Seattle Spring Expectations Soar

Okay, settle down people. Yes, the Mariners are 4-0 in Spring play and, to the immense gratification of fans who sat through too many innings without Mariners reaching base in 2008, are scoring an average of 8.17 runs a game, including the 3-4 loss to the Padres in exhibition play last Wednesday. Yes, the Mariners do have the best Spring record in baseball—Pittsburgh and the Angels are the next best. Yes, Rob Johnson, whom I wrote should be in the mix for a catcher’s spot on the roster, went 2-for-3 in today’s win over the White Sox. Yes, Jarrod Washburn has a 0.00 ERA through four innings pitched so far. Yes, Ronny Cedeno is an improvement on Willie Bloomquist.

But this is not the team, nor are these the games, we’ll be seeing during the regular season.

So, calm down.

Seriously, in 2004, when the Mariners went 18-11-1 (.638) to win the Cactus League by a half game over Milwaukee and the Angels then of Anaheim, the team went on to a cellar-dominating 63-99 regular season. With so many starting roster players—on every team—out for the World Baseball Classic, this Spring’s games should be treated as a AA-lens on the real composition of the coming season’s line-ups.

There is a lot to be feeling good about. Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times notes that Matt Tuiasosopo is batting 6-for-11 on the young Spring. Jarrod Washburn’s looking solid in his two outings, and we can hope that his walk year will yield a strong performance for the team as he auditions for his next contract, hopefully so Seattle can trade for prospects during the season.

And some things to worry about, too. For instance, Dave over at U.S.S. Mariner points  out that Seattle doesn’t really have a legitimate closer. Ryan Rowland-Smith gave up four hits, including a home run, and three earned runs in two innings pitched today.

The small-ball play of the Mariners over the past week has been bracing. Larry LaRue reminds that the M’s haven’t rolled out their big bats, with Ken Griffey Jr., Mike Sweeney and Russell Branyan still to make their Spring, and Mariners, debuts. Add 1.5 to three runs with two of these guys—or Adrian Beltre, when he’s back in solid form—in the lineup to move the average of 14.4 runners left on base during the first five games from scoring position to home.

Nevertheless, while it’s fun to see the Mariners winning, it’s way too early to count any of this as projectable into the regular season.

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