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Seeing as many other long time lurkers are getting off the mat to join in this discussion, I thought I might as well add in my two pennies. 
---- Jack Z's Job ----
The 2010 Mariners have been snake bit by a simultaneous collapse and underperformance by nearly one half of the offensive roster.  This was a roster that Matt predicted (justifiable so IMHO) to win north of 90 games this year. However, Ken Griffey Jr., Eric Byrnes, Casey Kotchman, Chone Figgins, Milton Bradley, Jose Lopez and others have all performed well below their career and established norms, scuttling any hopes we had of competing. Now, when looking forward to 2011, I see Jack Z's decision making coming down to the simple determination between regression and decline.  In other words, for 2011 Z needs to determine who is slumping and who is over the hill.
---- Regression vs. Decline ----
In regards to Eric Byrnes and Ken Griffey, Jr., Jack Z clearly wrote them off as over the hill and jettisoned them from the roster. The Russell Branyan move seems to speak clearly to the effect that Casey Kotchman has also been similarly written off. 
That leaves us with the determinations still to be made on Figgins, Lopez and one uber expensive and untrade-able Milton Bradley.  It is easy to look at Chone and Jose and chalk the offensive struggles up to the position change, the change of scenery, relative youth, regression, slump, or what ever reason you want to come up with.  But what do we do about Milton?
---- Milton Bradley Dep't ----
To steal doc's formatting. Why is Milton Bradley struggling so thoroughly? He has been welcomed and supported in Seattle.  He has had his blow-ups, but has sought help and has seemed to be much more at ease with himself lately.  But still his performance blows.  Why?  Is it the pressure of being the only legitimate bat in the order?  Is it lack of protection in the line-up? Is it the spot in the order? 
Personally - I look at the move to bring back the Muscle in part as an effort to gauge and determine the value of Milton Bradley going forward.
---- Playoffs ----
This team was predicted by many to challenge for the playoffs this year.  We didn't.  If Z wants a shot at making the playoffs next year - establishing a winning pattern this year is hugely important.  Why?  Well look at history.  How many teams have gone worst to first? 6? 7? Has any team lost 100 games one year and made the playoffs the next?   It's a fine and dandy theory to posit that loosing now is your best bet for the future, but emphatic results of history don't jive.
Gimmie a rotation of Felix, Bedard, Vargas, Fister, Pineda / Trade
Gimmie a line-up of Ichiro, Figgins, Bradley, Branyan, FGut, Lopez, Saunders, Moore, SS
Bolster the bullpen and the bench with some nice pick-ups - and sheesh - 2011 ain't lookin so bad to me.
 
- Ben.