Seattle Mariners
The Mariners hope Ken Griffey Jr. will add some pop to an unproven outfield. AP |
Location: Peoria, Ariz. (Cactus League)
2008 record: 61-101 (4th, AL West)
Winter grade: C
New GM Jack Zduriencik wasted no time reshaping the 101-loss club. Aside from the three-team, 12-player deal that brought outfielders Franklin Gutierrez and Endy Chavez to Seattle, most of Zduriencik's deals were small, subtle moves seemingly aimed more at freeing up money for tomorrow than nailing down wins today. The Mariners acquired 21 new faces, not including first-time manager Don Wakamatsu. None of the moves promised to radically transform a team in transition, but one acquisition sure garnered some headlines: Ken Griffey Jr. There was much speculation that Griffey was headed to Atlanta, but the 13-time All-Star ended up returning to the city where he spent his first 11 seasons.
Key question: How much pop will the M's outfield provide?
The Mariners will soon find out if Ichiro Suzuki will be their only offensive outfielder. The loss of Raul Ibanez, who signed with Philadelphia this winter, is huge. New center fielder Franklin Gutierrez has shown flashes of power (just ask Eric Gagne) and a patient bat (he swung at the first pitch just 11.8 percent of the time), but neither he nor left-hander Endy Chavez have demonstrated much-needed muscle.
Prospect to watch: Jeff Clement, C/DH
Clement, the Mariners' 2005 first-round pick, returns from left knee surgery and will challenge Kenji Johjima and Rob Johnson for catching duties. Pitchers were leery of Johjima last season and complained of mixed-up signals, making him vulnerable. Clement's delicate knee, however, might make him better suited for DH.
Position battle to follow: First base
Russell Branyan, Zduriencik's first signing as a GM, will need to muster as much offensive prowess as possible to fight off Bryan LaHair. The DH spot could be the consolation prize for the loser of this battle.
Scout's take: "They are a rebuilding team that's going to try to rebuild around starting pitching. They'll compete and won't be a 100-loss team. If healthy, their starting pitching [Felix Hernandez, Erik Bedard, Brandon Morrow, Carlos Silva and Jarrod Washburn] will be on par with the Angels. They don't have much sock in the outfield, but I love Endy Chavez. I would love to have him on my bench. I'm not a big Clement guy. He's a very athletic kid, has lots of power, but I saw a lot of holes. I don't think they'd shy away from [trading] anyone but Hernandez. This club will look different at the end of the year."
Texas Rangers
Location: Surprise, Ariz. (Cactus League)
2008 record: 79-83 (2nd, AL West)
Winter grade: C
We're writing this one in pencil. Though the team did little to address its Achilles' heel -- pitching -- it once again negotiated a low-risk contract with another fallen superstar in Andruw Jones. Last year's one-year, $5 million dollar gamble on Milton Bradley paid huge dividends for the Rangers, who once again rolled the dice by signing Jones. The outfielder inked a $500,000 minor league deal and has shed more than 20 pounds from last season. He could provide extra pop to an already powerful outfield should the five-time All-Star regain his form. His right-handed bat could perfectly compliment a lefty-loaded lineup anchored by Josh Hamilton. Texas' best move may be the one it didn't make when a Rangers physician identified elbow trouble that nixed the team's impending two-year deal with starter Ben Sheets.
Key question: How will the starting pitching fare?
Rangers new pitching coach Mike Maddox will work with a staff that had the majors' worst team ERA (5.37) and sent 14 pitchers to the disabled list last season. Oft-injured Brandon McCarthy, who has made just 28 starts in two seasons, and Jason Jennings, who signed a minor league contract two weeks before spring training, can steady a rotation anchored by Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla. The bullpen, particularly the closer role, will be up for grabs with Frank Francisco, Derrick Turnbow and C.J. Wilson competing.
Prospect to watch: Elvis Andrus, SS
Andrus, a 20-year-old who's never seen a pitch nor fielded a grounder above Double A, displaced All-Star Michael Young from shortstop to third base. The Rangers purchased an insurance policy of sorts on Andrus' big jump by signing 41-year-old Omar Vizquel, winner of 11 Gold Gloves, to a minor league contract.
Position battle to follow: Catcher
Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Taylor Teagarden will fight for starting catching duties. At just 23, Saltalamacchia is more experienced than Teagarden, 25, but Saltalamacchia struggled mightily at the plate in his injury-shortened 2008 season (.253, .352 OBP and .364 SLG in 61 games). Scouts say Teagarden calls a better game, but Saltalamacchia impressed in the Dominican Winter League.
Scout's take: "I like everything [their front office] is doing. To me, they're the No. 2 team in the division. They just need to have consistent starting pitching. They have the offensive capability, but will they be able to pitch their way through the season? I will be watching how Michael Young takes the move to third base, and if Andrus is ready for the majors. Outfielder Nelson Cruz could be a factor. He had a tremendous year in Triple A."
| SI.com's 2009 Division Previews |
|
|
|
PRINT
EMAIL
RSS
SHARE
.
