Don’t be fooled by the recent two game winning streak. The M’s will be sellers. Jack Z has to be licking his chops right now thinking about getting rid of all the overpriced crap he inherited from Bill Bavasi. And if it’s one thing Jack Z knows—it is talent. Unlike Mariner GM’s in the past, Jack Z has always been a baseball man first. The majority of his career has been as a scout. Given the opportunity (by Japanese ownership) Jack Z can put us back into “realistic” contention sooner than people think.
Let’s take a look at the M’s current (1-4) hitters in the lineup:
1. Ichiro (Does Jack Z have the power or balls to trade the selfish all-star?)
Pros: *perennial all-star/face of the franchise
*200 hits and 100 runs scored are a lock
*trade value extremely high
*amazing arm and range in RF
*biggest trade piece on the M’s
Cons:*almost 36 years old
*little to no power
*doesn’t dive for balls in his range/lacks heart
*huge contract
*speed slowing down
Synopsis: Ichiro is an amazing player but trading him would signify trust in the new M’s regime moving forward. Ichiro would merit several top notch players in return. Would Japanese ownership go for it? Probably not but I say pull the trigger. Ichiro is not getting any younger and would be a prize piece to the Mets, Sox, or Yankees jockeying to make a big-splash.
2. Betancourt (Jack Z would love to peddle his portly SS for anything with a pulse in return)
Pros:*can’t really think of any
Cons:*rapidly decreasing range at SS
*erratic arm
*no patience at the dish; rally killer
*doesn’t walk, get on base, or hit for power
*can’t bunt or steal bags
Synopsis: Get what you can in return for Yuni. Do it! Now! I would rather have Mike Morse playing SS than Yuni.
3. Beltre (Jack Z is praying for Beltre to get hot so we can get at least a few decent prospects in return)
Pros:*gritty ball player
*plays injured
*team leader
*outstanding glove
Cons:*victim of steroid deflation
*free swinger/no patience at the dish
*lacks power
*extremely “un-clutch”
*suspect mentally
Synopsis: I love Beltre but unfortunately he has never lived up to his contract. He has done nothing memorable for the M’s except disappoint us when we needed him to hit. Finding a trading partner that will give us anything useful in return may prove difficult if Beltre continues to hit .215 through June with no power. Trade him and hope to get decent AA prospect or two in return.
4. Griffey (Has been instrumental in the re-birth of the M’s cohesiveness and clubhouse atmosphere)
Pros:*Hall of Famer
*Best Mariner of all-time
*Never cheated the game of baseball
Cons: Nice try
Synopsis: Griffey is a sure handed HOF that will go down his history as one of the best players to ever wear a uniform. And Jr. goes in as a SEATTLE MARINER!!!! Nuff said!! M’s will need Jr.’s leadership and presence when the wheels start coming off the bus. Keep him!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Football Friday: In the Trenches with the Huskies Defensive Line
Football Friday is back after a short hiatus due to well deserved vacation. I spent an entire week without a computer in sight and I didn’t miss it one bit. My last post featured a breakdown of the Huskies' OL. This post will focus on the Huskies' defensive line.
Most coaches will tell you that defense starts in the trenches with the front four. With that in mind, it’s no wonder why the Huskies defense was atrocious last year.
The D-Line in college football is a position dominated by upper classman, and the Dawgs started three true freshmen at the position. Generally, in-coming recruits are allowed time to learn from the older guys and ride the pine while their bodies develop. Everrette Thompson, Alameda Ta’amu and Senio Kelemete were not afforded this luxury. Willingham threw them to the wolves last year and they struggled mightily. In Willingham’s defense, he didn’t have a ton of options. But then again, outside of Te’o Nesheim, Willingham didn’t develop the talents of the older players properly.
The Huskies have a tank at the DT position in Alameda Ta’amu. This guy is 6-4/330 and clogs up the middle like a double bacon cheeseburger from Carl’s Jr. I expect big things from him this year (no pun intended). He should command a double team at the line of scrimmage freeing the linebacking corps to make plays. You won’t see him sack the QB but he will be instrumental in stopping the run.
The other starting DT (on the 2009 spring depth chart) is Cameron Elisara. Elisara is a bit of an enigma. He was highly recruited out of Spokane in 2006, rated four stars and the #10 DT in the country by Scout.com. Now as a junior, Elisara has the chance to make his mark. But after several years of bad coaching and poor player development, I expect him to be average at best. Hopefully he will prove me wrong. If he does, the Dawgs could have a formidable 1-2 punch in the middle.
The all-star of the D-Line is DE Daniel Te’o Nesheim. The senior out of Hawaii has a motor that just won’t quit. He was the only defensive player worth mentioning in 2008. On an inept defense, he recorded 8 sacks (6 in the final four games). He will be the only D-lineman to win Pac 10 honors this year. He may even get drafted in the later rounds in the 2010 NFL draft.
The other starting DE spot is occupied by Darrion Jones. Is Sark sippin on the sizzurp? I know it’s called the PURPLE drank but god damn, Darrion Jones? He is a converted LB that weighs only 245 pounds. He lacks the size and the skills that are needed to contribute at this level. He shouldn’t even be on the two-deep. Sark should give the nod to Everrette Thompson. He gained valuable experience playing in 2008 (although he probably should have redshirted). It’s going to be a long year for this group if they are relying on Darrion Jones to produce.
I can't help but have a very pessimistic view on how the D-Line will hold up this year. They have a few good players but lack depth and star power across the board. Here is the official 2009 spring depth chart (subject to change in the fall).
DE 66 DANIEL TE’O-NESHEIM .......... Sr., 6-4, 263, Waikoloa, Hawai’i
92 Everrette Thompson . . . . . . . So., 6-6, 255, Renton, Wash.
DT 74 ALAMEDA TA’AMU. . . . . . . . .So., 6-2, 348, Kent, Wash.
91 Tyrone Duncan . . . . . .So., 6-2, 278, Westlake Village, Calif.
DT 99 CAMERON ELISARA ............... Jr., 6-3, 289, Spokane, Wash.
96 De’Shon Matthews . . . . . .Jr., 6-4, 260, Sacramento, Calif.
DE 59 ^DARRION JONES ...................Sr., 6-2, 245, Lynwood, Calif.
51 Kalani Aldrich . . . . . . . .So., 6-7, 240, Hilo, Hawai’i
However, there is reason to be optimistic about the future at this position. The Huskies have an abundance of youth and talent. The following rankings can be found on dawgman.com:
Alameda Ta’amu; class of2008; 7th rated OG in the country; 4 stars (converted to DL)
Craig Noble; class of 2008; 17th rated DT in the county; 4 stars
Everrette Thompson; class of 2008; 12th rated DE in the country; 4 stars
Sione Patoae; class of 2010; 7th rated DT in the country; 4 stars (verbal commitment)
See you next week for Football Friday!
Most coaches will tell you that defense starts in the trenches with the front four. With that in mind, it’s no wonder why the Huskies defense was atrocious last year.
The D-Line in college football is a position dominated by upper classman, and the Dawgs started three true freshmen at the position. Generally, in-coming recruits are allowed time to learn from the older guys and ride the pine while their bodies develop. Everrette Thompson, Alameda Ta’amu and Senio Kelemete were not afforded this luxury. Willingham threw them to the wolves last year and they struggled mightily. In Willingham’s defense, he didn’t have a ton of options. But then again, outside of Te’o Nesheim, Willingham didn’t develop the talents of the older players properly.
The Huskies have a tank at the DT position in Alameda Ta’amu. This guy is 6-4/330 and clogs up the middle like a double bacon cheeseburger from Carl’s Jr. I expect big things from him this year (no pun intended). He should command a double team at the line of scrimmage freeing the linebacking corps to make plays. You won’t see him sack the QB but he will be instrumental in stopping the run.
The other starting DT (on the 2009 spring depth chart) is Cameron Elisara. Elisara is a bit of an enigma. He was highly recruited out of Spokane in 2006, rated four stars and the #10 DT in the country by Scout.com. Now as a junior, Elisara has the chance to make his mark. But after several years of bad coaching and poor player development, I expect him to be average at best. Hopefully he will prove me wrong. If he does, the Dawgs could have a formidable 1-2 punch in the middle.
The all-star of the D-Line is DE Daniel Te’o Nesheim. The senior out of Hawaii has a motor that just won’t quit. He was the only defensive player worth mentioning in 2008. On an inept defense, he recorded 8 sacks (6 in the final four games). He will be the only D-lineman to win Pac 10 honors this year. He may even get drafted in the later rounds in the 2010 NFL draft.
The other starting DE spot is occupied by Darrion Jones. Is Sark sippin on the sizzurp? I know it’s called the PURPLE drank but god damn, Darrion Jones? He is a converted LB that weighs only 245 pounds. He lacks the size and the skills that are needed to contribute at this level. He shouldn’t even be on the two-deep. Sark should give the nod to Everrette Thompson. He gained valuable experience playing in 2008 (although he probably should have redshirted). It’s going to be a long year for this group if they are relying on Darrion Jones to produce.
I can't help but have a very pessimistic view on how the D-Line will hold up this year. They have a few good players but lack depth and star power across the board. Here is the official 2009 spring depth chart (subject to change in the fall).
DE 66 DANIEL TE’O-NESHEIM .......... Sr., 6-4, 263, Waikoloa, Hawai’i
92 Everrette Thompson . . . . . . . So., 6-6, 255, Renton, Wash.
DT 74 ALAMEDA TA’AMU. . . . . . . . .So., 6-2, 348, Kent, Wash.
91 Tyrone Duncan . . . . . .So., 6-2, 278, Westlake Village, Calif.
DT 99 CAMERON ELISARA ............... Jr., 6-3, 289, Spokane, Wash.
96 De’Shon Matthews . . . . . .Jr., 6-4, 260, Sacramento, Calif.
DE 59 ^DARRION JONES ...................Sr., 6-2, 245, Lynwood, Calif.
51 Kalani Aldrich . . . . . . . .So., 6-7, 240, Hilo, Hawai’i
However, there is reason to be optimistic about the future at this position. The Huskies have an abundance of youth and talent. The following rankings can be found on dawgman.com:
Alameda Ta’amu; class of2008; 7th rated OG in the country; 4 stars (converted to DL)
Craig Noble; class of 2008; 17th rated DT in the county; 4 stars
Everrette Thompson; class of 2008; 12th rated DE in the country; 4 stars
Sione Patoae; class of 2010; 7th rated DT in the country; 4 stars (verbal commitment)
See you next week for Football Friday!
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