How The Seattle Mariners Can Put Their Team Over The Top

For the past three seasons the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have finished first in the AL West.  After a monster offseason, they could potentially be dethroned.  The Texas Rangers could play a big role in the AL West race but the Angels main worry are the Seattle Mariners.

The Mariners biggest asset is their 1 2 punch in their starting rotation.  Their rotation is anchored by arguably the best 1 2 punch in the league (arguments could be made for the Giants and Cardinals).  Their ace, King Felix Hernandez finished second in the AL Cy Young race last year.  Their other ace, Cliff Lee was the 2008 AL Cy Young winner and had a great season last year with the Indians and Phillies but had a spectacular postseason.  The recently acquired Lee is the most notable addition to this Mariner ball club.

The Mariners also completed trades and free agent signings to improve their team.  The biggest signing they completed was with third basemen Chone Figgins who can   bring a bat with high average and many stolen bases to the team.  They also shipped out Carlos Silva and his terrible contract for Milton Bradley (who will not be a clubhouse problem if he wants to have a future in the MLB).  I also predict an improvement statistically and he could hit .300 with 20 home runs.

The trades don't stop there.  The Mariners traded utility man Bill Hall to the Red Sox for first basemen Casey Kotchman.  Kotchman to me is underrated by most people and could hit .280 with about 10-15 home runs but his main asset is his almost perfect glove.  The Ms traded the man that they drafted over hometown pitcher Tim Lincecum, Brandon Morrow, to the Blue Jays for flame throwing set up man Brandon League.

All in all, the Mariners have had a brilliant offseason and improved greatly, but I don't think they should stop there.  One move that sticks out to me could be a difference maker for Seattle.  The Mariners should add a starting pitcher.  Two names make the most sense to me.  MLBtraderumors.com said the Mariners could have interest in Ben Sheets.

Sheets missed last season due to injury but should be ready for next season and if he is healthy, he could be one of the best pitchers in the league.  If the Mariners could get Sheets for the right price, he would be a steal.

However, the name that makes more sense to me is Jarrod Washburn.  Washburn liked pitching in Seattle prior to being traded to the Tigers.  Washburn could throw great innings for the Mariners and pitch good enough for an ERA around 4, potentially lower.

Acquiring one more starter would help the Mariners greatly.  A rotation of Hernandez, Lee, Washburn/Sheets, Snell and Rowland-Smith makes the team much scarier than using one of the in house Mariners pitchers to fight for the fifth spot.  As a Red Sox fan I don't have bias in liking an AL West team but I am confident the Mariners could beat the Angels for the number one spot, especially if one more starter is acquired.