"One by one, the power hitters disappeared. The good ones, the better ones and the game-changers.

Casey McGehee was traded to Pittsburgh. Josh Willingham signed with Minnesota and Jason Kubel signed with Arizona. Michael Cuddyer went to Colorado, and for a quarter of a billion dollars, the biggest prize, Albert Pujols, left St. Louis for the Los Angeles Angels and the American League West.

And while all of this was happening, the power-poor Mariners stood on the sideline and watched, apparently unwilling or unable to play the game.

As 2012 begins, and the hope of signing the last remaining free-agent slugger, first baseman Prince Fielder, appears to be fading, the Mariners are as powerless now as they were during their 17-game losing streak last season."