MARINERS: Ibanez Has Monster Day

Seattle Mariners outfielder Raul Ibanez drove in a team-record six RBI on Monday with a grand slam and a two-run single, all in a 10-run seventh inning on Monday.

BOTTOM LINE: Ibanez is happ to be in Seattle, which is hard to understand. He has always put up the numbers, and he remains a decent fantasy option in mixed leagues.

MARLINS: Acquire Arthur Rhodes

Former Seattle Martiners reliever Arthur Rhodes has been traded to the Florida Marlins for prospect Gaby Hernandez, according to ESPN.

BOTTOM LINE: This is a good pickup for the Marlins. Rhodes has been outstanding against left handed hitters this season, holding them under a .200 average. The arrival of Rhodes will lessen the load that is on Renyel Pinto’s shoulders. If you need holds, he could be a good pickup.

MARINERS: Officially Cut Ties With Richie Sexson

Seattle Mariners first basemen Richie Sexson’s “body language” after being benched Wednesday prompted his release the following day, according to the Seattle Times.

BOTTOM LINE: This is the beginning of the “cleaning house” that the Mariners are going to be going through. I expect them to trade Raul Ibanez and cut Jose Vidro as well.

MARINERS: King Felix to DL

Seattle Mariners starter Felix Hernandez was placed on the 15-day DL on Monday night, ensuring that he gets a few extra days of rest to fully heal.

BOTTOM LINE: They are taking precaution here, which is the right move. Jim Riggleman said Hernandez’s ankle isn’t right, so the time will help.

MARINERS: King Felix Expects to Make Next Start

Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez expects to make his next start after spraining his ankle on Monday night.

BOTTOM LINE: It looked ugly to see live, because Hernandez couldn’t even stand on his own two feet, but it is a positive sign that he believes he won’t miss any time.

Gipsy and King

By: Chris Starbonell

Update! Writer

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his off-season has come with its fair share of major deals involving big-name superstars. The New York Yankees signed Alex Rodriguez to a 10-year contract worth over $300 million with incentives, Detroit the Tigers traded for Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis and, if that’s not enough, Johan Santana was sent to the New York Mets. With all the fanfare that surrounded those moves, it was easy to see why the Erik Bedard trade did not get the kind of attention it deserved.

The American League West is now there for the taking. In fact, it’s hard to see how Seattle does not become the instant favorite to win the division. While the Los Angeles Angels improved their team defense and offense with the signing of Torii Hunter, their starting pitching is a bit suspect after John Lackey. Kelvim Escobar is dealing with shoulder problems and Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders are all coming off disappointing seasons. Jon Garland should bring some stability to the rotation, but the Angels might be seriously outmatched in the starting pitching department.

Erik Bedard looked the undisputed Cy Young last season before straining an oblique and muscle that sidelined him Aug. He averaged over 10 strikeouts per nine innings in 2007 and his arrival in Seattle means that the Mariners may have a deadly one-two punch between Bedard and Felix Hernandez. Of course, that is dependent on King Felix finally having the break-through season everyone has expected the past couple of years. Hernandez turns 22 in April, but his cache of pitches is brilliant and he has the ability to be one of, if not, the best hurler in all of baseball. Just imagine the impact it will have on the league if Hernandez taps into his full potential for the 2008 season. Barring an injury, a Bedard / Felix combination would be the best one-two pitching duo in baseball.

Sure C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona formed a dynamic duo of their own last year, and Johan Santana and a healthy Pedro Martinez could also make for a formidable combo. Heck, even Jake Peavy and Chris Young looked unstoppable last year until a back injury derailed Young’s season. But these two-headed monsters all feature potential question marks. How is Carmona going to fare in his second season as a member of the Cleveland Indians rotation? Can Young and Martinez even sniff 200 innings? Will throwing 241 innings in 2007 affect Sabathia in 2008? Issues like these reveal that Seattle, at least for now, has the inside track when it comes to the top of a starting pitching staff.

I don’t want to get too ahead of myself here, but the last time two of the best pitchers in the game started on the same staff, the Arizona Diamondbacks were hoisting a World Series trophy. In 2001, Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling both won over 20 games while keeping their ERA under 3.00 during the regular season. It was during the playoffs, however, that the true value of having two ace studs was put on full display. As we all know, in a short series anything can happen, making starting pitching the most important aspect of the baseball post-season.

If Erik Bedard and Felix Hernandez can stay healthy all season long, the Mariners could very well enter the 2008 playoffs as the favorite to win it all. Of course, as stated before, this is all contingent on Felix Hernandez finally reaching his full potential in 2008. If he throws like he did last season (when he sported a 3.92 ERA and 1.38 WHIP), the Mariners might not even make it to the post-season. You can’t argue with their thinking though, because if they do make it to Oct. and their top-two starters are humming in 2008, the World Series should be theirs to lose.