2009 Seattle Mariners season


The 2009 Seattle Mariners season was the 33rd season in franchise history. They improved upon a disappointing 2008 season, where they finished last in the American League West with a 61–101 record. They finished 3rd in the AL West with an 85–77 record, a 24 win improvement. The 2009 Mariners became the 13th team in MLB history to have a winning record following a 100+ loss season. On September 13, 2009, Ichiro got his 200th hit of the season. In the process, he set a new MLB record by getting at least 200 hits for nine consecutive seasons. He would break Wee Willie Keeler's record of eight consecutive seasons.

Overview

Even before Opening Day, the season was marked with a flurry of change, most notably with the hiring of new general manager Jack Zduriencik, field manager Don Wakamatsu, and an entirely new major-league coaching staff. Unlike the previous season, which was approached with an expectation to contend for the AL West division title, the 2009 season has been approached with a rebuilding philosophy and a departure from the team-building strategies used in previous seasons. In January the Mariners unveiled their 2009 slogan, "A New Day, A New Way", to reflect their rebuilding philosophy.
In terms of players, this season was marked by the free agency departure of outfielder Raúl Ibáñez, who signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, and the trade of closer J. J. Putz to the New York Mets. However, the offseason has been most notable for the acquisition of longtime Mariners outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr., nearly 10 years after trading him to the Cincinnati Reds. Other notable acquisitions have included outfielders Franklin Gutiérrez and Endy Chávez, new closer David Aardsma and long-time Kansas City Royals infielder Mike Sweeney.
This season also marks the 10th anniversary of Safeco Field, the Mariners' home stadium which opened its gates July 15, 1999.

Offseason

Front office changes

On June 16, 2008, then-general manager Bill Bavasi was dismissed after a disappointing 24-46 start, with vice president-assistant GM Lee Pelekoudas selected as his interim replacement. During the off-season, the Mariners began their search for a new general manager with several candidates to be interviewed including Pelekoudas himself.
After an extensive search, the Mariners selected Milwaukee Brewers executive Jack Zduriencik, who was most notable for his drafting skills and credited with turning the Brewers into a playoff team, as their new general manager on October 22, 2008. Pelekoudas was retained as assistant GM, but resigned on September 1, 2009.

Coaching changes

In addition to relieving GM Bill Bavasi of his duties, the Mariners also fired manager John McLaren on June 19, 2008. Bench coach Jim Riggleman was selected as the interim manager for the rest of the 2008 season.
On November 19, 2008, the Mariners named Oakland Athletics bench coach Don Wakamatsu as their new manager. With the hiring, Wakamatsu becomes the first Asian-American manager in Major League Baseball. Wakamatsu then dismissed all of the coaching staff hired under the McLaren-Riggleman tenure, and hired Ty Van Burkleo as bench coach and Lee Tinsley as first base coach, while Rick Adair and John Wetteland were hired as the pitching and bullpen coaches respectively. Alan Cockrell was brought in as the new hitting coach.

Roster changes

Key departures

, who led the team in RBIs in 2008, signed a 3-year, $31.5 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies after a five-year tenure with the Mariners. Ibáñez, who was a Type A free agent, allowed the Mariners to receive the Phillies' first round pick in the 2009 MLB draft and also a compensatory pick as well.
On December 10, in a three-team trade, Zduriencik sent former All-Star closer J. J. Putz, outfielder Jeremy Reed and pitcher Sean Green to the New York Mets and prospect Luis Valbuena to the Cleveland Indians, in exchange for a combined seven players from both teams, most notably the Indians' Franklin Gutiérrez and the Mets' Endy Chávez.
On July 10, the Mariners sent shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for two minor-league pitchers.

Key additions

The Mariners made numerous additions in free agency, adding over 17 players to the team. On December 3, the Mariners made their first move in the offseason by signing 1B Russell Branyan to a one-year deal. Branyan was one of the players that Zdurienck saw potential in during his time with the Brewers. Mike Sweeney, formerly a fan favorite and leader in the Royals organization, was signed as well to a minor-league deal.
Next, the Mariners received 7 players in the three team trade that netted them outfielders Endy Chávez and Franklin Gutierrez, pitcher Aaron Heilman, and four other minor leaguers including prospect Mike Carp and pitcher Jason Vargas. Heilman, however, would be traded to the Chicago Cubs almost a month later, in exchange for utility player Ronny Cedeño and pitcher Garrett Olson.
Seattle also traded for pitcher David Aardsma from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for a minor leaguer.
Griffey's return
Perhaps the biggest move in the offseason, however, was the signing of former Mariner Ken Griffey, Jr. to a 1-year deal. Griffey, who was known as the man who "saved baseball in Seattle", received a warm welcome and a fifteen-minute presentation that applauds his tenure as a Mariner when his former team, the Cincinnati Reds, visited Safeco Field in 2007. Surprised by the reaction, Griffey explored the possibility of a return in Seattle. The Mariners reportedly were trying to negotiate with Griffey until the Atlanta Braves also want to sign him as well. Griffey was inclined to sign with Atlanta due to the proximity from his home, but choose to instead return to Seattle. Most, if not all, Mariners fans were ecstatic about the news, and orders of Griffey jerseys were off the charts.

Complete transactions

2008

Season standings

Division standings

Record vs. opponents

Game log

Roster

Player stats

Batting

Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases
Through October 4, 2009
PlayerGABRH2B3BHRRBIAVGSB
Wladimir Balentien561551833100413.2131
Adrián Beltré11144954119270844.26513
Russell Branyan116431641082113176.2512
Ronny Cedeño59186153142517.1673
Endy Chávez54161174431213.2739
Ken Griffey, Jr.11738744831901957.2140
Franklin Gutiérrez153565851602411870.28316
Jack Hannahan51148153480311.2301
Kenji Johjima712392459110922.2472
Rob Johnson802582155192227.2131
Ryan Langerhans38101122261310.2180
José López153613691674202596.2723
Chris Shelton926162004.2310
Ichiro Suzuki146639882253141146.35226
Mike Sweeney742422568150834.2810
Josh Wilson45128163281310.2501
Chris Woodward20677161005.2391
Team 9231273638171601188348.26162

Pitching

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started ; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Through July 21, 2009
PlayerGIPWLCGERASO
Érik Bédard15835302.8290
Félix Hernández34238.219512.49217
Chris Jakubauskas35 936715.3247
Garrett Olson31 80.13505.6047
Ryan Rowland-Smith1596.15403.7452
Carlos Silva8 28.21308.6010
Jason Vargas23 91.23604.9154
Jarrod Washburn201338612.6479

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; SVO = Save opportunities; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Through July 21, 2009
PlayerGIPWLSVSVOERASO
David Aardsma7344.13638402.5280
Miguel Batista5671.174144.0452
Roy Corcoran161920016.166
Shawn Kelley414654024.5041
Mark Lowe758027363.2669
Brandon Morrow26 69.224684.3963
Denny Stark911.001006.557
Sean White5264.132122.8028

Team totals

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; SVO = Save opportunities; CG = Complete games; SHO = Shutouts; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Through June 1, 2009
GIPWLSVSVOCGSHOERASO
92823.249433044323.65615

Farm system

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: AZL Mariners

Major League Baseball Draft

Below is a complete list of the Seattle Mariners draft picks from the two 2009 Major League Baseball drafts.
The Seattle Mariners took part in both the Major League Baseball Rule 4 draft and the Rule 5 draft in.
The 2009 Major League Baseball draft was held June 9 to June 11 at the MLB Network Studios in New York City. The Seattle Mariners went second in the draft order and had two supplemental first-round draft picks for the loss of free agent Raúl Ibáñez after the season. The Mariners selected a total of 52 players and signed 35 of those selected players.
The Mariners selected one player in the Major League Baseball phase of the 2009 Rule 5 draft. They also had one player selected in the 2009 Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 draft. The Mariners also selected one player in the Triple-A phase of the draft as well.

June amateur draft

Key

Table

Rule 5 draft

Key

Table