With a huge boost for the pitching staff in Erik Bedard the Mariners are hoping to become a more well rounded team. If King Felix pitches like he can, and Bedard can repeat his success then the Mariners will no longer have a blaring weakness on the mound.
With Bedard and Hernandez being the one and two starters respectively the Mariners will need a nother solid season from Miguel Batista, who won 16 games for the Mariners last season. Carlos Silva will be a nice addition towards the end of the rotation and young Brandon Morrow will be able to make a few starts for the M's if Washburn becomes washed up.
The bullpen obviosuly suffered a loss with the departure of lefty specialist George Sherrill, who appeared in 73 games last season for the M's. The Mariners will be looking for more out of Sean Green (RHP), and will likely depend on Eric O'Flaherty to face the majority of lefties. Mark Lowe, coming off a microfracture surgery that kept him sidelined for most of last season, will also play a key role for the Mariners pitching staff. All these guys will attempt to hold down the fort to get to the bulldog JJ Putz. Putz recorded 40 saves last season with a 1.38 ERA and the Mariners are hoping for the same domination for the split throwing closer.
On offense the Mariners lost two right fielders, Jose Guillen went to the Royals via free agency and the M's traded top prospect Adam Jones as part of the deal for Erik Bedard. The Mariners have no questions at the leadoff spot as Ichiro enters his eighth season for the M's. Vidro and Ibanez, two key veterans will return to the Mariners lineup. Vidro will likely fill the DH spot and fill in at second for Jose Lopez when needed.
Richie Sexson will likely hit in the clean up position, but will be counted on for more than a .205 batting average. Adrian Beltre had his best season with the Mariners last year and looks to build on his 26 homeruns and 99 RBI for this season.
Up the middle the Mariners will return Jose Lopez, and Yuniesky Betancourt. Lopez needs to improve with runners in scoring position. Both Lopez and Betancourt look to produce in the back part of the Mariners line up. Defensively Betancourt is one of the best, and most underrated shortstops in the American League. He turned more double plays than any other AL shortstop last season and the M's hope he will repeat that accomplishment this year.
The M's also return Kenji Johjima, who is expected to have another solid season behind the plate for the Mariners. Also at the catcher spot is Jeff Clement who has shown great promise in the Mariners farm system. Fans should look for Clement to make appearnaces at first base if Sexson continues his struggles.
Overall, the Mariners have the pieces to make a run for a playoff spot in the American League. It will be tough to overcome the Angels, even with their pitching injuries, but the M's can make it happen if everybody plays their given role. They have a good mix of veterans and young players. They have bolstered up their starting rotation, and hope to continue dominance out of the bullpen. Look for the Mariners to be incontention coming down the strech.
