Seattle Mariners: Grading Their Offseason Moves

The Seattle Mariners finished dead last in the American League West for the sixth time in eight seasons in 2011, and left many fans wondering what moves Jack Zduriencik would make in the offseason to improve the roster for 2012 and years to come.

Many of Seattle's young players showed some promise last season, and it will be interesting to see how they play now that they have substantial big league innings under their belts. 

The Mariners didn't lose any big names to free agency, but didn't acquire any either. They pursued Prince Fielder for a time, but in the end the slugger chose Detroit and left the M's without a big bat.

Here are some of the key moves Seattle made in the offseason and how they will affect the team's performance.

Traded Michael Pineda to New York for Jesus Montero

Michael Pineda got Mariners fans excited when he went 6-2 with a 2.16 ERA in his first 10 big league starts on his way to an All-Star Game appearance. The excitement was short-lived, as the bulky right-hander was traded to the New York Yankees in January.

The Mariners received quality talent in exchange for Pineda. Catcher Jesus Montero was once rated as the third-best prospect in baseball by Baseball America, and was impressive throughout his first month in the majors.

In 18 games in 2011, Montero hit .328 with four home runs and 12 RBI, and it was looking like he would be ready to replace Jorge Posada in 2012. 

The 22 year-old comes to Seattle along with pitcher Hector Noesi, who could potentially start the season in the Mariners rotation. Along with Pineda, Seattle sent pitching prospect Jorge Campos to the Yankees.

Grade: B+

Signed George Sherrill

Left-handed reliever George Sherrill is coming back to Seattle. The veteran southpaw played for the Mariners from 2004-2007, and was a go-to guy out of the bullpen. 

Sherrill brings veteran experience and familiarity to the roster, and although he's 34 years old he can definitely still be effective in relief. The bullpen has a lot of youth and inexperience, and Sherrill can be a leader on and off the mound.

Grade: B

Traded Josh Lueke to Tampa Bay for John Jaso

John Jaso adds some depth to the Mariners roster at catcher. They've gone through what seems like 200 catchers since Dan Wilson's last full season in 2004, so it should come as no surprise that Seattle carries four of them on the active roster heading into spring training.

While Jaso isn't great offensively, he defends behind the plate better than Miguel Olivo and gives Eric Wedge some options with the catcher and DH spots in the lineup.

They also got him at a good price, trading inexperienced relief pitcher Josh Lueke to the Tampa Bay Rays.

Grade: B+ 

Signed Hisashi Iwakuma

The Mariners explored the international market this offseason and landed the former Pacific League (Japan) MVP. 

The 30-year-old righty was one of the best pitchers in Japan and Seattle is glad to bring his talents and experience to the starting rotation. Iwakuma compiled a record of 107-69 with a 3.25 ERA and 1,175 strikeouts as a pro in Japan, including his MVP season of 2008, in which he won 21 games (21-4) and allowed an astonishing 1.87 earned runs per nine innings.

Although Iwakuma isn't a huge signing like Ichiro was, his arrival in the Pacific Northwest will be highly beneficial to the Mariners, replacing Michael Pineda as the No. 2 starter.

Iwakuma and Ichiro were teammates during the 2009 World Baseball Classic and should be able to rekindle some chemistry.

The price was right as well in the deal, as Seattle inked Iwakuma for $1.5 million for one year plus incentives.

Grade: A-

Signed Munenori Kawasaki

The Mariners signed another 30-year-old Japanese player this offseason in shortstop Munenori Kawasaki. The deal was a minor league contract with an offer to spring training, but there are questions as to who all the middle infielders will be on Opening Day.

Munenori was an eight-time All-Star and two-time Golden Glove Award winner in Japan, and hit .294 with 267 stolen bases. He doesn't have good power, but he's a good slap hitter and can play any position in the infield.

He's got a good shot at making the team in April, and could see increased playing time as the season progresses.

Munenori played with Ichiro in the 2006 World Baseball Classic, and with Ichiro and Iwakuma in 2009.

Grade: B-

Signed Aaron Heilman, Hong-Chih Kuo, Carlos Guillen, Oliver Perez, Kevin Millwood

All of the above players were signed to minor league deals except Hong-Chih Kuo, and there is some doubt as to if any of them can contribute this season for the Mariners.

Carlos Guillen had the best years of his career after he left Seattle for Detroit, and now that he's back he's gotten hurt and a lot older. He'll likely log some innings at DH or as an emergency defensive replacement, but at this point I think the M's have to keep as much youth on the roster as possible. The Guillen nostalgia is great and hopefully he's a nice surprise.

Aaron Heilman will be on the list of call-ups to replace injured relievers if he stays in the minors, but again the issue of age comes up. He's been a reliable reliever throughout his career and can contribute if needed.

Kuo is on the active roster and will be a key member of the bullpen this season. He had a sub-par year in 2011, but has been solid in his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He can throw three or more innings per outing and make a spot start now and then.

Oliver Perez and Kevin Millwood are two players I don't see making the club for 2012. Millwood's 37 and pitched in just nine games last year, and Perez spent all of last year in the minors and isn't consistent at the major league level.

Grades: C