I know that Ichiro [Suzuki] is a great outfielder and he can track down a lot of fly balls and line drives that many Major League outfielders can't reach. However, I have yet to see him dive forward or laterally for a fly ball. I have seen him make some incredible running and sliding (feet first) catches, but never "lay out." I know he is talented and athletic enough to make these plays, but it disappoints me that he never does. I feel that every once in a while he costs the Mariners a run or two because he refuses to sacrifice his body in the outfield. Is there any truth to this or am I just expecting too much from an already exceptional ball player?
--Andrew J., Vancouver, Wash.

There are several reasons why Ichiro has played seven Major League seasons without ever going on the disabled list. The fact he does not risk injury by diving for every fly ball that comes his way is one of those reasons. He has said that he is more valuable to the team in the lineup than on the DL and therefore he does not dive for balls.

Do you think Miguel Batista has earned a spot for next year's roster? I think he pitched better than any of the other free agent acquisitions. Who are some free agent pitchers available this offseason?
--John C., Chicago, Ill.

Batista more than earned a spot in next year's rotation, leading the teams in wins this past season. Among the other free agent starting pitchers available last offseason, Batista ranks among the best -- if not the best. He signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the Mariners. Left-hander Barry Zito, who signed a five-year, $126 million deal with the Giants, probably ranks first among the disappointments.

What is the difference between an earned run and a unearned run?
--Jared G., Vancouver, Wash.

There are two kinds of runs scored in a game -- "earned" and "unearned" runs. An earned run is when the batter scores without the defensive team making a fielding mistake, such as an error or passed ball. When the runner gets on base and later scores, the official scorer decides whether that runner would have scored before the third out of the inning had been recorded. If the answer is "no", then the run is unearned. Not to confuse you, but there are times when an "unearned" run in an inning actually is an "earned" run for the pitcher. For example: If a pitcher enters a game with two outs and a runner on third base because of an error and that runner scores, then it would be an unearned run. However, any run scored after that without a batter reaching base because of a miscue would be an "earned" run for the new pitcher.

When Jamie Burke came in to catch the ninth inning on Sept.14th, was that the first time an entire infield was manned by players whose last names started with a "B"? In this case, they were Burke, Beltre, Betancourt, Bloomquist and Broussard?
--Emmes B., Seattle.

Indeed, that was the first time manager John McLaren used his "Killer B's" in the same lineup. It would have been interesting if the starting battery in that game was Burke and right-hander Miguel Batista. That would have six starters with last names that started with a "B".

That was the only time manager John McLaren had his "Killer B's" in the lineup at the same time this season.

If you have a pitcher in the rotation that has a decent bat, is it possible to DH another position player instead of the pitcher?
--Brendan B., Olympia, Wash.

The manager can put the pitcher in the lineup, but that would remove the DH, who cannot play a position in the 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:

Looking at the free agent market next year for pitchers, who do you think the Mariners will try to go after to get help for Felix Hernandez and Miguel Batista?
--Harry C., Stuttgart, Germany.

Don't get your hopes up. The list of potential free-agent starting pitchers is extremely thin and includes Freddy Garcia, Bartolo Colon, Carlos Silva, Livan Hernandez, Joel Pineiro, Kyle Lohse, Jon Lieber, Curt Schilling and Jeff Weaver.

Wladimir Balentien's record in Triple-A seems better, or at least as good, as Adam Jones'. Why don't we hear about him as much? Is there any chance for him to play for the Mariners in the future?
--Hideki A., Edmonds, Wash.

Balentien had a fine season with the Tacoma Rainiers, batting .291 with 25 home runs and 84 RBIs, but Jones is a former first-round Draft choice and has all the qualities to become a five-tool star in the Major Leagues. In "scout" talk, Jones has a little higher ceiling than Balentien, but both would seem to have bright futures.

I enjoy rooting for the guys like a Willie Bloomquist, who are strong role players. What are some of these former Mariners players doing today -- Rich Amaral, Luis Ugueto, Charles Thomas, Jose Panaiagua, Greg Pirkl, Bob Wolcott, Mark McLemore, Bucky Jacobsen? Are any of them still in baseball?
--Brian D., Bremerton, Wash.

All of them are out of organized baseball, raising families and perhaps the next generation of Major League players.