The Seattle Mariners top starter or ace is 20-year old Felix Hernandez.

STARTING PITCHING

Projected rotation

Felix Hernandez, RH
Jarrod Washburn, LH
Jeff Weaver, RH
Miguel Batista, RH
Horacio Ramirez, LH  

Seattle did quite a bit of roster shuffling when it comes to their starting

Horacio Ramirez was acquired to add a left-handed presence to the rotation

rotation. Gone from a year ago are the likes of Gil Meche (11-8, 4.48 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 156K/84BB in 186.2 IP) and Joel Pineiro (8-13, 6.36 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 87K/64BB in 165.2 IP) who have been replaced by Jeff Weaver, Miguel Batista and Horacio Ramirez. On the surface, it's hard to say whether they have really upgraded themselves much at all behind their top two starters of Felix Hernandez and Jarrod Washburn. Weaver was abysmal a year ago (8-14, 5.76 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 107K/47BB in 172 IP). Batista wasn't much better with the Diamondbacks (11-8, 4.58 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 110K/84BB and .288 BAA in 206.1 IP). Ramirez (30-22, 4.13 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 248K/200BB and .270 BAA in 521.1 IP) showed flashes while with Atlanta, but never maintained any level of consistency and seemed to always be hampered by injuries. GM Bill Bavasi thinks his starting rotation is at least as good as it was a year ago, but that's not saying a whole lot.

2007 TEAM PROSPECTIVE

The Mariners have not finished above last place in the AL West since 2003 when they finished second and nearly earned a wild-card berth. The problem with this team has been that they are not especially good at any phase of the game. Last year they were next to last in the AL in runs scored, next to last in OBP, 10^th in SLG, and 10^th in HR. On pitching side, they were tied for 8^th in ERA (4.60). Being average or below average in so many areas is not conducive to having a winning team.

Bavasi made several moves in the offseason to address these issues, but we are not sold on the fact that he has actually upgraded his team. If the team was upgraded at all, it was the offense that got the boost. Granted, both Jose Vidro and Jose Guillen have had their share of injuries and games missed over the years, but they do know how to swing the bat. We did not understand the move at the time and still do not to this day, but Bavasi seems to think it was worth trading away a dominant reliever (Soriano) for whom he had no replacement in exchange for a starting pitcher (Ramirez) who is very average at best. It is hard for us to see how they have upgraded their pitching staff at all, but the potential is there for them to improve at least somewhat offensively. All that being said, it is hard to envision this team finishing any higher than third place in the AL West and it would not surprise us to see the Mariners finish last for the fourth consecutive season.

BULLPEN

Projected bullpen

Closer: J.J. Putz, RH
Setup 1: Chris Reitsma, RH 
Setup 2: Julio Mateo, RH

Perhaps Bavasi underestimated the value of Rafael Soriano to his bullpen. Without him, the Mariners are scrambling to identify a reliable setup man (or two) to help bridge the gap to their fine closer, J.J. Putz. Chris Reitsma was signed as a free agent from Atlanta to assume a setup role, but he was very shaky in clutch spots as a member of the Braves before undergoing surgery to repair ulnar neuritis in his right arm last July. Beyond that, it seems to pretty much be an open audition to claim the other setup role. George Sherrill figured to have the inside track for that position heading into spring, but a very rough March has put his spot on the roster very much in doubt. Jon Huber, as mentioned above, is in decent position to stake a claim to a setup spot with a strong spring. Julio Mateo is another guy who could earn the job. This will be something to watch this season as the Mariners must find someone who can get them to the 9^th inning with a lead.

SLEEPER

Jose Guillen, OF. If he can manage to stay healthy, he produces. Since you most likely will only have to spend a late round pick on him in mixed leagues, he could be quite a value.

BUST

Raul Ibanez, LF. The odds were against Ibanez having the season he had in 2006 and at the age of 35, they are stacked even moreso against him repeating that season. Let another owner in your league draft him.

TOP PROSPECT

Adam Jones, OF. A terrific athlete, Jones put up some sold numbers a year ago (.287-16-62-69-13 with .829 OPS in 96 games) at Triple-A Tacoma. He will start the season at Triple-A and is probably a year away from really establishing himself at the major league level. However, he has the potential to be a .285 hitter with 22-25 HR someday. That time could come as soon as 2008, but most likely not until 2009.

FIRST OFF THE BENCH

Ben Broussard, 1B. The 30-year-old does not figure to get much playing time in Seattle this season, but the Mariners could decide to trade him at some point this season. Depending on where he ends up, he could have some fantasy value. Broussard hit just .238-8-17 in 164 AB with Seattle last season, but he hit .321-13-46 with .880 OPS in 88 games with Cleveland prior to the July trade. It will take an injury or a trade in order for him to have value, but he does bear watching.