Are We There Yet?

Wow, this offseason has been one for the books. The question now is, Are We Done Yet? With Zudriencek orchestrating the moves, I'm sure the short answer to that questions is, "Never," but it seems like we've just about filled our roster. Going into spring training, the Active 40 man roster has been posted, as well as a list of the non-roster invitees. Here's a current prediction of the active 25 man roster we should have for the 2010 season, including a projected starting lineup posted:

* denotes projected member of 25 man roster according to SeattleMariners.com.

Starting Lineup (As listed on Seattle Mariners Home Site):

1. Ichiro Suzuki, Rightfield*
2. Chone Figgins, Thirdbase*
3. Franklin Gutierrez, Centerfield*
4. Jose Lopez, Secondbase*
5. Milton Bradley, Leftfield*
6. Ken Griffey Jr., Designated Hitter*
7. Casey Kotchman, Firstbase*
8. Rob Johnson, Catcher*
9. Jack Wilson, Shortstop*

Bench:

1. Adam Moore, Catcher
2. Ryan Garko, Firstbase/Designated Hitter
3. Eric Byrnes, Outfielder/Designated Hitter
4. Jack Hannahan, Thirdbase/Firstbase
5. Matt Tuiasosopo, Shortstop/Secondbase/Thirdbase

Rotation:

1. Felix Hernandez*
2. Cliff Lee*
3. Ryan Rowland-Smith*
4. Ian Snell*
5. Doug Fister*

Bullpen

1. David Aardsma, Closer*
2. Mark Lowe, Setup Man*
3. Garret Olson, Setup Man*
4. Brandon League, Setup Man/Closer
5. Sean White, Middel Relief
6. Jason Vargas, Long Relief/5th Starter

Now, I know there are some issues with this. A lot of people see Ryan Langerhans as also making the team, but this seems kind of silly with the addition of Byrnes. Ichiro and Gutierrez will play the outfield everyday barring an injury, and if he's all smiles, Milton Bradley can too. Now if any one of these guys needs a day off, Eric Byrnes can fill in, or if he's healthy, so can Griffey. Now, versus left handed pitching, Griffey may be sat, but that means that you could have either Byrnes or Bradley DH while the other plays the field, or you can have Ryan Garko DH and leave Kotchman in the linuep. Thus, having 4 capable outfielders (assuming no health or other issues take place) for 3 spots, especially where 2 have been etched in stone since last years all star break, is enough.

Also, I have a feeling that if Kotchman can hold his own against lefthanded pitching in spring training, he may be given the opportunity to play everyday, just as Russell Branyan was given last year. Garko may find himself pinch hitting, taking over for Kotchman in late innings, DHing against lefties, and potentially, showing us that he is seriously being considered as a 3rd catcher.

Thus, bench wise, I think the only depth problem is the middle infield. Hannahan is reliable enough at the corners and Tuiasosopo is trying to break into the bigs at 3rd or short, but right now, if Lopez or Wilson were to go down, the depth is pretty slim, and I'd bet that Figgins would be moved to the middle infield while Hannahan or Tuiasosopo held down the hot corner. Sure, there's Josh Wilson, who held the spot once Jack Wilson got injured last year, but he's a reserve at best.