SEATTLE MARINERS

Paul Abbott (34, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 SEA 3 1 4 4 0 0 0 25 24 10 22 401 1999 SEA 6 2 25 7 0 0 0 73 50 32 68 310 2000 SEA 9 7 35 27 0 0 0 179 164 80 100 422

The Mariners had some injuries to their starting rotation that should have been disastrous, but they were saved by guys like Abbott. He's the ultimate survivor, a guy whose career has been declared dead more than once (and who himself may have been declared dead on occasion). He's a good pitcher, but not for much longer.

David Bell (IF, 29, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 3TEAMS 132 429 117 30 2 10 48 49 27 65 273 315 422 0 4 1999 SEA 157 597 160 31 2 21 92 78 58 90 268 331 432 7 4 2000 SEA 133 454 112 24 2 11 57 47 42 66 247 316 381 2 3

David Bell (IF, 29, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998  3TEAMS 132 429 117 30  2 10  48  49  27  65  273 315 422   0   4
 1999     SEA 157 597 160 31  2 21  92  78  58  90  268 331 432   7   4
 2000     SEA 133 454 112 24  2 11  57  47  42  66  247 316 381   2   3

Bell's numbers took a little dip last year, which was true of almost every other Mariner. He's a perfectly mediocre player who I liked a lot better as a second baseman who hits 21 home runs as opposed to a third baseman who hits 11. The Mariners' infield seems to be in a state of disarray, but I imagine that Bell will work his way into the picture somehow.

Bret Boone (2B, 32, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 CIN 157 583 155 38 1 24 76 95 48 104 266 324 458 6 4 1999 ATL 152 608 153 38 1 20 102 63 47 112 252 310 416 14 9 2000 SD 127 463 116 18 2 19 61 74 50 97 251 326 421 8 4

Bret Boone (2B, 32, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     CIN 157 583 155 38  1 24  76  95  48 104  266 324 458   6   4
 1999     ATL 152 608 153 38  1 20 102  63  47 112  252 310 416  14   9
 2000      SD 127 463 116 18  2 19  61  74  50  97  251 326 421   8   4

Boone has been a consistent performer the past three seasons; he's not a good hitter, but he provides a little pop with the bat, and he's a good man with the glove. He's been signed by the Mariners... to play second base, I assume, though I heard reports that he would replace Rodriguez at short. I have no idea how that would work out.

Jay Buhner (RF, 37, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 SEA 72 244 59 7 1 15 33 45 38 71 242 344 463 0 0 1999 SEA 87 266 59 11 0 14 37 38 69 100 222 388 421 0 0 2000 SEA 112 364 92 20 0 26 50 82 59 98 253 361 522 0 2

Jay Buhner (RF, 37, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     SEA  72 244  59  7  1 15  33  45  38  71  242 344 463   0   0
 1999     SEA  87 266  59 11  0 14  37  38  69 100  222 388 421   0   0
 2000     SEA 112 364  92 20  0 26  50  82  59  98  253 361 522   0   2

He had a good season, raising his power output back to where it was three years ago. Buhner's always been a good player, and it was great to see him back in form, but I expect him to decline this year. He's getting old, he is injury prone, and the park is working against him.

Mike Cameron (CF, 28, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 CHW 141 396 83 16 5 8 53 43 37 101 210 285 336 27 11 1999 CIN 146 542 139 34 9 21 93 66 80 145 256 357 469 38 12 2000 SEA 155 543 145 28 4 19 96 78 78 133 267 365 438 24 7

Mike Cameron (CF, 28, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     CHW 141 396  83 16  5  8  53  43  37 101  210 285 336  27  11
 1999     CIN 146 542 139 34  9 21  93  66  80 145  256 357 469  38  12
 2000     SEA 155 543 145 28  4 19  96  78  78 133  267 365 438  24   7

Cameron had his best season in 2001. He set many career highs with the bat, despite playing in a Gawdawful hitters' park (like most Mariner hitters, Cameron struggled at home, hitting just .220 at Safeco Field). He's a quality player, good defensively, and is durable. He seems to be well past whatever ailed him in 1998, and he is in his prime.

Freddy Garcia (24, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 AA-AAA 10 8 26 26 2 0 0 166 138 72 158 335 1999 SEA 17 8 33 33 2 1 0 201 205 90 170 407 2000 SEA 9 5 21 20 0 0 0 124 112 64 79 391

Great young pitcher. Garcia was slowed down in April with bursitis in his right knee. As ugly as that may sound, it's a lot better than having bursitis in your right shoulder. He's still just a kid, a fine pitcher with the potential to get better, and the extra rest may eventually prove beneficial to him.

Charles Gipson (IF/OF, 28, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 2000 AAA 67 214 53 6 6 1 27 22 31 38 248 347 346 16 7 1998 SEA 44 51 12 1 0 0 11 2 5 9 235 316 255 2 1 1999 SEA 55 80 18 5 2 0 16 9 6 13 225 287 338 3 4 2000 SEA 59 29 9 1 1 0 7 3 4 9 310 394 414 2 3

Charles Gipson (IF/OF, 28, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 2000     AAA  67 214  53  6  6  1  27  22  31  38  248 347 346  16   7
 1998     SEA  44  51  12  1  0  0  11   2   5   9  235 316 255   2   1
 1999     SEA  55  80  18  5  2  0  16   9   6  13  225 287 338   3   4
 2000     SEA  59  29   9  1  1  0   7   3   4   9  310 394 414   2   3

I don't think that the Mariners really have a whole lot of confidence in Gipson. They kept calling him up every time they needed an extra outfielder, then sent him right back down again. He didn't play well at Tacoma; he probably has a very limited future.

Carlos Guillen (IF, 26, S/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 AAA 100 374 109 18 4 12 67 51 31 61 291 350 457 3 4 2000 SEA 90 288 74 15 2 7 45 42 28 53 257 324 396 1 3

The Mariners acquired Guillen from Houston in the Randy Johnson trade; he was the star prospect in the deal, and the skinny was that he was so good, the Mariners would put him at short and move Alex Rodriguez to third.
That didn't happen; Guillen tore up his knee in 1999, and missed the whole season. Last year he came back and played some third base, but was only mediocre with the bat. The good news for Guillen is that Rodriguez is gone, and they don't have anyone else to play short (unless they try Bret Boone there). The bad news is that I don't see him as a coming star, and I don't think he will get much better than he was last year.

John Halama (29, L)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 AAA 12 3 17 17 4 1 0 121 118 16 86 302 1998 HOU 1 1 6 6 0 0 9 32 37 13 21 585 1999 SEA 11 10 38 24 1 1 0 179 193 56 105 422 2000 SEA 14 9 30 30 1 1 0 167 206 56 87 508

John Halama (29, L)

 YEAR    TEAM  WN  LS  GP GS CG SH SV  IP HIT  BB  SO ERA
 1998     AAA  12   3  17 17  4  1  0 121 118  16  86 302
 1998     HOU   1   1   6  6  0  0  9  32  37  13  21 585
 1999     SEA  11  10  38 24  1  1  0 179 193  56 105 422
 2000     SEA  14   9  30 30  1  1  0 167 206  56  87 508

Halama somehow managed to win a lot of games, despite the fact that he got hit very hard. According to the Major League Handbook, Halama led the majors with 8 Cheap Wins (wins picked up in bad starts). Left-handed batters hit .343 against him. I've always liked Halama, and he's served the Mariners well... but he's got to pitch better or his career will end quickly.

Carlos E. Hernandez (SS, 25, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 AAA 134 494 147 23 2 1 64 54 21 81 298 341 358 29 11 1999 AAA 94 355 104 14 0 0 56 43 27 65 293 357 332 22 13 2000 AAA 62 210 50 10 1 0 21 15 15 38 238 298 295 9 0

Carlos E. Hernandez (SS, 25, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     AAA 134 494 147 23  2  1  64  54  21  81  298 341 358  29  11
 1999     AAA  94 355 104 14  0  0  56  43  27  65  293 357 332  22  13
 2000     AAA  62 210  50 10  1  0  21  15  15  38  238 298 295   9   0

Hernandez is a young shortstop whom the Mariners acquired from the Astros before last season. He had some knee problems, and had a poor year at Tacoma. Even when healthy, Hernandez is a player with poor command of the strike zone, and he has hit 1 home run over his last 1059 at bats. I don't think he has much of a future, especially if the knees remain a problem.

Kevin Hodges (28, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 AA 4 5 29 15 0 0 0 107 108 38 70 361 1999 AA-AAA 5 10 27 25 0 0 1 159 170 54 79 384 2000 AAA 4 3 30 11 2 1 3 98 87 21 73 276 2000 SEA 0 0 13 0 0 0 0 17 18 12 7 519

Kevin Hodges (28, R)

 YEAR    TEAM  WN  LS  GP GS CG SH SV  IP HIT  BB  SO ERA
 1998      AA   4   5  29 15  0  0  0 107 108  38  70 361
 1999  AA-AAA   5  10  27 25  0  0  1 159 170  54  79 384
 2000     AAA   4   3  30 11  2  1  3  98  87  21  73 276
 2000     SEA   0   0  13  0  0  0  0  17  18  12   7 519

Hodges' career has been a long struggle to this point, but he pitched well with Tacoma in 2000 and got into a few games with the Mariners. There's no reason to think that he couldn't be as good as half the other middle relievers who already have jobs.

Raul Ibanez (OF, 29, L/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 SEA 37 98 25 7 1 2 12 12 5 22 255 291 408 0 0 1999 SEA 87 209 54 7 0 9 23 27 17 32 258 313 421 5 1 2000 SEA 92 140 32 8 0 2 21 15 14 25 229 301 329 2 0

Raul Ibanez (OF, 29, L/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     SEA  37  98  25  7  1  2  12  12   5  22  255 291 408   0   0
 1999     SEA  87 209  54  7  0  9  23  27  17  32  258 313 421   5   1
 2000     SEA  92 140  32  8  0  2  21  15  14  25  229 301 329   2   0

Ibanez doesn't do anything well with the bat, and I will be (moderately) surprised if he is back with Seattle in 2001. I guess he might hit .250 again... but is that what the Mariners really want? An outfielder whose only upside is that he might .250?

Stan Javier (OF, 37, S/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 SF 135 417 121 13 5 4 63 49 65 63 290 385 374 21 5 1999 SF-HOU 132 397 113 19 2 3 61 34 38 63 285 347 365 16 7 2000 SEA 105 342 94 18 5 5 61 40 42 64 275 351 401 4 3

Stan Javier (OF, 37, S/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998      SF 135 417 121 13  5  4  63  49  65  63  290 385 374  21   5
 1999  SF-HOU 132 397 113 19  2  3  61  34  38  63  285 347 365  16   7
 2000     SEA 105 342  94 18  5  5  61  40  42  64  275 351 401   4   3

It seems hard to believe, but Javier began his career in 1984, and has been in the majors for 16 years now. He's also been playing on a semi-regular basis since 1994. He was solid last year, wasn't hurt too much by playing at Safeco Field. He's a good player and a valuable fourth outfielder... but he's also turning 37, and he appears to have lost some speed the past the couple of years. He has 1-2 years left.

Tom Lampkin (CA, 37, L/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 STL 93 216 50 12 1 6 25 28 24 32 231 328 380 3 2 1999 SEA 76 206 60 11 2 9 29 34 13 32 291 345 495 1 3 2000 SEA 36 103 26 6 1 7 15 23 9 17 252 325 534 0 0

Tom Lampkin (CA, 37, L/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     STL  93 216  50 12  1  6  25  28  24  32  231 328 380   3   2
 1999     SEA  76 206  60 11  2  9  29  34  13  32  291 345 495   1   3
 2000     SEA  36 103  26  6  1  7  15  23   9  17  252 325 534   0   0

Lampkin had another good year with the bat, but didn't play as often as he would have liked. He went on the DL in April with a torn ligament in his right knee, then later in year had his season ended by elbow surgery. He's a capable backup for has hit well the past two years, but he's also a beaten-up catcher who will turn 37 this year.

Brian Lesher (1B, 30, R/L)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 2000 AAA 132 489 141 33 3 25 77 92 70 104 288 377 521 4 4

Lesher had a good year at Tacoma, but he's 30 years old, and has already failed in two trials with Oakland earlier in the 1990's. His chances of getting regular employment in the majors are slim.

Robert Machado (CA, 28, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 2000 AAA 92 330 99 20 0 9 41 58 28 43 300 357 442 1 5 1998 CHC 34 111 23 6 0 3 14 15 7 22 207 254 342 0 0 1999 MON 17 22 4 1 0 0 3 0 2 6 182 250 227 0 0 2000 SEA 8 14 3 0 0 1 2 1 1 4 214 267 429 0 0

Robert Machado (CA, 28, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 2000     AAA  92 330  99 20  0  9  41  58  28  43  300 357 442   1   5
 1998     CHC  34 111  23  6  0  3  14  15   7  22  207 254 342   0   0
 1999     MON  17  22   4  1  0  0   3   0   2   6  182 250 227   0   0
 2000     SEA   8  14   3  0  0  1   2   1   1   4  214 267 429   0   0

Machado is a minor league veteran, had a good year at Tacoma. The Mariners already have several veteran catchers on their roster; when the dust settles, someone may get released and someone else may get hurt, and that might give Machado a chacne to get a few at bats.

Al Martin (LF, 33, L/L)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 PIT 125 440 105 15 2 12 57 47 32 91 239 296 364 20 3 1999 PIT 143 541 150 36 8 24 97 63 49 119 277 337 506 20 3 2000 SD-SEA 135 480 137 15 10 15 71 36 36 85 285 338 452 10 9

Al Martin (LF, 33, L/L)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     PIT 125 440 105 15  2 12  57  47  32  91  239 296 364  20   3
 1999     PIT 143 541 150 36  8 24  97  63  49 119  277 337 506  20   3
 2000  SD-SEA 135 480 137 15 10 15  71  36  36  85  285 338 452  10   9

Martin began the year playing quite well for San Diego. He was dealt to Seattle in July, but he didn't perform too well for the Mariners. He's a solid player, should have one more good year left in him, but the ballpark in Seattle will hurt his numbers.

Edgar Martinez (DH, 38, R/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 SEA 154 556 179 46 1 29 86 102 106 96 322 429 565 1 1 1999 SEA 142 502 169 35 1 24 86 86 97 99 337 447 554 7 2 2000 SEA 153 556 180 31 0 37 100 145 96 95 324 423 579 3 0

Edgar Martinez (DH, 38, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     SEA 154 556 179 46  1 29  86 102 106  96  322 429 565   1   1
 1999     SEA 142 502 169 35  1 24  86  86  97  99  337 447 554   7   2
 2000     SEA 153 556 180 31  0 37 100 145  96  95  324 423 579   3   0

Before last season, I thought Martinez was a longshot for the Hall Of Fame. Sure, he's a career .320 hitter, but his career has been relatively short. Also, his greatest strength has always been his ability to get on base (.426 lifetime OBA), and that's not something that usually gets much attention after a player retires.
Anyways, I still don't know if Martinez has any chance to get inducted into the Hall... but 37 homers and 145 RBI won't hurt his cause.

Mark McLemore (2B, 36, S/R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 TEX 126 461 114 15 1 5 79 53 89 64 247 369 317 12 4 1999 TEX 144 566 155 20 7 6 105 45 83 79 274 363 366 16 8 2000 SEA 138 481 118 23 1 3 72 46 81 78 245 353 316 30 14

Mark McLemore (2B, 36, S/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     TEX 126 461 114 15  1  5  79  53  89  64  247 369 317  12   4
 1999     TEX 144 566 155 20  7  6 105  45  83  79  274 363 366  16   8
 2000     SEA 138 481 118 23  1  3  72  46  81  78  245 353 316  30  14

McLemore is an aging second baseman who didn't do much with the bat last year. The good news is that he stole 30 bases, an indication that his knee problems are behind him; we should also note that Safeco field is a horrible place for all hitters... the Mariners have four infielders (McLemore, Boone, Bell and Guillen) who will be fighting for three spots. Someone will end up on the bench, and it might be Mac. He can still draw a walk and steal a base, and he might be more valuable as a bench player than as a regular.

Gil Meche (23, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 A 8 7 26 26 0 0 0 149 136 63 168 344 1999 AA-AAA 5 6 16 16 0 0 0 90 82 39 80 324 1999 SEA 8 4 16 15 0 0 0 86 73 57 47 473 2000 SEA 4 4 15 15 1 1 0 86 75 40 60 378

Gil Meche (23, R)

 YEAR    TEAM  WN  LS  GP GS CG SH SV  IP HIT  BB  SO ERA
 1998       A   8   7  26 26  0  0  0 149 136  63 168 344
 1999  AA-AAA   5   6  16 16  0  0  0  90  82  39  80 324
 1999     SEA   8   4  16 15  0  0  0  86  73  57  47 473
 2000     SEA   4   4  15 15  1  1  0  86  75  40  60 378

Meche is a promising young pitcher whom the Mariners have rushed to the big leagues. He was magnificent early in the year, but went on the DL with a strained shoulder and was eventually demoted. He still looks good, but maybe it's time to slow down, take a breather, and put in some time at Tacoma.
ADDENDUM: Meche has undergone some surgery, and is aiming to be back sometime in July. It's not good news, but it's not the end of the world, either.

Jamie Moyer (38, L)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 SEA 15 9 34 34 4 3 0 234 234 42 158 353 1999 SEA 14 8 32 32 4 0 0 228 235 48 137 387 2000 SEA 13 10 26 26 0 0 0 154 173 53 98 549

Moyer went on the DL in April with a strained left shoulder, and was never at his best all season. Not that a 13-10 record is bad; Moyer is one of the better pitchers in the league, but he is also 38 years old, and he's not a power pitcher. Moyer may survive another year in the starting rotation, but I expect his season to be plagued with more injuries and struggles with ineffectiveness.

Jeff Nelson (34, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 NYY 5 3 45 0 0 0 3 40 44 22 35 379 1999 NYY 2 1 39 0 0 0 1 30 27 22 35 415 2000 NYY 8 4 73 0 0 0 0 70 44 45 71 245

After picking up a handful of championship rings with the Yankees, Nelson signed with his former team during the winter. If you don't already know, Nelson is a big, tall guy who throws a wicked sidearm slider. Last season, right-handers hit just .157 off him. For the Mariners, Nelson, is a big improvement over Jose Mesa; he should help their bullpen, though his health is a question mark.

John Olerud (1B, 33, L/L)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 NYM 160 557 197 36 4 22 91 93 96 73 354 447 551 2 2 1999 NYM 162 581 173 39 0 19 107 96 125 66 298 427 463 3 0 2000 SEA 159 565 161 45 0 14 84 103 102 96 285 392 439 0 2

John Olerud (1B, 33, L/L)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     NYM 160 557 197 36  4 22  91  93  96  73  354 447 551   2   2
 1999     NYM 162 581 173 39  0 19 107  96 125  66  298 427 463   3   0
 2000     SEA 159 565 161 45  0 14  84 103 102  96  285 392 439   0   2

On the surface, Olerud's first year in Seattle was nothing special. All of his numbers were down, and his production wasn't impressive. But Safeco was an awful park for all hitters in 2000, and Olerud was no exception; he hit .320 on the road, but only .250 in his home park. He is among the better first sackers in the league; expect more of the same this season, unless they move in the fences at Safeco.

Jose Paniagua (28, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 SEA 2 0 18 0 0 0 1 22 15 5 16 205 1999 SEA 6 11 59 0 0 0 3 78 75 52 74 406 2000 SEA 3 0 69 0 0 0 5 80 68 38 71 347

How did the Mariners' bullpen get so good all of a sudden? Well, adding Sasaki as the closer helped, obviously... and that also meant that Paniagua didn't have to be the closer. And that's good, because Jose is a fine pitcher and a good middle reliever. He just shouldn't close ball games.

Joel Pineiro (23, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 A 10 4 25 25 2 1 0 141 150 50 132 466 1999 AA 10 15 28 25 4 0 0 166 190 52 116 413 2000 AAA 7 1 10 9 2 2 0 61 53 22 41 280 2000 SEA 1 0 8 1 0 0 0 19 25 13 10 559

Joel Pineiro (23, R)

 YEAR    TEAM  WN  LS  GP GS CG SH SV  IP HIT  BB  SO ERA
 1998       A  10   4  25 25  2  1  0 141 150  50 132 466
 1999      AA  10  15  28 25  4  0  0 166 190  52 116 413
 2000     AAA   7   1  10  9  2  2  0  61  53  22  41 280
 2000     SEA   1   0   8  1  0  0  0  19  25  13  10 559

Pineiro is a very young pitcher who has rocketed through the Mariners system. Last season he pitched well at Tacoma, then made his big league debut in August. He looks good, but if I were the Mariners, I would give him three more months at Tacoma. I mean, he's just a kid; he might open the season with some mechanical difficulties, or maybe he will start to lose confidence in his curveball, or maybe his girlfriend will call him on opening day and tell him she's pregnant. In any case, there's no sense in having him sort out his problems against Frank Thomas.
Until July, that is. By then, those problems should be old hat.

Robert Ramsay (27, L)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 AA 12 6 27 27 1 1 0 163 137 50 166 349 1999 AAA 10 7 25 25 0 0 0 148 134 50 116 439 2000 SEA 1 1 37 1 0 0 0 50 43 40 32 340

His control stunk, but otherwise he did everything he was asked to. I have mixed feelings about Ramsay; on one hand, I don't like pitchers who walk more batters than they strike out. On the other hand, I like big tall left-handers, and Ramsay has a history of throwing strikes. My guess is that his control will improve in 2001.

Arthur Rhodes (31, L)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 BAL 4 4 45 0 0 0 4 77 65 34 83 351 1999 BAL 3 4 43 0 0 0 3 53 43 45 59 543 2000 SEA 5 8 72 0 0 0 0 69 51 29 77 428

In the playoffs, Rhodes gave up one of the loudest home runs they've seen at Yankee Stadium in a long time (courtesy of Dave Justice). Otherwise, it was mostly a successful season; he got his control back and was a solid member of the Mariners' bullpen. At his best, he is tough to hit, gets strikeouts, and has good control. Rhodes was once one of the best middle relievers in baseball, and I expect him to be back in top form in 2001.

Anthony Sanders (OF, 27, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     AAA  60 209  40  9  2  4  23  19  20  65  191 270 311   5   2
 1999     AAA 124 496 121 22  5 18  71  59  46 111  244 309 417  18  10
 2000     AAA 114 428 131 21  3 20  72  80  33 109  306 357 509   9   8

Sanders had a good year at Tacoma, and might have a realistic chance of getting some playing time with the Mariners. He has no chance of playing on a regular basis, but he plays good defence, and he might hit enough to be a decent player off the bench.

Kazuhiro Sasaki (33, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 2000 SEA 2 5 63 0 0 0 37 63 42 31 78 316

Sasaki was probably the best closer in the American League; he blew only three saves, had a good ERA and a phenomenal strikeout rate. He is the first top-flight closer the Mariners have ever had, and he should be good again in 2001.
He also won the Rookie Of The Year Award, and he deserved it. Some people don't like the idea of a 33-year-old veteran coming over from Japan and being called a rookie... but hell, MLB players are supposed to be the best, right? That's why we shell out money to watch them. Until he stepped on a mound for the first time with the Mariners, nobody in North America had ever heard of Sasaki... and that's my definition of a rookie.

Aaron Sele (31, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 TEX 19 11 33 33 3 2 0 212 239 84 167 423 1999 TEX 18 9 33 33 2 2 0 205 244 70 186 479 2000 SEA 17 10 34 34 2 2 0 212 221 74 137 451

Sele had a bizarre, but successful, season in 2001. He was first signed by Baltimore, but they then rejected him because he failed a physical. He then signed with the Mariners, and pitched very well for them. I have mixed feelings about him; he's averaged 18 wins the past three seasons, is still young and is in his prime. On the other hand, his strikeouts plummetted last year, and he does have a history of arm problems. I expect another winning season, but he'll probably struggle more than usual, finish with something like a 14-12 record.

Brett Tomko (28, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1998 CIN 13 12 34 34 1 0 0 210 198 64 162 444 1999 CIN 5 7 33 26 1 0 0 172 175 60 132 492 2000 SEA 7 5 32 8 0 0 1 92 92 40 59 468

Tomko's career took another step backwards; he was inconsistent on the mound, and spent time on the DL in the summer with tendinitis in his right shoulder. He's not a bad pitcher, but he's not as good as he looked a couple of years ago, and he really can't be counted on.

ChrisWidger (CA, 30, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     MON 125 417  97 18  1 15  36  53  29  85  233 281 388   6   1
 1999     MON 124 383 101 24  1 14  42  56  28  86  264 325 441   1   4
 2000 MON-SEA  96 292  68 17  2 13  32  35  30  63  233 306 438   1   2

      One day in September, I was looking at some team stats, and noticed that the Mariners had someone named "Widger" in the lineup. Sure enough, it was Chris, who had been dealt to Seattle without my even noticing. Guess I should have been paying more attention, eh?
      Actually, the Mariners first claimed Widger off waivers from Montreal, but the Expos theatened to pull him off of the waiver wire, and Seattle had to give up a couple of prospects to keep him (one of whom was Terrmel Sledge, owner of one of the best names in professional baseball). After joining the Mariners, Widger batted only 11 times, apparently bothered by a bad shoulder.
      The outlook for 2001? Well, Widger isn't much of a hitter, though he's better than Dan Wilson. Either Widger or Wilson will likely platoon with Tom Lampkin; I would give the edge to Widger with the bat, Wilson with the glove.

Dan Wilson (CA, 32, R/R)

 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS
 1998     SEA  96 325  82 17  1  9  39  44  24  56  252 308 394   2   1
 1999     SEA 123 414 110 23  2  7  46  38  29  83  266 315 382   5   0
 2000     SEA  90 268  63 12  0  5  31  27  22  51  235 291 336   1   2

Wilson has been a solid citizen in Seattle for several years now, but struggled in 2000. I think his years as a productive regular are over; not many catchers play well past his age. Wilson will hang on a few more years as a part-time player; his experience and occasional power should make him valuable to someone.