News
Pitching, defense likely strengths in '10
Offseason may also determine if Seattle can close the gap
By Jim Street / MLB.com
10/05/09 1:59 AM ET
SEATTLE -- A step in the right direction describes the Mariners' improvement in 2009.The Mariners showed more improvement in the win-loss record last season than any team in the Major Leagues, winning 24 more games than in '08, but much work still needs to be done before the gap between them and the American League West champion Angels can be closed.
"Obviously, coming off a year that was very disappointing, there are a lot of positives," general manager Jack Zduriencik said, "but we are not anywhere close to where I want to be."
The Mariners have seven players eligible for free agency, and seven others signed for next season totaling nearly $60 million. Ichiro Suzuki ($17 million), Carlos Silva ($11.5 million), Bill Hall ($8.4 million), Jack Wilson ($8.4 million or $600,000 buyout), Kenji Johjima ($8 million), Ian Snell ($4.25 million) and Jose Lopez ($2.3 million) are still on multiyear contracts.
"It will be an interesting winter for us," Zduriencik added. "We have to evaluate a lot of things, and I'm anxious to see the kids we have in the [Arizona] Fall League, the instructional league and the guys we send to play winter ball."
Depending on which path the team takes on Wilson and assuming the player payroll would be around $100 million, Zduriencik figures to have about $50 million to spend during the offseason.
It will be interesting to follow the money during the winter.
The most obvious area that needs improvement is the offense. Seattle scored fewer runs than any team in the AL and had fewer hits than anyone.
"I don't want to force anything, but there are places we think we can improve on, no doubt about it," Zduriencik said. "Sometimes things unfold quickly. I can sit here today and have an idea what I want to do, but I can't predict if I'll be able to do it."
First baseman Russell Branyan, who led the team in home runs, had a career year and has said he definitely wants to re-sign with the Mariners.
Decisions also must be made regarding veteran designated hitters Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Sweeney.
They were instrumental in developing team chemistry, but probably would not fit in if the organization decides to build its 25-man roster around athleticism. However, if Griffey decides he wants to return for one final season, it would be tough for the organization to reject Junior's wish.
Pitching and defense carried the team to a winning record in 2009 and figure to be the primary strengths again in '10.
Seattle had the only pitching staff in the AL with an ERA under 4.00 per game and featured one of the best starters and closers in the business with AL Cy Young Award candidate Felix Hernandez and closer David Aardsma.
If Zduriencik is able to add a productive bat or two, the Mariners could take a huge step toward catching up with the Angels.
"We have a much better feel going into this winter than we did a year ago," manager Don Wakamatsu said.
Contract issues
Free agents: Erik Bedard, LHP; Adrian Beltre, 3B; Russell Branyan, 1B; Miguel Batista, RHP; Mike Sweeney, DH; Ken Griffey Jr., DH; Endy Chavez, OF.
Eligible for arbitration: Felix Hernandez, RHP; David Aardsma, RHP; Mark Lowe, RHP; Franklin Gutierrez, OF; Ryan Langerhans, OF; Randy Messenger, RHP.
Player options: None.
Club options: Jack Wilson, SS, $8.4 million or $600,000 buyout.
Non-tender possibilities: None.
Catchers
• Kenji Johjima, .247 BA, 9 HRs, 22 RBIs
• Rob Johnson, .213 BA, 2 HRs, 27 RBIs
• Adam Moore, .287, 12 HRs, 56 RBIs (AA/AAA)
Johjima still has two years remaining on a three-year, $24 million contact, but with the up-and-coming Moore ready to step behind the plate on a regular basis, Johjima's playing time could be reduced significantly in 2010. Johnson has less upside overall than Moore, but he works well with the pitchers, especially ace Hernandez. Unless the Mariners carry three catchers, which they did not do in '09, someone has to go.
First base
• Russell Branyan, .251 BA, 31 HRs, 76 RBIs
• Mike Carp, .271 BA, 15 HRs, 64 RBIs (AAA)
Branyan had a career year, but is eligible for free agency, and it would cost the Mariners a lot more than $1.4 million to bring him back. That being said, Branyan thoroughly enjoyed his first season with Seattle and probably would take less to return than to go somewhere else. The herniated disc problems that shortened his season should not be a long-term situation. Carp has a solid swing and seems to have a good future, but if Branyan returns, Carp most likely will begin the 2010 season in the Minor Leagues.
Second base
• Jose Lopez, .272 BA, 25 HRs, 96 RBIs
• Matt Tuiasosopo, .261 BA, 11 HRs, 35 RBIs (AAA)
Lopez's power production has increased in each of the past four seasons, but his range has decreased and that concerns the organization. He played first base against left-handers during Branyan's absence and played well. But he has made it known that he wants to play second base, and with the offense sputtering virtually the entire '09 season, keeping him in the lineup is imperative.
Shortstop
• Jack Wilson, .224, 1 HR, 8 RBIs
• Josh Wilson, .250 BA, 3 HRs, 10 RBIs
The Mariners were never able to see the "real" Jack Wilson after acquiring him from the Pirates on July 29. He had a sore left hamstring that slowed him down and then suffered a bruised heel and missed most of September. The ailments affected his defense and the change of leagues affected his offense. A .275 career hitter batted .224 with the Mariners and he must do better than that. Josh Wilson is a solid backup at shortstop, but probably not an everyday player on a good team.
Third base
• Adrian Beltre, .265 BA, 8 HRs, 44 RBIs
• Jack Hannahan, .213 BA, 4 HRs, 19 RBIs
• Matt Tuiasosopo, .261, 11 HRs, 35 RBIs (AAA)
• Bill Hall, .200 BA, 2 HRs, 12 RBIs
With Beltre expected to depart via free agency, the vacancy could be filled by Tuiasosopo. Though he primarily played second base after his September callup, he has more playing time in the Minors at third base and been considered the heir apparent for a couple of years. Wakamatsu really likes Hannahan as a player and person, and if Tuiasosopo still isn't ready for full-time duty in the big leagues, then Hannahan might be the one getting the bulk of the playing time at the hot corner. Hall is another option. That was one of the many positions he played for the Brewers, but he must make better contact with the ball on offense than he did at the tail end of the '09 season to be effective.
Outfield
• Endy Chavez, .273 BA, 2 HRs, 13 RBIs
• Franklin Gutierrez, .283 BA, 18 HRs,70 RBIs
• Ichiro Suzuki, .352 BA, 11 HRs, 46 RBIs
• Michael Saunders, 313, 13, 32 RBIs (AAA)
• Ryan Langerhans, .218 BA, 3 HRs, 10 RBIs
The emergence of Gutierrez as one of the best all-around center fielders in the AL and the continuing excellence of Ichiro, makes the outfield one of the Mariners' biggest strengths. Left field, though, remains unclear. Saunders had a solid season at Triple-A Tacoma, but he fell short in the run-production category with Seattle. Chavez suffered a severe knee injury in June and probably will not return next season. Hall and Langerhans give Wakamatsu other options in left field.
Designated hitter
• Ken Griffey Jr., .214 BA, 19 HRs, 57 RBIs
• Mike Sweeney, .281 BA, 8 HRs, 34 RBIs
Between them, the veteran warriors combined to hit 25 home runs and drive in 85 runs in '09, but it seems unlikely that both will return next season, especially if Zduriencik is successful in improving the club's athleticism. The DH situation probably will be one of the last items of business during the offseason. Bringing back Griffey for one more year would make Mariners Nation -- and especially Ichiro -- thrilled beyond words.
Rotation
• Felix Hernandez, 19-5, 2.49 ERA
• Erik Bedard, 5-3, 2.82 ERA
• Ian Snell, 5-2, 4.20 ERA
• Ryan Rowland-Smith, 5-4, 3.74 ERA
• Brandon Morrow, 2-4, 4.39 ERA
• Doug Fister, 3-4, 4.13 ERA
• Carlos Silva, 1-3, 8.60 ERA
• Luke French, 4-5, 5.21 ERA
• Garrett Olson, 3-5, 5.60 ERA
• Jason Vargas, 3-6, 4.91 ERA
There are few aces in the Major Leagues better than Hernandez, who reached elite status in '09. The first-time All-Star was the Mariners' best weapon against prolonged losing streaks as 15 of his 18 victories followed losses. His two-seam fastball overpowered hitters and the changeup he developed during the season made him even tougher to hit. Rowland-Smith emerged as a legitimate No. 2 starter and Snell finally rid himself of the bad vibes he had in Pittsburgh. In the best-case scenario, Morrow would take a big step in his starting-role status and maintain a release point that makes his high-powered pitches so good. The injury-plagued Bedard has said he wants to return, but do the Mariners want him?
Bullpen
• David Aardsma, 3-6, 2.52 ERA, 38 saves
• Mark Lowe, 2-7, 3.26 ERA, 25 holds
• Sean White, 3-2, 2.80 ERA, 1 save
• Shawn Kelley, 5-4, 4.50 ERA
• Miguel Batista, 7-4, 4.04 ERA
• Chris Jakubauskas, 6-7, 5.32 ERA
• Randy Messenger, 0-2, 2.86 ERA, 25 saves (AAA)
When healthy, the tail end of the bullpen could be the strongest aspect of the team. Beginning from the back, Aardsma had a career year, going from no career saves entering the season to the sixth closer in franchise history to notch at least 30 saves. He was lights-out practically the entire season after assuming the role in mid-May. Lowe took his high-90s pitches to a new level, ranking among the league leaders in "holds," and White was invaluable as a setup man. His late-season injury probably cost Seattle six or seven wins in September, according to Wakamatsu. Batista won't be back, but everyone else probably will return.
Jim Street is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
