Seattle Mariners Information
It has been nine seasons since the Mariners have made it into the playoffs and season ticket holders are expecting the team to come through this year. The team made a minor coaching change, naming Mike Brumley as the new third base coach. With the team, change was more prolific as the team lost a number of players to include catcher Kenji Johima, home run leader Russell Branyan and two-time Gold Glove winner Adrian Beltre. The team also traded RP Philippe Aumont to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Cliff Lee. Pitcher Brandon Morrow was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays and oft-injured Carlos Silva was traded to the Chicago Cubs.
The team managed to make a few high profile signings to include signing Chone Figgins to a four-year deal, Ken Griffey Jr. to a one more year deal, Felix Hernandez to a 4-year deal and finally Shortstop Jack Wilson who signed a two-year deal. In a major 4-team 9-player trade, the Mariners received former Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee from the Phillies in exchange for 3 prospects. In late December, the Mariners traded pitcher Carlos Silva to the Cubs for OF Milton Bradley and on the 22nd, traded Brandon Morrow to the Blue Jays for pitcher Brandon League and a prospect. The team also traded Bill Hall for Casey Kotchman and a player to be announced later.
Former Mariner pitcher Randy Johnson has agreed to throw out the ceremonial first pitch for the 2010 season before the season opener at Safeco Field.
Previous Seasons:
After 31 seasons in franchise history, the Mariners want to win their first AL west title after a close tie for MLB record wins in 2001. They have had tough moments this season, with manager Mike Hargrove announcing his resignation from the team in July – retiring after Major League-best 25-12 record. Under replacement John McClaren, the Mariners have won eight consecutive games in June/July. Ichiro Suzuki was also named to the All Star Game, along with closing pitcher J.J Putz. Although the Mariners have never made it to a World Series, some believe they still have produced some of Baseball’s best individual players.
The Seattle Mariners might be facing their last chance at a championship with the current team still intact. Over the years, the Mariners have been looked at as a group of underachievers when they reach the postseason, even winning 116 games in 2001 before bowing out to the New York Yankees in the ALCS. The Mariners have never played for a World Series in their 25 year existence, but they’re optimistic that 2004 will change all of that.
Bob Melvin has the inevitable task of replacing Lou Piniella
as manager in Seattle. Melvin enters his second season at the
helm, and the talent possessed by his players is quite obvious,
but it’s a matter of turning that talent into wins down
the stretch and in the postseason. The Mariners play their home
games in Safeco Field, located in the heart of Seattle. Safeco
is a huge change from the old ballpark, the Kingdome. The Kingdome
was notorious for being a batter-friendly park, but Safeco is
one of the toughest hitter’s parks in the league. With
all the rain Seattle experiences, they’ve designed a retractable
roof for the field that covers it, but doesn’t entirely
enclose it, enhancing the open-air feeling for the fans.
The biggest loss on offense was outfielder Mike Cameron moving to the New York
Mets. The Mariners will once again be led by all-star right fielder Ichiro
Suzuki. Suzuki is one of the top ballplayers in the league, because he has
blazing speed, power when needed, and an amazing arm that makes every potential
base runner think twice before testing him. Edgar Martinez will continue to
DH at 41 years of age, but he’s still quite productive. In 2003, Martinez
was able to play in 145 games and had another .300-25-100 season. The other
big bat in the lineup will undoubtedly come from second base in the form of
all-star Bret Boone. With the exception of Alfonso Soriano in Texas, Boone
is widely regarded as the top second baseman in the AL and quite possibly in
the entire league. Boone finished with 35 homers and 117 runs batted in last
season, and that production is magnified even more so when you can get it from
your second baseman.
Jamie Moyer, the wily 41 year old veteran, will once again lead the staff this season. Moyer has seemingly gotten better over the years, even though his “fast ball” doesn’t eclipse 85 miles per hour. He throws a filthy sinker, and many hitters are so used to the 95 mph fastball, they have trouble seeing and making contact with something so different. Freddy Garcia will look to bounce back from a disappointing 2003 campaign, and youngster Joel Piniero will attempt to assert himself as a solid starter in the rotation. Shigetoshi Hasagawa and Rafael Soriano are two of the best set-up men in the game, and newly acquired closer “Everyday” Eddie Guardado will likely have many chances to save games for the Mariners.