Mariners extend 4, look forward to yet another offseason of improvement

The Seattle Mariners have announced that they have given identical 5 year, $35 million contract extensions to 4 players: second baseman Delmon Cardenas, reliever Stefan Beito, starter Tino Oscar, and shortstop Derek Stanley. Cardenas, 24, spent a majority of his second season as the leadoff man in the M's lineup, and hit .262, with 5 home runs, 36 RBIs, and a team leading 27 stolen bases in 153 games. Stanley, 24, hit .221, with 17 home runs, and 50 RBIs in his second season. Both Cardenas and Stanley were healthy this season after their rookie seasons were marred by injury. Beito, 25, has been an important part of the young Seattle bullpen in his first two seasons. He went 1-2, with a 2.90 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 5 saves in parts of 47 games this past season. Oscar, 23, was named the opening day starter for the first time in his 3 year career, and responded with an 8-15 record, with a 5.00 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and 112 strikeouts in 36 starts. With the young core now locked up for the next 4-5 years, the Mariners look like a growing threat in the AL West.