A Very Close Second

Seattle Mariners 2007 Record: 88-74 (2nd in AL West)
2008 Prediction: 2nd in AL West


In

• Carlos Silva (MIN) - signed to a 4 year, $48 million contract with a $12 million Mutual Option for 2012 - 12/20/07
• Erik Bedard (BAL) - acquired for Adam Jones, George Sherrill, Chris Tillman, Tony Butler and Kam Mockiolo - 2/8/08
  
• Miguel Cairo (STL) - signed to a 1 year, $850,000 contract - 1/8/08
  
• Brad Wilkerson (TEX) - signed to a 1 year, $3 million contract - 1/31/08
  

Out

• Jose Guillen (KC) - signed to a 3 year, $36 million contract - 12/6/07
• Adam Jones, Geroge Sherrill, Chris Tillman, Tony Butler and Kam Mockiolo (BAL) - traded for Erik Bedard - 2/8/08
  
• Ben Broussard (TEX) - traded for Tub Hulett - 12/13/07
  

Remaining Free Agents

• Rick White
  
• Jeff Weaver
  
• Tomo Ohka
  

Projected Opening Day Starters
C - Kenji Johjima
1B - Richie Sexson
2B - Jose Lopez
3B - Adrian Beltre
SS - Yuniesky Betancourt
LF - Raul Ibanez
CF - Ichiro Suzuki
RF - Brad Wilkerson
DH - Jose Vidro

Projected Opening Day Rotation
Felix Hernandez
Erik Bedard
Carlos Silva
Jarrod Washburn
Miguel Batista


Projected Opening Day Closer

J.J. Putz


Improvements: Erik Bedard and Carlos Silva upgrade the rotation significantly and give the Mariners one of the best1-2 punch (and possibly all-around rotations) in baseball. They also picked up veteran Miguel Cairo who will give the team some major versatility, as he can play all of the infield positions, and can even play in the outfield if necessary - and is a fantastic pinch hitter.
Lack of improvement: As good as the Mariners' rotation is, I still pick the Angels over them because, on paper at least, the Angels' offense seems better than the M's. Jose Lopez and Yuniesky Betancourt are talented, but have been inconsistent in their young careers. I think they should still go out and sign a veteran outfielder (Shawn Green perhaps?) for some more bench productivity.
Keys to Success: Richie Sexson is going to have go back to his ways of smacking 30+ homeruns and hitting at least .270 and be the clean up hitter he is supposed to be. And the bullpen is very talented, but also young and inexperienced. To be able to catch the Angels in the division, the bullpen will have to show some maturity and cling to close leads as much as possible.