I know the Mariners are in rebuilding mode, but they aren't going to enter Spring Training with this roster, are they? Where are the hitters? The power potential is abysmal. Adrian Beltre is solid; he'll likely hit third. Jose Lopez's inconsistency is beyond frustrating, but he did manage to tally 40 doubles last year, so I can see the team taking him out of his normal #2 spot in the lineup and sliding him down to fifth. One of the new slap-hitters (Franklin Gutierrez or Endy Chavez) can take Lopez's place behind Ichiro.

But that still leaves the glaring question of who hits cleanup. Will it be the backup catcher, Jeff Clement and his .227 average? Maybe Sexson's heir-apparent, Russell Branyan and his career ratio of 1 strikeout for every 2.5 at bats? How about Kenji Johjima and his .609 OPS?

Nope. There is nobody on this roster who has any business hitting 4th. Which is why it's time those rumors of Griffey's return become reality. What do the Mariners have to lose? Junior's still a popular name in Seattle. Give him a one-year deal for around $5 million or so, and the boost in ticket and merchandise sales would easily cover the cost. As for on-field production, he only needs 15-20 homeruns to be considered better than the alternatives.