What an off season it's been for the Seattle Mariners and their general manager JackZduriencik.
The Mariners, since the conclusion of the Winter Meetings in Indy have acquired Cy Young award winner Cliff Lee and OF Milton Bradley. At the Winter Meetings the Mariners and third baseman Chone Figgins came to terms on a four year, $32 million dollar contract with an option for a fifth year.
Now after reviewing the Chone Figgins signing I've moved on to reviewing the two recent acquisitions in Cliff Lee and Milton Bradley and what both mean for the Seattle Mariners in 2010.
Cliff Lee: 14-13, 3.22 ERA, 231 IP, 181 SO, 43 BB, 6 CG, 7 K/9, 1.6 BB/9, 4.2 K/BB and a 1.24 WHIP.
Cliff Lee, a 2008 Cy Young award winner played in both the American and National League last season with the Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Phillies respectively.
In the AL Lee posted a 7-9 recorded with the Indians before being dealt in a five player trade to the Phillies.
In the National League Lee posted an astounding 7-4 record, which doesn't sound like much but when you break down all of his performances his record could have been 11-0.
With Lee now heading back the American League, in a pitchers friendly ballpark in Safeco Field there won't be any problems for the former Cy Young winner.
Lee dominated in a hitters ballpark in Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia so with the defense in Seattle, added to the size of the ballpark there shouldn't be any problem for Lee.
The Mariners defense is all-star caliber with Ichiro and Franklin Gutierrez in the outfield and Chone Figgins, Jack Wilson and Jose Lopez in the infield Lee don’t have to worry about having a lackluster defense behind him.
One thing that Cliff Lee, as well as Milton Bradley doesn’t have to worry about is the press in Seattle. There is really on pressure unless for some bizarre reason the M's tank as bad as the Seahawks are right now.
Another added bonus for Lee is that when he was in Philadelphia he was their ACE and he was the man. In Seattle he's got the King in front of him in King Felix Hernandez who went 19-5 in 2008, and really had the better performance to win the Cy Young.
My prediction for Cliff Lee would be something along these lines: 18-20 wins, 2.35 ERA, 210 SO and maybe 240 IP.
I also think, which some people outside of Seattle will argue, that Cliff Lee will sign a long term deal in Seattle with the Mariners making the playoffs in 2010.
Milton Bradley: .257 avg, 12 HR's, 40 RBI's, .378 OBP, 61 R, 101 hits, 66 BB, 95 SO, .397 slugging percentage and a.775 OPS.
Bradley signed a three year $30 million dollar contract last year with the Chicago Cubs after coming off of one of his best seasons. Since the signing he's hated Chicago and the Cubs fans. Then again who wouldn't when the Cubs haven’t been in style since Gold was discovered in 1909.
Bradley never really fit in with the Cubs so trading him to the Seattle Mariners, who have a very supportive fan base, unless your name is Bill Bavasi or Carlos Silva as well as great team chemistry.
Throughout his career Bradley has always done better in the American League. Here is his AL/NL comparison in his career.
American League: 6 years, 450 games, 455 hits, 249 runs, 57 HR's, 230 RBI's, .294 BA, .390 OBP, .481 slugging percentage and a .871 OPS.
National League: 6 years, 491 games, 449 hits, 252 runs, 58 HR's, 209 RBI's, .263 BA, .353 OBP, .422 slugging percentage, and a .775 OPS.
As the stats show, Bradley has done better in the American League in 41 fewer games.
With Bradley being a switch hitter and playing DH and LF in 2010 I expect his numbers will be where they usually are in the AL.
.290 BA, 25-30 HR's and 95 RBI's. He'll hit in the 4-6 range in the lineup.
The major thing about both of these trades that brought Cliff Lee and Milton Bradley to Seattle is that the Mariners come out clear winners in both trades.
And Seattle Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik said he's still not done. That's what scares me. What else is left for GMZ to do? Wait and see.
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