King Felix

With a new general manager (Jack Zduriencik) and a new manager (Don Wakamatsu) at the helm of the Seattle Mariners, plus veteran son Ken Griffey Jr. returning, there was hope in Seattle. The Mariners competed and showed glimpses of hope for the possibility of overtaking the LA Angels for the American League West title in 2010. Seattle ranked tied for last in the AL in batting average (.258) and 12^th in homeruns (160). There were middle of the pack in stolen bases (89) and last in the AL in on-base percentage (.314). The pitching staff was first in ERA (3.87) and the only team with an ERA under 4.00 in the AL. However they were near the bottom in strikeouts (1043), in the middle of the pack in homeruns allowed (172), and the staff only had 4 complete games. The Mariners had the most save opportunities (77), but converted 48 of them (64%). Feliz Hernandez led a young pitching staff (marred by veteran injuries) and he finished second in the CY Young award vote. He finished with a record of 19-5 and a 2.49 ERA. Reliever David Aardsma thrived when moving to the closer’s role, converting 38 of 42 saves in 73 games with a 2.52 ERA. With regular playing time, 1B/DH Russell Branyan put up the numbers many thought he was capable of for years (.251, 21 doubles, 31 homeruns, and 76 RBIs). Second baseman Jose Lopez quietly put up solid offensive numbers (.272, 42 doubles, 25 homeruns, and 96 RBIs). The addition of trading deadline shortstop Jack Wilson from the Pittsburgh Pirates only served to solidify the defense. Outfielder Franklin Gutierrez was solid, hitting .282 with 24 doubles 18 homeruns, 70 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases. His partner in the outfield, right fielder Ichiro Suzuki continued his abuse on AL pitching, hitting .352 (225 hits) with a .386 on-base percentage in the leadoff spot. Ichiro won yet another Silver Slugger and Gold Glove award in 2009. With third baseman Adrian Beltre’s contract coming off the books, along with veteran pitcher Erik Bedard’s, the Mariners have some money to spend to upgrade the team for 2010. Here’s the Mariners wish list:

1. 

   Chone Figgins

   A third baseman: Unfortunately for the Mariners management, third baseman Adrian Beltre never produced (or stayed healthy) to deserve his huge contract. With him filing for free agency, the Mariners were in the market. Christmas came early for Mariners fans as GM Jack Zduriencik signed top free agent Chone Figgins to a 4-year deal. Adding Figgins adds a versatile player (he can play everywhere) who can bat second or ninth, complementing Ichiro at the top of the order. Figgins was the Mariners top target so they got their man.

2. A power bat: Tops on the Mariners list is to re-sign slugger Russell Branyan, who had a career year with regular playing time. However if this does not come to fruition, there are other bats on the market. Rumors have the Mariners linked to British Columbia native and Gonzaga University star Jason Bay. Sources have stated that the outfielder would be ecstatic to play for the Mariners, but I’m not sure they are willing to pay out more top-dollar money. Fan favorite Ken Griffey Jr. surprisingly re-signed so maybe he could give the Mariners one last healthy and productive hurrah. Update: The Mariners traded highly paid starting pitcher Carlos Silva (who no longer held a spot in the M’s rotation) to the Chicago Cubs for highly paid and troubled slugger Milton Bradley. The future will be the only way to tell who wins on this deal, but the Mariners do get a power bat if he can stay healthy.
3. 

   Cliff Lee

   Starting pitching to surround King Felix: Behind the young ace in the rotation are Ian Snell (acquired from the Pirates), Ryan Rowland-Smith, Luke French, Jason Vargas, and possibly Brandon Morrow (if the Mariners ever decide if he is better suited as a starter or reliever). Now a free agent, lefty starter Erik Bedard never could stay healthy enough to provide support for King Felix. In one of the biggest blockbuster trades in the history of baseball, the Mariners acquired former CY Young award winner Cliff Lee from the Philadelphia Phillies. Sure they had to give away a few prospects, but Lee will solidify the Mariners rotation and give them one of the best 1-2 punches in baseball. The lefty was outstanding during the playoffs and World Series for the Phillies, his first playoff experience. This is exactly the type of pitcher that the Mariners were looking for when the offseason began.