The Seattle Mariners

In 2011 The Mariners finished the season at 67-95 and of course they want to change that. We all know about the big trade between the Yankees and Mariners this off season. The addition of a powerful bat will be nice to have in  a young line up.

Shipping Pineda off to New York in return for Jesus Montero was probably one of the most even trades of the off season. The Mariners needed a powerful bat, and The Yankees needed a good young pitcher. In 18 games and 69 plate appearances the much talked about Montero hit 4 home runs, drove in 18 RBI's and had a .406 on base percentage. Over 28 games Pineda pitched 171 innings, striking out 173 with a WHIP of 1.099 and an ERA of 3.74. Pineda is 23 years old and Montero is 22 years old.

The Mariners still have one of the best pitchers in all of baseball, Felix Hernandez. The 2010 Cy Young award winner hit a tiny bump in the road for the 2011 season elevating his ERA from 2.27 to 3.47. He still won 14 games and pitched 233 innings so there is nothing to worry about. Felix will go back to his regular self in 2012.

Another thing The Mariners will need to do to be successful in 2012 is make sure Ichiro is hitting like Ichiro. Ichiro has been on the decline since 2009 which is normal for a player in his late 30's. In 2009 Ichiro had a .386 on base percentage, In 2010 a .359 on base percentage, and in 2011 a .310 on base percentage. In 2011 Ichiro wasn't even getting on base one third of the time, which is unacceptable for a player of his caliber or a lead off hitter. If The Mariners want to do good, they need Ichiro to hit like the Ichiro of past.

With The Mariners half in a rebuilding stage and half in a playoff push stage its tough to say how they will do. Being in the new and improved AL West, they will not make the playoffs. With young players like Jesus Montero, Felix Hernandez, Justin Smoak, Dustin Ackley and many prospects in their farm system The Mariners can make a definite play off appearance in years to come.