Mariners' Season Over, Ends With Win

Unfortunately, this up-and-down season for the M's is officially over today. Its fitting they end on a 5-game winning streak since the season was all about streaks. With all of the 6, 7, 8 game losing streaks there was a 15-0f-17 or 9-0f-12 game win streak in there as well.

I say unfortunate because they had a great opportunity to make the playoffs for the first time in 6 years and there is no clear favorite to win it all. But the starting pitching wore down, the bullpen became human, and the lack of leadership on this team became apparent. We already know that manager John McLearn and GM Bill Bavasi will be back next year, but what else will be the same and what will be different?

-What happens with Adam Jones? Does he play left field with Ibanez DHing? Do they let Jose Guillen go and Jones plays right? Do you move Ichiro back to right and let Jones play center? Does Jones go back down to AAA?

-How are they going to improve their starting pitching? Does Brandon Morrow have the stuff to be a productive starter?

-What do you do with Richie Sexson? Is he still your 1B? Can you trade him away with that contract?

-Are you still comfortable with Jose Lopez as your everyday 2nd baseman even with his 2nd half slumps the last 2 seasons?

-What about the other prospects, Wladimir Balentien and Jeff Clement? Do they go back down and waste away in AAA? Can you trade them for a quality starter?

There are a lot of questions to be answered this offseason. But hey, at least they aren't the New York Mets!

Mariners complete sweep of Rangers to end season [Seattle Times]