Mailbag: Is Beltre a one-year wonder?

01/30/2006
Everyone keeps saying that Adrian Beltre was just a one-year wonder. Do you think we are guaranteed improvement this year since he has been given a year to transition from the National League to the AL, or should we expect another .250 year as opposed to a .300 year?-- Ben K., Tacoma, Wash.
I don't think you're ever guaranteed anything in baseball, but we do know a few things about Beltre. He's extremely talented, as his 2004 breakout year with the Dodgers proved, and he desperately wants to have another year like that (48 homers, 121 RBIs, .334 batting average). Last year was a season of adjustment for him, so it's fair to expect better from him in 2006. I don't know if it's fair to expect 48, 121 and .334 from him (or anyone), though. That might have been his career year. The good news is, he's still very skilled, and he's still only 26 years old. He turns 27 a few days after Opening Day.
What are your predictions for the American League playoffs this year? Do you think Seattle has an outside chance of making it?-- David H., Salmon Arm, British Columbia
That's always a tough question, but what the heck? In the AL East, I'll go with the revamped Toronto Blue Jays to pull a stunner and take down the Yankees and Red Sox, although I think the Yankees will hang around and take the Wild Card. In the AL Central, I think it'll be tough to deny the White Sox, who look just as good, if not better, than last year. In the West, I think the Mariners will be much improved and could win 85 games or more if the stars align properly, but I think the Oakland A's have improved themselves enough to take that step to the next level and win the division. After that, who knows?
Why didn't Jeff Nelson pitch much last September? What happened to Aaron Sele?-- Marion B., Montana
Nelson only pitched in one game last September, and it was an outing of only one-third of an inning against the A's in Oakland on Sept. 7. After posting a 0.00 ERA in July, Nelson had a 9.53 ERA in August, and, as a result, he was used just that one time in September as the Mariners shifted gears and started looking at potential relievers for 2006. Nelson, 39, signed with St. Louis this offseason.
Sele was released on Aug. 1 of last year after going 6-12 with a 5.66 ERA in 21 games for Seattle. He signed a Minor League contract with the Texas Rangers five days later, but, after going 1-1 with an 8.03 ERA for Triple-A Oklahoma, took an "out" option in his contract to be released Aug. 16. Sele, 35, will get another shot at the big leagues this spring. He received a non-roster invitation to Los Angeles Dodgers camp.
I was wondering about the future of Adam Jones. I saw him play in Double-A in 2005, and was wondering if he has a future at the Major League level. He obviously still needs a few years to develop, but the Mariners have a lot of talented infielders throughout the organization. Where does he stand for 2006?-- Edmond W., San Antonio, Texas
Jones' future might very well be in the outfield. One of the most athletic players in the Mariners' Minor League system, Jones spent his time in the Arizona Fall League playing center field for the Peoria Javelinas rather than shortstop, and all reports were that he took to the position well. Jones, 20, was the Mariners' first-round selection in the 2003 First-Year Player Draft and has advanced through the farm system quickly. He split the 2005 season between Class A Inland Empire (Calif.) and Double-A San Antonio, where he batted a combined .296 with 15 home runs and 66 RBIs in 128 games and was named the organization's Minor League Player of the Year. But with the 23-year-old Yuniesky Betancourt seemingly a fixture at shortstop in the Majors, the Mariners got creative with Jones. Expect him to start the season at center in San Antonio and go from there.
How's former Mariners player Charles Gipson doing? I was wondering if he is still in the Mariners' Minor League system, retired, or with another team?-- Josh C., Maple Valley, Wash.
Since departing the Mariners after the 2002 season, Gipson has bounced around the Majors and Minors. He appeared in 18 games with the Yankees in 2003, five games with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2004, and 19 games with the Houston Astros last year, hitting .182 in 11 at-bats. He was released by the Astros in November and is currently a free agent.
When do the regular-season tickets go on sale? Also, what is the number to call to get the tickets over the phone?--Kara M., Richland, Wash.
The regular season begins April 3 at Safeco Field against the Angels. Single-game tickets for the regular season go on sale March 4. You will be able to get them at seattlemariners.com and at Safeco Field, Mariners Team Stores and via phone at 206-622-HITS, 253-627-TIXS in Tacoma, 503-224-4400 in Oregon and 604-280-4444 in British Columbia.

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/