernandez to step back into the two-spot in the rotation and not think that he needs to throw a complete game every night. King Felix will turn just 22 in early April and he needs to step back and let the others in the veteran rotation carry the load. Jarrod Washburn and Miguel Batista are solid veterans, but the shrewdest move this off-season may be the signing of number five Carlos Silva. He was an absolute workhorse on a bad Twins team last season and pitched over the 200-inning level for the second time in his career. Closer Putz is a two-pitch punch out artist in the ninth inning and his 1.38 ERA last season was the 7th lowest all-time for closers with at least 40 saves in a season.

Pitching
4.73 (22nd), OPP AVG: .281 (26th)
The arrival of Bedard will allow Felix Hernandez to step back into the No. 2 spot in the rotation and keep him from thinking he needs to throw a complete game every night. King Felix will turn 22 in early April and he needs to step back and let the others in an otherwise veteran rotation carry the load. Jarrod Washburn and Miguel Batista are solid veterans, but the shrewdest move this off-season may be the signing of No. 5 Carlos Silva. He was an absolute workhorse on a bad Twins team last season and pitched over the 200-inning level for the second time in his career. Closer J.J. Putz is a two-pitch punch-out artist in the ninth inning and his 1.38 ERA last season was the 7th lowest in history for closers with at least 40 saves in a season.
Statsman's non-binding prediction: Second place and a legitimate shot at the Wild Card if Bedard can stay healthy and the bullpen can replicate its 2007 performance.

[Marlins]

Bedard is so overrated...whatever. After Bedard and Felix, the Mariners starting rotation is really weak with Carlos Silva, Miguel Batista and Jarrod Wasburn.

Their offense is good, but really not good enough to make the playoffs.

[#1 Jays Fan]

i think that they are going to have the same kind of year like last year.

[Marlins]

j said:

i think that they are going to have the same kind of year like last year.

Well they're supposed to be better after signing Bedard...but I think he'll be a bust.

[tarlow00]

You're nuts. Bedard will pay big dividends for the M's. The starting staff will be MUCH improved, to the point where Seattle will give the Angels a serious run for their money. But they don't have quite enough to pass the Angels. The Halos' bats are too big.

[tarlow00]

Where are you guys coming from, saying the M's offense is pretty good, but the starters are weak? I see it the other way around.

Beltre is never going to hit 40+ bombs again. He has been "deflated," it seems. Sexson is a reincarnation of Gorman Thomas, but with more K's, a lower average and less mobility. Adam Jones may be good, but I don't know that he's ready to bust out just yet. Vidro is a proven quantity, with gap power and high average. Ibanez is a solid .270/20/100. We've seen what we're going to get with the bat from Johjima, which is pretty good for a catcher.

Only Ichiro is outstanding with the stick.

But look at the pitching. Bedard can baffle hitters... look at the strikeouts. Ideally a 2, but I'll give him a shot at the #1 slot and see. Hernandez needs to be out of the #1 slot to take the whole psychological burden off of him (funny, but it happens... despite his great year, I think Peavy in SD would be a better #2 guy, because he psyches himself out at times). "Bad *ss" definitely has the stuff and demeanor. Silva is a solid workhorse, great for #3 or #4. Washburn is also solid. And didn't Batista win 15-16 games last year? How is that weak, particularly with this offense that can't hit with runners on to save their lives? And we know the pen ends in great hands with J.J. They have some solid young arms to shore up the rest of the pen, too.

So, how is the offense better than the pitching?

[mfan08]

All of you guys are retarded. Last year the Mariners offense, beside richie sexson was fine. Yea they had lulls in it but what team doesn't? The Pitching was the Problem. Our starters averaged 5-6 innings each outing. That tired our bullpen out at the end of the season. Ichiro is not the only outstanding player with the stick. No one will admit it or agree but Vidro hit 322 last year and was incredible in the clutch. Yea Beltre may not hit 40+ bombs again but he along with Ibanez, and Betancourt are incredible in the Clutch. Watch the team before making stupid comments. And you Florida dude, don't bust Berdard just cause your team is absolutly terrible. We at least have a really good shot of the playoffs this year. Whats your starting rotation like? On paper the Mariners have the best starting rotation, you can even ask the "experts" and when I say "experts" I mean the dudes on ESPN.

[Marlins]

mfan08 said:

All of you guys are stupided. And you Florida dude, don't bust Berdard just cause your team is absolutly terrible. We at least have a really good shot of the playoffs this year. Whats your starting rotation like? On paper the Mariners have the best starting rotation, you can even ask the "experts" and when I say "experts" I mean the dudes on ESPN.

Dude, chill the fu*k out.