Seattle Mariners: 10 Offseason Predictions for GM Jack Zduriencik

Some are pleased with GM Jack Zduriencik's management over the past few years, others are not.

Personally, I think smooth flying and clear skies are in the near future—maybe even soaring to new heights.

Jack Z was the replacement for the infamous Bill Bavasi; no one was particularly pleased with his management. 

This offseason represents a very important part of Jack Z's plan. Lots of his younger, developing players have been making their major-league debuts as the season comes to a close. The new crop of players is solely his, and there are very few players leftover from the Bavasi Era. 

Next year's starting roster will look distinctly different from the one we saw at the beginning of the 2011 season. Here are 10 things Jack Z will do in the coming months to prepare for the 2012 season—a season of contention.

Name Danny Hultzen Starter

One of the main reasons Jack Z chose Danny Hultzen over Anthony Rendon and other qualified draft picks is how close Hultzen is to major-league readiness.

Hultzen had a lot of experience pitching in college and zero injury concerns, which is exactly what Jack Z was looking for. 

By sending away Erik Bedard and Doug Fister (two of the 2011 original starters), Jack Z made room for Hultzen. He also opened up a couple of spots for trialing guys at the end of this season. 

Felix Hernandez, Michael Pineda and most likely Jason Vargas are guaranteed spots in next year's rotation, leaving two open.

This year, we've seen Charlie Furbush, Blake Beavan and Anthony Vasquez. Furbush and Beavan have looked okay, possibly worthy of a fifth spot in the rotation, and Vasquez has only had one start, pulling off a shaky win.

The big factor here will be if Hultzen can acclimate to major league hitting during Spring Training. Jack Z wants to start him, but he has to prove something.

Trade Chone Figgins

Chone Figgins has taken a lot of heat over the past couple years for underachieving.

It's true that he hasn't put up the numbers he did when he hit leadoff for the Los Angeles Angels, but he's still a good player.

There obviously wasn't room for him to hit leadoff in Seattle, and it's likely that has affected his hitting.

A team looking for a solid leadoff hitter this offseason could get Chone Figgins pretty cheap.

Figgins contract extends through 2013 with a lot more money, but Jack Z would probably be willing enough to eat that if it meant ridding Seattle of the fans' least favorite player.

Search for a New Catcher

Olivo's been there for us all season, but it would be really nice to upgrade.

Josh Bard made one fabulous play this year, but has otherwise been pretty reserved.

Adam Moore may never emerge from minor league/injury limbo.

The Mariners' catcher situation is pretty sorry.

It's true there aren't many awesome catchers floating around, but that doesn't mean Jack Z won't be on the lookout. 

(No, Yankees, we will not give you King Felix for Jesus Montero.)

Keep Brendan Ryan at SS

Brendan Ryan has been reliable and occasionally explosive since the beginning of the 2011 season. He certainly isn't Jack Z's long term solution at short, but he'll work out pretty well again for next year.

Not only does Ryan offer veteran leadership that is relatively scarce in the current lineup, but apparently, according to Felix, he's also the second funniest guy on the team—behind Felix that is, the self-proclaimed team joker.

The other options at short are Jack Wilson, Adam Kennedy, Kyle Seager, Luis Rodruigez and Nick Franklin.

Jack Wilson just isn't as good; Kennedy will continue to play all-around back-up; Seager is more likely to replace Figgins at third; Rodruigez hasn't been at all impressive; Franklin isn't ready for the majors yet.

It makes sense for Jack Z to keep Ryan at SS for one more year.

Trade Brandon League

Brandon League has been stellar for the Mariners this year. He represented the M's in the All-Star Game and currently has the third most saves in the AL. He, too, has been very reliable, but closers like him sell very high.

His value may rise even farther at next year's trade deadline due to the inevitable closer-less team in contention, but Jack Z might want to deal him before then.

David Aardsma, the closer from 2010, will be back next season, returning from Tommy John surgery. He's already in the organization, so he's a perfect replacement for League, who should fetch a hefty price on the market.

Reassure Ichiro He'll Keep the Starting Job

Yes, Ichiro had an off season. No, his career isn't over. Ichiro hit 10 straight season of 200+ hits and a .300 average with a Gold Glove in each of those years too. He can't just drop off.

He's hitting .275 right now, but he's on pace to get 190 hits. It's more than likely that he'll bounce back next year to stats more typical of the Ichiro we know and love.

His current contract only pays him through the end of next season, we'll have to see what it looks like then, but a resigning isn't guaranteed.

Make Room for Casper Wells

Casper Wells deserves a starting spot.

Recently, the outfield's been booked up with Trayvon Robinson, Franklin Guiterrez and Ichiro, so Casper has been filling in wherever needed.

He's been doing a fine job at the plate and in the field. He's shown his potential, and Jack Z will capitalize on it.

I've already said Ichiro will start in right, so that leaves left, center and DH.

Justin Smoak will start at first, and it's hard not to start Mike Carp, but DH is the only spot open for him.

Guti has had a decent season in center, but hasn't shown a great reward this season. He just recovered from a stomach virus as the season began, but he's had all season to lock down his spot, and he hasn't.

Casper is nearly as good a defensive asset and a bigger power asset, so a replacement in center is possible. 

Left field has been the least predictable position all season for the M's.

Currently, Trayvon Robinson is holding the spot pretty nicely, but really anyone could seize the spot.

There's been talk of trading Robinson, which would create room for Casper, but Jack Z hasn't expressed any desire to send Robinson elsewhere.

In some way or another, Jack Z will need to make room for Capser. 

Create a Plan with Michael Pineda

Michael Pineda is being phased out of the 2011 starting rotation right now.

He has approached his innings limit, and a noticeable drop-off in his pitching is apparent. 

Jack Z will want to be careful next year with his hot, young pitcher who will be just a sophomore.

There are plenty of guys who can pick up slack at the end of next season. It's imperative that Jack and Pineda set out a plan before the season starts and then stick to it.

There's no use in overpitching Pineda while he's so young, especially if the Mariners aren't contending.

That'll be a pretty big factor that should be considered in preseason talks. If the Mariners reach the playoffs, they'll want Pineda in their four-man rotation.

Either way, it's best to lay out a blueprint for what next season might look like before it begins.

Hang on to Minor League Talent

Part of what's made the Mariners interesting to watch lately is versatility.

All season long, we've seen call-ups in a variety of positions (mostly LF). That's due to the huge minor league depth Jack Z has built up since he took over GM.

He's traded away some of the bigger names for an abundance of potential future talent. To tap into that reserve now just to try to add some big name for a playoff run would be foolish. 

Jack Z won't be trading Alex Liddi, Nick Franklin, Michael Saunders, Mauricio Robles, Taijuan Walker or any of the others down on the farm.

Turn Chance Ruffin into a Grade-A Set-Up Man

Chance Ruffin was the last player to come over in the Doug Fister deal with the Detroit Tigers made back in July.

He's made five appearances for the Mariners and earned his first major league win.

He's a high-reward strikeout pitcher who keeps a low ERA; it would be great to see him become the regular set-up man for League or Aardsma.

There isn't really a better candidate in the Mariners' bullpen right now, and a set-up man is something the M's lacked for all of the 2011 season. 

Imagine that one-two punch at the end of a close game—a Ruffin-Aardsma knockout. The names sounds cool, at least.