Time is now for Smoak to break through .

[scfastpitch]

From the Mariner's site .


http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news...s_sea&c_id=sea

[sc455]

justin has a great swing and timing when he gets it together. the guy has been so streaker and just needs to be consistent.

hopefully he can hit in the 270 range and pop about 38 hrs.

[uscGRAD04]

Whew some of those comments on there are pretty harsh...but true. Smoak needs to step it up this year and prove he's a big-leaguer. Sounds like he's been working hard in the off season though. Hope it all pays off.

[odie]

I have been living here in the Seattle area for the last 6 years and to my displeasure I have been watching a team with so much talent not succeed in the AL West, this team is very young and they are going to go out on a limb this year and trade the farm to start winning, so by looking at what is transpiring this year for Justin, I see him most likely being the odd man out, Unless Morales or Morse do not start off strong, Morales was sent over here for one reason and that was his bat, so with this said and as much as it hurts to see the only Gamecock on this team not get much playing time, I do see him being traded early in the year for most likely a starting pitcher or a closer. I would love for him to get more time in the field but he may be working on a new team here in the future....so hopefully he will have a terrific spring and get the nod to start at first, but as i see it he had plenty of time to show what he had, and it juts never transpired, Go Gamecocks....

[sporkgod50]

Originally Posted by odie

I have been living here in the Seattle area for the last 6 years and to my displeasure I have been watching a team with so much talent not succeed in the AL West, this team is very young and they are going to go out on a limb this year and trade the farm to start winning, so by looking at what is transpiring this year for Justin, I see him most likely being the odd man out, Unless Morales or Morse do not start off strong, Morales was sent over here for one reason and that was his bat, so with this said and as much as it hurts to see the only Gamecock on this team not get much playing time, I do see him being traded early in the year for most likely a starting pitcher or a closer. I would love for him to get more time in the field but he may be working on a new team here in the future....so hopefully he will have a terrific spring and get the nod to start at first, but as i see it he had plenty of time to show what he had, and it juts never transpired, Go Gamecocks....

I've had M's season tix for the last three years and I think we've watched different teams. I like where the team is headed but for the past several years the team has had pitching and unrealized potential in the lineup (much to my displeasure smoak included). In fact felix won the cy young with a losing record because everyone in the league recognizes the woefulness of the mariners. They are young and I like the direction they are headed, but if some of their potential isn't realized soon they'll be spending another season setting records.

[SterlingBrooks]

I was at Safeco for King Felix's perfect game ...the only down side was Smoak being horrendous

[odie]

oh i did not say i did not like the team, I think if anything they are getting better, I also think by putting the burden on the youngsters instead of on the older vets make them that more dangerous, I think they will be allot better this year, and also I like Mike Zunino who should or could be up to the MLB level in a year or two, he is starting to grasp the mlb standards, and I have no problem bringing him up sooner than later, but King Ffelix is the man, and I would love to see the M's score some runs for him this year... Go M's

[FanofCarolina1]

JS just needs to be traded to Atlanta. That would make me happy.

[sporkgod50]

Originally Posted by FanofCarolina1

JS just needs to be traded to Atlanta. That would make me happy.

Unless it was for a pb and J or he improved tremendously, I would not like seeing him take Freddie's place at first.

[4Ever2Thee]

He's a slugger but he needs to get that BA up