As usual, Ichiro Suzuki was one of the few bright spots in the Mariners' offense.

What Went Right?

Everything was going Seattle’s way for most of the season, except for the part that matters the most. The Mariners collapsed down the stretch in ugly fashion, finding a new way to lose every night and blowing a commanding wild card lead.

Ichrio Suzuki was once again the bright light for the M’s as they continue to try to find themselves and their place in the American League since their historic 2001 season. Ichiro captured the Silver Slugger award again and made yet another All-Star appearance, capturing the game’s MVP award going 3 for 3, including an inside-the-park home run, the first ever in All-Star play. His .351 batting average led the club as did his 111 runs scored and 37 stolen bases. After signing a contract extension for five years and worth $90 million ($17 million per year plus $5 million signing bonus) will keep Ichiro on the club payroll until 2032, as some of the money is being deferred in separate payments.

Felix Hernandez made 30 starts in his third big league season, finishing at 14-7 with a team leading 3.93 ERA. King Felix struck out 165, allowing only 53 walks while coming 2/3 of an inning shy of tying his innings pitched from 2006.

In the pen, J.J. Putz was arguably the biggest surprise on the team, converting 40 of 42 save opportunities. An 82/13 K to BB ratio and 1.38 ERA gave writers a reason to vote for him in the Cy Young ballot as the 30-year old closer had a breakout year. Putz will not be considered an elite closer for the 2008 season and with a whip of .70 from ’07, is there any reason he shouldn’t be?

Yuniesky Betancourt is beginning to emerge as a top flight shortstop in the majors and posting a .289 batting average in consecutive seasons is a good start. Betancourt raised his RBI total by 20 this season and also improved in runs, doubles, home runs, slugging, and OPS. The only area which could use improvement is his walks as he only reached base via the base on balls 15 times, however he is putting the ball in play with only 48 strikeouts in 536 at bats.

What Went Wrong?

After beating Texas on August 24th, the Mariners were 73-53, sitting pretty 20 games above .500 and atop the wild card standings. After that win, Seattle dropped nine in a row and 15 out of 17 to take themselves out of the playoff picture.

It was pretty incredible to see a team struggle that bad for such a long period of time at the most crucial point in the season with the Yankees and Tigers are on their heels. The Mariners found average lineup and rotation finally caught up to them with a month left in the season as their weaknesses were exposed to the rest of the AL.

Aside from the team’s failure as a whole, the first player to criticize this season has probably seen his name in the “What Went Wrong?” portion of the review just about every year of his career. That player is Jeff Weaver. Weaver showed why he was given a 1-year contract for 2007 and robbed the Mariners of the $8 million they gave him because he pitched “okay” in the 2006 playoffs. Weaver still seems to find work in the league since everyone knows he has “great” stuff, but the last time I checked “great stuff” translates into Cy Young awards and hall-of-fame plaques not a 7-13 record and 6.20 ERA.

Richie Sexson hit 21 home runs this season, but only knocked in 63 runs. Numbers like that usually keep you low-profile and go under the radar, but when you make $12.5 million per year and hit .205 you find yourself in this category. Sexson had been earning his four-year deal signed before 2005 prior to this season, but entering a contract year in the final year of his deal with Seattle, Sexson owes it to the Mariners to have a 35-120 season and raise that average at least 50 or 60 points and stop flirting with an average on the interstate.

Where is the Adrian Beltre the Mariners signed because of his production in 2004 with the Dodgers? Wherever he is, maybe he can find the old Richie Sexson and the two of them could give the Mariners consistent production from the middle of the order. Beltre couldn’t find the 100 RBI plateau for the third straight season since his 121 outburst before signing the dotted line with Seattle. Beltre moved around in the M’s lineup this season as they could not find stability for their 104-strikeout man removing him from the middle of the order. Serious numbers are needed from Beltre in ’08, or the Mariners will run in place in the AL West.

The Moves They Made

Well, they signed free agent Jeff Weaver and it paid off nicely… But on a serious note the Mariners did not make any serious moves and this caught up to them late. Their rotation needs to be upgraded for the future and a staff built around Hernandez is imperative. The Mariners can’t think they are championship bound or even playoff bound at this point with the club they have put together, but with the winter meetings underway, maybe you will see Seattle splurge and get back into contention.

The Moves They Did Not Make (But Should Have)

The Mariners were not involved in many trade talks because their roster is comprised of young talent like Betancourt, or Hernandez and their marquee names (or once marquee names) like Sexson and Betancourt make too much money and are not producing enough for anyone to take them on.

Where Now?

Coming off a collapse that was overshadowed by the Mets who went above and beyond in their self destruction, the Mariners need pitching and they need it now. Jarrod Washburn is an average pitcher in the league at this point in time and along with Miguel Batista, the rotation drops off dramatically after Hernandez, a problem that eventually caught up with Seattle at the end of the season.

They have an average lineup and offense, which can only be better if Beltre and Sexson can click at the same time. Until then Ichiro will have to manufacture runs by himself with an infield single, a pair of steals, and a run on sacrifice fly. Seattle is nowhere near a World Series contender, but they could be in the next few years if they begin to build for that now. If they can stay away from overrated and overpriced free agents and build from within the system, making only logical and necessary trades, the Mariners can win again; just don’t count on it being in the near future.

Fantasy Corner

Three Keepers

1. Adam Jones - meet Andruw Jones V. 2.0

2. Wladimir Balentien - the power has never been in doubt, and he showed that he could hit for average this season too.

3. Jeff Clement - whether it is with the Mariners or elsewhere, this stud catching prospect will get a chance to show his stuff off.

Three Sleepers

1. Brandon Morrow - following the Twins' Johan Santana model, the Mariners used this future ace out of the pen last year. He will be a starter in 2008, and should be a quite good one.

2. Ryan Feierabend - a lot better than his short time in the bigs in 2007 showed.

3. George Sherrill - if anything ever happened to J.J. Putz...