Seattle Mariners 2013 Preview

2012 Finish: 75-87 (40-41 at home) 4th in AL West with Manager Eric Wedge (288-360, .444 with M's)

2012 Good: Team .988 FPCT & .708 Defensive Efficiency Rating each led Majors; 1.24 WHIP (2nd in AL), 3.76 Team ERA, & .248 BA Against (both 4th best in AL).

2012 Bad: Team .234 BA, .296 OBP, .369 SLG, & .665 OPS (each last in MLB); 619 Runs, 1285 Hits, & 241 doubles (each last in AL).

2013 Projection: 82-80, 4th AL West

2013 Additions: DH/1B Kendrys Morales, OF/1B Mike Morse & INF Robert Andino - in separate trades; OF/DH/1B Raul Ibanez, C Kelly Shoppach & SP Joe Saunders - as FAs acquisitions; & non-roster spring-training invitees SP Jon GArland, SP Jeremy Bonderman, & OF Jason Bay

2013 Losses: Ichiro*, INF Jack Wilson, RP Brandon League* (*2012 mid-season trades), SP Jason Vargas, C John Jaso, OF/1B Mike Carp, & OF Trayvon Robinson (separate off-season trades), SP Kevin Millwood, RP George Sherrill, C Miguel Olivo, INF Chone Figgins, & INF Munenori Kawasaki (either unsigned/declined/optioned/or designated for assignment)

Projected Batting Order

1. 2B Dustin Ackley L - Career .273 BA, .312 OPS leading off an inning
2. CF Franklin Gutierrez R - "Death to Flying Things" hit .260 in 40 2012 games
3. DH Kendrys Morales R - .273 & 22HRs in first year back from ankle
4. RF Mike Morse R- .291 & 19 HRs in 102 games
5. 3B Kyle Seager L - 20HRs, 86 RBI, 35 Doubles, 154 Hits each led M's in 2012
6. C Jesus Montero R - .260 BA & 15 HRs in 2012
7. 1B Justin Smoak S - Hit .340 in September/October
8. LF Michael Saunders - L 19 HRs & 21 Steals, .261 BA against righties
9. SS Brendan Ryan R - .985 Fielding Pct in 138 games

Storylines:

1. How well can the drawn-in Safeco fences effect Mariners batsmen in purely psychological terms?
2. How much intimidation will Morales & Morse add to the middle of the order?
3. Can Guti or Saunders maintain a high-enough OBP to the set the table, or will Seager have to move up to the two-hole?
4. Will Smoak finally begin to realize his once-perceived lofty potential?
5. Is there anything uber-catcher and No. 2 overall pick Mike Zunino can do to force his way into breaking camp with the big-league squad, given Wedge's pledge to leave Smoak on first?

Pitching

1. RHP Felix Hernandez - 3.06 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 232 IP, 223 Ks
2. RHP Hisashi Iwakuma - 3.16 ERA, 30 Starts, 125 IP, 2 SVs
3. LHP Joe Saunders - 2.66 road ERA, road .237 BA Against
4. RHP Erasmo Ramirez - 3.36 ERA, .217 BA Against
5. RHP Blake Beavan - 3.66 home ERA, 152 IP, 11 wins

Closer - RHP Tom Wilhelmsen - 2.50 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 29 SVs

Setup - LHP Charlie Furbush - 2.72 ERA, .95 WHIP, .174 BA Against

Storylines:

1. Can Saunders replace the quality innings of the swapped-for-Morales Jason Vargas?
2. How much effect will the drawn-in fences have on the pitching staff?
3. How many more wins will the addition of division-mate Houston provide?
4. Will either Garland or any of the Big Three arms (Hulzen, Walker, Paxton) force their way onto the staff out of Peoria?
5. Will King Felix (with his newly minted 7-year, $175 million deal) get his mitts on another Cy Young Award?