21 Questions about the Mariners this season
By Alex Calloway
4/1/06

This Monday marks the beginning of the new season. There are some questions out there that are yet to be answered about the season, and I've been wanting to answer them for a long time. Here you go.

1. Can you name a better young pitcher than Felix Hernandez?
Can you? I mean, this kid the future of the Mariners. He had 4 wins, 2.67 ERA, 77 K’s, and 1.00 WHIP in only 12 games. Felix also comes in with a lot of popularity and pitching in the 5th spot. Think of him as a good actor in a Michael Bay movie starting Ben Affleck, I know it’s a match made in hell but its pretty much the same.

2. Adrian Beltre: good signing or colossal flop?
Two years ago, Beltre finished with 48 Homers, hit .334, 121 RBI, 104 runs. Last year (in the same amount of games) he hit 19 homers, hit .255, and got 69 runs. The numbers look like he got injured half way though the year. Now I know some of you are Beltre fans, but still how do you that? I haven't seen a fall that big since Tim Allen started making movies for Disney.

3. How does Jamie Moyer keep getting people out?
How? The guy is in Jesus' yearbook, and yet he's the opening day starter! At 43 years, Moyer is are opening day starter and was by far our best pitcher last year. And yet I was only guy on the forums that gave him props by placing him on my avatar. Anyway, He won 13 out of 32 games (he went 13-7 last year and went 7-13 two years ago), had an ERA of 4.28 (better then anyone in Kansas City, whoo), spun 102 k’s, and had a 1.39 WHIP.

4. Can newcomer Kenji Johjima make that much of a difference?
Probably. Johjima was an all-star catcher in Japan. If he doesn't contribute offensively, he'll contribute defensively. See the infield overview for a complete wrap-up on him.

5. Will Ichiro bring the fire he showed in the World Baseball Classic?
I would have to say yes. This is the kind of player Ichiro was deep inside. He's broken open his shell.

6. Can Joel Piñeiro be a good pitcher?
Joel Piñeiro came of surgery and a bad year. With 7 wins in only 30 games, a 5.62 ERA (Better anyone in Kansas City), 107 K’s, a 1.48 WHIP. Sure Joel Piñeiro maybe traded or sent to the minors, but will be good there is a other good question. He doesn't win 10 plus games, he'll be in Kansas City and put in other one of my cheap shot jokes.

7. Will Rafael Soriano play more then 10 games?
Rafael Soriano has only plated 13 games in two years. In that span he's only played 10.2 Innings, got 12 hitters out, and had an ERA that would make Kansas City say "We aren't  that bad!" So will play more then 10 games? Will he even play a full year? Will I stop using the Kansas City Royals as bad jokes? Will I even write 21 questions?

8. Is Yuniesky Betancourt going to be a good player?
Other then having a name that’s hard to say, Yuniesky Betancourt is our 2nd Baseman. Wait, he's our Shortstop! Oh whatever! In 60 games he hit only 1 Homer, 15 RBIs, 24 runs, and got a .256 average. In other words, he's not a good hitter. But he doesn't have to hit good if he can field right? Well your wrong. This is baseball, defense isn't a major matter. Look the New York Yankees, no defense and they owned the 90s. So Yuniesky Betancourt, I have three things to say to you: 1: If you want to become a base-stealing threat this year, then hit better. 2: If you’re the one of the speediest players on the team, then how did you get 1 out of 4 SB? 3: Get a nickname, your name is too hard to say.

9. Why everyone like José López?
Really why? I know this will be his 3rd year, but stop talking about like he's Felix "Man-meat" Hernandez. In his two years he has hit in 111 games, a .230 average, 7 homers, 95 hits, 47 RBIs, and 46 runs. That’s his whole career in baseball! Even the Devil Rays can top that!

[Ty here. I have a completely different opinion on Lopez and Bet, so check out the Infield Overview to see the differences. It's kinda cool actually. We're both Mariners fans and yet we think differently of the players...]

10. Why don’t you want Joe Borchard at Centerfield while Reed is on the DL?
Why?! We got him for a reason (Other then to get rid of Thornton). He can hit! Borchard's audition got off to a pretty good start Saturday. He made a diving grab in center, hit a 430-foot homer to left-center, drove in five runs and even stole a base. He stole a base! Plus he's a way better them Jose Lopez and Yuniesky Betancourt.

11. Who would you rather score with, Jennifer Lopez or Eva Longoria?
Jennifer Lopez hands-down, but Eva Longoria can act way better, and is less likely to breakup with you after a year.

12. Is Matt Lawton really good backup?
Yes. He hit, .254, 13 HRs, 53 RBI, 67 Runs, and stole 18 SB with 3 teams last year.

13. What is the article really about? I mean is this 21 questions we should think about or 21 questions you asked and give answers two with half ass jokes?
The 2nd choice.

14. Will Carl Everett really do a DH?
Hell no! The guy hit .251 with 23 homers, 87 RBIs, and 58 runs. But he did he better then Lopez and Betancourt. He'll most likely post up about 20 homers and get about 70 RBIs. He's a quick fix for now, but the Mariners should trade him by the deadline in order to keep up.

15. Do we need worry about Sexson?
Hell no! No! No! No! Sexson got his game covered. Last he got .263, 39 homers, 121 RBI, 99 Runs. He hit better this year.

16. What would happen if the Mariners lost Ichiro for most of the year?
We'll be so screwed, as screwed as I was in the fantasy draft here at Mariners Mania.

17. Why am I half assing questions?
Stop asking me questions like that! Typing is hard.

18. What do think of Willie Bloomquist, say in 3 or more lines?
Willie Bloomquist can't hit, just like Michael Bay can make a good movie. .257, 0 HR, 22 RBI, 27 Runs, 14 SB. And he won't get better. The infield is just isn't good, other Sexson, it really needs work. And I mean work! One morel line........... oh and he should trade him too!

19. What about Raúl Ibañez?
He's good. He hit .280, 20 HR, 89 RBI, 92 Runs, and 9 SB. Good player.

20. Where do you think the Mariners will land?
3rd at most.

21. Why not first?
Cause I live in the real world.

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