2008 Success?

[WaCougMBS]

What do you guys think about the chances of the Mariners in 2008 in the AL West?

I'm just switching from football to baseball modes, but I'm really thinking that if we can't land a quality left handed starter (Johan or Bedard) somehow/someway, and a big bat to replace Guillen's production, that we won't be able to improve on last season. With a medium deep rotation and a decent lineup (if Richie Sexson somehow gets trapped in the Space Needle elevator all season long), I don't see any more than the 88 wins that were posted last year. I'm praying, but it doesn't seem like Bavasi is making good on his promises yet...

[SeaWolf]

I truely see the M's as a .500 ball club this year. We still have a some time to bring in a quality pitcher/bat but I don't think that will happen.


Silva was not a quality pitcher. What's plan B?

[WaCougMBS]

I truely see the M's as a .500 ball club this year. We still have a some time to bring in a quality pitcher/bat but I don't think that will happen.


Silva was not a quality pitcher. What's plan B?

Bedard is an obvious quality starter, and if Bavasi can make good on his propaganda for once, then we are halfway there

As for the bat, I just have a SNEAKING suspicion that Brad Wilkerson is not the guy you were thinking of?

[KronJon]

Eh, Wilkerson was a good signing IMO (didn't cost much, 1-year contract, and he had been a very quality player in the past). Every season where he has had at least 500 AB's, he has had over 80 walks. The Mariners never get a guy who can draw a walk so this was a good change. Of course, Wilkerson has been crap the last few years so I am optimistic on him getting back to his old form. Either way, he is a low risk, high reward type of signing. If he sucks it up, they can bench him in favor of someone else, such as Wladimir. Also, Jose Guillen was the worst defensive RF in baseball last year. Wilkerson is an improvement on defense believe it or not.

[Sticky Spice]

Our successes last year were the worst possible thing that could happen to us. It hid the fact that Bavasi needs to go for us to succeed. We should be rebuilding, not signing guys to ridiculous contracts.

This year the Angels seem to be our only competition, but I doubt we could overtake them. It would be in our best interests if we just totally sucked this year and finished in dead last.

I hope I'm wrong!

[Mugrila]

With all the Angels bad luck recently, I'm hearing a lot of people predicting the M's to win the division. I'd rather Bavasi lose his job because I think it would be best for the long run, but I'll gladly take a division title.