Spring training site
Peoria, Ariz.
2007 record
88-74, second in AL West, six games behind Angels
New faces
LHP Erik Bedard (trade, Orioles); IF Miguel Cairo (free agent, Cardinals); RHP Carlos Silva (free agent, Rangers); 1B-OF Brad Wilkerson (free agent, Rangers)
Biggest offseason acquisition
The long-delayed trade for Bedard solidified a shaky rotation. One of the top young lefties in baseball, the trade allows super prospect Felix Hernandez to slide down to No. 2 in the rotation, which is a much more fitting place for a 21-year-old to be.
Gone but not forgotten
Without outfielder Jose Guillen (now with Kansas City), the Mariners lost a lot of pop in their lineup. They'll try to replace Guillen's .299, 23 homers and 99 RBI with Wilkerson, who hit .234 with 20 homers for Texas last season.
Spring training battles
Wilkerson has the inside track for the right field spot, but Jeremy Reed is close in the chase and is the likely candidate to take over if Wilkerson starts slowly. Charlton Jimerson lit up Double-A last season and hit his first big-league homer in the final week last season. There's some bullpen spots to settle on as well.
Projected lineup
- CF Ichiro Suzuki
- DH Jose Vidro
- 3B Adrian Beltre
- LF Raul Ibanez
- 1B Richie Sexson
- RF Brad Wilkerson
- C Kenji Johjima
- SS Yuniesky Betancourt
- 2B Jose Lopez
Projected starting rotation
- LHP Erik Bedard
- RHP Felix Hernandez
- RHP Miguel Batista
- RHP Carlos Silva
- LHP Jarrod Washburn
Projected bullpen
- RHP J.J. Putz (closer)
- RHP Brandon Morrow
- LHP Eric O'Flaherty
- LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith
- LHP Horacio Ramirez
- RHP Chris Reitsma
- RHP Sean Green
Biggest strength
The pitching staff is improved, and this team has good balance. As long as Ichiro is getting on base, he makes everybody in the lineup better.
Glaring weakness
Middle relief, as in so many places, is filled with a lot of unknown quantities. And the Mariners need Sexson to bounce back from a dreadful .205 average last season. He's a career .263 hitter – that's one steep drop-off.
