Mariners 2009: Rebuilding Year Ahead

The Mariners have a chance to take third place in the AL West. They would need much better 3-4-5 pitching to do better. Ichiro’s ulcer is troubling, putting the first dent in his indestructible armor. Chris Jakubauskas should be pitching in the fourth SP spot, but he is in the bullpen. If Chan Ho Park can win the Five Spot with the reigning world champions, Jakubauskas’ Spring deserves a starting role on the Mariners. It would be a stronger sign of change. 

The Angels, whose pitching depth is Olympic-sized pool deep, are the team to beat. The A’s, while they added Holliday and Giambi, don’t have the kind of veteran staff that can win against L.A. 

What’s ahead for Seattle? Matt Tuiasosopo, who makes the Opening Day roster because of Ichiro’s DL trip, will have a chance to make management comfortable trading Adrian Beltre, who could bring a nice harvest of pitching. How about swapping Beltre for Roy Halladay from Toronto, who still has a couple years of contract left with the Blue Jays?

But it would have made more sense to bring Mike Wilson, who had a great Spring, up to cover for Ichiro. Ken Griffey Jr. is filling in at Right Field, which will give Mike Sweeney more at-bats as DH,  but the outfield is only one player deep at all positions, with Wladimir Balentien as the only available backup. 

By the end of the season, the M’s will look very different. Pitching changes, reshuffling and additions in the field, and a better record for the effort. It’s still just the beginning. I’ll be there for many of the home games, watching and blogging all the way. Stay tuned to MajorLeagueBlogging.com.

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