FanHouse Ryan Rowland Smith

Footprints in the Snow is FanHouse's look at the paths to be forged by MLB teams this winter as they look ahead to 2010.

After a disastrous 2008 season that claimed two managers (one interim) and a general manager, the Mariners returned to respectability in 2009. General manager Jack Zduriencik placed an emphasis on bargain players -- Franklin Gutierrez, Russell Branyan, David Aardsma -- while manager don Wakamatsu stressed fundamentals. The result was the Mariners finding a way to 85 wins despite being outscored by 52 runs over the course of the season.

A major factor was how good the defense made the pitching look. Despite injury woes for Erik Bedard and the loss of Jarrod Washburn in a trade at the deadline, the Mariners had an AL-best 3.87 ERA (and it wasn't close, as the White Sox checked in at second with a 4.14). According to most advanced metrics, Seattle had the best defense in baseball thanks to Gutierrez, Ichiro, Jose Lopez and company. Of course, they'll be looking for some firepower as they move to 2010. Last season, only the Padres and Pirates crossed home plate fewer times than Seattle.

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Looking to cycle spot-starters each day? Check out the Stream Team, where we tab pitchers that are likely to help you in your quest for fantasy gold.

Friday saw spot-starter Jon Garland give up three unearned runs in a loss, and the fact that he's credited with no earned runs in his six-inning outing brings our September ERA down to 3.04. Clearly 154 innings of 3.04 ERA is a big help during the H2H playoffs in September, and don't forget about the 14 wins and 121 strikeouts. Wade LeBlanc is up next for the Team tonight.

Looking to cycle spot-starters each day? Check out the Stream Team, where we tab pitchers that are likely to help you in your quest for fantasy gold.

Another start, another win for Pedro Martinez. Brad Lidge tried to make it interesting, but manager Charlie Manuel called on Ryan Madson to slam the door, and his save moved Pedro to 4-0 on the year. He provided us our sixth win of September, striking out four batters along the way. Tonight, we're streaming former Diamondback Jon Garland against his old team. Our spot starters haven't walk more than two batters in a start this September -- can Garland keep the streak alive?

Looking to cycle spot-starters each day? Check out the Stream Team, where we tab pitchers that are likely to help you in your quest for fantasy gold.

Ryan Rowland-Smith was able to get the team back on track, throwing 6.1 innings of two-run ball. He wasn't able to get the win, and as it turns out, his opponent Brian Anderson would have been a better pick, but considering the trash we threw up over the last couple days, I consider this one a success. Kenshin Kawakami squares off against the Padres in today's game, and I feel a quality start is on tap for the Atlanta pitcher.

Looking to cycle spot-starters each day? Check out the Stream Team, where we tab pitchers that are likely to help you in your quest for fantasy gold.

Bud Norris got rocked yesterday, giving up six runs in one-plus inning of work (he was sent out in the second inning, put two guys on the basepaths, and was promptly removed from the game). As a result, we nullify much of the good work we did over the past week.

Clay Buchholz is currently pitching, and he looks like he'll hurt our ratios as well. Luckily the Red Sox have put seven runs on the board through three innings, so we still have a solid shot at a win.

There are only 39 pitchers starting twice this week and while you have your normal distribution of both good and bad options, it's the guys in the middle who are intriguing.

Of the seven pitchers who I call "Solid" headed into fantasy week 18, six are owned in less then 70% of fantasy leagues. This week would be a great week to go trolling for two-start pitchers on the waiver wire.

• Jamie Moyer is only owned in 12% of fantasy leagues
• Randy Wells is only owned in 53% of fantasy leagues
• Ryan Rowland-Smith is only owned in 2% of fantasy leagues
• Mat Latos is only owned in 15% of fantasy leagues
• Brett Anderson is only owned in 27% of fantasy leagues
• Zach Duke is only owned in 67% of fantasy leagues

Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.

After a terrible first week, Texas first baseman Chris Davis was one of the hot topics of concern in fantasy baseball circles. My colleague Matt Snyder recently tried to put those fears to rest in Slump or Suck, and right on cue, Davis went ahead and smashed them with his bat.