Seattle Mariners 2005 Record: .426 (69-83), Last place in AL West 2004 Record: .389 (63-99) Who’s Out: Ryan Franklin (P), Jeff Nelson (P), Pokey Reese (SS)  Who’s In: Kenji Johjima (C), Carl Everett (DH), Matt Lawton (RF), Jarrod Washburn (P), Marcos Carvajal (P)
 Notes: The past two seasons were rough for the Mariners, but they made some strong additions to their roster late last season and this winter. Felix Hernandez, who was a top pitching prospect, was brought up last season and lived up to his hype, throwing 97 MPH fastballs past the best hitters in the league. He’ll be back this season, and he’ll start the season just a few days shy of his twentieth birthday. Former Angels’ lefty Jarrod Washburn will also offer support to the starting pitching rotation; he had a good season in ’05 with a 3.20 ERA and 177.3 innings pitched. The most exciting addition to the team, though, comes from across the ocean in the form of Japanese superstar catcher Kenji Jojima. Jojima won seven Gold Gloves in Japan and has a .299 career batting average, and his MLB debut is much anticipated throughout the league. With these new additions, the Mariners have a good chance of getting back to the .500 mark this year, though I wouldn’t peg them for any pennants just yet.
Next Up: Detroit Tigers
Labels: 2006 team profiles |
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King Felix will be yet another Mariner who ends up making a ton of money elsewhere after he puts in his time in Seattle. He's almost as talented as Doc Gooden was at that age, but his maturity will help push him over the top.