2009 Mariner Upgrades

Mariners fans, let's take a second to look at what's ahead of us. Remember how excited everyone was leading into the season last year? How analysts were picking the M's to challenge for the AL West? How the pitching was going to carry the team? Well, I'm taking this opportunity to make a case for being equally - if not more - excited about the line up this year.

Starting Pitching -
King Felix back at #1, a healthy (fingers crossed, keep rubbin' that butt Rick Griffin) Erik Bedard at #2, a healthy (keep applying magic tonic to that elbow Rick Griffin) Brandon Morrow, up-and-coming Ryan Rowland-Smith and a Carlos Silva with something to prove rounding out the rotation challenges any rotation the Mariner's have had...ever. If Morrow can't make the beginning of the season, we can parade our token trade bait Jarrod Washburn for a month to try to entice some sucker into taking his $10 million contract off our hands.

The Pen -
Come on, who's middle relief isn't a mess?! That's why they're middle relievers, because they aren't good enough to be starters, and they aren't good enough to be closers. Bright side, Chris Jakubauskas has looked great in spring, Garrett Olson is a promising lefty with spot start potential, and the rest of the misfits will work themselves out. While this may be the only area that seemingly downgraded by losing JJ Putz as the closer and Morrow as the 8th inning bridge, let me gently remind you that Putz was hurt almost the entire year and Morrow being in the rotation is the stuff dreams are made of. As soon as Chad Cordero completes his rehab, Mariner fans will be remembering good times we had with Everyday Eddie. Until then, Mark Lowe will throw smoke and hope for the best.

The Defense -
The combination of Russell Branyan/Mike Sweeney will be more than adequate. The addition of Ronny Cendeno is the wake up call Jose Lopez and Yuniesky Betancourt need. The middle infield's biggest problem has been maturity, and what better way to inspire children to try harder than to threaten to take away what they hold dearest...their starting positions. And to be honest, neither was afraid Willie Bloomquist or Tug Hulett were stealing anyone's starting position.

The days of watching Raul flopping around in left are mercifully over. Oh, and we replaced him with some guy named Griffey. He's not bad. We brought in Franklin Gutierrez - a budding star who's already known as top-tier defensive player - as a replacement for resident-greaser Jeremy Reed. And with new addition Endy Chavez and Wladamir Balentien available to fill in at all three positions, the outfield appears rock solid.

The Sticks -
Getting Griffey back is clearly the most notable, mainly because it allows the rest of the line up to settle into their respective roles. If there was one gigantic flaw with last year's lineup, it was the inability to fill roles. Griffey hitting three allows for at left-right-left-right combination in the top four spots. Jose Lopez has proven he's offensively equipped to handle the 2 spot, and Beltre is in his contract year. Put him in the 4 hole and let him show what he can do. Branyan and Sweeney are veteran hitters who will fit perfectly into the 5 and 6 spots. Gutierrez is still finding himself at the plate a bit, but offers some speed that was desperately vacant from last year's squad. Taking some pressure off Kenji and planting him in the 8th spot will assure that last season was an fluke. Betancourt needs to acquire some plate discipline, and the 9 hole is a fitting place for him to do that.

Remember September, when it seemed the mess would be impossible to clean up? Those days are long gone my friends. And if you haven't already sent Jack Zduriencik an e-card to thank him, I suggest you do so immediately.