Five steps to a better team

Published 9:00 pm Monday, October 3, 2005

Here are five key things the Mariners hope to accomplish this offseason:

1. Acquire a left-handed power hitter.

Despite the additions of Richie Sexson and Adrian Beltre, the offense fell far short of what the Mariners need to be competitive. They tried and failed to get a left-handed home-run hitter last offseason, and it’s one of their top goals this time.

2. Strengthen the starting rotation.

With three of their five starters having ERAs of 5.00 or higher, something must change. The Mariners hope to acquire another starter, likely by trade, and then hope that Joel Pineiro, Gil Meche and Ryan Franklin – if they remain on the staff – become consistent winners.

3. Develop a true No. 1 catcher.

The Miguel Olivo experiment didn’t work and the Mariners are left with Yorvit Torrealba, Miguel Ojeda and Rene Rivera as their probable catchers for 2006 barring trade or free-agent signing. Rivera is expected to develop into a quality major league catcher, but there could be growing pains if he gets the job.

4. Find a hitting coach who stays.

The departure of Don Baylor will force the Mariners to hire their fifth hitting coach in five years. They would like to hire one whose philosophy on hitting not only works, but lasts a while.

5. Strengthen the bench.

At their best in 2000 and 2001, the Mariners’ bench provided a good blend of speed, power and defensive versatility. Willie Bloomquist can play multiple positions on the infield and outfield, and he’s valuable as a late-inning pinch-runner. A left-handed pinch-hitting specialist – with power – would be valuable against tough right-handed closers in tight games. Greg Dobbs filled that role late this year with mixed results.

Kirby Arnold, Herald writer