| | ESPN.com
Alex Rodriguez knows all eyes are now on him. He wanted to make a statement about life after Ken Griffey Jr., and hey, everybody likes free stuff.
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MARINERS LOWDOWN |
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|  | | Alex Rodriguez had 42 HRs and 111 RBI in '99 despite missing 33 games. |
1999: 79-83
Runs: 859, 6th in AL
Allowed: 905, 12th in AL
Key facts
The 1998 and 1999 Mariners were the only AL teams with two 40-homer guys to finish below .500.
Staff ERA was 6.00 before the All-Star break, 4.36 after.
Mariner leadoff hitters had the worst on-base percentage in baseball -- a pathetic .279.
Tim Kurkjian's scenarios
Best-case: Their starting pitching is so deep, they trade one starter for a left-handed hitting outfielder, and roll behind new leader Alex Rodriguez to the West title.
Worst-case: They miss Ken Griffey's power and presence, then lose A-Rod to free agency after the season.
Prediction: 2nd in AL West
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So when Rodriguez reported to spring training, he gave his teammates T-shirts that say "I'm on a mission, sir." But Rodriguez isn't stopping with merchandising. He is trying to demonstrate he can be the type of leader to carry his team.
"The last few years I've led by example," Rodriguez said. "This is the year in which I need to step it up. I have very high standards for myself . This year I'm going to expect high standards and work ethics from all of my teammates."
Rodriguez actually has two missions this year. The first is leading the Seattle Mariners to a division title, which should segue nicely into the other -- to become the highest-paid player in the history of baseball, if not the first $20 million man.
Seattle won two AL West titles in Griffey's 11 years, yet never brought a World Series to the Kingdome. Imagine if Rodriguez could get them there without the overgrown kid in the backward cap.
No one doubts Rodriguez's tools. The kid won't turn 25 until July, and he's averaged 36 homers and 111 RBI in his four full seasons.
"At times he makes it look awful easy," manager Lou Piniella said. "It's not that easy, either. He's a great talent. Alex is capable of a monster, monster year."
Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, has rejected all attempts by the Mariners to sign him to a long-term contract extension. He plans to explore the free-agent market after the season. That is as unsettling to fans in Seattle as it is to shortstops in Atlanta, New York and Chicago.
For the moment, the Mariners' plan is to try to go as far as they can behind Rodriguez and a much-improved pitching staff. GM Pat Gillick, who was unfairly criticized for getting only Mike Cameron and Brett Tomko from Cincinnati for Griffey, has done a great job adding quality arms in Aaron Sele, Arthur Rhodes and Japanese reliever Kazuhiro Sasaki.
But Gillick will face a tough call if the Mariners aren't in first place at the trading deadline. Rodriguez could be a difference-maker in a pennant race and -- unlike Griffey -- can't control where he goes.
Not that Rodriguez doesn't have influence.
"We expect to win," he said, "and I think we will."
-- Phil Rogers
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Lineup comments and grades from ESPN The Magazine
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Player
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Comment
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Grade
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Brian Hunter, LF
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Best example of how overrated SBs are. A .280 OBP leading off? Please
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D
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David Bell, 2B
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Incredibly intense. Don't be fooled, as Cards and Indians were, by shy, quiet nature
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B
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A. Rodriguez, SS
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Hail to the new Boss
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A
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E. Martinez, DH
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Look up "pure hitter" in the dictionary. You'll find his picture
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A
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John Olerud, 1B
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Ability to hit lefties (.282 last five years) a big plus -- no RH backup needed
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B
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Jay Buhner, RF
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Fewest ABs (266) ever for 100-K man. But if healthy as he seems, a major force
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B
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M. Cameron, CF
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More doubles, triples and SBs than Junior in 1999. Now, let's change the subject
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B
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Dan Wilson, C
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Mechanically perfect. No more blaming him for pitching problems
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B
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C. Guillen, 3B
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Best arm on field. Playing 3B keeps fragile knees away from DP collisions
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I
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Pitching comments and grades from ESPN The Magazine
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Pitcher
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Comment
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Grade
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F. Garcia, SP
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High front side, a la Rick Sutcliffe, makes him very hard for hitters to pick up
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B
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Jamie Moyer, SP
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Fearless work inside to RH hitters is why he's been so good last four years
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A
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Aaron Sele, SP
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Only Pedro Martinez has more wins than his 37 the last two seasons
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A
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Gil Meche, SP
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Relentless hard stuff. Will eventually be the best pitcher on the staff
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I
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K. Sasaki, RP
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No longer dominant, but throws four pitches blindfolded for strikes
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I
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Jose Mesa, RP
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Iffy. Only 42 K?s in 68 IP. If he labors, Sasaki or Arthur Rhodes can close
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C
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