MLB preview: Seattle Mariners
Sure, the Mariners made great progress last season, and they added some serious talent this offseason, including former Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee. Why they're considered the runaway favorite in the AL West by many — and thus not expected to experience any of the negativity Milton Bradley brought to the Cubs last season — escapes me.
2009 record: 85-77 (12 games back in AL West)
2010 projected record: 88-74 (3 GB)
Probable starters:
C — Rob Johnson
1B — Casey Kotchman
2B — Jose Lopez
SS — Jack Wilson
3B — Chone Figgins
LF — Milton Bradley
CF — Franklin Gutierrez
RF — Ichiro Suzuki
DH — Ken Griffey Jr.
SP — Cliff Lee, Felix Hernandez, Ryan Rowland-Smith, Ian Snell, Doug Fister
CL — David Aardsma
RP — Mark Lowe, Garrett Olson
Strengths: Regardless of which order they make their season debuts, Lee and Hernandez are a frightening duo atop the starting rotation. If he gets healthy, Erik Bedard has the talent to make it a three-headed monster. Suzuki remains an elite leadoff hitter, and he's got another elite, similar player joining him at the top of the order in Figgins. Gutierrez is an underrated center fielder, and if Bradley's head is screwed on somewhat straight, it could be a very solid outfield. Aardsma sure looked like a top closer last season.
Weaknesses: Other than Jose Lopez, who's one of the best power-hitting second basemen in the game, and Figgins, the Mariners have a terribly weak lineup, apart from their outfield. Griffey is a shell of his former self, and Kotchman is far below average for his position. Wilson is known for defense, not offense, and catcher will be a liability, whether it's Johnson, Josh Bard or someone else getting the majority of the playing time. The back end of the rotation is questionable, and the bullpen reliant on Aardsma — who has had exactly one good season — and unprovens beyond Lowe.
