Published: Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Offseason challenges facing the Mariners
1. Find a third baseman: Say what you will about former GM Bill Bavasi's busts. Signing Beltre brought defensive stability to third base that the Mariners sought for years. Yes, it cost the Mariners $64 million over five years and Beltre wasn't a consistent force offensively, but nobody played the position better or with more heart. Now that his contract is up, the Mariners have a huge hole to fill. The only true candidate in-house is Matt Tuiasosopo. The Mariners have operated with a defense-first approach in their acquisitions, but don't be surprised if offense becomes an important factor in the next third baseman if they don't re-sign Beltre.
2. Settle the rest of the infield: There's no guarantee any of the other starting infielders will return. Despite injuries, Jack Wilson was a disappointment at shortstop after the Mariners traded for him and, with an $8.4 million team option for 2010, he's not a lock to return. Second baseman Jose Lopez is under contract through 2011 but the team isn't thrilled with his lack of range defensively. They also must decide if first baseman Russell Branyan's back injury is worth what he may get in free agency after his 31-homer season.
3. Fill the hole in left field: Endy Chavez became the answer to a years-old void in left field, then suffered a serious knee injury and won't play until midseason next year. Rookie Michael Saunders showed he can play the position well but was overmatched offensively. Veteran Bill Hall was hampered by a leg injury and fell into horrid stretches of hitting that make the team nervous. Look for the Mariners to keep shopping, possibly bringing numerous outfield candidates to spring training and letting them compete for the job.
4. What will Johjima do? Partly because of his injuries and partly because Rob Johnson acquired the trust of the pitching staff and manager Don Wakamatsu, Johjima's playing time was cut to near-backup status. Young Adam Moore came up in September and impressed everyone with his ability behind the plate. Johjima still has two years and $16 million remaining on his contract, and anything seems possible — he comes back and languishes behind Johnson, or the Mariners eat the rest of the contract, or he pulls a Kazuhiro Sasaki and forfeits the money in order to play again in Japan.
5. Resolve the Griffey question: The only thing missing from the emotional postgame scene Sunday involving Ken Griffey Jr. was this: Nobody knows if Griffey will return. He would like to play another year but the makeup of the team and how that affects his role will determine that. Nothing will be decided soon, although the Griffey question won't lag into spring training before it's answered like it did this year.
2. Settle the rest of the infield: There's no guarantee any of the other starting infielders will return. Despite injuries, Jack Wilson was a disappointment at shortstop after the Mariners traded for him and, with an $8.4 million team option for 2010, he's not a lock to return. Second baseman Jose Lopez is under contract through 2011 but the team isn't thrilled with his lack of range defensively. They also must decide if first baseman Russell Branyan's back injury is worth what he may get in free agency after his 31-homer season.
3. Fill the hole in left field: Endy Chavez became the answer to a years-old void in left field, then suffered a serious knee injury and won't play until midseason next year. Rookie Michael Saunders showed he can play the position well but was overmatched offensively. Veteran Bill Hall was hampered by a leg injury and fell into horrid stretches of hitting that make the team nervous. Look for the Mariners to keep shopping, possibly bringing numerous outfield candidates to spring training and letting them compete for the job.
4. What will Johjima do? Partly because of his injuries and partly because Rob Johnson acquired the trust of the pitching staff and manager Don Wakamatsu, Johjima's playing time was cut to near-backup status. Young Adam Moore came up in September and impressed everyone with his ability behind the plate. Johjima still has two years and $16 million remaining on his contract, and anything seems possible — he comes back and languishes behind Johnson, or the Mariners eat the rest of the contract, or he pulls a Kazuhiro Sasaki and forfeits the money in order to play again in Japan.
5. Resolve the Griffey question: The only thing missing from the emotional postgame scene Sunday involving Ken Griffey Jr. was this: Nobody knows if Griffey will return. He would like to play another year but the makeup of the team and how that affects his role will determine that. Nothing will be decided soon, although the Griffey question won't lag into spring training before it's answered like it did this year.
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