2009 AL Previews: Seattle Mariners

Team Name: Seattle Mariners
2008 W-L Record: 61-101
Place in division: 4th

2009 Projected Lineup
Player Pos.
Jeff Clement C
Branyan/Shelton 1B
Jose Lopez 2B
Ronny Cedeno SS
Adrian Beltre 3B
Endy Chavez LF
Franklin Gutierrez CF
Ichiro RF
Mike Sweeney DH

Key Bench Players
Player Pos.
Yuniesky Betancourt IF
Wladimir Balentein OF
Kenji Johjima C

2009 Projected Rotation
Player Pos.

Felix Hernandez SP1

Erik Bedard SP2

Brandon Morrow SP2
Jarrod Washburn SP4
Carlos Silva SP5

Key Relievers
Player Pos.
Tyler Walker Closer
Ryan Rowland-Smith Setup
David Aardsma Setup
Miguel Batista (Fail) Specialist

2009 Outlook: So this is odd. Within one off-season the Mariners went from the organization that wouldn't trade Jarrod Washburn for a young pitcher -- with at worst equal value -- to one of the best ran teams in the league. Consider that this team traded A few relievers and a middle infielder and in return landed a handful of prospects, a few defensive studs, and a few starting pitching options. There's a very legitimate chance this team becomes Boston West very soon. That's incredibly scary. Hell, just look at USSM and LL, when was the last time they swooned over a non-Rays front office?