Is he Seattle-bound yet?
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Where Are They Coming From
The 2007 season had its highs and lows, but finishing 88-74 was a big step up from the year before. On July 1, the team lost its manager, Mike Hargrove, because his “passion was fading”. Even with the loss of their leader, the team continued to stay in the play off race until the final month of the season. As of September 1, the M’s were 73-61 and sitting only two games behind the Yankees for the wild card spot, but down the stretch the Mariners went 15-13 and they would finish six games back of the wild card winner. Once again Ichiro Suzuki led the team with a .351 average, but other than him the team was average at best. On the other side of things, the pitching staff could be blamed for most of the team’s problems. Miguel Batista went 16-11 with a 4.29 ERA. On most teams that is good enough to be the number five starter but not with the mediocre staff the M’s fielded last season. Jeff Weaver was supposed to come in and be huge addition to the rotation after his good postseason in 2006 but that turned out to be an $8 million mistake. Weaver put up yet another losing season going 7-13 with a 6.20 ERA.
Players Added
The Mariners have been relatively quiet this off-season, but they have made a few moves to improve their bench and their pitching staff. The front office in Seattle has vowed to stay right around last year’s payroll of $109 million. With that said the M’s went into the off-season looking to replace to starters in the rotation and to bulk up their bench. The bullpen could use some help, but a good pen has no use if the rotation cant keep them in games early.
One of the best moves this off season by the M’s has to be the pick up of Free Agent infielder Miguel Cairo. Cairo and the M’s agreed to a one-year deal worth $850,000. Cairo may not see much playing time this year but he can come in help motivate young second basemen Jose Lopez to improve his game. Miguel has been well traveled in the big leagues, but his experience will be a huge help in sculpting a young infield.
The Mariners also brought in right-handed pitcher Carlos Silva by agreeing to a four deal worth $44 million. He will likely end as the number four starter with the M’s as the control specialist will eat up around 200 innings for the M’s. Last season Silva went 13-14 with a 4.19 ERA. The most amazing stat put up by Silva is his amazing ability to throw strikes consistently by only walking 36 batter in 202 innings pitched. Look for Silva to win 15 games and lower his ERA in the pitcher friendly SAFCO Park.
This “quiet” of course is all dependent upon the oft-rumored Érik Bédard trade not happening. We waited as long as we possibly could on publishing this today, as the Mariners look very close to a deal for Bédard, one where they would ship Adam Jones, George Sherrill, Chris Tillman, and a fourth prospect to the Orioles for the pitcher that would become their No. 1 starter. This trade however is contingent upon acceptance by Orioles’ owner Peter Angelos, and his perpetual meddling in the affairs of the Orioles has spiked trades far better for the Orioles than this one.
Players Lost
With the emergence of Adam Jones, the Mariners did not feel that they needed the services of the controversial right fielder Jose Guillen. Guillen was offered a $9 million deal for the 2008 season but he turned that down to sign with the Kansas City Royals. Guillen last season hit .290 with 23 home runs and 99 RBI. Guillen will be suspended for the first 15 games of the season for his alleged use of performance enhancing drugs in 2005. The M’s pretty confident in the new right fielder Adam Jones but no really know what to expect from him.
Jeff Weaver was supposed to come in and be the final piece of the M’s rotation but he turned out have yet another disgusting season. Weaver went 7-13 with a 6.20 ERA. After giving him an $8 million deal he is gone after just one year. They’re not many teams looking for his services but for some reason every year some goes out and pays him millions to lose games. No one Seattle is heart broken over the departure of Weaver.
Moves Still to Come
The Bédard trade mentioned above is still yet to come, but we are presuming it is a deal that will get done, as Bédard will not sign a long-term deal with the Orioles to the liking of Angelos, and their arbitration numbers are not close.
Another pitcher that could be in the sights of the Mariners is Bartolo Colon. Colon last season was 6-8 with a 6.34 ERA. If the M’s are going to get him though, they are going to have a tough job of convincing Colon to take a one-year deal that might only be worth a quarter of his previous salary. At 34 years old, it could be a very risky move to give the husky pitcher a multi-year deal.
What to Watch in Spring Training
In spring training this year there will be a lot of familiar faces around the camp. Most of the roster has not changed with exception of a few players, but overall the Mariners will be looking to see how Adam Jones will do in his new role as the starting right fielder. One of the new faces to the team Miguel Cairo will be a big help to coaches using his experience to teach younger players how to get better. Along with the everyday player coming to spring training there are 18 non-roster invitees heading in to battle for various spots on the bench or in the bullpen.
Pitchers
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Phillippe Aumont
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Philip Barzilla
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Roy Corcoran
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Brodie Downs
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Stephen Kahn
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Kameron Mickolio
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Chris Reitsma
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Arthur Rhodes
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Robert Rohrbaugh
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Chris Tillman (barring a trade, of course)
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Jake Woods
Catchers
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Jair Fernandez
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Adam Moore
Infielders
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Tug Hulett
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Mark Kiger
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Matt Tuiasosopo
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Brant Ust
Outfielders
