Free-agent frenzy

Starting pitchers

Top 10: Roger Clemens, Houston; A.J. Burnett, Florida; Kevin Millwood, Cleveland; Matt Morris, St. Louis; Jarrod Washburn, Angels; Kenny Rogers, Texas; Paul Byrd, Angels; Jeff Weaver, Dodgers; *Jeff Suppan, St. Louis; Jamie Moyer, Seattle.

Mariners needs: Expect the pitching-hungry Mariners to do their due diligence on virtually everyone on this list except Clemens, who will go back to Houston or retire.

Relievers

Top five: Trevor Hoffman, San Diego; Billy Wagner, Philadelphia; B.J. Ryan, Baltimore; Jose Mesa, Pittsburgh; Todd Jones, Florida.

Mariners needs: The M's interest in a closer disappeared when they brought back Eddie Guardado.

Catchers

Top five: Ramon Hernandez, San Diego; Mike Piazza, Mets; Bengie Molina, Angels; Brad Ausmus, Houston; Kenji Jojima, Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.

Mariners needs: They will kick the tires, at least, on Jojima, who is trying to become the first Japanese player to catch in the majors.

First basemen

Mariners needs: Konerko is the top hitter on the market, but the Mariners, a year after landing Richie Sexson, sit this one out.

Second basemen

Top five: Ron Belliard*, Cleveland; Mark Grudzielanek, St. Louis; Damion Easley, Florida; Marlon Anderson, Mets; Deivi Cruz, Washington.

Mariners needs: Nothing here to make the M's rethink their plan to give the job to Jose Lopez.

Third basemen

Top five: Joe Randa, San Diego; Bill Mueller, Boston; Wes Helms, Milwaukee; Jose Valentin, Dodgers; Alex Gonzalez, Tampa Bay; Jose Hernandez, Cleveland.

Mariners needs: Adrian Beltre still has four years to go on his contract, so none.

Shortstop

Top five: Rafael Furcal, Atlanta; Nomar Garciaparra, Cubs; Alex Gonzalez, Florida; Royce Clayton, Arizona; Jose Vizcaino, Houston.

Mariners needs: Seattle will go young with Yuniesky Betancourt.

Outfielders

Top 10: Johnny Damon, Boston; Brian Giles, San Diego; Hideki Matsui, Yankees; Jacque Jones, Minnesota; Carl Everett, White Sox; Jeromy Burnitz, Cubs; Preston Wilson, Washington; Reggie Sanders, St. Louis; Rondell White, Detroit; Juan Encarnacion, Florida.

Mariners needs: They have a crying need for a left-handed bat; Damon, Giles, Matsui, Jones, Burnitz and switch-hitting Everett fit that qualification.

*Team option.