The Mariners entered the 2010 season with stratospheric expectations. By all accounts, GM Jack Zduriencik had done a spectacular job, creating a formidable rotation by adding Cliff Lee to compliment ace Felix Hernandez and bringing in outfielder Milton Bradley for next to nothing. The offense was to be led by the triumphant return of Ken Griffey Jr. and the newly signed Chone Figgins. But the 2010 Mariners proved the old adage as the best laid plans of Zduriencik went awry and the team finished an abysmal 61-101 with the worst offense in the MLB and one of the worst of the modern era. This year, they are the consensus pick to finish last in the talented AL West.
Projected Lineup:
- Ichiro Suzuki (RF)
- Chone Figgins (3B)
- Justin Smoak (1B)
- Jack Cust (DH)
- Franklin Gutierrez (CF)
- Miguel Olivo (C)
- Michael Saunders (LF)
- Brandon Ryan (2B)
- Jack Wilson (SS)
Projected Rotation:
- Felix Hernandez
- Jason Vargas
- Doug Fister
- Eric Bedard
- David Pauley
Strengths:
King Felix: Felix Hernandez is as dominant as they come. The reigning AL Cy Young award winner had a 2.27 ERA, 232 Ks, and a 1.07 WHIP. Felix is arguably the best pitcher in baseball, certainly in the AL but on this team, he’s a non-factor.
Prospects: Dustin Ackley is ranked 7th on Keith Law’s list of the top prospects in baseball and wont spend the entire season in the minors. The Mariners have four of the top prospects and pitcher Michael Pineda is making a push to make the rotation now.
That’s it. Felix and prospects. Those are the strengths. Oh, and Ichiro is always really good.
Weaknesses:
Everything else. Really, everything. For instance:
Batting order: The Mariners have one (1) starter who hit .300 last season. Do I really have to say any more?
Smoak: Justin Smoak was acquired in the Cliff Lee trade last year and is being asked to do an awful lot. Smoak struggled last season hitting .211 with 13 HRs in 100 games. Now he’s supposed to carry the entire offense. On the plus side, he’s never been caught stealing (1 for 1 career).
Rotation, Bullpen, Depth: All of it is bad. Aside form Felix that is. Can David Aardsma stay healthy? If he does will he have any games to close?
Storylines:
Wedge: New manager Eric Wedge certainly has his work cut out for him this season. It remains to be seen if he can improve upon his results from his time with the Cleveland Indians (561-573 from 2003-2009).
Ackley: Dustin Ackley is the rising star of an organization that is decidedly looking toward the future. This will likely be his debut season and the Mariners will be interested in his 
progress.
Felix and Ichiro: The two best players on the team are marooned on a loser in Seattle. Will they be able to maintain focus or will two years of futility wear them down?
Prediction:
62-100, Last Place, AL West. Only because they can’t be as bad as last year, right?
Bold Prediction:
- Dustin Ackley will win the Rookie of the Year in the AL
- Ken Griffey Jr., currently a team consultant, will make a comeback and hit 15 HRs. (please, I love Griffey)
- Ichiro and Fellix will consider defecting TO Cuba just to get away from this team
And Now For Something Completely Different:
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-Max Frankel
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