EVENTS
 Sportsman of the Year
 Heisman Trophy
 Swimsuit 2001

No. 12 Seattle Mariners

Freddy Garcia went 17-8 with a 4.07 ERA last year as a rookie. Brian Bahr/Allsport

1999 Record: 79-83 (3rd in AL West)

The Seattle Mariners finished 16 games out of first last season -- and that was with Ken Griffey Jr. A disaster in the making? Not so fast. A change in philosophy means pitching could be the Mariners strength in 2000.

Lefty John Halama and righty Freddy Garcia, who were acquired in the 1998 trade of Randy Johnson, both made an immediate impact last season. This year, the team signed free agent Aaron Sele, who won 18 games for the Rangers in 1999. And Seattle also acquired Brett Tomko in the Griffey trade.

With an improved staff pitching in spacious Safeco field -- and a little run support -- the Mariners should contend in the West. That's why my rankings have them as the 12th best team in baseball.

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