BEYOND THE DIAMOND

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courtesy Kirby Arnold | HeraldNet



ICHIROsuzuki
RIGHT FIELD
.310 | 6 HR | 42 RBI
Yes, he has frustrated pitchers by pulling up short on bloops in front of him with a perceived lack of interest in diving for the ball. But Suzuki has eight straight Gold Gloves with a defensive style that hasn't changed. Baserunners continue to respect his arm and he covers vast amounts of ground. While he rarely challenges the outfield wall or risks a deep grass stain, he gets to balls while staying on his feet that others wouldn't. The presence of the swift Gutierrez next to him in center should be nothing but a positive for Suzuki.



FRANKLINgutierrez
CENTER FIELD
.248 | 8 HR | 41 RBI
It's hard to say who's more thankful to have Gutierrez in center field. The Mariners, who badly wanted to improve their outfield defense and insisted that Gutierrez be included in the J.J. Putz trade in December? Or Gutierrez, who has shown in spring training that he's at home in his natural position?

There's little doubt from the Mariners' perspective that Gutierrez was their prime target in the 11-player, three-team trade with the Indians and Mets. The Mariners went into the offseason looking to shore up their outfield defense, and he is a key piece. "Gutierrez is the player that made this deal happen," Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said.

The Mariners believe Gutierrez will improve as an offensive player as he gains experience -- he's only 26 with just one full big-league season. He already has a reputation for patience at the plate, having swung at the first pitch 11.8 percent of the time last year, the fifth-lowest percentage in the American League. It's the defense that intrigues the Mariners most and fills one of their biggest needs.

Gutierrez spent most of his time in right field last year with the Indians, having moved there with the emergence of Grady Sizemore in center. With the Mariners, he made an immediate impression at spring training in the way he glided to balls hit deep to the gaps and bloops in shallow center field. At Safeco Field, where there are vast areas in the outfield for balls to fall, that's a necessity.



KENgriffey, jr.
LEFT FIELD
.249 | 18 HR | 71 RBI
Nobody should expect Griffey to play like the 19-year-old who came up with the Mariners as a rookie, or the 29-year-old who left when he was traded to the Reds 10 years ago. Does he still have plenty to offer both offensively and defensively? Only a long season will determine that on a left knee that was surgically repaired in October. However, Griffey has shown during spring training that his legs aren't bad and his bat has come around. He has been driving balls hard to the pull side, a dramatic change from late last season when, perhaps because of the bad knee, he couldn't catch up with a fastball. The long season and his legs will determine how much outfield Griffey actually will play. If he needs to get off them, he'll see more time at DH and Endy Chavez will play in left.