Let’s face it, the Mariners 2010 season was forgettable, just down right awful. At 61-101, only the Pittsburgh Pirates were worse in 2010 at 57-105.
The Mariners will likely struggle to compete in the AL West again this season. The Texas Rangers are the reigning American League Champions, the Oakland Athletics spent the offseason improving every part of their roster, and the Los Angeles Angels are poised to improve on their 80-82 season if health cooperates this season.
The Mariners have some very promising prospects that figure to contribute in 2011 and could help them to compete in the near future.
The Cliff Lee trade in 2010 landed the Mariners prospects Blake Beavan, Josh Lueke and Justin Smoak. Current organizational top-prospects Michael Pineda and Dustin Ackley figure to be in the mix with Seattle this season as well.
The Mariners, under new manager Eric Wedge, will look to build on their strengths and work to address their weaknesses. With an abundance of young talent and 23 non-roster invitees in attendance, the Mariners will have options to address each of these concerns.
While not much news has come out of Spring Training yet, let’s take a look at 10 things we have already learned about the Seattle Mariners in the early stages of Spring.