Contrasting the '01 and '08 Mariners

The 2008 season for the Seattle Mariners could end up to be the worst team ever in franchise history. The 2001 season for the Seattle Mariners marked the best regular season mark for the team in franchise history, and in baseball history. By no means is this a fair comparison, but for the Mariners to reach the playoffs in the near future they need to see similar production to the 2001 team. What will the two teams look like, side by side, comparing offensive position by position?  Let's see:

Note (I have bolded each player who is the better out of the two)

Stats (Average/On-Base Percentage/ Slugging Percentage)

Catcher- Dan Wilson '01 (.265/.305/.403)

Catcher- Kenji Johjima '08 (.216/.257/.301) 

1st Base- John Olerud '01 (.302/.401/.472)

1st Base- Richie Sexson '08 (.218/.315/.381) 

2nd Base- Bret Boone '01 (.331/.372/.578) Ridiculous 

2nd Base- Jose Lopez '08 (.309/.330/.442)

3rd Base- David Bell '01 (.260/.303/.415)

3rd Base- Adrian Beltre '08 (.251/.318/.422)

Shortstop- Carlos Guillein '01 (.259/.333/.355)

Shortstop- Yuniesky Betancourt '08 (.259/.273/.358)

Left Field- Al Martin '01 (.240/.330/.382)

Left Field- Raul Ibanez '08 (.287/.351/.482)

Center Field- Mike Cameron '01 (.267/.353/.480)

Center Field- Ichiro '08 (.311/.367/.392)

Right Field- Ichiro '01 (.350/.381/.457) Ridiculous

Right Field- Wladdy '08 (.216/.274/.366) 

DH- Edgar Martinez (.306/.423/.543)

DH- Jose Vidro (This isn't fair) (.234/.274/.338)

What can we draw from this?

There are only three players from the 2008 that are better than their 2001 counterparts, Ichiro in Centerfield, Adrian Beltre at 3rd Base, and Raul Ibanez at Left Field. I'd also give credit to Jose Lopez who is up against the best offensive 2nd baseman season ever. Other than that, there are five slots with outright awful offensive performances that will need to be fixed. Here's what I would do to the current lineup:

At catcher, Jeff Clement would eventually put up better numbers than a 2001 Dan Wilson, however he is a defensive liability behind the plate. How about Kenji? The pitching staff doesn't work well with him and he has not bat. I'd start the move of Jeff Clement to 1st base and have the new manager work things out between Kenji and the pitching staff. 

We're also screwed at DH, the Jose Vidro experiment or project didn't work too well..Here's an idea, move Ibanez to DH where his horrid defense won't play a factor and keep Wladimir Balentein there. After that, you keep Ichiro in Right Field and keep Jeremey Reed where both have great defense.