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I was among those who wanted Ackley in May (and I still don't see how calling him up a bit earlier would have hurt his development...I think he was ready a month ago and hasn't changed at all in the time between then and now...but I do understand that this will make him cheaper in years 4-5-6-7).
What IS cool about all of this roster turn-over is that production keeps buying playing time. You produce, you get more looks...you don't, you slowly drop back in the line-up or in total playing time. What is ALSO cool is that the Mariners...minus their savior call-up (Ackley) proved to themselves that they could win games and compete. And all of the guys who will be backing Ackley up believe they can help. Even the formerly deeply depressed Jack Wilson seems to be feeling a bit better lately about being a part-time player. Even Chone Figgins seems to be coping with hitting low in the order and maybe losing some PT to Kennedy. Maybe delaying Ackley's arrival was done to avoid the team looking to him as their offensive savior. Instead we have a LOT of interesting new faces. And Ichiro is already hitting again, as is Figgins...so maybe now we don't look at Ackley as the guy bailing out the veterans. He's just another kid trying to make it and help the club.
As for the offense getting very interesting...I think we're there. I think even if they don't score enough to win the division, they are scoring enough to keep me coming back for games and to keep me hopeful. And the talent they're actually developing offensively is interesting enough and has enough potential that it's worth giving them playing time.
An example...the book got out on Peguero very quickly...he can hit the low ball and the pitch away, but jam him and he won't do any harm. But he's ADJUSTING! I've seen him get around on jam pitches a fwe times lately and rip them foul. I've also seen him use his strength to muscle some balls off the trademark of his bat into right field for singles. This is why the Ks are down a bit lately. So maybe he'll always be weaker inside...but maybe he'll hit juuuust enough on those pitches to stay alive...and maybe that's all he needs to do.
Halman is developing too...he's driving the ball the opposite way for the first time in his whole career...letting the ball get deep on him (this is why the Ks are way down). Smoak's development is well documented and is still ongoing.
I could well envision this club scoring 4-4.5 R/G the rest of the way and winning the WS...right now! It just is going to take a lot of internal growth and a few well-placed moves to get veteran relief pitchers in here.