(Over the next 30 days, BERNing on Sports will be previewing every team in the Majors, yes, even the Royals. Only one a day, every day, so try not to get too hooked)
Keeping It Real
The "team" the Mariners ran out there everyday last year was putrid. No questions about it. Guys like Richie Sexson and Kenji Johjima just aren't the kind of guys you want around if winning is your thing. Unfortunately, while Sexy is gone, Johjima is still manning the plate (trust us, Jeff Clement knows it's not about ability but rather a poor contract decision the Mariners would prefer we not discuss). Still, less poisonous members (in fact, down right peachy!) of the team return. Jose Lopez, Ichiro, Felix Hernandez and others form a group of guys that may not look like much, but keep in mind the division they play in. None of the teams in the AL West will run away and hide at any point, especially with seemingly every Angels starter beginning the season on the DL. The key, far as I'm concerned, is Erik Bedard returning to his top form. If he can, this team, believe it or not, will compete all season long for that division.
Does Erik Bedard Feel Like Playing Baseball This Year?
As I just mentioned, the Canuck is the key. The guy they acquired for sleepy prospect Adam Jones a year ago was one of the best left handed pitchers in the game, even if he'd yet to throw 200 innings in a season. His ERA had dropped each of the previous four years, and his strike out totals rose each of those years as well. A move to a real pitcher's park in Seattle seemed like a great move for Bedard. Then, he got hurt, and stories came out that he just didn't really care too much for giving it his all in baseball. Not good for one of your aces. This year, despite getting consistently shelled this spring, he says he feels fine. The Mariners should hope so.
The Kid is Back
The Lone Mariner To Show Actual Improvement
Jose Lopez seems to be, from what I've read and looked at, the only Mariner that improved from 2007 to 2008. While most guys were busy either not caring, not hitting, not improving, or simply moving their way out of baseball, Lopez actually trended upwards. More power, better average, more RBIs. No one on Earth talks about him, but he's a pretty good hitter. I'm not saying I'm comfortable with him as a meat of the order guy, but, there's worse options. Like, say, Richie Sexson.
Could This Be The Year For The King?
Felix Hernandez came up with Doc Gooden-esque hype. He's yet to reach it yet, and most people point to the fact that even still he's only 22 years old. Over the years, he's battled a number of ailments (shoulder bursitis, shin splints, ankle sprain, etc.) but appears to be (wink, wink) ready to go for 2009. He may not be in what many consider a desirable situation after the WBC, but King Felix insists he'll be fine. He's one of the harder pitchers to truly figure out, seeing as how electric he can be one outing, and how mediocre he can be another. To date, he's yet to put it all together. Will this be the year? I can't really say, as I've been part of the group saying each of the previous 3 years would be "the year".
Bold Predictions
Wladimir Balentien will issue a public apology for his name, finally admitting that a W/L combination in a name is nearly impossible to know how to pronounce.
Brandon Morrow, newly anointed as the team's closer, will save at least 25 games this year. Maybe I just caught him at his peak, but I'm in love with this kid.
Griff will be happy, the fans will be happy to see him. His season will be better than last, maybe 20 homers (maybe?), but nothing special. All in all, a nice ride off into the sunset for the Kid.
Up Next...Tuesday, Rangers
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