AL West: Mariners and Astros - hopeless?
 

Last year before the start of the season, I read an article describing the most hopeless franchises, and the Astros and Mariners were the focus. It doesn't look like either team has done anything to improve their prospects since that article was written.

The Mariners minor league yielded a bit more hope than expected, but the only other thing they've done is add a Japanese middle-reliever and a Japanese utility player - in keeping with the Japanese owners prior strategy of drawing fans based on the Seattle areas's Asian population, as opposed to actually spending money and building a winning team.

The Astros have done nothing.

Meanwhile, the Angels have signed Pujols, the Rangers continue to stay strong...

Thoughts from other West Coasters? (or other)

Agreed, the reclusive Mariner ownership did nothing this off-season, unless you count George Sherrill returning. The Seattle Times keeps writing about Prince Fielder, but that is ridiculous. What power hitter wants to play at Safeco?

I'll still go to games, because I like the starters Hernandez, Pineda, and Vargas, the infield with young players Ackley, Smoak, and Carp, and the outfield, hopefully Gutierrez is healthy all year. Good young talent, odds of them developing simultaneously are astronomical. Ichiro may have a couple good years left, but don't count on it. They won't threaten for the pennant but I like to see players develop.... Losing Halman was a horrible tragedy.

They may not set the league on fire, but really no better way to spend the day then at a game at beautiful Safeco Field. Now, with Pujols in the league we can at least see him play.

That is certainly true.

+2
 

No better way to spend the weekend...I like taking the train from Vancouver, staying at the hotel (Silver Cloud) across the street from Safeco and using the free hotel shuttle to drive me around to anywhere in Seattle I want to go...
I have done that 4-5 times. The city is beautiful & eclectic and the stadium is among baseball's finest. Now the team isn't very good, but they have a great record in the last 10 games or so that I've been too...maybe 8-2.
I'm excited about the 2012 season because I love being at the ballpark...oh beating Pujols and the Angels would feel good too:D

Seems like everyone here is a bag fan of Safeco Field. Does any Mariner fan know how the demolition of the Alaska Way Viaduct is coming along? Will outfield tickets now have a virtually, unobstructed view of the Puget Sound and Olympic Peninsula? thanks.

I walked to Safeco for a game, about 3 days after arriving in Seattle after a cross-country drive with all my possessions in a rented SUV. The day was so beautiful and the stadium so perfect, that I seriously thought might cry with joy. Sounds sappy, but it hit me at that moment that I could do this for the rest of my life, and what could be more perfect? Well, now I have that answer: not only are my favorite AL team (the Rangers) in Seattle's division, but now my favorite team (the Astros) are moving in.

Out of all the baseball games I've been to, Safeco has produced by far the highest percentage of bad games, but also the highest percentage of enjoyable experiences other than Fenway and Wrigley.

I normally sit in the first couple of rows of the outfield, or lower in the infield, so I don't remember any great views other than downtown. But I can see Puget Sound from my home downtown, so I don't pay much attention to it while at a baseball game. The viaduct doesn't obstruct much other than the lower waterfront building - it's just an eyesore in general. They tore down part of it and re-routed some traffic last Fall, but it's back open and i don't think they plan to do further (de)construction for a while. I don't drive, so I don't pay much attention.