I keep looking at last year's debacle, the 101 losses, the $100 million payroll and the poisonous clubhouse. And I keep looking at this year's club, and I just don't see it. Not that I'm expecting the Mariners to contend -- they've still got a long way to go -- but they will be better. I even think they will be watchable. It will be fun watching Franklin Gutierrez and Endy Chavez chase fly balls in Safeco Field -- even more fun if you're Felix Hernandez, Erik Bedard, Jarrod Washburn, Carlos Silva or Brandon Morrow. It's going to be difficult for the Mariners to score unless Adrian Beltre has a huge contract year, Russell Branyan flourishes and Ken Griffey Jr. has something left. New manager Don Wakamatsu's first task is to instill belief. If he can make the pitchers no longer hate throwing to catcher Kenji Johjima, you know he's a miracle worker.