Mariners Opening Day outlook

**Porter** · 04-01-2007 05:24 AM

Source

BATTING ORDER
1. Ichiro Suzuki, CF: A typical year for Ichiro translates into at least 200 hits, 100 runs scored and an All-Star Game invitation.

2. Adrian Beltre, 3B:
A full season like the second half he had in '06 (.285, 18 home runs and 54 RBIs), would be a bonanza.

3. Jose Vidro, DH:
The three-time All-Star and first-year Mariner puts the ball in play regularly from both sides of the plate.

4. Raul Ibanez, LF:
A pure hitter, the veteran excels in the clutch, batting .337 with runners in scoring position last season.

5. Richie Sexson, 1B:
Sure, he strikes out a lot, but an "average" season is about 40 home runs and more than 100 RBIs.

6. Jose Guillen, RF:
Manager Mike Hargrove says Guillen has the "purest" swing on the team and keeping him healthy is top priority.

7. Kenji Johjima, C:
Made a smooth transition from Japan to the U.S. and should be better on offense and defense in 2007.

8. Jose Lopez, 2B:
Bring on Interleague Play! The All-Star reserve batted .328 with nine RBIs in 16 games against NL teams.

9. Yuniesky Betancourt, SS:
If rookie season is a true indicator, could become team's best defensive shortstop since Omar Vizquel.

ROTATION
1. Felix Hernandez, RHP:
A staff ace before turning 21 speaks volumes of the organization's respect and expectations.

2. Jarrod Washburn, LHP:
Get him some runs early in the game and he'll likely win 15 to 18 games and log over 200 innings.

3. Miguel Batista, RHP:
Induced the opposition to ground into 32 double plays last season and expect more of the same in '07.

4. Horacio Ramirez, LHP:
Scouts insist that good health will enable the lefty to easily surpass his ML high of 11 wins in a season.

5. Jeff Weaver, RHP:
The organization hopes it signed the postseason version, not the regular-season version of the veteran.

BULLPEN
Starting at the end, Putz is one of the best in the AL. He throws hard, has a nasty splitter and possesses terrific control, striking out 61 batters and walking seven in his 43 save opportunities last season. Right-hander Julio Mateo is solid, when healthy, and left-hander Arthur Rhodes returns for an encore. Rookie Brandon Morrow, the club's No. 1 draft choice last June, pitched lights-out in Spring Training to earn a spot in the 'pen. Lefties George Sherrill and Jake Woods add balance

The Pitching has a lot of ifs after Putz, Washburn and Felix. But the offense does seem like its a lot better than last season's nightmare.

**MarinersFan87** · 04-02-2007 01:26 AM

We're going to suck. Should be fun though.

**Element** · 04-02-2007 11:26 PM

The King KILLED today! What a start.

Hey, MF, you better use that Felix sig I made for you, or I'll snatch it

**MarinersFan87** · 04-03-2007 01:37 AM

Back off.

Felix is the ****in man.

**Porter** · 04-03-2007 05:29 AM

Thing is Felix was so jacked up for this game as it kept going, he could have finished this game (had it not been for the abundance of 2 strike counts all game long)