Seattle Mariners Are Making All the Right Moves Heading Into the 2009 MLB Season

Since the Mariner's 116-win 2001 season, it has been extremely tough to be a M's fan. Inconsistent play, poor front-office decisions, clubhouse gripes, and many other petty problems have plagued the once-great Mariners for almost eight years.

However, the 2008 off-season has breathed new life into the Seattle Mariners Baseball Club. The hirings of new general manager Jack Zduriencik, and field manager Don Wakamatsu have sat extremely well with the Mariners' players, the organization, and the fans.

Also, this off-season was a "spring-cleaning" event if you will. The Mariners decided to not re-sign LF Raul Ibañez, although he had been one of Seattle's most consistent players. He was the Mariners HR and RBI leader in 2007, and RBI leader in 2008.

In December, the Mariners dealt RHP J.J. Putz, RHP Sean Green, and OF Jeremy Reed to the New York Mets for RHP Aaron Heilman, OF Endy Chavez, LHP Jason Vargas, INF Mike Carp, OF Ezequiel Carrera, and RHP Maikel Cleto.

The Mariners also acquired OF Franklin Gutierrez from the Cleveland Indians for INF Luis Valbuena.

Now in the latest trade of the 2008 off-season, the Marines took part in a three-team trade with the Chicago Cubs, and the Baltimore Orioles.

The trade began with the Baltimore Orioles LHP Garrett Olson to the Chicago Cubs for Class A pitcher Henry Williamson and OF Felix Pie. Then Seattle acquired Olson and INF Ronny Cedeno to the Mariners for RHP Aaron Heilman, one of the 12 players involved in the Mariners-Mets blockbuster.

The trades that the Mariners have partaken in have greatly boosted their chances for success this season. Granted, the Mariners probably will not make the 2009 MLB Playoffs, if so, it will most assuredly be with a Wild Card berth. But what these trades have done is given Seattle a plethora of young talent, which the Mariners can build around.

Take the Tampa Bay Rays for example. This team did not turn to midseason blockbuster deals to achieve success. They went the patient route. The Rays endured many disappointing seasons, but built up a stock of young talent through the MLB draft. One can use the 2008 AL Champs' season as a template for other struggling teams.

The Mariners have many things going for them coming into the 2009 regular season. They have young, talented players at many positions now, mixed together with a good combination of veteran talent. One thing is for sure. All these trades may not, and probably will not translate into immediate success, but the Mariners are setting themselves up for long-term success in future seasons.

The future looks bright for the Seattle Mariners. Now, it is much more enjoyable to be a Mariners fan.