MLB Preview Day 25, Seattle Mariners

Felix Hernandez accounted for 13 of Seattle's 61 wins enroute to his first career Cy Young Award in 2010.

2010 Record- 61-101, 4th place AL West
2010 Triple Crown Leaders- Ichiro, .315 (7th AL), Franklin Gutierrez, 12 HR (t-65th AL), Franklin Gutierrez, 64 RBI (51st AL), Felix Hernandez, 13 Wins (18th AL), Felix Hernandez, 2.27 ERA (1st AL), Felix Hernandez, 232 K (2nd AL)

Key Additions- Denny Bautista (RHP), Jack Cust (DH), Chris Gimenez (C), Justin Miller (RHP), Royce Ring (LHP), Brendan Ryan (SS), Miguel Olivo (C), Chris Ray (RHP), Manny Delcarmen (RHP)

Key Losses- Josh Bard (C), Russell Branyan (1B), Rob Johnson (C), Casey Kotchman (1B), Jose Lopez (3B), Guillermo Quiroz (C), Ryan Rowland-Smith (LHP), Chris Woodward (SS)

2011 Projected Record- 60-70 wins, 4th place AL West
Best Player- Ichiro
Best Pitcher- Felix Hernandez
Biggest Breakout Candidate- Justin Smoak
Biggest Potential Impact Rookie- Michael Pineda

Projected Lineup/Projected Stats
Ichiro, RF- .315/5 HR/40 RBI
Chone Figgins, 3B- .285/3 HR/40 RBI
Miguel Olivo, C- .250/15 HR/65 RBI
Justin Smoak, 1B- .275/20 HR/75 RBI
Franklin Guttierez, CF- .270/14 HR/60 RBI
Jack Cust, DH- .235/18 HR/50 RBI
Dustin Ackley, 2B- .265/7 HR/50 RBI
Michael Saunders, LF- .260/10 HR/45 RBI
Brendan Ryan, SS- .245/1 HR/25 RBI


Projected Rotation/Projected Stats
Felix Hernandez- 13-11/2.40 ERA/240 K
Jason Vargas- 8-15/3.80 ERA/125 K
Doug Fister- 9-16/4.25 ERA/100 K
Eric Bedard- 12-14/3.60 ERA/130 K
Michael Pineda- 10-12/3.50 ERA/150 K
David Aardsma- 3.15 ERA/20 Saves

Team Outlook- Despite having one of the top 5 best players in the bigs and one of the top 5 pitchers in the bigs, the Mariners are probably one of the 5 worst teams in the bigs.  After a year in which they were one of the worst offenses ever seen, scoring just 513 runs, 74 less runs than the Pirates, the expectations for the Mariners are pretty low, which they should be.  The offense will be a little bit better (can't get much worse), and the pitching staff will be solid, with King Felix leading the way as the ace.  They should get help from rookies Dustin Ackley and Michael Pineda, but the team will still compete for the cellar of the American League.