As much as it pains me to write this--the M's are a sinking ship. Regardless of the 5-3 win today, things are quickly getting out of hand. Sure, I bought the cool-aid 10 days ago and thought the M's could win the division and maybe claim 90 wins.
10 days later, I believe the M's will be lucky to win 75 games. It starts with the offense. After winning several games 1-0, 2-1, 3-2, many of us were fooled into thinking the offense was actually ok. We were bunting, stealing, sac flying and doing everything we could to muster out a few runs. As always in baseball, this dependence on "small ball" cannot be maintained throughout the season. The 3-4-5 hitters get paid for a reason and it is not to bunt or move guys over no matter what anyone says. The big guys have to mash.
Sprinkle in the fact the Angels have a better record than us with 4 of their starting pitchers and Vlad on the DL (and coming back soon) and the Rangers actually beginning to pitch, things do not bode well for the M’s this summer. However, the season does not have to be a complete disaster (as some of us wish that it was)...
There are things left to do that can salvage the 2009 campaign:
1. Change the lineup:
My lineup:
1. Chavez/Balentien/Saunders (LF)
2. Lopez (2B)
3. Ichiro (RF)
4. Griffey (DH)
5. Beltre (3B)
6. Branyon (1B)
7. Clement (C)
8. Gutierrez (CF)
9. Cedeno (SS)
*Cut Silva, Johjima
Realize they were terrible mistakes from a failing previous regime and move on. Now! Immediately! Do it! You will feel much better Jack Z.
*Bring up Clement, Saunders, Aumont
All three of these guys need to play--especially Clement. Clement is better than Joh, Rob J, and Jamie Burke combined. Anyone who wants to give up on a player with 219 total major league at bats is a moron. This guy can hit, has patience at the plate, and is perfectly suited for Safeco Field. Don't let him be the next Jason Varitek in some stupid late season trade.
*Sit Betancourt full time--let Cedeno play SS
Yuni is not the answer at short. Never has been, never will be. He epitomizes everything that is wrong with the M's offense. No patience at the plate whatsoever. Only 62 BB's in almost 2000 professional MLB at bats!! Cedeno has a good glove and swing it too if given the chance.
*Let Griffey bat third against lefties and righties all season
Quit platooning Griffey according to matchups. As the weather warms up, so will the KID. Mark it down. He can still hit 25 HR's and be a driving reason to go to games this summer.
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Mayor:
ReplyDeleteMost of this post agrees with everything I've been writing (consistently) since the start of the season. The M's will soon have to bring up the kids and begin to see what assets we have.
Agree with sitting Yuni, disagree with cutting Joh. Joh is still a decent hitter and is a much better player than Rob Johnson right now. I would rather see the M's work Clement into the lineup and platoon Joh.
Same with Griffey. Mayor, you need to look at Griffey's hitting against lefties -- it's ridiculous. He just can't do it anymore. He's an automatic out. I hate to break it to you ... Griffey aint going to hit 25 homers anymore. He's not THAT Griffey anymore. In fact, let's enjoy watching him in the last year of playing as a Seattle Mariner. This is the retirement year for Junior. No way do they carry him next year.
I cannot understand your logic. Junior batting cleanup while the Muscle bats 6th? Who's the better hitter right now???