C: Jeff Clement seems to handle pitchers fairly well and calls a decent game, blocks pitches he needs to but isn’t great behind the plate in that regard, though he does seem to know how to protect the plate from opposing runners.  Kenji Johjima calls a horrible game and isn’t known for his plate blocking skills, whether he is blocking a wild pitch or a baserunner.  He has been good at throwing out base stealers in the past, however.

1B: Richie Sexson was pretty awful over there displaying bad range and a worse reaction time.  Jose Vidro isn’t exactly an improvement.  Miguel Cairo is the most mobile option we’ve currently got on the roster and he does okay over there.

2B: Jose Lopez flubs routine plays, has zero range and sub-par reaction time at second base.  He can, however, turn a pretty nice double play, but that’s about it.

3B: The 2007 Gold Glove winner at third, Adrian Beltre is arguably the best defensive player that the Seattle Mariners can field.  Quick reactions, great range, strong and accurate throwing arm, quick release, and no one covers the trickler down the line like Beltre can (though Evan Longoria of the Rays may have something to say about that).  No complaints at third.

SS: When Yuni Betancourt was originally called up we knew him as a (potential) defensive wizard.  He is still messing up his share of gimmes and his formerly outstanding range has gone down the toilet.  What happened, Yuni?

LF: We’ve heard it all with Raul.  No range, average-at-best throwing arm. 

CF: Jeremy Reed is known for his highlight reel catches, but there has been questions regarding his actual range and the routes he was taking to flyballs.  He seems to have improved and is a solid defensive outfielder, even with a below average throwing arm.  Willie Bloomquist is still working on his tracking abilities and also lacks a strong throwing arm, but Seattle could do worse out there.  Overall, Bloomquist is a horribly overrated defensive centerfielder who fools people with athletic diving catches; but he is improving.

RF: Ichiro is Ichiro.  Great range, amazingly powerful and accurate throwing arm.

Remember when the organization had us fooled and pointed to Seattle’s stellar defense to defend acquisitions such as Carlos Silva?  From a quick glance it looks like Seattle only has worthwhile defenders at one third of the defensive positions.

Seattle’s severely lacking defense is bringing down the level of production of their pitch-to-contact pitching staff.  Today’s game was a good example of that, in my opinion.  Granted, the offense isn’t producing squat right now, so the team has other issues. 

Basically, this team is a mess, and defense is a big part of it that is easily ignored.