Wedge in, Valentine Out

It's being reported that the Mariners have all but completely decided on former Cleveland Indian manager, Eric Wedge, to take the helm for the 2011 season. Wedge managed Cleveland from 2003-2009 and made the playoffs in 2007. He went 561-573 before he was fired. More on him later...

If 2011 Started tomorrow...

That's right, with the 2010 season over, let's plan for the next year. Here's some theories I have on how the M's could piece things together if no moves were made during the off season.

Starting Pitchers:

1. Felix Hernandez - This one's obvious as we all hope that Felix makes another Cy run next year and hopefully gets some run support to back him.

2. Michael Pineda ()- The top pitching prospect among the Mariner's minor league is rumored to get a chance to make the starting rotation, and with the stuff he's shown through all the levels of the Mariner's farm system, he could provide a great 1-2 punch with Felix for years to come.

3. Jason Vargas - Vargas made it through a whole season with nearly 200 innings under his belt and a solid season to show for it. He's one of few Mariners that should win his arbitration case, but since he's been making the league minimum, he'll be a bargain 3rd starter and a lefty as well. He'd also greatly profit from decent run support and improved fielding.

4. Doug Fister - Fister started the year strongly, but after spending time on the DL, he had issues finding the dominance that he began the season with. However, he pitched well enough to earn a spot in the rotation toward the back of the rotation and could have a very strong 2011 ahead of him. Again, improved fielding and more run support will go a long way.

5. Luke French, David Pauley, Ryan Rowland-Smith (2014) - Now, going into spring training will be interesting. RRS has the most experience, but he completely tanked this year and also pitched worse at Triple-A than either Pauley or French. The only thing I believe he has going for him is a strange undying faith from the front office and management. Pauley and French were statistically similar and would make adequate fifth starter material. Maybe go with French because he's another lefty and he's 3 years younger. Otherwise, it'd be nice to get a solid veteran to fill out a rotation where the average age is going to be about 26 going into spring training.

Bullpen:

Closer: David Aardsma/Brandon League

Much speculation has already begun as whether Aardsma will stay or not, due to the fact that he will earn a larger salary after winning his arbitration case. If so, he's got the closer spot locked down. Otherwise, League should take over this spot.

Rest of the pen: Dan Cortes, Anthony Varvaro, Garrett Olson, Chris Seddon, Sean White

Well, one positive is that the bullpen should get young with the team declining to resign Jamey Wright and Brian Sweeney. However, there are the young, relatively unproven guys (Cortes, Varvaro, Seddon) and the near useless (Olson, White). One reason to keep Aardsma would be that League could be used in non-closing situations. Also, RRS may end up here if he doesn't make the rotation.



Catcher: Adam Moore

This year wasn't pretty, but Moore won this spot from Rob Johnson halfway through the year. Towards the end of this season we saw some improved offense and hopefully, Moore can show more of his Triple-A numbers next year in the bigs.

First Base: Justin Smoak/Casey Kotchman

Smoak is definitely ready to take over as far as power is concerned. Next year, his offense should improve. Apparently, the Kotch may still be around too...

Second Base: Dustin Ackley

Yep, they believe Ackley should be ready to by mid-season if not sooner. His bat will be an asset for sure and hopefully, he's got his defense down, too.

Third Base: Chone Figgins

Figgins has said he wants to stay put at second, but his glove hasn't been the best asset and Ackley is the long term plan at second. Besides, Figgs is much better at third and it seems his batting turned around at the end of the season.

Shortstop: Jack Wilson

Kind of hoped that Wilson would retire. He's having issues staying healthy and his defense has slipped. Plus, he's know offensive threat, but he's signed through 2011.

Left field: Milton Bradley/Michael Saunders

Again, with Bradley as it is with Jack Wilson, we have him till 2011 with a high contract, so he'll be utilized. Saunders will get ample time in left as well.

Center field: Franklin Gutierrez

No Surprise here...

Right Field: Ichiro Suzuki

Or here...

Designated Hitter: Milton Bradley/Justin Smoak

Again, if Kotchman ain't release, Smoak will find some time here when Bradley plays the field. Otherwise, Milton will probably spend most of his time here.

Bench: Josh Bard, Josh Wilson, Matt Mangini, Ryan Langerhans

Pure specualtion. It's kinda late....

2010 Season wrapup

Well, I and all other people connected to Mariner's home site received an email today from Mariner's Chairman Howard Lincoln and General Manager Jack Zduriencik. It was mostly an admission that this season fell well below the expectations they had for the team and the positive prospects of the future that we have tied in our farm system. For all who dream of a Mariner's championship, prepare for the long haul.

Our minors system had a spectacular year, with 8 of the 9 teams getting to the playoffs, 3 getting to the championship series, and 2 being champions of their leagues. While rebuilding can be a long wait for any fan, most organizations that succeed do so from deep farm systems. Luckily, ours is deep in offense and starting pitcher, so we are on the right track. Hopefully, it doesn't take years....


Based off my not-so in depth analysis of each game, Felix was the greatest asset of this team, followed by Ichiro, Jason Vargas (he mostly earned these during the first half).

PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

1. FELIX HERNANDEZ (28)
2. Ichiro (15), Jason Vargas (15)
4. Doug Fister (11)
5. Franklin Gutierrez (10), Cliff Lee (10)

David Aardsma: 2
Eliezer Alfonzo: 1
Josh Bard: 2
Milton Bradley: 4
Russell Branyan: 5
Chone Figgins: 6
Doug Fister: 11
Luke French: 4
Ryan Garko: 1
Ken Griffey Jr.: 1
Franklin Gutierrez: 10
Greg Halman: 1
Felix Hernandez: 28
Casey Kotchman: 5
Cliff Lee: 10
Jose Lopez: 4
Matt Mangini: 1
Adam Moore: 2
David Pauley: 1
Michael Saunders: 2
Chris Seddon: 1
Ryan Rowland-Smith: 3
Justin Smoak: 5
Ian Snell: 2
Ichiro Suzuki: 15
Brian Sweeney: 1
Mike Sweeney: 2
Matt Tuiasosopo: 3
Jason Vargas: 15
Josh Wilson: 4

Game 162 Summary: ATHLETICS 4, MARINERS 3

So, the "Believe Big," Era ends with a sweep at home by AL WEST rival Oakland and with 101 losses, the second time in 3 years the M's have lost this many. The M's probably could have avoided the sweep if Felix had started, but management gave him a rest and opted for Ryan Rowland-Smith, who pitched okay through 5 innings. Ichiro provided the offense with a double, a stolen base , 2 hits, and and 2 rbis, but not enough... Not Enough... the on going slogan for this season.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Ichiro

Game 161 Summary: ATHLETICS 5, MARINERS 3

Another loss, though better than the last. 3 homers smashed off David Pauley, including one hit by Jack Cust that had a little help from Michael Saunders' glove. Saunders hit one of his own and Greg Halman picked up his second hit of the season after a long dry spell, as well as his first big league stolen base. Smoak had a couple hits as well, continuing his offensive improvement.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Greg Halman for his stolen base.

Game 160: ATHLETICS 9, MARINERS 0

If you wondering how it could get uglier than the previous game, here you go. French beaten for 8 runs and the M's held to 6 hits, no runs.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

None...

Game 159 Summary: ATHLETICS 8, MARINERS 1

Fister just got hammered. Several homers and other extra base hits put the A's to far up before the 8th. The Mariners managed just one run off a fielder's choice by Greg Halman. A couple of hits, including a double from Smoak, were nice...

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Smoak again....

Game 158 Summary: RANGERS 6, MARINERS 5

Well, the Rangers avoided the sweep, but it was nice to take a Series in Arlington from them. Vargas pitched well for 6 innings and only gave up 1 earned run. Unfortunately, some bad defense and a combination of Jamey Wright and Dan Cortes were unable to hold onto the lead.

Can't blame the offense for this one. Justin Smoak hit his 3rd homer for the 3rd consecutive day and Chone Figgins had 4 hits, but through no fault of their own, the offense just didn't get enough for this one.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Smoak, powering 'em out!

Game 157 Summary: MARINERS 3, RANGERS 1

See! See! 3 is enough! That's right! When the M's can give Felix 3 runs, it usually results in a win. As usual, Felix went 8 innings, gave up only 1 run, 5 hits, 2 walks, and dominated. Hopefully, this start lingers in the mind of the writers when it comes to voting for the Cy Young Award. Brandon League filled in the role of closer with Aardsma being unavailable.

Offensively, Smoak smashed another homer to bring his total up to 12 for the season.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Long Live the King!

Game 156 Summary: MARINERS 7, RANGERS 5

David Pauley was solid, but the big story was the offense. Justin Smoak was 3-4 with his 11th homer, while Lopez, Gutierrez, and Figgins each checked in with a few hits.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Smoak, our future and Texas' past.

Game 155 Summary: MARINERS 6, DEVIL RAYS 2

Luke French had a pretty good outing through 5 and then he handed it over to Wright, Cortes, and League to keep it intact. Josh Wilson hit a big 3 run homer and Smoak and Mangini each had some hits. A nice solid win.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Josh Wilson, because there isn't a lot of homers in him.

Game 154 Summary: DEVIL RAYS 9, MARINERS 1

Just ugly. Fister, Olson, and Seddon all got knocked around. 8 hits got scattered, 1 run and nothing. Yurg...

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Matt Mangini had a few hits and looks to be making a case for some playing time next year.

Game 153 Summary: DEVIL RAYS 5, MARINERS 3

Ugly start from Vargas. Knocked out of the 5th inning en route to his 12th loss. At least Ryan Rowland-Smith didn't add to the tally and the rookies, Dan Cortes and Anthony Varvaro, had solid relief outings. Meanwhile, there was some offense with Ichiro, Lopez and Moore having multiple hits, but as usual, it just wasn't enough.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Moore, for adding some offense.

Game 152: BLUE JAYS 1, MARINERS 0

Felix, as is customary, received no run support. He gave up Jose Bautista's home run, 2 hits and 4 walks, while going the distance through 8th. His offense was silenced with 12 strikeouts, 6 singles and 1 extra base hit. Where wins seem to matter to the sportswriters, it was painful to watch the King fall to 12-12, but at least it wasn't due to shoddy pitching.

Also, notable for this game, was Ichiro's 200th hit of the season, which means he's the only MLB player to achieve this milestone for 10 consecutive seasons (Pete Rose has 10 non-consecutive seasons with 200+). Just another stop along the road to Cooperstown.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Felix Hernandez for a well pitched game, Ichiro for another superb year.

Game 151 Summary: MARINERS 6, BLUE JAYS 3

After a pretty unproductive year, Jose Lopez showed up with 3 large blasts against the Blue Jays. He set this one up nicely for David Pauley, who had a solid outing himself. League closed out the 9th and this one went in the W column.

PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Jose Lopez, who played probably the best game of his career.