Seattle.Mariners.MLB.com

By Jim Street / MLB.com

Eddie Guardado went on the disabled list on Aug. 1 with a torn rotator cuff. (Jim Bryant/AP)

Mariners fans from east to west, north to south and even overseas have questions about the team.

I'm trying to understand why the Mariners would choose not to pick up Eddie Guardado's option and I just don't get it. On the one hand they tell us that they are going to do everything they can to improve the team, and then they almost let one of last year's successful players file for free agency? I know Eddie is still coming back, but I'm still really puzzled and frankly frustrated by this move. Can you enlighten me? -- Diane, Mt. Vernon, Wash.

There is a small tear in Guardado's left rotator cuff and, on the recommendation of noted surgeon Dr. Lewis Yocum, he didn't have surgery to repair it. The Mariners saved $2 million by declining their option and having Guardado exercise his own option on the contract he signed last year. There is no guarantee the small tear won't become worse during the course of a long season and necessitate surgery.

I hear Safeco Insurance is changing its name. Does that mean Safeco Field will have a new name, too? -- Milla O., Shelton, Wash.

Actually, the Safeco Corporation is not changing its name. It recently sold its life insurance company to another company (White Mountain). Safeco still exists and so does its contract with the Mariners to call the facility Safeco Field.

Have a question about the Mariners? E-mail your query to MLB.com Mariners beat reporter Jim Street for possible inclusion in a future Inbox column. Letters may be edited for brevity, length and/or content. First Name, Last Initial: Hometown: Email Address: Question:

For Mariners fans, it is really disappointing to have lost Hall of Fame-caliber players like Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey Jr., and Alex Rodriguez (and now Edgar Martinez to retirement). It was also disappointing not to have gotten any of the big-time free agents that have been available over the last two years. Houston, St. Louis, Boston and New York all have several Hall of Fame-caliber players. Can the Mariners really reach the American League Championship Series or World Series without getting any of those that are available this offseason? -- Dennis W., Tucson, Ariz.

It must be pointed out that all three of the players you mentioned -- Johnson, Griffey and Rodriguez -- wanted to leave the Mariners, so blame them and not the organization for their departure. The team also tried to sign shortstop Miguel Tejada, one of the premier free agents last season, but lost out to the Orioles. It also should be pointed out that the Mariners didn't have many Hall of Fame-caliber players when they won 116 games in 2001. Some decisions backfired last season, but if the Mariners players had performed up to their capabilities in 2004, the team probably would have contended for the AL West title. The chances of returning to contending status depend on the team signing at least one top-flight free agent hitter and, more importantly, some of the players who had poor seasons last season bouncing back.

Will you be sending fans reminders that they can go to the Baseball Hall of Fame to vote for Dave Niehaus to be nominated for the Ford Frick award? Voting is open for the month of November, and fans can vote once per day. He deserves it, and it would be nice to get some support from the Mariners to let the fans know about this. -- Kate B.

Fans can vote for Dave Niehaus, Rick Rizzs and/or Ron Fairly by going to http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/library/frick_voting/index.asp

Hi, I've been trying to obtain a copy of the CD that was made for the retirement ceremony of Edgar Martinez. It was given at the game but they said something about ordering it by phone. I live in Port Angeles, Wash. We don't have a Mariners Team Store here. (I wish we did) and I haven't been able to find (the CD) online either. Do you have any information on this? Thank you. -- Fay P.

Without a Team Store in your area, the best thing to do is call the Mariners at 206-346-4010 and they will send you one for $9.99, plus shipping and handling.

I've been lead to believe that the Mariners' schedule is a little tougher than other teams as they have greater distances to travel throughout the course of the season. Combine that with the feeling that the Mariners seem to struggle more in the second half of the season, my question is: Did having the luxury of Matinez as a DH add to the weariness and lack of rest for the other players? Other teams seem to rotate guys through the DH position to give them days off for rest. The Mariners couldn't do that. -- Joan C., Enumclaw, Wash.

Actually, former Mariners manager Bob Melvin used the DH spot to give players who needed at-bats some work and also "rested" some regulars by playing them in that position. It is true, though, that the Mariners travel more miles every season than any other Major League team.

Is there any chance that the Mariners could make a run at Adrian Beltre? Could we possibly see Derek Lowe or Jason Varitek returning to Seattle? -- Craig M., Provo, Utah.

Anything is possible and GM Bill Bavasi most likely will inquire about Beltre's availability. Having come to the Mariners from the Dodgers organization, Bavasi is familiar with the third baseman. As for Lowe and Varitek -- well, there seems to be a better chance of landing Lowe, although his free agent price tag went up considerably because of his postseason success. Look for the Red Sox to re-sign Varitek. He is the heart and soul of that team.

I have always wondered why the Mariners don't move Ichiro Suzuki from right field to center, considering his Gold Glove fielding abilities, unmatched speed and strong arm. -- Chris P., Alameda, Calif.

Most managers prefer to have the outfielder with the best arm in right field to prevent runners from advancing from first to third base on singles to right field. Ichiro is arguably the best right fielder in Major League Baseball, so why move him? He has played right field his entire career and is most comfortable at that position.

With Martinez now retired and Bucky Jacobsen on the mend, will Jacobsen be trying to win a starting job at first base or will he be most suited for the role of DH? -- Rob S., Aberdeen, Wash.

A lot can happen between now and the start of Spring Training, but if the roster remains the same as it is now (highly unlikely), Jacobsen would report to camp as the likely replacement for Martinez as the DH. Jacobsen also would get some work at first base, though.

I had heard some talk of the city changing the name of a street near Safeco Field, to Edgar Martinez Drive. Has anything been decided about that? -- Shelley C.

The section of Atlantic Street that runs from First Avenue past Safeco Field was renamed Edgar Martinez Drive during his Oct. 3 retirement ceremonies.

What is the chance that the team will not trade Randy Winn for next season? Other than Martinez, he is the only player on the roster the last two years (other than Ichiro) who has made any consistent attempt at situational hitting. He had 40 fewer strikeouts that Bret Boone but only two fewer RBI, he led the team in sacrifice flies and bunts, hit by pitch, was first in doubles and second in hits last season. Players like Winn are crucial to team success, and the Mariners could use more of them, along with a 40-HR player. One without the other will not solve the team's problems. -- Chris F., N.Y.

Winn isn't believed to be on the trading block, but he isn't untouchable, either. The chances of him being traded are slim because of all the reasons you mentioned. He also can play two outfield positions and is a great person to have in the clubhouse. Until August 2003 and virtually all of last season, the Mariners were one of the best situational-hitting teams in the Major Leagues. Perhaps the next hitting coach and new manager Mike Hargrove can get the hitters to improve in that important area.

The M's bullpen had problems this year. What will Bavasi do to get it back on track? Will Guardado be ready to go by Opening Day? -- Sandra C., Seattle.

Well, the unexpected defection of Kaz Sasaki to Japan and injuries to Rafael Soriano, Julio Mateo and Guardado took its toll on the bullpen last season. However, right-handers J.J. Putz and Scott Atchison and left-hander Matt Thornton pitched well enough in relief to figure in the plans for 2005. The front office hopes to re-sign lefty Ron Villone, who is eligible for free agency. Guardado, who missed the final two months of the season with a small tear in his left rotator cuff, should be ready to go when Spring Training starts.

Do you see the Mariners getting rid of Boone, Winn or Scott Spiezio to give some of the young guys like Justin Leone, Jose Lopez and others to show off what they have because they did well when they were offered the time to play? Plus, do you see Bobby Madritsch in the starting rotation next year. -- Steve W., Yakima, Wash.

Every contending team needs a blend of veteran and younger players and there is no reason to think Boone and Spiezio won't bounce back from poor seasons in 2004. Madritsch assured himself a spot in the starting rotation with a strong August and September.

I would love to be able to watch the Mariners' 1995 playoff games against the Yankees and the one-game series against the Angels in 1995. Where can I buy a tape of these games? -- Rachel H., Federal Way, Wash.

That videocassette -- titled "My, Oh, My" -- no longer is available. You might luck out and find one at a garage sale, however. Also, MLB.com is continually adding classic games to its Digital Download Service (DDS) offering. Some of those games you mentioned could end up in that library soon.

Jim Street is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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