What to watch for: Seattle Mariners
Unclecharlie@fantasybaseballgeeks.com
No one has improved their team more this offseason than the Seattle Mariners making the new-look Mariners the team to beat in the AL West. The Mariners will rely on their speed and defense to stay in ball games as they lack a real power threat after losing Russell Branyan to free agency. Branyan rejected the Mariners one year offer this offseason to pursue a multi-year contract. Branyan’s void in the middle of the lineup will be filled by the enigmatic Milton Bradley who has all of the raw skills to succeed, but also comes with the temper of a WWE wrestler.

Milton Bradley - Icon SMI
New third baseman Chone Figgins will hit in the two hole behind Ichiro Suzuki which will make life tough on pitchers. Figgins will hit for an excellent average and steal a ton of bases making him essentially Suzuki’s body double minus the annoying batting stance. The other notable addition to the line-up includes the slap hitting but disciplined Casey Kotchman who makes his return to the AL West. He will hit in the middle of the line-up which will be enticing but won’t offer much fantasy value outside of deeper leagues.
Cliff Lee is undoubtedly the biggest offseason acquisition by the Mariners. The presence of Lee transforms a pitching staff with an ace and four question marks, into the American League’s most terrifying one-two punch… followed by three question marks. Pitching at Safeco Field and having a fast and aggressive defense behind him should increase his already staggering numbers.
Breakout: Milton Bradley, OF
Chicago spelled disaster for Bradley from the beginning. Think about it, last call at bars in Chicago is at 4 A.M, and the Cubs play roughly 2/3 of their home games during the day, you do the math. Bradley moves to a friendlier last call of 2 A.M. in Seattle and is blessed to be in the city that Starbucks calls home which should help him remain “focused” throughout the season. The low pressure environment of the North West might help him reach his full potential, that same potential that sent him to the all star game two years ago when he produced a major league leading .999 OPS. Bradley should hit behind Ichiro and Figgins in the Mariners line-up which will supply him with plenty of RBI opportunities. While Bradley is always going to be an injury risk you can wait till the late rounds to target him making him a great sleeper this season.








