December 26, 2009

Hot Stove Has Warmed Up the Seattle Mariner Roster for 2010

Going into the 2010 season Seattle Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik may have already made some of the biggest deals in December that Monte Hall could only dream about. First the Mariners GM started by picking up Angel's 3rd baseman free-agent Chone Figgins. The now 4 year - $36 million dollar Mariner Figgins can play a variety of positions besides third, including second and in the outfield. Last year with the Angels Figgins played 154 games at third base while committing only 14 errors. Meanwhile, Mariner 3BAdrian Beltre made 14 errors in 111 games. In 2009 Figgins batted .298 with 5 hr 54 RBIs, 42 SB and had a .395 0BP.

The second big move by Zduriencik was acquiring ace starting pitcher Cliff Lee from the Phillies in a three team trade. Lee who was 4-0 with a 1.56 era in the 2009 post -season won the Cy Young award with Indians in 2008 with a record of 22 and 3. With "King Felix" and now Cliff Lee in the starting rotation you have two arms that can shut down any offense.

The third big move by Zdureincik was getting a big bat in for the middle of the Mariners line-up. That big bat was getting out-fielder Milton "sometimes head-case" Bradley by trade with the Cubs. The Mariners had to trade the "super $44 million dollar bust" pitcher Carlos" fools gold" Silva who has been a big joke in his first 2 years with the Mariners. Bradley only batted .257 with 12 home runs and 40 RBIs with the Cubs last year, but his best year was in 2008 when he batted .321 with 22 home runs and 77 RBIs with the Texas Rangers. If Bradley can stay healthy and stay away from his "meltouchdown-own tirades" then the Mariners should have decent run producer in their line-up.

The fourth move in December was trading starting Mariner pitcher Brandon Morrow to the Blue Jays for Jays pitcher Brandon League. Morrow, who has control problems as a starter and out the bullpen, has never panned out after being picked fifth in the 2006 draft. In 2009 Morrow was 2 and 4 with a 4.39 ERA and 44 walks in 69.2 innings pitched. Morrow threw fastballs 90% of the time which he aimed, while looking stiffer than the tin man in the Wizard of Oz on the mound. In 2009 with the Blue Jays, Brandon League went 3 and 6 with a 4.58 ERA in 74.2 innings and only 21 walks. League will be placed in Mariners bullpen, (a move which hopefully will make it stronger) as he throws strikes on a regular basis.

In 2009 the Mariners had a record of 85 and 77. All of these off-season moves should put them in the 90+ win file for the 2010 playoff wild card hunt, at least on paper. Staying healthy in 2010 will turn paper into reality for the Mariners.

-Dre 206 "The one and only!"