Playing for 2011

Welcome to mediocrity because that’s the best that can be expected for at least the next two years.

The M’s are in full-scale rebuilding mode and if anyone thinks otherwise, they are kidding themselves. The first game was nice but the second game was a flat-out abomination. The bullpen looks shaky, the offense will soon struggle to get 10 hits, and pressure will mount on the starters to go deeper into ballgames. For all those who think Brandon Morrow will eventually be a better pitcher than Timmy Lincecum just because Morrow is 8 inches taller and can kick Timmy’s ass in a bar fight, please go read another blog.

Although I don’t put a lot of stock in just two games, let’s look at some positives. Griffey still has some pop in his bat and can teach the kids how to draw a walk. Chavez can hit a little, run a little, and might be a useful 4th outfielder for the future team. Gutierrez has mad outfield skills and is the M’s first legit CF since Cammy. Beltre will lead the team in RBIs before he’s traded in July. Felix, when healthy and his head is on straight, pitches like a King. And hopefully Bedard pitches like an all-star so we can trade his malcontent, Benedict-Arnold ass out of town. I will never forgive him for an interview he gave at the July 2008 trade deadline to a radio station in Philadelphia where he said he would love to pitch there or anywhere else but Seattle.

How about the negatives? Betancourt can’t/won’t draw a walk. "Richie" Branyan Ks too much. The pitchers don’t like Joh. Morrow somehow inherited Gil Meche’s 2003 dead arm. The bullpen is full of cast offs from other teams. The starting staff will be asked to do waaaaay too much this year. The bench sucks.

Let’s talk straight. By July 31, and again at the end of the season, the M’s are going to make decisions on the following players:

1. Jerrod Washburn – SP (trade if possible)
2. Erik Bedard – SP (trade)
3. Adrian Beltre – 3B (trade)
4. Mike Sweeney – backup 1B (release)
5. Ken Griffey – DH/LF (release) - sorry kids!
6. Multiple bullpen guys – (release)

You can add Yuni Bettancourt (SS) to the list of trade candidates. Although the M’s own his rights for a few more years and don’t have to trade him, management clearly can’t stand the fact that Yuni is 3 doughnuts shy of Kirby Puckett (but can't hit like him). The more the guy eats, the smaller his range becomes. Yuni’s defensive stats have declined for three consecutive years, and we know Jack Z and Wak value defense. Nothing during spring opened their eyes about Yuni. In fact, even when he was slugging homeruns, they went out of their way to criticize his pitch selection. I don’t see this marriage lasting much longer. Look for the M’s to deal or draft a SS for the future.

To sum up, the M’s will likely turn over 6-10 additional players on next year’s roster. By July or August, we’ll be 20+ games out, and the kids from Tacoma and other farm systems will be making their way to the Emerald City. Meanwhile, I gotta keep paying full-price for my seasons tickets to go watch this crap.