The 2008 Seattle Mariners were the first team in baseball history to spend over 100 million dollars and lose over 100 games in the same season. Think about that for a moment. That’s like throwing away a million dollars for each loss or on a more personal scale for me, buying a latte every morning and then throwing it away without drinking it.
Changes had to come quickly to right the ship and when they did, they were sweeping. Bill Bavasi was fired as General Manager and replaced by Jack Zduriencik, who replaced skipper John McLaren with Don Wakamatsu.
Zduriencik made more changes, dealing closer JJ Putz to the Mets and allowing fan favorites Raul Ibanez and Willie Bloomquist to walk. The team seemed to be floundering when he pulled off a deal that got the Seattle baseball faithful buzzing again by signing Ken Griffey Jr. to come back.
The spike in ticket sales from Junior’s signing notwithstanding, this team is going to struggle since the rotation, which limped into the offseason with a 5.07 ERA, hasn’t changed at all from last year except to move Miguel Batista to the bullpen.
Part of the problem for the pitching was the defense behind it. Yuniesky Betancourt (SS) had moments of brilliance mixed in with a regular mediocrity. Teamed with Jose Lopez (2B) at the center of the infield leaves the Mariners still very young and error prone up the middle. Another year of experience surely has to help improve their partnership, but it is probably asking too much to consider them a solid tandem.
Adrian Beltre (3B) is a very solid fielder although he has yet to match his offensive numbers from his last season with the Dodgers. Despite that, he is a very solid third baseman.
First base will probably be a platoon with Russell Branyan, Mike Sweeney, Jeff Clement and possibly Jose Lopez. Kenji Johjima is still the starter behind the plate, but expect the Mariners to drop his playing time if he struggles early. Jeff Clement and Adam Moore could be crouching down behind the plate quite a bit if Johjima doesn’t produce.
The Designated Hitter slot will be a platoon as well with Mike Sweeney and Ken Griffey Jr. taking most of the turns in it. If Griffey is DH, Endy Chavez will probably play Left Field. In center, the Mariners acquired Franklin Gutierrez in the trade with the Mets for Putz. He is an exciting prospect with an excellent glove and good power. Gutierrez in center allows Ichiro to move back to Right Field, his preferred position. Ichiro’s numbers were down a little last year, he batted .310, but he had over 200 hits again for the eighth straight season.
Article comments
1 - Aaron Whitehead
I think there's reason for hope. The pitching staff should improve, if only because it can't get much worse. If Rowland-Smith and Morrow get solid playing time, they'll help boost whatever Silva and Washburn can do.
And they are getting younger on offense. It would have been nice to see them commit to Clement or Wladimir Balentien, but I guess that, like you said, they don't really want to admit they're rebuilding.
But Zduriencik seems like a clever guy, and at least he has a plan. Which is a step up from Bavasi.