As fans, we have a tendency to see what is right in front of us at any given time and to give a sort of progressive grade.  We analyze each move and each decision in isolation and we fail to see the bigger picture sometimes.  An example would be the worry in some sectors that we gave up too much pitching depth when we traded for Snell and Wilson, and I’ll explain what I mean further down.  I think it is time we looked at the full organizational depth chart from September 30^th, 2008 and from July 30^th, 2009 to get a feel for the work Zduriencik has actually done to retool a team that went 61-101 with what would have to be described as a thin farm system to boot.

 For each position, we’ll start with the chart from 2008, and keep in mind that this chart is listed in the order that the major league team would be likely to call on a player should everyone else above him be injured, not in order of ceiling or their level in the minors or prospect rating or what have you.  This is intended to give the readers an idea of the shape of the franchise at two points in time.  After each section, we will give a letter grade to that position on the MLB roster, to the future potential in the minor leagues, and to the depth of service-worthy players you can use in some capacity to win your next pennant.  Each player on the major league depth chart will be graded on his readiness to fill the role he’s assigned while each player on the prospect depth chart will be graded on his status as a prospect (think odds of cracking the big leagues soon times odds of being an impact player).

 Starting Pitching (MLB - 2008)

1. Felix Hernandez (A)
2. Erik Bedard (B+)
3. Carlos Silva (D-)
4. Jarrod Washburn (C+)
5. Ryan Rowland-Smith (C+)
6. Miguel Batista (F)
7. Brandon Morrow (C-)
8. R.A. Dickey (D)
9. Ryan Feierabend (F)

Starting Pitching (Prospects)

1. Gaby Hernandez (D+)
2. Andrew Baldwin (D+)
3. Robert Rohrbaugh (D)
4. Doug Fister (D+)
5. Chris Jakubauskas (C-)
6. Phillippe Auumont (B+)
7. Edward Paredes (B+)
8. J. C. Ramirez (B+)
9. Michael Pineda (B)
10. Nathan Adcock (B)
11. Brett Lorin (B-)
12. Ken Kasparek (C+)
13. Fabian Williamson (C)

Lots of very interesting pitchers in the low minors, and a number of them are solid second tier blue chippers (anything in the B range) but none of them are “bet the farm” kinds of guys.  The top of the prospect depth chart is abysmal.  The Major league depth chart is pretty solid but definitely a little mushy at the bottom with a lot of #5 SPs competing for playing time, some of whom got their work in the bullpen.

MLB: B-

 Prospects: B-

 Depth: D+

 Overall: C+

 Starting Pitching (MLB - 2009)

1. Felix Hernandez (A+)
2. Erik Bedard (B)*
3. Ian Snell (C-)
4. Ryan Rowland-Smith (B-)
5. Doug Fister (B)
6. Lucas French (F)
7. Jason Vargas (D)
8. Garrett Olson (F)
9. Chris Jakubauskas (D+)
10. Carlos Silva (D-)*

 Starting Pitching (Prospects)

1. Brandon Morrow (A-)
2. Andrew Baldwin (D+)
3. Gaby Hernandez (D)
4. Daniel Cortes (B)
5. J.C. Ramirez (B+)
6. Michael Pineda (B+)
7. Ken Kasparek (B)
8. Mauricio Robles (B+)
9. Edward Paredes (C+)
10. Donald Hume (C)
11. Alfredo Venegas (D)
12. Maikel Cleto (C+)

There has been some concern that the Mariners are losing their low minors pitching depth.  And because I list only the remotely potentially relevant names in both analyses, you can see that indeed, Seattle has lost some quantity in the last 10 months.  However, what Z appears to be doing is converting quantity into Major League ready depth and minor league QUALITY.  To be fair, I moved Morrow back into the prospect bracket this year because I feel he is no longer on the major league depth chart until he gets his game going in Tacoma, and I have indicated some better grades for a couple of prospects this year as they’ve gone up a level and maintained their performance.  But I think it is still clear that Seattle is going with the best quality it can find in its starting pitchers and with quantity in its’ relievers (as you’ll see).

MLB: B

Prospects: B

Depth: B+

Overall: B

Relief Pitching (MLB - 2008)

1. J.J. Putz (B-)
2. Mark Lowe (B)
3. Brandon Morrow (B+)
4. Sean Green (C-)
5. Roy Corcoran (D)
6. Cesar Jimenez (C-)
7. Miguel Batista (D+)
8. Randy Messenger (D)
9. Eric O’Flaherty (F)
10. Jake Woods (F)
11. Justin Thomas (D+)
12. Jared Wells (F)
13. Jon Huber (D-)
14. Jorge Sosa (C)
15. Denny Stark (D-)

Relief Pitching (Prospects)

1. Shawn Kelley (B+)
2. Mumba Rivera (F)
3. Marwin Vega (D)
4. Nick Hill (C)
5. Chris Jakubauskas (C)
6. Steve Uhlmansiek (D)
7. Austin Bibens-Dirkx (C+)
8. Justin Souza (C+)
9. Phillippe Aumont (A)
10. Cheyne Hann (C-)
11. Blake Nation (B-)
12. Eddy Fernandez (D)
13. Matthew Renfree (D)
14. Philip Roy (D+)
15. Ben Pribanic (B)

Aside from Shawn Kelley and Phillippe Aumont, near-term bullpen help is unlikely to come from within the system at this time.  The major league pen is in flux with the injuries to Putz and the possibility of converting Morrow into a full time starting pitcher.  Beyond those two, the major league pen lacks any kind of serviceable depth.

MLB: C

Prospects: D

Depth: F

Overall: D+

 Relief Pitching (MLB - 2009)

1. David Aardsma (A-)
2. Mark Lowe (B+)
3. Shawn Kelley (B+)
4. Sean White (C)
5. Miguel Batista (D+)
6. Garrett Olson (C+)
7. Robert Manuel )B-)
8. Chris Jakubauskas (C)
9. Randy Messenger (D+)
10. Justin Thomas (D)
11. Cesar Jimenez (C)
12. Jesus Delgado (F)
13. Chad Cordero (D)

Relief Pitching (Prospects)

1. Josh Fields (A-)
2. Phillippe Aumont (A-)
3. Nick Hill (A)
4. Marwin Vega (F)
5. Mumba Rivera (D-)
6. Edward Paredes (B+)
7. Blake Nation (B-)
8. Derreck Saito (C+)
9. Cheyne Hann (C+)
10. Ruben Flores (B-)
11. Jose Jimenez (C+)

Below #12 on my minor league depth chart there are literally 8 or 10 more guys in low-A ball worth watching, but it is impossible to accurately grade them at this early stage without extensive scouting that I have not had the chance to do.  Other than Fields, Aumont and Paredes, there aren’t a lot of “sexy” relief prospects, but there are a lot of guys who may be able to contribute in smaller ways down the line – lots of Bs and Cs in the minors and lots of hard throwing but uninspiring bullpen depth at the big league level.  Zduriencik does not seem consumed with building a bullpen that makes everyone feel all warm and cozy inside.  He figures if he throws enough arms at the problem, he’ll find a combination that works.

MLB: B-

Prospects: B-

Depth: C+

Overall: B-