#29 Seattle Mariners: Watch King Felix Pitch, Ichiro Hit. That's it.

Seattle needs to bounce back from an atrocious 2010 season.  They have two of the best players in all of baseball, Felix Hernandez and Ichiro Suzuki.  That's it. Seattle finished 30th in most offensive categories in 2010.  Here is to some hope in 2011:

29.)  Seattle Mariners
Worth the Dough:   Felix Hernandez every fifth day.  King Felix was the 2010 AL Cy Young winner and has had a sub 2.50 ERA in each of the past two years.  Best pitcher in baseball.

Position to Watch:  The catcher position will be interesting for the M's this season.  Miguel Olivo comes over after a season in Colorado.  Olivo had 14 HR's, 6 triples, and threw out 42% of potential base runners last year.  Olivo may start the year on the DL, and won't have the benefit of hitting in Coors Field.  His backup, Adam Moore, hit .195 last year while striking out 63 times in 205 plate appearances.  It is critical that Olivo get healthy and stay healthy in 2011 if the M's want to do anything.

Ichiro:  I had to acknowledge the 10 time All Star and give him his own section.  Over 200 hits in each of his 10 big league seasons.  10 Gold Gloves.  Enjoy him Seattle.

Fantasy Reach:  Justin Smoak.  Smoak, who was acquired from the Texas Rangers as part of the Cliff Lee trade, will have the everyday duties at first base for the M's.  Grabbing Smoak in a late round for depth may provide some good results.  He has power from both sides of the plate, and expect the M's to have plenty of patience with the 11th pick in the 2008 draft. 

Random Thoughts:  If you are looking to follow the Mariner's, check out ProBallNW.  Felix Hernandez faced 1001 batters last year.  Can you name 2 of the 4 other potential starters in the Seattle rotation after King Felix?  Same wager goes for Seattle as Pittsburgh.  If Seattle makes the playoffs, I'll rock a Mariner the Moose costume for Halloween 2011.

Until Next Time,

C R Turley
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