The defining week

On May 13th, the Mariners were 16-23, in the midst of a three-game losing streak and looking every bit the 100-loss team they were last year. They have lost only twice since then. Of course, it helps that in the four series they've played, they faced the Twins twice and the Padres once. Their other series being a two-gamer against the Angels at home. They are now just one game under .500 and a mere 1.5 games out of first place in the AL West. Beginning tonight, the M's embark on a 10-game homestand that could very well define their season. No one expected them to contend for a division title, and despite their teasing thus far, it is still a little incomprehensible. But the next week could tell us a different story. The Yankees are in town, as well as the Rays (the Orioles are sandwiched in-between). If they finish this homestand with an above .500 record and still within a game or two of the AL West, what then? It will be June at that point and the contenders and pretenders will be a little more established. The AL West seems to be down and potentially ripe for the taking. Would it be possible to try and accelerate the plans for contention and deal away a prospect or two to acquire an offensive juggernaut this team needs?

Well, of course, you can always deal your young players, even to contenders. But it's hard to say the M's are deep enough in their farm system to be able to pull off any major deal. They won't trade Dustin Ackley who will likely be called up in the next 2-3 weeks to help a sagging offense. Michael Pineda is a key part of the rotation. So you look to guys like Nick Franklin who could be the key piece to any deal. I just am not sure I see it. The farm system is better off, no doubt about it. It would just be very hard to dig into the system and deplete it a little bit to make a move with a team that was never supposed to contend in the first place.

Of course, the counter argument also comes from our backyard. When the Seahawks were at 6-9 and getting ready to face the St. Louis Rams in Week 17, a Seattle Times poll showed that many fans wanted them to lose and get a top-10 draft pick. They gave the Hawks almost no chance in the playoffs. Then they beat the Saints and we got to see "The Run." It showed that the playoffs are a little bit of an unknown. With Felix Hernandez as the ace, and a strong rotation behind him, what could the M's do in a playoff series? If they deal off Jack Wilson for something helpful, and maybe pair up Nick Franklin and Michael Saunders with a prospect and get a bat. This team isn't half bad.

It sure is fun to think about. And the next 10 days will prove a huge test for the M's. The Yanks have the tough challenge of facing both Pineda and Felix, and then Felix will pitch the first game against Tampa. The question of contention will be asked if they 31-28 after all of this. Hopefully I'm this optimistic in 10 days.

Go M's!