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 CNN/SI Preview: Seattle Mariners
Posted: Wednesday March 17, 1999 04:02 PM
By Dan George, CNN/SI Player to Watch: Jay Buhner, OF OK, the biggest question in Seattle this spring is: How are the Mariners going to replace Randy Johnson? But close behind is: Just where will Jay Buhner be playing on Opening Day? Buhner, who won a Gold Glove in right field in 1996, endured the worst season of his career in 1998. First, he missed two months recovering from knee surgery. Then he injured his right elbow, eventually leading to ligament replacement - a.k.a. Tommy John - surgery in September. The results: a paltry 15 home runs and 45 RBIs. The operation hasn't hurt Buhner's swing in training camp, and the big right-handed hitter is expected to resume his usual 40-homer, 100-RBI output. But will he be able to play right field with that tender elbow? The Mariners initially penciled him in at first base, making incumbent David Segui - also a Gold Glover - the brief subject of trade talks. But Seattle has backed off that scenario. After opening spring training at DH, Buhner has played some games in left field, where throws are less demanding. He'll probably begin the season there, moving to right after his elbow gets stronger. 1998 Recap (76-85, 3rd place, AL West) Ken Griffey bashed 56 homers for the second straight season, becoming at age 28 the youngest player to reach the 350 home-run plateau. Young Alex Rodriguez became just the third 40-40 man in baseball history, finishing with 42 homers and 46 stolen bases. And that pretty much takes care of the Mariners' good news in 1998. Lame-duck ace Randy Johnson sulked his way to a 9-10 record before the M's shipped him to the Astros, where he added insult to injury by finishing with a 10-1 mark and 1.28 ERA. In addition to Buhner, catcher Dan Wilson missed half the season after tearing ligaments in his ankle. And the bullpen woes continued as Seattle relievers blew 21 of 52 save opportunities and finished with an AL-worst 5.44 ERA. As a result, the Mariners stumbled home 11 1/2 games behind the first-place Rangers, a lackluster finish that left Griffey and Rodriguez openly wondering whether they should remain in Seattle when their contracts expire after the 2000 season. 1999 Outlook The Mariners are scheduled to leave the dreary Kingdome behind for new Safeco Field on July 15. Unfortunately for manager Lou Piniella, many of the problems that haunted the M's last season will be making the move, too. As usual, Seattle boasts one of the deadliest offenses in either league. A-Rod, Junior, Buhner, Segui, Edgar Martinez and Russ Davis contributed to an AL-best 234 homers last season. Add newcomers Carlos Guillen (a second baseman acquired in the Johnson trade and expected to lead off), Butch Huskey (24 homers for the Mets in '97) and John Mabry (.279 over last three seasons), and the Mariners may have even more muscle.
And the defense should be better, if only because Davis shouldn't repeat his 24 errors of '98, the most in a season for a Mariner at any position. But, oh, that pitching. The Mariners struck out in their effort to add a No. 1 starter over the winter, leaving lefties Jeff Fassero (13.12 with a 3.97 ERA) and Jamie Moyer (15-9, 3.53) vying for the spot. Not encouraging, given that Fassero is 35 and coming off elbow surgery, while Moyer is 36. Other likely starters are Ken Cloude (8-10, 5.37 ERA), Mark Leiter (23 saves with the Phillies in '98) and Butch Henry, who hasn't avoided the DL since 1994. Despite a killer fastball, phenom Ryan Anderson is still a ways off. Jose Mesa, never quite the same since Game 7 of the 1997 World Series, will try to regain his form as Seattle's closer. If he falters, young Jose Paniagua (2-0, 2.05) could step in. Add another quality starter, and the M's could make the AL West race a little more crowded. Otherwise, Safeco Field may be the most interesting thing about their '99 season.
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