Quick, What Do Mariners Really Need? Piniella Knows The Answer And Says It’s Time To Replace Power With Speed

After watching his powerful offense short-circuit twice during the playoffs in the past three seasons, Mariners manager Lou Piniella says it is time to replace some muscle with speed and athleticism.

“We need some little ball to go along with our big ball,” Piniella said Wednesday. “Our offense is too one-dimensional.”

It has been nearly two weeks since the American League West champions were eliminated from the American League Division Series against the Baltimore Orioles, although Seattle’s record-setting home run machine matched the Orioles long ball for long ball.

Piniella said staying in the A.L. is good news. “We are an American League team and it makes sense to stay in the same league we’ve been in for the past 21 years,” he said.

“Changing leagues certainly would have altered our (off-season) plans, but not that much. We would have had to improve our speed and versatility. Adding speed is something we want to do anyway.”

Piniella wouldn’t say which slugger(s) might be available in trades.

Right fielder Jay Buhner (40 homers) has a no-trade clause. Center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. (56) isn’t going anywhere. First baseman Paul Sorrento (31) is eligible for free agency. Designated hitter Edgar Martinez (28) might be available, even though the M’s will remain in the A.L. Shortstop Alex Rodriguez (23) is an untouchable. Third baseman Russ Davis (20) could be available.

The Mariners batted just .218 against the Orioles - .091 with runners in scoring position.

It was an instant replay of the 1995 ALCS against Cleveland, in which the Mariners batted .184.

“If we want to take this to the next level, we have to make some changes, adding speed and athleticism,” Piniella said. The goal is to accomplish the makeover and “keep our nucleus intact.”

From the way Piniella sounded, retooling the lineup ranks right up there with improving the bullpen.

“We have very capable people in our bullpen,” he said. “It is up to them to improve and the pitching coach (Nardi Contreras) to get more out of them. There are some good arms out there and there is no reason to think they can’t do the job.

“When you have (Bobby) Ayala, (Mike) Timlin, (Heathcliff) Slocumb and (Paul) Spoljaric, you have the makings of a damn good bullpen.”