Former GM Bill Bavasi's trade for starting pitcher Erik Bedard might very well turn out to be the very worst deal in Mariner history. All apologies to fellow idiot ex-GM Woody Woodward's soul-crushing Slocumb-Varitek/Lowe deal.
With the Birds and budding superstar center fielder Adam Jones just leaving Safeco Field, it's not hard to imagine new Mariner management shaking their heads in disgust. Jack Z must have been cursing Bavasi with every Jones at bat this week.
Mariner fans see Jones's batting average (345), RBI's (36), HR's (11), Runs (42), and slugging percentage topping .600 and want to stab themselves with the closest sharp object.
The problem was the Bavasi-led M's front office didn't see it and gave up on one of their best prospects to play in their system. Just another debacle we fans call Mariner talent evaluation.
I will admit I too thought Jones was overrated. But I don't have 20-plus years of experience evaluating talent, and earning a good paycheck to make those decisions. How could the Mariner front office give up on Jones that early? He's only 24 years old!!!
The Mariners were expecting to get an ace in Bedard, who is finally pitching like person the the team traded for. But it's too late. Bedard will get traded before the deadline (for someone not as good as Jones), and the M's will be left without a stud center fielder that will dominate the game for the next decade. And for what? An injury-plagued 2008 and a couple solid months in 'o9 from Bedard.
What a blunder! What a shame! What an embarrasement from an organization that hasn't won a championship, even in a 116 win season.
Please Jack Z, we can't take this anymore, give this franchise a winning strategy.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
M's Need to Make Moves: Who's Going, Who's Staying
With the Mariners likely falling out of contention well before the trade deadline, they would be well-advised to start lining up potential trade partners and begin to assess their opponents’ minor league prospects.
Again, my biggest fear is that the M’s will deliver false hope and remain in contention thereby making it more difficult to justify trading veterans for prospects. It’s a tricky balancing act. The M’s need their trade chips to play well enough to increase their value but for the team to remain far enough outside of the race in order to necessitate said trades.
It would be suicide for the M’s to fail to move their assets only to see them walk away for nothing as free agents. If you have followed my posts over the past two months, you’ll see that I have been consistent in my advocacy of how the team should be demolished as well as how it should be re-constructed. Here are the likely moves:
Pack your bags:
1. Jarrod Washburn
With an improved defense, Jarrod has pitched well enough to warrant interest from several teams. He can help another team as a fairly decent 3rd of 4th starter and can pitch well into ballgames. Some say he's developed a "cutter." Whatever. Although, he’ll cost around $5 million for the stretch run, Wash has a lot of value as a lefty innings eater and can occasionally be brilliant.
Destination:
The Twins, Yankees, Phillies, Angels, Rangers, Breweres, White Sox, and Cubs, will all have interest. Unless packaged with another player, the M’s will likely receive only a low level “B” prospect or two.
2. Erik Bedard
Bedard has been spectacular in 2009 and hasn’t given up more than 3 runs in any of his starts. The team’s crappy hitting has held down his win totals but that doesn’t matter. Owed less than $4 million after July, Bedard will be seen as a classic rent-a-player who can help carry a team to the playoffs.
Destination:
The Yankees, Phillies, White Sox, Cubs, Red Sox, Tigers and Dodgers are all interested. The M’s should net at least one impact minor leaguer and several B level prospects. If the failed Jake Peavy trade to Chicago is any indicator, teams are wisely holding onto their prospects and not giving much up in return. The Yanks have outfield talent to spare while Philly has solid AA pitching. Look for Jack to make the best possible haul – with Philly matching up the best for the M’s.
3. Adrian Beltre
Beltre will undoubtedly heat up in the next 30 days – hopefully increasing his trade value. He's been awful so far. As a type “B” free agent, Beltre is in no-man’s land. He’s not valuable enough to keep (M’s won’t get a 1st round draft pick for him) and he wants out. Teams will value his defense and will gamble that his stats are deflated by playing in a pitcher’s park.
Destination:
Chicago Cubs. Also looking: Dodgers, Minnesota, White Sox, Philadelphia, and Angels. The Dodgers are said to want him back but Casey Blake is playing well. The M’s would’ve gotten more for him last year but will have to settle for a couple of “B” prospects. Perhaps Jack Z can package Beltre with some pitching (Brandon Morrow?) for something even better.
50-50 chance of being moved:
4. Yuni Betancourt
Management doesn’t like him. Coaches can’t stand his plate approach. Even the fans are getting wise to his crappy OBP. He’s a goner and the M’s will move him for whatever they can get. Don’t be fooled by seeing him bat in the #2 hole. It’s just to showcase him and pump his BA up with better pitches. Some team will trade for him (and move him to 2nd base) on the promise that he can be taught a new approach without being in a pitcher’s park. Good riddance.
Destination:
Minnesota. Also looking: LA Dodgers, Detroit, Philly. M’s won’t get much of anything and will have to eat some of Yuni’s salary just to get a “B” prospect or two.
5. Jeff Clement / Russell Branyan / Mike Carp
One of these 3 players must be moved. Bet your house that Jack Z will see if he can get something worthwhile for moving Branyan. Jack won’t let The Muscle go for nothing, and might try to sign him to an extension. The Muscle fits the organization’s philosophy of patience (.400 OBA) but is over 30, might want $7-10 million per season and has never been this good before. Clement is too hurt to play catcher and doesn’t hit enough to unseat Branyan at 1st base. The organization is all for giving talented young players a chance to play but seem hesitant to let Clement take Griffey’s spot as DH. Carp is the best long-term solution at 1st/DH and is young. Something tells me that Clement will be the one to get moved. Stay tuned.
6. Endy Chavez
Little Endy started hot and has cooled off back to reality. Of course, he wasn’t really a .300 hitter to begin with. He’s fine as a 4th outfielder but is a poor long-term fit on a club that has some outfielders who are burning to play (Raben, Saunders, and soon-to-be-drafted Dustin Ackley). By the way, did anyone notice that the team won more games with Endy batting leadoff rather than Ichiro? Rumors persist that he can be had. Perhaps he’ll be part of a package.
Probably not going anywhere:
7. Jose Lopez
Lopez is a head scratcher. At times, he plays like an All-Star, at others he completely vanishes. Once Yuni goes, fans will target him next. How much longer can the team watch Lopez bat .250? Is he regressing? He has too much potential and the team has no infield talent to replace him. If Lopez gets his act together, the 3rd base job could be his. No way he’s the starting 2nd bagger in 2010 or 2011. He should be the type of player that hits 20 HR, 90 RBI and bats .275+. If. If. If.
8. David Aardsma
Aardsma was a superb pickup for the M’s and has filled the setup man/closer role admirably. Although Aardsma has a power arm, he’s been prone to wildness which led the Red Sox to give him away. With so many relievers coming up in the next couple of years, Aardsma seems to be a likely trade candidate. However, there is no need to move him because the M's control his rights for the next several years. Jack Z would be wise to see what he can get anyway.
Not going anywhere:
9. Carlos Silva
After the M's took him out of the starting rotation, they stopped hemorrhaging losses. Fatty needs to follow Ty Willingham out of the state but he has $30 million reasons not to leave. Unless the M's can move him for another bad contract, or release him, he's probably the mop up guy.
10. Ken Griffey
Yes, he's done. He's not the guy we remember when he carried the M's to high heights and put the city on the map. Kenny built Safeco field with his black bat, bare hands, and hey-o attitude. Every night I'm at the game, I just want to see one more highlight to remind me of what life was like back in 1995. The team will probably call up Clement to share some ABs with the kid any day now.
Again, my biggest fear is that the M’s will deliver false hope and remain in contention thereby making it more difficult to justify trading veterans for prospects. It’s a tricky balancing act. The M’s need their trade chips to play well enough to increase their value but for the team to remain far enough outside of the race in order to necessitate said trades.
It would be suicide for the M’s to fail to move their assets only to see them walk away for nothing as free agents. If you have followed my posts over the past two months, you’ll see that I have been consistent in my advocacy of how the team should be demolished as well as how it should be re-constructed. Here are the likely moves:
Pack your bags:
1. Jarrod Washburn
With an improved defense, Jarrod has pitched well enough to warrant interest from several teams. He can help another team as a fairly decent 3rd of 4th starter and can pitch well into ballgames. Some say he's developed a "cutter." Whatever. Although, he’ll cost around $5 million for the stretch run, Wash has a lot of value as a lefty innings eater and can occasionally be brilliant.
Destination:
The Twins, Yankees, Phillies, Angels, Rangers, Breweres, White Sox, and Cubs, will all have interest. Unless packaged with another player, the M’s will likely receive only a low level “B” prospect or two.
2. Erik Bedard
Bedard has been spectacular in 2009 and hasn’t given up more than 3 runs in any of his starts. The team’s crappy hitting has held down his win totals but that doesn’t matter. Owed less than $4 million after July, Bedard will be seen as a classic rent-a-player who can help carry a team to the playoffs.
Destination:
The Yankees, Phillies, White Sox, Cubs, Red Sox, Tigers and Dodgers are all interested. The M’s should net at least one impact minor leaguer and several B level prospects. If the failed Jake Peavy trade to Chicago is any indicator, teams are wisely holding onto their prospects and not giving much up in return. The Yanks have outfield talent to spare while Philly has solid AA pitching. Look for Jack to make the best possible haul – with Philly matching up the best for the M’s.
3. Adrian Beltre
Beltre will undoubtedly heat up in the next 30 days – hopefully increasing his trade value. He's been awful so far. As a type “B” free agent, Beltre is in no-man’s land. He’s not valuable enough to keep (M’s won’t get a 1st round draft pick for him) and he wants out. Teams will value his defense and will gamble that his stats are deflated by playing in a pitcher’s park.
Destination:
Chicago Cubs. Also looking: Dodgers, Minnesota, White Sox, Philadelphia, and Angels. The Dodgers are said to want him back but Casey Blake is playing well. The M’s would’ve gotten more for him last year but will have to settle for a couple of “B” prospects. Perhaps Jack Z can package Beltre with some pitching (Brandon Morrow?) for something even better.
50-50 chance of being moved:
4. Yuni Betancourt
Management doesn’t like him. Coaches can’t stand his plate approach. Even the fans are getting wise to his crappy OBP. He’s a goner and the M’s will move him for whatever they can get. Don’t be fooled by seeing him bat in the #2 hole. It’s just to showcase him and pump his BA up with better pitches. Some team will trade for him (and move him to 2nd base) on the promise that he can be taught a new approach without being in a pitcher’s park. Good riddance.
Destination:
Minnesota. Also looking: LA Dodgers, Detroit, Philly. M’s won’t get much of anything and will have to eat some of Yuni’s salary just to get a “B” prospect or two.
5. Jeff Clement / Russell Branyan / Mike Carp
One of these 3 players must be moved. Bet your house that Jack Z will see if he can get something worthwhile for moving Branyan. Jack won’t let The Muscle go for nothing, and might try to sign him to an extension. The Muscle fits the organization’s philosophy of patience (.400 OBA) but is over 30, might want $7-10 million per season and has never been this good before. Clement is too hurt to play catcher and doesn’t hit enough to unseat Branyan at 1st base. The organization is all for giving talented young players a chance to play but seem hesitant to let Clement take Griffey’s spot as DH. Carp is the best long-term solution at 1st/DH and is young. Something tells me that Clement will be the one to get moved. Stay tuned.
6. Endy Chavez
Little Endy started hot and has cooled off back to reality. Of course, he wasn’t really a .300 hitter to begin with. He’s fine as a 4th outfielder but is a poor long-term fit on a club that has some outfielders who are burning to play (Raben, Saunders, and soon-to-be-drafted Dustin Ackley). By the way, did anyone notice that the team won more games with Endy batting leadoff rather than Ichiro? Rumors persist that he can be had. Perhaps he’ll be part of a package.
Probably not going anywhere:
7. Jose Lopez
Lopez is a head scratcher. At times, he plays like an All-Star, at others he completely vanishes. Once Yuni goes, fans will target him next. How much longer can the team watch Lopez bat .250? Is he regressing? He has too much potential and the team has no infield talent to replace him. If Lopez gets his act together, the 3rd base job could be his. No way he’s the starting 2nd bagger in 2010 or 2011. He should be the type of player that hits 20 HR, 90 RBI and bats .275+. If. If. If.
8. David Aardsma
Aardsma was a superb pickup for the M’s and has filled the setup man/closer role admirably. Although Aardsma has a power arm, he’s been prone to wildness which led the Red Sox to give him away. With so many relievers coming up in the next couple of years, Aardsma seems to be a likely trade candidate. However, there is no need to move him because the M's control his rights for the next several years. Jack Z would be wise to see what he can get anyway.
Not going anywhere:
9. Carlos Silva
After the M's took him out of the starting rotation, they stopped hemorrhaging losses. Fatty needs to follow Ty Willingham out of the state but he has $30 million reasons not to leave. Unless the M's can move him for another bad contract, or release him, he's probably the mop up guy.
10. Ken Griffey
Yes, he's done. He's not the guy we remember when he carried the M's to high heights and put the city on the map. Kenny built Safeco field with his black bat, bare hands, and hey-o attitude. Every night I'm at the game, I just want to see one more highlight to remind me of what life was like back in 1995. The team will probably call up Clement to share some ABs with the kid any day now.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Struggling Putz Reveals Jack Z's Skills
Former M's super closer and self-appointed team prankster JJ Putz is struggling -- almost Morrow like -- in his first season in the Big Apple. Last night, after entering in the 8th to set-up K-Rod, he blew a four-run Mets lead in a game New York would eventually lose to Pittsburgh, 8-5.
Mets GM Omar Minaya, who's bullpen last year directly led them to another playoff-less season, gave up some significant pieces and potential to acquire Putz to be a shut-down pre-closer. In 28 games, his ERA is a disappointing 5.08 and he has as many walks 19 as strikeouts.
Anyone who watched Putzy for the M's last year could have seen this coming. He was injured and when he wasn't, he just didn't look right. At least not like the nearly-hittable all-star Putz of 2007.
One guy definitely paying attention: Mr. Jack Z.
We hear about "selling high" on trades in all our sports and fantasy leagues. Jay-Z sold high on Putz, acquiring one of the best defensive center fielders in the game, Franklin Gutierrez (on a side note: Guti's Rooters, or whatever those sad handful of centerfield fans are called, look like they consist of Franklin's mom, dad and two cousins. The crowds in Safeco look pathetic this year.), along with patient, almost-big-league-ready hitter, Mike Carp as well turning Aaron Heilman into a nice utility guy, Ronnie Cedeno.
Sure, those guys aren't world beaters, but they're productive and fill holes in the system Jack Z is putting together. It's infinitely better than having a closer on the down slope of his career.
On the other hand, Bill Bavasi was the king of buying high and selling low (I'm convinced he had something to do with the country's economic collapse) and the damage he did will resonate for at least another three years.
But Jay-Z has a chance to undo some of that damage this season with a host of tradeable chips, including Bedard, who we will root for again tonight again. And we won't even care if he wins. If he pitches well, it will give our new GM that much more leverage in trade negotiations.
Now, if he can somehow use that leverage to acquire some hitters so we will not continue to make the likes of Rich Hill look like Sandy Koufax.
Phillies Shaping Into Bonafide Suitor
At least 6 Mariners are on the trading block now that our boys of very early spring have caused our front office to reach the inevitable realization that we will not be competing for a World Series championship (despite all of our hopes and prayers), says SI.com's prolofic baseball writer Jon Heyman.
Heyman says underachieving Canadian mercenary Erik Bedard will be the top target for a handful of clubs, with the Phillies shooting up the list of possible suitors after finding out that Brett Meyers may miss the rest of the season.
Others mentioned were the usual suspects: Adrian Beltre, Jarrod Washburn, Yuniesky Betancourt, Miggy Batista and Russell "the Muscle" Branyan.
Phillies will also be targeting the ultra-talented Jake Peavy. But Peavy already turned down a trade to the White Sox and may not be willing to accept a trade to any team except the water-treading Cubs who still insanely harbor World Series aspirations despite being only a couple of games better than the M's. This leaves Bedard as the Phillies number one option.
And we all know how Bedard feels about being in Philly over Seattle. Jerk.
I'm not sure who the Phillies have on the farm, but I think we should start scouring it for new Mariners.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Monday Morning Musing, June 1
Before we get to musing, let me just say, welcome to Wetland Sports where will we be waxing on and waxing off about all things Seattle sports related and also random other topics that we feel you should be reading or thinking about.
Quick note on the name Wetland Sports. While the city of Seattle does indeed have several designated "wetlands," we took the name from an old Source of Labor song called "wetlands," which is about the city's diveristy, dynamics and, of course, overall wetness. The place is not only surrounded by both bodies of fresh and salt water, but it's also saturated with rain 93% of the time. (Ok, that last one is a myth, but we Seattleites don't want other people to know about it is. Shhh. Stay away from our quaint fishing village in the middle of nowhere. Nothing to see, or do, here.)
And we just thought it sounded cool. So, enjoy. Here's what we're thinking about this first Monday morning of June.
-What the hell happened to the Mariners yesterday? We scored more runs in one game than we do in a typical week and still can't get the job done. Beat writer Geoff Baker melodramatically called the loss "crippling." I'd call it predictable. The bullpen is burnt and our closer is a guy, David Aardsma, the Red Sox weren't interested in keeping around despite mid-90s smoke.
I tried telling a Boston friend of mine the other day that this isn't the wicked pissah of a reliever Beantown fans were used to. The new Aardsma is an aggressive strike-thrower with big balls. He wants the rock in his hand at the end of games, I told him. He laughed and said, "All I know is that if David Aardsma is your closer, you've got problems." How sad and how true. Ladies and gentleman, your 2009 Seattle Mariners!
-Meanwhile, Don "Magic" Wak thinks Morrow is making progress despite giving up two more runs on Saturday night. Dude has an ERA that looks more like Dwight Howard's nightly rebounding average. With Giants starter Tim Lincecum continuing to dominate big league hitters, Morrow is in danger of becoming our own personal Sam Bowie -- a pick that looked reasonable on paper, but only gets worse over time.
-Which reminds me: Bill Bavasi is pure evil. Only Joseph Stalin and Robert Mugabe have done more damage as leaders.
-Still, M's did manage to take 3 of the last 4 and are just three games under .500. I think 81 wins is still attainable.
-Griffey!!! Don't do this to us.
-Somebody please explain to me why they haven't brought up Jeff Clement. The guy's killing AAA pitching again. He's never going to get better unless he's facing big league breaking stuff on a consistent basis. I know he's been mostly DH-ing with the Rainiers, but seriously, our catchers, on offense at least, are now as worthless as GM stock.
-Speaking of bankruptcy, the Seahawks need to find a place for poor old Michael Vick. I still think he can re-invent himself as full-time RB, but the possibilities are endless -- think Kordell Stewart with more speed, moves, a better arm and less estrogen. We'll just have to keep him out of that hotbed of canine combat temptation known as White Center.
-The Sounders tied on Saturday for the 15th game in a row. Not really, but it kind of seems that way, right? To help us sort out all things Sounders related, we're going to be bringing in some reinforcements to Wetland Sports. Starting sometime this week, or next, we'll have a semi-full-time Sounders correspondent/commentator/fanatic on the blog.
On June 20, the boys in fluorescent lime green come to New York, actually New Jersey, for a match the Red Bulls.
In preparation, I've already begun purchasing fluorescent green body paint, several bottles of whiskey, a cheesy Italian-American track suit and, of course, body bags just in case we get into it with some Jersey boys and need to quietly dump the evidence in a swamp. Heeyy, Ohhh!Fuggetaboutit!
Quick note on the name Wetland Sports. While the city of Seattle does indeed have several designated "wetlands," we took the name from an old Source of Labor song called "wetlands," which is about the city's diveristy, dynamics and, of course, overall wetness. The place is not only surrounded by both bodies of fresh and salt water, but it's also saturated with rain 93% of the time. (Ok, that last one is a myth, but we Seattleites don't want other people to know about it is. Shhh. Stay away from our quaint fishing village in the middle of nowhere. Nothing to see, or do, here.)
And we just thought it sounded cool. So, enjoy. Here's what we're thinking about this first Monday morning of June.
-What the hell happened to the Mariners yesterday? We scored more runs in one game than we do in a typical week and still can't get the job done. Beat writer Geoff Baker melodramatically called the loss "crippling." I'd call it predictable. The bullpen is burnt and our closer is a guy, David Aardsma, the Red Sox weren't interested in keeping around despite mid-90s smoke.
I tried telling a Boston friend of mine the other day that this isn't the wicked pissah of a reliever Beantown fans were used to. The new Aardsma is an aggressive strike-thrower with big balls. He wants the rock in his hand at the end of games, I told him. He laughed and said, "All I know is that if David Aardsma is your closer, you've got problems." How sad and how true. Ladies and gentleman, your 2009 Seattle Mariners!
-Meanwhile, Don "Magic" Wak thinks Morrow is making progress despite giving up two more runs on Saturday night. Dude has an ERA that looks more like Dwight Howard's nightly rebounding average. With Giants starter Tim Lincecum continuing to dominate big league hitters, Morrow is in danger of becoming our own personal Sam Bowie -- a pick that looked reasonable on paper, but only gets worse over time.
-Which reminds me: Bill Bavasi is pure evil. Only Joseph Stalin and Robert Mugabe have done more damage as leaders.
-Still, M's did manage to take 3 of the last 4 and are just three games under .500. I think 81 wins is still attainable.
-Griffey!!! Don't do this to us.
-Somebody please explain to me why they haven't brought up Jeff Clement. The guy's killing AAA pitching again. He's never going to get better unless he's facing big league breaking stuff on a consistent basis. I know he's been mostly DH-ing with the Rainiers, but seriously, our catchers, on offense at least, are now as worthless as GM stock.
-Speaking of bankruptcy, the Seahawks need to find a place for poor old Michael Vick. I still think he can re-invent himself as full-time RB, but the possibilities are endless -- think Kordell Stewart with more speed, moves, a better arm and less estrogen. We'll just have to keep him out of that hotbed of canine combat temptation known as White Center.
-The Sounders tied on Saturday for the 15th game in a row. Not really, but it kind of seems that way, right? To help us sort out all things Sounders related, we're going to be bringing in some reinforcements to Wetland Sports. Starting sometime this week, or next, we'll have a semi-full-time Sounders correspondent/commentator/fanatic on the blog.
On June 20, the boys in fluorescent lime green come to New York, actually New Jersey, for a match the Red Bulls.
In preparation, I've already begun purchasing fluorescent green body paint, several bottles of whiskey, a cheesy Italian-American track suit and, of course, body bags just in case we get into it with some Jersey boys and need to quietly dump the evidence in a swamp. Heeyy, Ohhh!Fuggetaboutit!
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