An influx of youth would extricate M's.(Baseball)

So, the Mariners have fired manager Bob Melvin. See what that accomplishes, if Melvin's placid style was a problem, it sure wasn't the M's biggest problem. When a franchise collapses, dropping from 93 victories to 63, it's an organizational failure of the highest order.

The blame starts with owners whose refusal to dream big led to the departures of manager Lou Piniella and general manager Pat Gillick. It includes Gillick, who tailed to make the necessary trading deadline moves from 2000 through 2003, protecting a future that wasn't as bright as it appeared. And it continues with Gillick's replacement, Bill Bavasi, who inherited an old, slow club last season and made it even older and slower.

After striking out with Melvin, a first-time manager, the Mariners might go with experience rather than someone like Angels bench coach Joe Maddon, a close associate of Bavasi's during his tenure in Anaheim. But the next manager won't make much difference unless Bavasi makes better decisions. The Mariners are the equivalent of an NFL team with an abundance of salary cap room. They intend to keep their payroll at about $90 million, giving them--by one club's estimate--approximately $29 million to spend.

Though that figure might be high, the M's can take advantage of a buyer's market to accelerate their rebuilding process. Bavasi erred last offseason by signing veterans such as Scott Spiezio and Rich Aurilia in an attempt to squeeze out a fifth straight season of at least 90 wins. The M's should forget about immediate contention; the rest of the A.L. West is too good. Bavasi rightly says the team's focus will be on "2005 and beyond."

In a perfect world, that would mean signing younger free agents such as center fielder Carlos Beltran, 27, and third baseman Adrian Beltre, 25. In the real world, those players are represented by agent Scott Boras and will seek the kind of top-dollar contracts that make the M's ownership shudder. Besides, while one or two splashy signings--Troy Glaus? Richie Sexson?--might placate an increasingly restless fan base, a more comprehensive overhaul is required.

Bavasi can't simply toss around money in an attempt to strengthen his pitching and fix the league's worst offense. No, he will need to he creative, perhaps taking on had contracts to get premium young talent. The Mariners don't have enough quality young players. They can get some by trading second baseman Bret Boone and paying part of his $9 million salary,. Outfielder Randy Winn also could bring a prospect.

Rangers second baseman Alums Soriano, 28, doesn't meet the Mariners' normal defensive standards, but he fits the younger, more athletic profile the team should be seeking. The Devil Rays and Indians are deep in young outfielders, the Orioles will trade young pitching and the Diamondbacks could move several young players. The talent is out there. Go get it.