This season, more so perhaps than in any since their magical 116-win campaign, the Seattle Mariners have a legitimate shot at the AL West crown. During the winter, the Oakland Athletics thought it wise to let Frank Thomas fly the coop to Toronto, while the Anaheim Angels and Texas Rangers acquired controversy-riddled outfielders Gary Matthews Jr. and Sammy Sosa, respectively.
Fortunately for Seattle, those aren't moves likely to improve any team's chances of capturing a championship. If the Mariners are ever going to gain ground in their division, this is the year to do it.
With ten new players on their Opening Day roster—including Jose Vidro, Jose Guillen, Miguel Batista, and Jeff Weaver—the M's enter 2007 banking on a number of once-proven commodities. If these new acquisitions approach the numbers they posted during their career years, the AL West race could be a scorcher come September.
Seattle GM Pat Gillick obviously recognized an opportunity to capitalize on his competitors' complacency this offseason. With an offensive nucleus of Ichiro, Richie Sexson, and Adrian Beltre already in place, the Mariners' new pickups should turn them into contenders.
And still, for all that offensive firepower and all those new names, the fate of the M's will ultimately hinge on a single young arm:
At the tender age of 21, can Felix Hernandez carry the load for a mediocre pitching staff?
I think—or at least I hope—the answer is yes.
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