Seattle Ready for Opening Day

Houston (AP)- The 2005 Seattle Mariners surprised everyone by battling through two seven-game playoff series last fall to make the first World Series appearance in franchise history, a heart-breaking seven-game loss to the San Francisco Giants. As the team prepares to open the 2006 campaign tomorrow here against division rival Houston, The Home Plate Press previews the opening-day squad.

Catchers
With the recent trade of Michael Barrett to Minnesota, Joe Mauer (D1-2005) becomes the principal backstop with Yorvit Torrealba (D6-2006), who was cut and then redrafted, offering periodic relief.

Infield
The 2006 infield hardly looks like the one that opened in San Diego last April. David Bell, Marcus Giles, and Angel Berroa have been released or traded with only Bell of the three staying with the team throughout 2005. Paul Konerko (D3-2004) returns at firstbase and will be joined by Jorge Cantu (D3-2005) on the right side of the infield, while Rafael Furcal (T-ATL 2005) will be joined by newcomer Joe Randa (D2-2006) on the left. Jose Lopez (ID-2005), Michael Cuddyer (D1-2003), and Edwin Encarnacion (D1-2006) will provide depth.

Outfield
The outfield has more offensive potential than 2005's edition with J.D. Drew (T-OAK 2005) available for a full season. Drew will be joined by holdovers Ryan Freel (W-2004), Jeremy Reed (ID-2005), Ken Griffey, Jr. (T-CWS 2004), and Joey Gathright (D4-2005), and draftee Ryan Langerhans (D3-2006). Torii Hunter, Eli Marrero, Wily Mo Pena, and Gary Matthews, Jr., will all be playing elsewhere in 2006.

Pitching
The Mariners received a late boost by acquiring Roger Clemens (T-MIN 2006) from the Twins to anchor the young rotation. Clemens will mentor Ben Sheets (D1-2002), Rich Harden (D1-2004), Josh Beckett (T-FLA 2002), and rookie Felix Hernandez (ID-2006). Odalis Perez (T-ATL 2004) will get some starts from the left side of the bump. In relief, Joe Nathan (D2-2004) returns as the primary closer, supported by returnees Mike Gonzalez (D2-2005), Aaron Fultz (W-2005), Bob Howry (D5-2005), and Ugueth Urbina (W-2005).