Ask the Experts: Seattle Mariners

Our friends over at RotoProfessor had the opportunity to grill John Hickey, the Mariners beat writer for the Seattle Post Intelligence (see his coverage by clicking here). He gives an interesting look into the upcoming season, so let’s get down to what he had to say.

Question 1: How do you see Erik Bedard performing in his first year in Seattle?
John Hickey: He’s already had good success in the American League, and it should be more of the same. The Mariners have half of a great infield defense (the left half) and a decent offense, both of which should help make him a winner.

• Question 2: Which player do you see having the better offensive season, Raul Ibanez, Adrian Beltre or Richie Sexson and why?
  
• John Hickey: I’m looking for Ibanez to have the best offensive season of the three because he’s left-handed in a left-handed hitter’s park and because he’s in the last year of his contract. That being said, much more has to be forthcoming from Sexson after the worst year of his career.

Question 3: How do you think the presence of Erik Bedard will affect the performance of Felix Hernandez?
John Hickey: I don’t know that it will have a huge impact, because he’s already a pretty good pitcher. What it will do is give the Mariners a chance to dominate a series when both are scheduled to go against the same opponent.

• Question 4: What are the chances Wladimir Balentien breaks camp with the Mariners? Do you think he could make an impact before season’s end?
  
• John Hickey: I would be surprised if he broke camp with the Mariners, although not shocked. With Mike Morse, who is out of options, on the roster and having already hit fairly well in limited opportunities, he’d get the first shot. But I would expect that Balentien would be among the first callups.
  

Question 5: What role do you see Brandon Morrow filling this season? Do you see him ever getting a chance to start, as was rumored earlier this off-season?
John Hickey: Morrow starts the season as the eighth-inning right-handed reliever, setting up J.J. Putz. That assumes that all the starting pitchers remain healthy. If not, Morrow would be given the chance to start.