The Seattle Mariners have not been to the postseason since 2001 when they recorded the best regular season record in baseball history (116−46), only to lose to the New York Yankees in the ALCS. Over the last eight seasons, however, Seattle has wallowed in mediocrity, while the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim — along with the Oakland Athletics at times — have dominated the AL West.
But 2010 could mark a turning point for the hungry Mariners, who in this year's off−season, in the small market of Seattle, have made some big−time moves to put themselves in prime position to make a bid at the division title.
Seattle features the best one−two punches of starting pitchers of any Mariners team in recent memory. The team's staff is anchored by 24−year−old phenom Felix Hernandez, who has been pitching in the majors for the Mariners since he was 19 years old.
After struggling with inconsistencies for the first few years of his career, Hernandez finally settled down in 2009 and posted Cy Young−like numbers (a 19−5 record and a 2.49 ERA to be exact). Now still at a ripe−young age, Hernandez will undoubtedly continue his dominance in 2010, barring injury. He has an incredible upside and an impressive repertoire of pitches. Although Hernandez can touch 100 mph on the radar gun, he relies heavily upon a nasty two−seam fastball that falls away from hitters. Hernandez is a scout's dream, a rare commodity: a true ace.
What makes the Mariners so dangerous this season is that they are one of the few teams in baseball that can realistically claim to field two aces in their rotation. Cliff Lee, who won the American League Cy Young award in 2008 with the Indians, will pitch behind Hernandez in 2010. The Mariners acquired Lee this winter in the last year of his contract from Philadelphia in a multi−team deal that also sent perennial All−Star Roy Halladay to the Phillies.
Lee is a crafty lefty who pitched beautifully against the Yankees in the 2009 World Series. Having hit a stride over the last two seasons, Lee has an opportunity to bloom in the AL West, where the hitters will not be as familiar with his style. Although he is on the disabled list to start the season, Lee will probably be pitching by May. At least on paper, there is no better top of a rotation than that of the Mariners in 2010.
The magical 2001 Mariners season was also perennial All−Star Ichiro Suzuki's rookie season. In that year Ichiro became only the second player in history to win the MVP and Rookie of the Year award in the same season. Arguably the best leadoff hitter of the 2000s, Ichiro has stayed remarkably consistent since he broke into the league. Furthermore, he has stayed loyal to the Mariners, choosing to stay in the small market city for his entire career in the states. And this offseason the Mariners' management acquired some quality hitters to back up Ichiro, forming one of the most promising line−ups they've had this decade.
The Mariners went out and acquired Chone Figgins, Casey Kotchman and Milton Bradley in the offseason, forming the middle of their line−up. All three could potentially have career years and carry the team to the division title, but the up−and−down trio could end up being busts.
Figgins, who is coming off another solid season with the Angels and will start the year hitting in the Mariners' two hole, is the safest bet out of the three to excel in 2010. Although the speedy Figgins failed to reach a .300 batting average last year, he still found ways to get on base, sporting an impressive .395 on−base percentage. Although his numbers may not be as high in 2010, he will likely be able to get on base often behind Ichiro and set the table for the middle of the lineup.
The first baseman Kotchman ended his 2009 season on an inconsistent note for the Red Sox. He batted only .218 and also seemed to be off−balance at the plate. When playing with Atlanta for the first half of 2009 as more of an everyday guy, Kotchman hit .282. He will undoubtedly benefit in 2010 with his spot in the starting lineup ensured. At the young age of 27, Kotchman has not yet had that kind of opportunity in his career, and 2010 could mark a turning point for him.
The Mariners' last big offseason acquisition is also the team's most risky and controversial. Milton Bradley perhaps has as much raw talent as any hitter in baseball. He batted .321 and had an on−base percentage of .436 in his magical 2008 season with the Rangers.
The talent has always been there for Bradley. Unfortunately, he is also widely regarded as a loose cannon. Bradley burned out in 2009 with the Cubs and was suspended for the final 15 games of the season after criticizing his team in a local newspaper. Perhaps Bradley is too much of a free spirit to play in a big market like Chicago, Boston or New York. The Seattle press is rather tame, though, and a new start in a new city could be what Bradley needs to become dominant once again.
Hopes are not terribly high in Seattle, but there is a sense that 2010 could mark a rebirth. The window of success, though, is small. Cliff Lee's contract will expire next season, and he will probably get signed by a team with more money to spend than the Mariners. Ichiro, additionally, is already in his mid−30s, and although Bradley could settle down, he has not been very consistent in the past.
The Angels may not be as solid as they have been in past years, but will still be the favorite to win the division. The Rangers were in the wild card chase late into 2009 and could also have a solid year out West. Mariners fans are used to not getting their hopes up.
However, one cannot help but hold out a small slice of optimism for Seattle in 2010. It really has been a while since they have been on top of the baseball world, and this year might be the year that they regain that status.
