Seattle Mariners: 2009 Season Preview

Well, with pitchers and catchers reporting in a little over two days, I feel it's the best time to make analyses and predictions that are sure to be incorrect six months from now. But just the same, I haven't written anything in a while, and I've got itchy typing fingers. So here we go!

Last year, the Mariners were the darlings of the media to compete for the AL West title, building on the previous year's improvements. The big trade for Eric Bedard was seen as the missing piece of the puzzle for a Mariners winner.

Those hopes quickly fizzled as the Mariners never seemed to get off the bus anywhere they went. When the hitters were struggling, the bullpen was good, but the starters couldn't get their heads together. Then the hitters would warm up, and the pitchers would fall off. This led to an abysmal start, the firing of the manager, General Manager, and the release of beloved but struggling slugger Richie Sexson.

New year, new staff.

GM Bill Bavasi: out. GM Jack Zduriencik: in.

Manager Jim McClaren and his staff: out. Manager Don Wakamatsu and his staff: in.

J.J. Putz and Shawn Greene shipped to the Mets, in come prospects to replace them.

So, with all this turnover, what are the Mariners going to look like in '09? Here's what I think.


Catcher

Jeff Clement appears to be the early favorite to be the starter. A first-round pick from a couple of years ago who has struggled a bit when called up, he still has enormous potential. A little alarming is his tendency to struggle against righties and pound against lefties, despite being a left-handed hitter.

Kenji Johjima makes the most money, but is also coming off a dismal 2008 season and is now thought to be imminently disposable thanks to top prospect Adam Moore, who may be a late season call-up or a next-year type of prospect. The kind of money Johjima is making will make it difficult to trade him unless he comes out of the gate blazing, so Rob Johnson may end up DH-ing or back at AAA.

First Base

Your guess is as good as mine. The early word is that Russell Branyan will be the starter on Opening Day, with Bryan LaHair the backup. Neither option seems appealing to this writer, as both tend to hit about the same. In fact, both put up identical averages, with Branyan having a bit more pop.

Keep an eye on Mike Carp, though, one of the prospects received in the Putz trade. He's an appealing player with no Major League experience, but if the Mariners start out horribly he could easily leap-frog Branyan and LaHair with a hot start in AAA.

Second Base

You would think this was a no-brainer. Jose Lopez had his best season yet, and despite struggling a bit defensively at times, he was the most consistent bat other than Raul Ibanez and Ichiro Suzuki. But the new management has hinted that recently-acquired middle infielder Ronny Cedeno will compete for playing time at both second base and shortstop to "light a fire under those guys (Betancourt and Lopez)." Lopez, should he fight off Cedeno, should slide into the No. 3 spot in the order and have another good season.

Shortstop

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