SEATTLE – On their way to finding out what didn’t work in 2005, the Seattle Mariners learned what they can use in 2006.
From the rubble of a 93-loss season rose a dominant starting pitcher, a young shortstop who may become one of the best defenders in the game, a solid defense and stout bullpen.
Now, if they can do something about the starting pitching and offense, the Mariners might have something for next year.
The Mariners’ goals this offseason are to acquire at least one quality starting pitcher and a left-handed hitter with power to take advantage of Safeco Field’s home-run alley in right field.
The Mariners finished last in the American League in team batting average (.256), next-to-last in home runs (130) and 12th of the 14 teams in RBI (657). Against right-handed pitching, the Mariners batted .253 with just 23 home runs.
Combine that offense with a starting rotation that included three starters with earned run averages of more than 5.00, the Mariners’ wish list is easy to comprise.
Asked what the most difficult decision this offseason might be, manager Mike Hargrove didn’t hesitate to answer.
“I think the difficult decisions already have been made when we prioritized things during the year,” he said.
The Mariners purged a couple of struggling veterans, second baseman Bret Boone and utility player Scott Spiezio, and gave jobs to promising young players like shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, second baseman Jose Lopez and 19-year-old pitcher Felix Hernandez. They also learned that Mike Morse, a shortstop until Betancourt arrived, can develop into a quality major league hitter.
“We’ve identified a number of young players who will be good players down the line,” Hargrove said. “It’s been positive from that standpoint.”
Hargrove was enthused by a team that didn’t just play out the string long after they had no hope of anything but another last-place finish. The Mariners played 78 games decided by two runs or less, 49 decided by one run.
“We have been competitive. We haven’t been blown out of many games,” Hargrove said. “The ones we have, we showed up at the ballpark the next day and played well. It shows a lot about the character of this ballclub and the character of the individuals and it says a lot about the work ethics that they have.
“In a season of disappointments, there have been some real shining surprises and good things also.”
Nobody shined as bright a light on the future as Hernandez.
He finished 4-4 but showed a lot more than a glimpse at his upside. At age 19, in his first exposure to the major leagues, he pitched with dominating stuff – a 97 mph fastball and a sharp-breaking curve. Sunday, in the season finale, Oakland’s Mark Ellis bailed out to his backside on a curveball that broke over the plate for a strike.
Hernandez, who lost his composure and tended to over-throw his fastball in spring training, displayed a poise beyond his years in his 12 major league starts.
“He has developed faster than what I had thought,” Hargrove said.
That doesn’t necessarily mean Hernandez will be the No. 1 starter next year. The Mariners will continue to handle him carefully and aren’t sure they want to saddle him with the label of staff ace.
He may wear it anyway given his talent, which eases the burden on the club to acquire a No. 1 pitcher this offseason. The pickings will be difficult via free agency, where the top pitchers expected to be available, Kevin Millwood and A.J. Burnett, are expected to cost millions.
Betancourt’s defense reminded longtime Mariners fans of a young Omar Vizquel, and his hitting showed that he could contribute to the team’s greatest need – a better offense.
Unlike last year, when the Mariners had question marks in nearly ever phase of their game, their needs are more focused this offseason because so many young players emerged.
“Felix’s emergence is a bright spot. Yuniesky Betancourt, Jose Lopez, Richie Sexson being here, Adrian Beltre, Raul Ibanez, you can go down the list,” Hargrove said. “There are a number of reasons to feel optimistic going into the offseason.
“You can’t ignore the fact that we lost 93 games this year. Our record is not anything that we had expected it to be. But there have been things that have been positive and things we’ve done that are good steps to being a good ballclub and a contending ballclub.
“This offseason is going to be very important in that process, but I know there are definite ideas and plans going forward. Hopefully we can accomplish those things.”
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