Seattle Mariners Seating Chart

For the Seattle Mariners, it's going to be an interesting 2009 season after one of the most disappointing and disastrous years in club history.

To soften the blow, the team has signed outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., bringing him back to the organization with which he began his career.

Griffey was probably the most beloved player in club history and still holds a soft spot in the hearts of many Seattle fans.

The veteran outfielder really struggled last year while splitting time between the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox. The White Sox were so disappointed in his play that they made no attempt to re-sign him after the season.

Griffey will likely take over for Raul Ibanez, who signed a three-year contract as a free agent with the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Griffey signing certainly isn't about winning baseball games as much as it is about giving the fans a reason to go to the stadium even if the team isn't playing well. That becomes all that much more important given the recent struggles of the economy.

There is some good news, as pitcher Erik Bedard seems fully recovered from shoulder surgery and ready to prove he was worth the huge haul given up to the Baltimore Orioles to acquire him last offseason.

The Mariners swung a trade in the offseason, sending closer J.J. Putz to the New York Mets. The move will weaken their bullpen, but Putz had some arm problems anyway last year.

Brandon Morrow is the next big thing in Seattle. He spent some time as the closer last year while Putz was hurt before eventually seeing time in the starting rotation. The Mariners envision him as a starting pitcher.

Also look for catcher Jeff Clement to see considerable action. He was rated one of the top catching prospects in baseball and was almost included in the Bedard trade.

It could be a long year for the Mariners, who are just starting to rebuild their entire roster. It's not going to be an easy process after certain moves made by the previous regime have put this club behind the eight-ball.