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Manager: Bob Melvin (93-69)
Key Addition: Eddie Guardado
Key Loss: Mike Cameron
2003 Record: 93-69 Probable lineup:
C - Dan Wilson
1B - John Olerud
2B - Bret Boone
SS - Rich Aurilia
3B - Scott Spiezio
LF - Raul Ibanez
CF - Randy Winn
RF - Ichiro Suzuki
DH - Edgar Martinez Rotation:
Jamie Moyer
Joel Pineiro
Freddy Garcia
Gil Meche
Ryan Franklin Closer:
Eddie Guardado Pivotal player to watch: Suzuki
No player may be more tied to his team's success than the
Mariners' right fielder. Suzuki was a mess after the
All-Star break - a disappointing trend that has become a
staple of his three-year tenure in the league. It is
possible that a player that stands just 5-9 and weighs
about 170 pounds wears down, but the Mariners - even with
all their offseason improvements - can't afford that to happen
again. Suzuki is expected to bat third this season, but he's the
key to the offense no matter where he hits. If he tails off once
again, or if the pitchers have finally figured him out, the
Mariners may have some trouble scoring runs. Can expect to play better in 2004: Pineiro.
He has one of the best curveballs in the major leagues and
as he learns to throw it regardless of the count, he only
will get better. In just his second full season in 2003,
he went 16-11 with a 3.78 ERA. He did slump in August, but
rebounded to go 3-1 with a 3.21 ERA in September. He could
approach 20 wins and Cy Young Award consideration. Can expect to play worse in 2004: Martinez.
The consummate professional hitter, Martinez did turn 41 in
January and has endured hamstring problems the last two years.
Has a chance to be the first Hall of Famer to have spent nearly
his entire career as a designated hitter and enters 2004 with
a .315 career batting average. But with bad legs, the days of
him slugging .550 are long gone. Helped themselves this spring: Ramon Santiago has played so
well that he has all but forced himself on the roster; Wilson
once again held off all comers while Olerud has torn the cover
off the ball - an encouraging sign for a guy believed to be in
decline; Garcia is healthy and throwing well. Hurt themselves this spring: Ben Davis has let another
opportunity pass through his fingers and could be on the
verge of being sent to the minor leagues or cut; Kevin
Jarvis pitched himself out of a bullpen spot while Pineiro'
struggles are becoming something to be concerned about. Spring Notes: This team appears to have very few, if any,
holes but something appears off. Rebound seasons by
Garcia and Olerud would be huge but this team has fallen
short of lofty expectations so many times in the last five
years that is always seems like everyone is waiting for the
other shoe to drop.
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