Fwiw - imho.
They definitely have some excellent starting pitching even with ace Cliff Lee on 15 day DL with an abdominable strain. They still have their hands full in a division with the Angels competing against them..Lee and Felix Hernandez are one hell of a 1-2 punch at the top of their rotation.
The rest of their starters are young and unproven for the most part. Ryan Rowland-Smith, Ian Snell and Doug Fister all finished with spring ERAs over 6.00. Only Jason Vargas was steady at 3.04.
Catching is a question mark as their Japanese import Kenji Johjima flopped Causing Kenji and his $8M contract to go back to Japan (much to Mariner ownership's relief) leaving the catchers spot open to either light-hitting Rob Johnson, 27, and unproven Adam Moore, turning 26 next month.
With back-up infielder Jack Hanahan on the DL the M's are going to have to lean on starters infielders Jose Lopez, Jack Wilson, Chone Figgins and Casey Kotchman to play everyday against all pitching. Hanahan is due back in mid April as a welcome versatile back-up infielder.
The bullpen is solid but needs a strong year from closer David Ardsma to make up for the 4 unproven starters behind Hernandez and Lee.
Ken Griffey Jr still has the bat speed that can make him a top DH backed up against the tough lefties around the AL by roster spot long shot RHB Mike Sweeney who surprised many by making the team..
An already weak offensive club is rolling the dice by placing CF Milton Bradley in the clean up spot, Ichiro is Ichiro in right and will be an All Star as usual. Bradley in Center is key to the M's lineup (making $7M how long will it take for him to lose it when he realizes Eric Byrnes is making $11.66M to play left) that kind of thing has been a problem with Bradley in the past.
Baseball is all a twitter about Boston going run reduction this season but the real team that is playing run reduction ball are the M's as they basically have the same low scoring offense as they had last year again this year but have added some pitching and defense that has the city of Seattle optimistic.
The Mariners can win 85 to 90 games with their big two healthy and having Cy Young seasons plus a big no craziness performance out of Bradley. Take away any one of the three and it's curtains for the M's as even without Figgens, Lackey and Guerrero the Angels will win 90 to 95 games.
Texas is an unknown factor looking to compete and the A's playing small payroll ball will be happy with a .500 season.
wil.
They definitely have some excellent starting pitching even with ace Cliff Lee on 15 day DL with an abdominable strain. They still have their hands full in a division with the Angels competing against them..Lee and Felix Hernandez are one hell of a 1-2 punch at the top of their rotation.
The rest of their starters are young and unproven for the most part. Ryan Rowland-Smith, Ian Snell and Doug Fister all finished with spring ERAs over 6.00. Only Jason Vargas was steady at 3.04.
Catching is a question mark as their Japanese import Kenji Johjima flopped Causing Kenji and his $8M contract to go back to Japan (much to Mariner ownership's relief) leaving the catchers spot open to either light-hitting Rob Johnson, 27, and unproven Adam Moore, turning 26 next month.
With back-up infielder Jack Hanahan on the DL the M's are going to have to lean on starters infielders Jose Lopez, Jack Wilson, Chone Figgins and Casey Kotchman to play everyday against all pitching. Hanahan is due back in mid April as a welcome versatile back-up infielder.
The bullpen is solid but needs a strong year from closer David Ardsma to make up for the 4 unproven starters behind Hernandez and Lee.
Ken Griffey Jr still has the bat speed that can make him a top DH backed up against the tough lefties around the AL by roster spot long shot RHB Mike Sweeney who surprised many by making the team..
An already weak offensive club is rolling the dice by placing CF Milton Bradley in the clean up spot, Ichiro is Ichiro in right and will be an All Star as usual. Bradley in Center is key to the M's lineup (making $7M how long will it take for him to lose it when he realizes Eric Byrnes is making $11.66M to play left) that kind of thing has been a problem with Bradley in the past.
Baseball is all a twitter about Boston going run reduction this season but the real team that is playing run reduction ball are the M's as they basically have the same low scoring offense as they had last year again this year but have added some pitching and defense that has the city of Seattle optimistic.
The Mariners can win 85 to 90 games with their big two healthy and having Cy Young seasons plus a big no craziness performance out of Bradley. Take away any one of the three and it's curtains for the M's as even without Figgens, Lackey and Guerrero the Angels will win 90 to 95 games.
Texas is an unknown factor looking to compete and the A's playing small payroll ball will be happy with a .500 season.
wil.
The Seattle sports fans are always optimistic. God bless them. I'll wait and see as usual before I jump on their band wagon. There must be something in the water (or rain) but the Seattle franchises never seem to meet expectations or hype.
Last year was usually a good bet on the under with their anemic offense and good pitching. I'm hoping this continues this year. Pitching should be even better with Lee. O/U last year = 65/89.
