As season ends, M's players encouraged for '07

The sound of tape being stretched, boxes sealed and lockers emptied out echoed across the Mariners' clubhouse. Players raced back and forth, one eye on the clock as they tried not to step on the bare feet of teammates doing the same packing job they were.

This sense of urgency shown by Seattle after a season-ending, 3-2 win over the Texas Rangers at Safeco Field on Sunday was identical to what the Mariners displayed through much of the final six weeks.

It came far too late to mean anything in a third consecutive last-place season for Seattle. But as Raul Ibanez, Richie Sexson and company bade each other farewell, they discussed trying to carry this feeling over to a point where it can matter 12 months from now.

"I expect to be in the postseason next year," eternal optimist Ibanez said. "That's what everybody's goal is. That's what a lot of the dialogue that's been exchanged these last couple of days is — that we're going to still be playing next year at this time."

Plenty still has to change for this 78-84 team before that talk becomes reality.

Seattle captured its second series in less than two weeks against Texas in front of 28,361 fans. But it took the Mariners longer than any wannabe contender can afford to finally make a dent in its division.

The Mariners went 8-11 against Texas, 9-10 against Anaheim — and just 2-17 in games with the Oakland A's. That has to change before any upward move in the American League West can occur.

So does the consistency of two of the team's top power hitters, Sexson and third baseman Adrian Beltre. Sexson hit his 34th home run of the season in the third inning, a solo shot off the second deck in left field against Rangers starter Robinson Tejeda.

The monster September finish by Sexson gave him the year-end power numbers his team was looking for, including 40 doubles and 108 runs batted in. But those stats can't obscure how Sexson offered his team just a .706 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) the first 89 games of the season.

Beltre also shook off a terrible first half and finished with 89 RBI after a tie-breaking single in the third that scored Yuniesky Betancourt. Seattle will likely seek another power bat this winter, which could help offset future slumps by its two highest-paid hitters.

But both clearly need to show more consistency. Their ability to deliver over the final six weeks was a key reason Seattle went 22-16 after snapping an 11-game losing streak in August.

"We're a couple of moves away from being pretty good," Sexson said. "Mostly, when you look at these teams that are in the playoffs right now, it's because their pitching is extremely solid.

"I think if we can solidify that rotation with maybe an arm or two, we can be right there."

That rotation will have to be boosted with at least one free agent and likely help from inside the organization. Jake Woods continued to make his case as a starting candidate Sunday, limiting the Rangers to just a two-run homer by Ian Kinsler in the third inning. The left-hander made it through six innings while striking out six.

Mariners manager Hargrove also has his case to make after a vote of confidence last week from boss Howard Lincoln, who added the manager would be on his "hot seat" in 2007.

"I will work as hard as I have this year next year," Hargrove said. "You don't take this job without ever realizing that you're on the hot seat from the day you take it. I don't think that's any great revelation."