The 2010 Seattle Mariners season was the
34th season in franchise history. The Mariners finished the season with 61 wins and 101 losses. As the
Texas Rangers won their first pennant that season, the Mariners became one of only two teams to have never played in the World Series, along with the
Washington Nationals.
Offseason
Coaching staff changes
Most of the 2009 major league coaching staff was retained, with the exception of third base coach
Bruce Hines.[1]Mike Brumley was named the new third base coach on October 30, 2009.[2] On December 7, the Mariners announced their minor league staff.[3] Eriberto Menchaca, who managed the Class-A
Clinton LumberKings in 2009, was moved to the rookie-level
Pulaski Mariners, Jesus Azuaje was named manager of the rookie-level
Peoria Mariners,
Tim Laker was named the manager of the Double-A
West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, and
Andy Fox was named hitting coach for the Diamond Jaxx.[3]
Roster changes
Key departures
On October 19, 2009,
catcherKenji Johjima, the first Japanese-born catcher in Major League Baseball, exercised an opt-out clause in his contract and returned to playing in
Nippon Professional Baseball.[4] The Mariners also lost their
home run leader,
Russell Branyan, who declined a one-year deal with the Mariners to test the free agent market.[5] Two-time
Gold Glove winner
Adrián Beltré opted for free agency on November 5, 2009, and later signed with the
Boston Red Sox.[6] The third baseman declined $12 million in arbitration from the Mariners only days after the team signed
Chone Figgins(see below).[7] Beltre officially parted ways with the Mariners when he signed a one-year, $9 million deal with the Boston Red Sox. Pitcher
Phillippe Aumont, noted as one of the top prospects in the organization, was sent to the Phillies in the trade for Cliff Lee. Also, pitcher
Brandon Morrow was traded to the
Toronto Blue Jays as well.[8]Carlos Silva, whose time in Seattle was plagued by injury, was traded to the
Chicago Cubs on December 18.[9]
Ken Griffey Jr. returned to the Mariners with a one-year deal after a successful 2009 season and large number of Seattle fans asking for "one more year."[12]ShortstopJack Wilson signed a two-year, $10 million deal to remain in Seattle. Wilson was one of the players received from the
Pittsburgh Pirates at the trading deadline in 2009.[13]
On December 18, 2009, the Mariners traded pitcher Carlos Silva and cash considerations to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder
Milton Bradley, particularly noting his offensive capabilities.[9] On December 22, the Mariners traded Brandon Morrow to the Toronto Blue Jays for pitcher
Brandon League, and a minor league prospect.[8] The Mariners acquired first baseman
Casey Kotchman from the
Boston Red Sox in exchange for utility player
Bill Hall, a player to be named later, and cash considerations. On January 29, 2010, the Mariner signed outfielder
Eric Byrnes to a one-year, $400,000 contract after he was released by the
Arizona Diamondbacks.[19] The Mariners signed first baseman
Ryan Garko to a one-year $550,000 contract on February 1.[20] On February 6, the Mariners re-signed pitcher
Érik Bédard to a one-year, $1.5 million contract, with a mutual option for 2011.[21]
Minor league acquisitions
After the
World Series, the Mariners cleared five spots from their 40-man roster after infielder
Bryan LaHair, pitchers
César Jiménez,
Randy Messenger and Marwin Vega were outrighted to the Triple-A
Tacoma Rainiers, and pitcher
Justin Thomas was claimed off waivers by the
Pittsburgh Pirates.[22] The Mariners added seven new scouts after the season including the West Coast Supervisor Butch Baccala, Southern California scout John Ramey, Northwest scout Joe Ross, Midwest scout Tony Russo, Southwest scout Jess Kapellusch, Atlantic scout Mike Moriarty, and Gulf Coast scout Devitt Moore.[23]
On November 25, the Mariners re-signed minor league pitchers
Steve Bray and
Steven Shell, and catcher José Yépez.[24] On December 9, the Mariners signed outfielder
Corey Patterson to a minor league contract with an invitation to
spring training.[25] It was reported by Baseball America that the Mariners signed pitcher
Levale Speigner and infielder
Travis Denker, and also re-signed pitcher
Chris Seddon and
Josh Wilson to minor league contracts on December 12.[26] On December 16, the Mariners signed 19-year-old Brazilian prospect
Pedro Okuda to a minor league contract.[27] During the trade for Cliff Lee, the Mariners gave up three prospects including pitchers
Phillippe Aumont and
J. C. Ramírez and outfielder
Tyson Gillies.[28]
On December 22, Baseball America reported that the Mariners re-signed pitcher
Mike Koplove, and signed pitcher
David Pauley, and catcher
Ralph Henriquez Jr.[29] During the trade for Brandon League, the Mariners also acquired minor league outfielder
Johermyn Chávez from the Blue Jays.[8] On December 28, the Mariners signed catcher
Josh Bard, and re-signed pitcher
Chad Cordero to minor league contracts with invitations to spring training.[30] The Mariners signed free agent utility player
Chris Woodward, who was in their organization during the first half of the 2009 season, to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.[31] On January 13, the Mariners re-signed first baseman
Brad Nelson to a minor league contract with and invitation to spring training.[32] Formerly of the
Milwaukee Brewers organization,
Jesús Colomé signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Mariners on February 10.[33] On February 12, 2010, the Mariners signed
Mike Sweeney, a player who
MLB.com called a "key clubhouse component from the Mariners' dramatic 2009 turnaround", to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.[34]
Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects: Seattle Mariners[35]
During the offseason,
MLB.com ranked Mariners' first round draft
Dustin Ackley as the 15th best prospect in
Minor League Baseball.[36] Ackley was also named the best prospect in the Mariners' organization by Baseball America, followed by outfielder
Michael Saunders, catcher
Adam Moore, third baseman
Alex Liddi, infielder
Carlos Triunfel, pitcher
Michael Pineda, shortstop
Nick Franklin, outfielder
Greg Halman, pitcher
Dan Cortes, and corner infielder
Mario Martínez.[35]Baseball America also ranked players by their specific talents. Ackley was named best hitter for average, Halman was named best hitter for power, and best athlete, outfielder
Ezequiel Carrera was named both best strike-zone discipline, and fastest base runner, Pineda was named as having the best
fastball, and the best control of pitches, pitcher
Josh Fields was named as having the best
curveball, pitcher
Steven Hensley was named as having the best
slider, pitcher
Nick Hill was named as having the best
changeup,
Steve Baron was named the best defensive catcher, Gabriel Noriega was named the best defensive infielder, Triunfel was named as having the best throwing arm amongst infielders, Saunders was named best defensive outfielder, and
James Jones was named as the having the best throwing arm amongst outfielders.[35]
Salary arbitration
Five Mariners' players filed for salary arbitration in January 2010.[37] The list of filers included pitchers
David Aardsma,
Félix Hernández, Brandon League and
Mark Lowe, and first baseman Casey Kotchman.[37] On January 18, Aardsma, Hernández and Lowe signed new contracts with the Mariners, avoiding arbitration.[38][39] Aardsma signed a deal for $2.75 million, and Lowe signed a deal worth $1.15 million.[38] Hernández's five-year deal was worth $80 million.[39] On January 20, the Mariners came to an agreement with League for a one-year $900,000 deal, avoiding arbitration.[40] Kotchman, the last arbitration eligible player on the Mariners roster, agreed to a $3.5 million contract on February 3, avoiding arbitration, and settling all the Mariners' arbitration cases.[41]
November 20: Pitcher Chris Jakubauskas claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pitcher Robert Manuel claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox.
Called-up pitchers Dan Cortes, Ricky Orta, Edward Paredes, J. C. Ramírez and Anthony Varvaro.
Outrighted infielder Josh Wilson to Triple-A Tacoma.
Activated pitchers Ryan Feierabend and Sean White from the
disabled list.
Signed catcher Eliézer Alfonzo to a minor league contract.
December
December 8: Signed third baseman Chone Figgins to a four-year, $36 million contract.
December 10: Signed center fielder Corey Patterson to a minor league contract.
Selected pitcher Kanekoa Texeira from the New York Yankees in the
Rule 5 draft.
Re-signed shortstop Jack Wilson to a two-year, $10 million contract.
December 16: Signed shortstop Pedro Okuda to a minor league contract.
Traded pitchers J. C. Ramírez and Phillippe Aumont and outfielder Tyson Gillies to the Philadelphia Phillies for pitcher Cliff Lee.
December 18: Re-signed outfielder Ryan Langerhans to a minor league contract.
Traded pitcher Carlos Silva to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Milton Bradley.
December 23: Traded pitcher Brandon Morrow to the Toronto Blue Jays for pitcher Brandon League and outfielder Johermyn Chávez.
December 28: Signed catcher Josh Bard and pitcher Chad Cordero to minor league contracts.
2010
January
January 6: Signed outfielder Chris Woodward to a minor league contract.
January 7: Traded utility player Bill Hall to the Boston Red Sox for first baseman Casey Kotchman.
January 13: Re-signed first baseman Brad Nelson to a minor league contract.
January 15: Claimed first baseman Tommy Everidge off of waivers from the Oakland Athletics.
January 29: Signed outfielder Eric Byrnes to a one-year $400,000 contract.
First baseman Tommy Everidge designated for assignment.
February
February 1: Signed first baseman Ryan Garko to a one-year, $550,000 contract.
Pitcher Pitcher Gaby Hernandez designated for assignment.
February 3: Outrighted first baseman Tommy Everidge to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.
February 6: Re-signed pitcher Érik Bédard to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.
Pitcher Pitcher Yusmeiro Petit designated for assignment.
February 10: Signed pitcher Jesús Colomé to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
Pitcher Yusmeiro Petit outrighted to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.
Pitcher Gaby Hernandez claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox.
February 12: Signed designated hitter Mike Sweeney to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
March
March 3: Pitchers Kenn Kasparek and Anthony Vasquez assigned to the Mariners.
March 4: Pitchers James Gillheeney and Erasmo Ramirez; shortstop Carlos Triunfel; and Kyle Seager assigned to the Mariners.
March 5: Pitchers
Andrew Carraway and Michael Pineda; and shortstop
Juan Díaz assigned to the Mariners.
March 6: Pitchers Aaron Jensen and
Steve Bray; shortstop Nick Franklin; and third baseman
Alex Liddi assigned to the Mariners.
March 8: Catchers Ralph Henriquez and Hassiel Jimenez; third baseman Matt Mangini; and outfielders James Jones and Denny Almonte assigned to the Mariners.
March 10: Optioned pitcher
Ryan Feierabend to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.
March 11: Pitchers Kyle Parker and
Wes Littleton; and outfielders Maximo Mendez and
Johermyn Chávez assigned to the Mariners.
March 12: Pitcher
Andrew Baldwin assigned to the Mariners.
March 13: Optioned outfielder Greg Halman to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.
Infielder Joseph Dunigan assigned to the Mariners.
March 14: Third baseman Mario Martinez and outfielder
Carlos Peguero assigned to the Mariners.
March 16: Optioned pitchers Dan Cortes, Ricky Orta, Edward Paredes and Anthony Varvaro; and infielder Dustin Ackley to the Double-A West Tenn Diamond Jaxx.
Optioned outfielder Ezequiel Carrera to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.
March 17: Released pitcher Yusmeiro Petit.
March 18: Signed second baseman Travis Denker.
Pitcher Marwin Vega assigned to the Mariners.
Optioned outfielder Michael Saunders to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.
Traded pitcher Miguel Celestino to the Boston Red Sox.
March 20: Infielders Shaver Hansen and Gabriel Noriega; and outfielder Welington Dotel assigned to the Mariners.
March 21: Shortstop Jeffrey Dominguez and outfielder Johan Limonta assigned to the Mariners.
March 22: Outfielder Daniel Carroll assigned to the Mariners.
March 23: Pitcher Steven Richard assigned to the Mariners.
March 24: Catcher Brandon Bantz assigned to the Mariners.
March 25: Pitchers Preston Vancil and Nick Czyz; catcher Blake Ochoa; infielder Edilio Colina; and outfielders Kalian Sams and
Kuo Hui Lo assigned to the Mariners.
Optioned first baseman Mike Carp to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.
March 27: Pitcher Steven Hensley assigned to the Mariners.
March 29: Pitcher Chris Kirkland assigned to the Mariners.
March 31: Outfielder Corey Patterson filed for free agency.
Pitcher Brian Moran and
James McOwen to the Mariners.
Optioned Luke French to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.
Placed pitcher Érik Bédard on the 15-Day disabled list retroactive to March 26, 2010.
Placed third baseman
Jack Hannahan on the 15-Day disabled list retroactive to March 26, 2010.
April
April 1: First baseman Ryan Garko was claimed by the
Texas Rangers.
Optioned
Garrett Olson to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.
Pitcher Seon Gi Kim assigned to the Mariners.
April 4: Placed pitcher Cliff Lee on the 15-Day disabled list retroactive to March 26, 2010.
Pitcher Yusmeiro Petit and outfielder Corey Patterson assigned to the Mariners.
Called-up Mike Sweeney from the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.
April 5: Catchers José Yépez and Luis Oliveros assigned to the Double-A West Tenn Diamond Jaxx.
Outfielder Maximo Mendez assigned to the Class-A Advanced High Desert Mavericks.
Outfielder Kalian Sams assigned to the Class-A Clinton LumberKings.
April 7: Pitchers Mike Koplove, Chris Seddon, Steven Shell, Steve Bray, Chad Cordero, Jesús Colomé, David Pauley and Levale Speigner; catchers Eliézer Alfonzo and Josh Bard; and infielders Brad Nelson, Josh Wilson and Chris Woodward assigned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.
Spring training
Non-roster invitees
Seattle invited 23 players to
spring training including catchers
Eliézer Alfonzo,
Josh Bard, Steven Baron,
Luis Oliveros and
Guillermo Quiróz, infielders Tommy Everidge, Brad Nelson, Josh Wilson and Chris Woodward, outfielders Corey Patterson and
Mike Wilson, designated hitter Mike Sweeney, and pitchers Jesús Colomé, Chad Cordero, Josh Fields, Nick Hill, Mike Koplove, David Pauley, Yusmeiro Petit,
Mauricio Robles,
Chris Seddon, Steven Shell and Levale Speigner.
Injuries
On February 8, newly acquired pitcher Cliff Lee underwent minor surgery to remove a floating bone spur in his left foot.[42] Lee was expected to be out two-to-three weeks, making him unable to report to spring training at the scheduled time.[42] On March 4,
closerDavid Aardsma experienced tightness in his
groin causing him to miss playing time.[43] Shortstop Jack Wilson suffered from right
hamstring tightness after a Mariners' game in early March.[44] On March 19, it was announced that pitcher Cliff Lee could start the season on the disabled list because of a right lower abdominal strain.[45] At the end of spring training, Lee was placed on the 15-day disabled list for the aforementioned reason.[46] On April 3, Mariners' minor leaguer James McOwen dislocated his shoulder while attempting to catch a ball hit by
Clint Barmes.[47]
Roster moves
On March 10, 2010, the Mariners cut 10 people from their spring roster including
Ryan Feierabend, Josh Fields, Steven Shell, Nick Hill, Chris Seddon, Mauricio Robles, Luis Oliveros and Steven Baron.[48] On March 17, the Mariners released pitcher Yusmeiro Petit whom they had claimed off waivers on November 4, 2009.[49] Michael Saunders, an outfielder who played limited time with the Mariners in 2009, was optioned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers on March 18.[50] On March 18, the Mariners traded minor league pitcher Miguel Celestino to the Boston Red Sox to complete the trade for Casey Kotchman.[51] First baseman Mike Carp was assigned to minor league camp on March 25, and was informed that he would start the season with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.[52] On March 31, outfielder Corey Patterson opted out of his contract with the Mariners and field for free agency.[53] Also on March 31, the Mariners assigned pitcher Chad Cordero to minor league camp, and optioned
Luke French to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.[54]
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; BB = Base on balls; SB = Stolen bases; AVG = Batting average
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV=Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H =Hits; ER = Earned runs allowed; HR= Home Run allowed; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts
^Matt Eddy (December 12, 2009).
"Minor League Transactions". Baseball America. baseballamerica.com. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
^Alden Gonzalez (December 16, 2009).
"Mariners sign 19-year-old Okuda". Major League Baseball. seattle.mariners.mlb.com. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
^Jonathan Mayo and Lisa Winston (December 16, 2009).
"Seven prospects involved in blockbuster". Major League Baseball. seattle.mariners.mlb.com. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
^Matt Eddy (December 22, 2009).
"Minor League Transactions". Baseball America. baseballamerica.com.
Archived from the original on December 25, 2009. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
^Doug Miller (December 28, 2009).
"Bard, Cordero sign with Mariners". Major League Baseball. seattle.mariners.mlb.com. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
^Alden Gonzalez (February 10, 2010).
"Mariners sign Colome to Minors deal". Major League Baseball. seattle.mariners.mlb.com. Archived from
the original on February 17, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
^
abJime Street (January 18, 2010).
"Aardsma, Lowe agree to one-year deals". Major League Baseball. seattle.mariners.mlb.com.
Archived from the original on January 23, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
^
abJim Street (January 18, 2010).
"Félix's reign in Seattle to continue". Major League Baseball. seattle.mariners.mlb.com.
Archived from the original on January 22, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
^Jim Street (February 3, 2010).
"Mariners reach agreement with Kotchman". Major League Baseball. seattle.mariners.mlb.com.
Archived from the original on February 7, 2010. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
^Jim Street (March 4, 2010).
"Sore Aardsma may miss next outing". Major League Baseball. seattle.mariners.mlb.com.
Archived from the original on March 11, 2010. Retrieved April 4, 2010.
^Jim Street (March 5, 2010).
"Wilson tweaks right hamstring". Major League Baseball. seattle.mariners.mlb.com.
Archived from the original on March 8, 2010. Retrieved April 4, 2010.
^Doug Miller (March 19, 2010).
"Lee has right lower abdominal strain". Major League Baseball. seattle.mariners.mlb.com.
Archived from the original on March 24, 2010. Retrieved April 4, 2010.
^Jim Street (April 4, 2010).
"Lee placed on 15-day disabled list". Major League Baseball. seattle.mariners.mlb.com.
Archived from the original on April 7, 2010. Retrieved April 4, 2010.
^Thomas Harding (April 3, 2010).
"Mariners' McOwen dislocates shoulder". Major League Baseball. seattle.mariners.mlb.com.
Archived from the original on April 5, 2010. Retrieved April 4, 2010.
^Jim Street (March 10, 2010).
"Mariners cut eight from spring camp". Major League Baseball. seattle.mariners.mlb.com.
Archived from the original on March 13, 2010. Retrieved April 4, 2010.