Darrin Beene is entering his seventh year at The News Tribune, having covered the Tacoma Rainiers in 2005 and Major League Baseball for two years before that. Beene, a former assistant sports editor at The News Tribune, also worked for the Los Angeles Daily News and Los Angeles Times. He lives in the South Sound with his wife and two children.
This blog is about baseball in general but specifically the Seattle Mariners and the Mariners’ Triple-A team, the Tacoma Rainiers. It will contain news, analysis, answers to your questions and audio reports.
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ST. LOUIS CARDINALS (Last year's record, finish: 83-78, first)
Pitchers/all report: Thursday/Feb. 20.
Key additions: 2B Adam Kennedy, P Ryan Franklin, P Kip Wells, P Russ Springer.
Key losses: P Jeff Suppan, P Jeff Weaver, P Jason Marquis, 2B Ronnie Belliard.
Player to watch: P Jason Isringhausen. Hip surgery knocked him out of the playoffs last year and he’s trying to come back this spring. If he can’t close, the Cardinals will have to mix-and-match in the bullpen.
Reasons to hope: As long as they have Albert Pujols, they’ve got a solid lineup. … If they can win it all last year, why not this year?
Reasons to mope: Lost three starters and did not really replace them. … P Mark Mulder is out until June. … Lightning rarely strikes twice in the same spot.
HOUSTON ASTROS (82-80, second)
Pitchers/all report: Friday/Feb. 22
Key additions: LF Carlos Lee, P Jason Jennings, P Woody Williams, 2B Mark Loretta.
Key losses: P Andy Pettitte, 3B-1B Aubrey Huff.
Player to watch: OF Richard Hidalgo. Out of baseball in 2006, the former jewel of the Astros’ farm system is back with his original team trying to win a major league job.
Reasons to hope: Landing Lee was a boost for the offense, which was hit-and-miss in 2006. … New pitching coach Dave Wallace might help closer Brad Lidge regain his past form.
Reasons to mope: What if Lidge (5.28 ERA) can’t be a dominating pitcher again? … There’s no clear-cut No. 4 or 5 starters. … What about Roger Clemens?
CINCINNATI REDS (80-82, third)
Pitchers/all report: Feb. 19/Feb. 23
Key additions: SS Alex Gonzalez, OF-1B Jeff Conine, P Mike Stanton, P Kirk Saarloos.
Key losses: INF Rich Aurilia, P Brandon Claussen.
Player to watch: CF Ken Griffey Jr. Junior broke his hand in an offseason accident at home in December. Now 37, is there any hope he’ll ever been healthy for an entire season again?
Reason to hope: Unlike last year, they actually know Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo are capable starters.
Reasons to mope: After Harang and Arroyo, there’s not much. … And the bullpen’s still a mess because closer Eddie Guardado’s out at least a half season. … Other teams within the division made big deals while the Reds did little.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS (75-87, fourth)
Pitchers/all report: Feb. 18/Feb. 24.
Key additions: P Jeff Suppan, C Johnny Estrada, INF Craig Counsell, P Claudio Vargas.
Key losses: 3B Jeff Cirillo, P Doug Davis, P Tomo Ohka.
Player to watch: P Ben Sheets. While Suppan agreed to the richest contract in franchise history ($42 million) Sheets is the anchor. If he’s healthy and throwing good the Brewers can think about an upper division finish.
Reasons to hope: Young position players Rickie Weeks, Prince Fielder, Corey Hart and Bill Hall give Milwaukee a promising lineup. … They’ve got five sure starters, barring injury.
Reasons to mope: The young hitters are streaky and strike out too much. … They folded last year down the stretch, losing 10 games after they pulled to within 4 ½ games of first in late Aug. 24. Can this team win the games it’s supposed to win?
PITTSBURGH PIRATES (67-95, fifth)
Pitchers/all report: Friday/Feb. 21
Key additions: 1B Adam LaRoche, INF Jose Hernandez, P Tony Armas.
Key losses: P Mike Gonzalez, OF Jeromy Burnitz, 3B Joe Randa.
Player to watch: P Salomon Torres. The former Mariner had 12 saves after Gonzalez landed on the DL. Is he ready to be more than an interim closer?
Reasons to hope: LaRoche provides Jason Bay with protection and is a power-hitting lefty, which should fit well in their park. … Young rotation made strides despite some rough moments in 2006.
Reasons to mope: It’s still a young rotation, which invariably means it will struggle at times. … Torres as the closer? You’re kidding, right?
CHICAGO CUBS (66-96, sixth)
Pitchers/all report: Thursday/Feb. 20
Key additions: Manager Lou Piniella, OF Alfonso Soriano, 2B Mark DeRosa, P Ted Lilly, P Jason Marquis, OF Cliff Floyd, P, Neal Cotts.
Key losses: Manager Dusty Baker, CF Juan Pierre, OF John Mabry.
Player to watch: P Mark Prior. It’s pretty simple. If Prior’s healthy, the Cubs have a strong, deep rotation. If not, they’ll have to scramble.
Reasons to hope: The lineup, which ranked 15th in the league in 2006, should be better with Soriano and a healthy 1B Derrek Lee. … The rotation is deeper.
Reasons to mope: Prior and Kerry Wood are always hurt. Why should this season be any different? … Defense isn’t looking like a strength.
