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My point is that they were #6 in ERA (#1 in the AL) in 2009, and #10 (#4 in the AL) in 2010.  Their .284 BABiP against is the lowest in the Majors over the last 2 years, and it's not just Safeco, their .293 Road BABiP is 3rd in the majors.  I think you're right that the high fastball % is hedging against risk, but I think it is an approach that can be used successfully by finesse pitchers like, say, Greg Maddux.  These are guys defined by their lack of stuff, so aren't the chances higher, that if they try to throw a pitch that they have less control over and comes in at batting practice speeds, there is a higher chance that it ends up hanging over the plate?
I noticed something else too, though it doesn't have much to do with my main point of "maybe finesse fastballs aren't so bad", if you sort by starters, then the Mariners' fastball percentage drops to 62.6%, which is good for 4th in the majors, in 2010 it was 61.9% and 6th highest.
Also, Grizzly mentioned that he thought Adair leaving the organization would lead to the fastballs becoming less prevalent.  To which you pointed out that Olivo had caught for high fastball teams before.  The Indians were #1 on fastball percentage from 2003-2009, when one Carl Willis was pitching coach, and it's not like they were starting a bunch of fire ballers.  I don't think the days of high fastball percentage are over.