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Seattle Mariners
2006 Finish: 78-84, 4th place(ビリ)
Outfield
Seattle is more solid in the outfield than it has been in years. The decision by Ichiro Suzuki in August to move to center from right field enabled the club to go out in the offseason and add Jose Guillen, who plays nice defense, has a terrific arm and who has some RBI and power potential. Left fielder Raul Ibanez is coming off his finest season -- career-high 33 homers and 123 RBIs -- and he seems more and more comfortable batting in the heart of the Seattle lineup. With Ichiro and Guillen, Seattle has two of the toughest outfield arms to run against.
Final Analysis
Seattle has something of a new look, but the Mariners have many of their old problems, including too little starting pitching. There are many who say the offense, with the additions of Guillen and Vidro, is the best in the division, but that has yet to be proven; too often the last couple of seasons, the bats have disappeared for long stretches. The defense is the core of the team, and if Seattle can get someone to do setup work for Putz with the same kind of success Soriano had, that will go a long way toward making 2007 a season worth watching.
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ア・リーグ西地区は、エンゼルスとアスレテッィスが強く、頑張っても3位。
Seattle Mariners
2006 Finish: 78-84, 4th place(ビリ)
Outfield
Seattle is more solid in the outfield than it has been in years. The decision by Ichiro Suzuki in August to move to center from right field enabled the club to go out in the offseason and add Jose Guillen, who plays nice defense, has a terrific arm and who has some RBI and power potential. Left fielder Raul Ibanez is coming off his finest season -- career-high 33 homers and 123 RBIs -- and he seems more and more comfortable batting in the heart of the Seattle lineup. With Ichiro and Guillen, Seattle has two of the toughest outfield arms to run against.
Final Analysis
Seattle has something of a new look, but the Mariners have many of their old problems, including too little starting pitching. There are many who say the offense, with the additions of Guillen and Vidro, is the best in the division, but that has yet to be proven; too often the last couple of seasons, the bats have disappeared for long stretches. The defense is the core of the team, and if Seattle can get someone to do setup work for Putz with the same kind of success Soriano had, that will go a long way toward making 2007 a season worth watching.
---
ア・リーグ西地区は、エンゼルスとアスレテッィスが強く、頑張っても3位。