Look for the M's to deal Jerrod Washburn within the next 48 hours as talks on him are heating up. The most likely suitors include Milwaukee, LA Dodgers, Philadelphia and the New York Yankees. Although Wash isn't a type A free agent, teams that don't want to pay Macy's department store prices on Doc Halladay, might pay a Wal-Mart rate for our boy. Big rumor is circulating that the M's are willing to part with:
* Jeff Clement
* Brandon Morrow
* Russell Branyan
* Vlad Belentien (of course)
Strong feeling that Jack has his eyes on major league ready talent inclduing: a middle infielder, starting pitcher (with #2/#3 potential) and power bat.
One particular rumor has the M's trading in a 3 team deal w/ Cleveland and Tampa Bay to get Scott Kazmir and Reid Brignac. Kazmir could be a potential ace -- same age as Brandon Morrow only much more potential.
I love you Jack Z!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
2010 Mariners - A Better Tomorrow
The next 2 1/2 weeks will go a long way in determining the success of the 2010 Mariners. If the M's keep winning, they will probably forego making significant changes by the trading deadline. However, if the M's fall out of it, they will probably move Bedard and/or Washburn, which would hasten their rebuilding process and increase their chances of long term success. By the start of the season, the M's will have alot of options and many important organizational decisions to make. Undoubtedly, the question that fans will be asking during spring training 2010, is who are these guys?
As we look toward 2010, it is conceivable that the M's will have at least 9 new faces on the 25 man roster. Beltre, Washburn, Bedard, Batista, Chavez, Griffey, Sweeney, and Branyan are all free agents next year and Betancourt has already been shipped to Kansas City. In addition, the team will have to make a decision on what to do about its catching situation (will Johjima find his way back to Japan ala Kaz Sasaki?) and may shuffle other pieces around. Most intriguing is that $48.75 million will come off the books from the following players:
* Beltre (13.4m)
* Washburn (9.85)
* Batista (9.5)
* Bedard (7.75)
* Betancourt (2.3)
* Chavez (2)
* Griffey (2)
* Branyan (1.4)
* Sweeney (0.5)
The M's will gain payroll flexibility but will have weaknesses at 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, and 1-2 starting pitchers. Without any moves, the M's lineup next year could look like:
1. RF - Ichiro
2. 2B - Lopez
3. 1B - Carp
4. DH - Clement
5. CF - Guiterrez
6. 3B - Tuiasosopo
7. LF - Saunders
8. C - Johjima/Johnson
9. SS - Cedeno
With smart decisions, the M's lineup might look like:
1. RF Ichiro
2. SS Hardy (trade)
3. 1B Branyan (resign; 2 years $15m)
4. 3B [trade]
5. CF Guiterrez
6. DH Nick Johnson (free agent; 1 year $6m) or Carp
7. 2B Lopez
8. C Moore/Johnson
9. LF Saunders
No one can argue that Jack Z hasn't shown already the ability to make shrewd moves to improve the team. All of his decisions have been golden so far. The casual fans and uneducated faithful may ask, "who are these guys?" but the uzr-reading stat-hound sabermetricians know better: the M's are building a team that will soon crush the big boys in the AL West.
As we look toward 2010, it is conceivable that the M's will have at least 9 new faces on the 25 man roster. Beltre, Washburn, Bedard, Batista, Chavez, Griffey, Sweeney, and Branyan are all free agents next year and Betancourt has already been shipped to Kansas City. In addition, the team will have to make a decision on what to do about its catching situation (will Johjima find his way back to Japan ala Kaz Sasaki?) and may shuffle other pieces around. Most intriguing is that $48.75 million will come off the books from the following players:
* Beltre (13.4m)
* Washburn (9.85)
* Batista (9.5)
* Bedard (7.75)
* Betancourt (2.3)
* Chavez (2)
* Griffey (2)
* Branyan (1.4)
* Sweeney (0.5)
The M's will gain payroll flexibility but will have weaknesses at 1B, 2B, SS, 3B, and 1-2 starting pitchers. Without any moves, the M's lineup next year could look like:
1. RF - Ichiro
2. 2B - Lopez
3. 1B - Carp
4. DH - Clement
5. CF - Guiterrez
6. 3B - Tuiasosopo
7. LF - Saunders
8. C - Johjima/Johnson
9. SS - Cedeno
With smart decisions, the M's lineup might look like:
1. RF Ichiro
2. SS Hardy (trade)
3. 1B Branyan (resign; 2 years $15m)
4. 3B [trade]
5. CF Guiterrez
6. DH Nick Johnson (free agent; 1 year $6m) or Carp
7. 2B Lopez
8. C Moore/Johnson
9. LF Saunders
No one can argue that Jack Z hasn't shown already the ability to make shrewd moves to improve the team. All of his decisions have been golden so far. The casual fans and uneducated faithful may ask, "who are these guys?" but the uzr-reading stat-hound sabermetricians know better: the M's are building a team that will soon crush the big boys in the AL West.
Grading the Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are 46-42 heading into the Allstar break. They are in 3rd place in the American League West, and 4 games out of first behind the streaking Los Angeles Angels. Before the season started, many people predicted the M's to be in 3rd in the West, but few thought they'd be 4 games above 500. Let's take a look at why the M's are having success this year.
Starting Pitching: A-/B+
This would have been an A if it wasn't for Carlos Silva's six starts and a 1-3 record with an 8.48 ERA. More atrocious than Silva's record is the Mariners eating his behemoth 12,000,000 dollar salary for 09. O.k., enough, lets stop with Silva before I punch a hole my wall and kick my defensless dog while he's asleep.
Felix Hernandez has been lights out. Washburn is having a career year, which a 6-6 record doesn't reflect. If Washburn got any run support he'd easily have 9 wins this season. More impressive is his 112 innings pitched only halfway through the season, and his sub 3 ERA at 2.96.
Bedard has been fairly dominant despite a few injuries keeping him off the mound. Jason Vargas has done extremely well with his 3-3 record and 3.82 ERA. Garrett Olson and Chris Jakubauskas have been mediocre in spot fill in roles. All in all, the Mariners have one of the best rotations in baseball.
Bullpen: B
The emergence of David Aardsma as the Mariner closer could not have come at a better time. Morrow was struggling with his location and confidence without a clear cut reliever to replace him. Aardsma stepped right in and dazzled. He's saved 20 out of 22 games and has a 1.96 ERA. Those are Allstar numbers.
Mark Lowe has been a consistent arm and someone to count on in late innings. Sean White has a sub 3 ERA at 2.63. Even Miguel Batista has been quietly good with a 6-3 record and 3.33 ERA. Just don't put Miguel in the late innings where he's 0-3 in save opportunities.
Roy Corcoran has been struggling in long relief. Despite his 2-0 record, he's got a 6.88 ERA and a 16-6 BB to SO ratio. Shawn Kelly has struggled at times too going 0-2 in save opportunites and a 5.93 ERA.
It's safe to say without Aardsma the Mariners would 5 to 6 games under 500. No one else seems to have the stuff to be on the mound in the ninth inning.
Offense: D
The Mariner offense is laughable. I would rather watch an entire Seattle Storm game than watch the M's hit 1 through 9. Despite the best efforts of Ichiro, Branyan, and Gutierrez, the rest of the line-up stinks.
The Mariners have the worst catching duo in baseball with Kenji Johjima (BA 254) and Rob Johnson (BA 203). Jose Lopez has decent power numbers with 12 home runs, but is only batting 250. Griffey's batting 22o and Cedeno isn't even above the mendoza line.
The Mariner offense has only scored 348 runs in 88 games for an average of less than 4 runs a game. This is one of the lowest run totals in all of baseball. The team average is a pitiful 261 with an on base percentage of 317. It's a good thing Mariner pitching has been lights out, because this offense could not sustain a winning record.
Coaching: B-
Coaching is a tough grading category, because not too many people get to see what goes on behind the scenes. So far Wak has done a good job. I don't have many complaints about the way he's managing the club. This grade is based purely on a few questionable calls by the skipper on handling his bullpen and not going to his bench enough past the 7th inning. For example, not getting Chavez into the game after the 7th for defensive purposes.
Rick Adair has handled the pitching staff to perfection. On paper, our bullpen looks like a bunch of guys were just thrown together. No one would predict a bullpen with the likes of Jakubauskas, Kelly, White, and Bautista would be one of the strongest in baseball. Rick Adair deserves recognition for the influence he's had on this young bunch of guys.
Front Office: A
Seattle is loving Jack Zduriencik. Since coming to the Mariners Jack Z. has been wheeling and dealing. He first trade sent J.J. Putz packing for the Metz and in return got Franklin Gutierrez (who's turning out to be a stud in Center Field), Endy Chavez, Mike Carp, Aaron Heilman, and minor leaguers. Jack Z. then ships Heilman to the cubs for Ronny Cedeno and Garrett Olson, who are both helping the club on a daily basis. I think Ronny has a bigger upside than his sub 200 average suggests. We'll just have to be patient with him.
Jack Z. kept the trade bug going by getting rid of Yuniesky Bettencourt for a couple minor league pitchers in Danny Cortez (only 22 yrs old) and class A pitcher Saito. Cortez is supposed to be one of the Padres better pitching prospects. Jack Z has also traded for Jack Hannahan and sent minor league pitcher Souza packing to the A's. Jack Hannahan was the starter for Oakland, but struggled at the plate and was sent down to AAA. I've got a good feeling we got a steal for Hannahan, who is a much better player than what he was showing for the A's.
Overall: B
I am extremely happy with the Mariners at the break. Despite a lacking offense, the club has a desire to win and are doing so with great pitching. I have complete confidence in Jack Z. and like all the moves he's been making thus far. We are just a few more trades and draft picks away from being competitive for the pennent every year.
Starting Pitching: A-/B+
This would have been an A if it wasn't for Carlos Silva's six starts and a 1-3 record with an 8.48 ERA. More atrocious than Silva's record is the Mariners eating his behemoth 12,000,000 dollar salary for 09. O.k., enough, lets stop with Silva before I punch a hole my wall and kick my defensless dog while he's asleep.
Felix Hernandez has been lights out. Washburn is having a career year, which a 6-6 record doesn't reflect. If Washburn got any run support he'd easily have 9 wins this season. More impressive is his 112 innings pitched only halfway through the season, and his sub 3 ERA at 2.96.
Bedard has been fairly dominant despite a few injuries keeping him off the mound. Jason Vargas has done extremely well with his 3-3 record and 3.82 ERA. Garrett Olson and Chris Jakubauskas have been mediocre in spot fill in roles. All in all, the Mariners have one of the best rotations in baseball.
Bullpen: B
The emergence of David Aardsma as the Mariner closer could not have come at a better time. Morrow was struggling with his location and confidence without a clear cut reliever to replace him. Aardsma stepped right in and dazzled. He's saved 20 out of 22 games and has a 1.96 ERA. Those are Allstar numbers.
Mark Lowe has been a consistent arm and someone to count on in late innings. Sean White has a sub 3 ERA at 2.63. Even Miguel Batista has been quietly good with a 6-3 record and 3.33 ERA. Just don't put Miguel in the late innings where he's 0-3 in save opportunities.
Roy Corcoran has been struggling in long relief. Despite his 2-0 record, he's got a 6.88 ERA and a 16-6 BB to SO ratio. Shawn Kelly has struggled at times too going 0-2 in save opportunites and a 5.93 ERA.
It's safe to say without Aardsma the Mariners would 5 to 6 games under 500. No one else seems to have the stuff to be on the mound in the ninth inning.
Offense: D
The Mariner offense is laughable. I would rather watch an entire Seattle Storm game than watch the M's hit 1 through 9. Despite the best efforts of Ichiro, Branyan, and Gutierrez, the rest of the line-up stinks.
The Mariners have the worst catching duo in baseball with Kenji Johjima (BA 254) and Rob Johnson (BA 203). Jose Lopez has decent power numbers with 12 home runs, but is only batting 250. Griffey's batting 22o and Cedeno isn't even above the mendoza line.
The Mariner offense has only scored 348 runs in 88 games for an average of less than 4 runs a game. This is one of the lowest run totals in all of baseball. The team average is a pitiful 261 with an on base percentage of 317. It's a good thing Mariner pitching has been lights out, because this offense could not sustain a winning record.
Coaching: B-
Coaching is a tough grading category, because not too many people get to see what goes on behind the scenes. So far Wak has done a good job. I don't have many complaints about the way he's managing the club. This grade is based purely on a few questionable calls by the skipper on handling his bullpen and not going to his bench enough past the 7th inning. For example, not getting Chavez into the game after the 7th for defensive purposes.
Rick Adair has handled the pitching staff to perfection. On paper, our bullpen looks like a bunch of guys were just thrown together. No one would predict a bullpen with the likes of Jakubauskas, Kelly, White, and Bautista would be one of the strongest in baseball. Rick Adair deserves recognition for the influence he's had on this young bunch of guys.
Front Office: A
Seattle is loving Jack Zduriencik. Since coming to the Mariners Jack Z. has been wheeling and dealing. He first trade sent J.J. Putz packing for the Metz and in return got Franklin Gutierrez (who's turning out to be a stud in Center Field), Endy Chavez, Mike Carp, Aaron Heilman, and minor leaguers. Jack Z. then ships Heilman to the cubs for Ronny Cedeno and Garrett Olson, who are both helping the club on a daily basis. I think Ronny has a bigger upside than his sub 200 average suggests. We'll just have to be patient with him.
Jack Z. kept the trade bug going by getting rid of Yuniesky Bettencourt for a couple minor league pitchers in Danny Cortez (only 22 yrs old) and class A pitcher Saito. Cortez is supposed to be one of the Padres better pitching prospects. Jack Z has also traded for Jack Hannahan and sent minor league pitcher Souza packing to the A's. Jack Hannahan was the starter for Oakland, but struggled at the plate and was sent down to AAA. I've got a good feeling we got a steal for Hannahan, who is a much better player than what he was showing for the A's.
Overall: B
I am extremely happy with the Mariners at the break. Despite a lacking offense, the club has a desire to win and are doing so with great pitching. I have complete confidence in Jack Z. and like all the moves he's been making thus far. We are just a few more trades and draft picks away from being competitive for the pennent every year.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Best Win Of The Season
It's 12:30 in the morning, east coast time and I just throttled my poor sleeping cat in excitement after Franklin Gutierrez's momentous game-winning shot to left center and Aarmdsma's lucky rebound from last night. Holy shit! M's win!!! M's WIN!!!!
I think this blog's been silent lately because no one quite knows what to write about the Mariners this year. Every time you want to believe they're legit contenders, they stab you in the neck with back-to-back losses to the lowly O's. And every time they do that, they come back with a huge, and for seven innings, seemingly unlikely, victory.
The last three games represents the epitome of this Mariner baseball club.
But I'll tell you what, the M's looked more pumped and fired up about this comeback then I've seen them in years. Since 2000-2001, for sure. And this team has a youthful talented spirit, much like our mid-90s teams. They have swagger. Swagger. It's such a vague, almost undefinable term, but you know it when you see it. Ichiro knows nothing but swagger.Griffey was born with it and still exudes it. He earned that 8th inning walk with swagger.
And I see it in Felix and Franklin and its rubbing off on others like Lopez and Aardsma and even Cedeno -- the most swaggerly .130 hitting player in the history of Mariner baseball. I hate him, but I somehow think he'll come through. It's weird.
As you can tell, I'm a tad bit excited. I can't help it, I'm a believer. I sat here watching the game getting more pissed with every swing and miss, every feeble dribbler to second. But I kept with it, kept thinking Ichiro or Griffey or, most definitely, the talented Mr. Guti. I believed. And I believe we'll take two out of the next three from Texas. Momentum and swagger are decidedly on our side.
One last thought. My friend Graham, an admitted and mildly self-loathing Yankees fan (one of my top three favorite Yankee fans), slapbet (when the loser of the bet gets slapped, for those not familiar with the term) one of his friends that the M's would win the West. At the time, the M's were playing out of their minds toward the end of April. I still thought it was a bad bet. And probably a bet made under the influence of obscene amounts of alcohol.
My initial thought was reinforced with steel by our putrid play at the end of May and beginning of June. But we're back, Baby. And playing better than ever. We've improved. We've got swagger. Graham, you may yet become the slapper.
Friday, July 3, 2009
What's Your Fantasy: Wide Receiver Addition
The 2009 Fantasy Football season is stocked with talent at the wide receiver position. That being said, do not and I repeat do not consider drafting one in the first round. No wide receiver warrants first round consideration. I know some of you out there think Larry Fitzgerald is god, but he will come crashing down to earth if his 38 year geriatric QB gets hurt. Wide receivers are just too risky to take early mainly because they rely on someone else to get them the ball. In my estimation there are about 30 wide outs that will be strong contributors this year.
Here are my top 12 wide receivers including their 2008 stats:
1. Larry Fitzgerald: 96 catches, 1431 yards, 12 TD’s
2. Calvin Johnson: 78 catches, 1331 yards, 12TD’s
3. Randy Moss: 69 catches, 1008 yards, 11 TD’s
4. Andre Johnson: 115 catches, 1575 yards, 8 TD’s
5. Steve Smith: 78 catches, 1421 yards, 6 TD’s
6. Greg Jennings: 80 catches, 1292 yards, 9 TD’s
7. Reggie Wayne: 82 catches, 1145 yards, 6 TD’s
8. Anquan Boldin: 89 catches, 1038 yards, 11 TD’s
9. Roddy White: 88 catches, 1382 yards, 7 TD’s
10. Dwayne Bowe: 86 catches 1086 catches, 1022 yards, 7 TD’s
11. Terrell Owens: 69 catches, 1052 yards, 10 TD’s
12. Marques Colston: 47 catches, 760 yards, 5 TD’s
A few that just missed the cut:
Brandon Marshall: 104 catches, 1265 yards, 6 TD’s
Wes Welker: 111 catches, 1165 yards, 3 TD’s
T. J. Houshmandzadeh: 92 catches, 904 yards, 4 TD’s
Anthony Gonzalez: 57 catches, 664 yards, 4 TD’s
Vincent Jackson: 59 catches, 1098 yards, 7 TD’s
Here are my top 12 wide receivers including their 2008 stats:
1. Larry Fitzgerald: 96 catches, 1431 yards, 12 TD’s
2. Calvin Johnson: 78 catches, 1331 yards, 12TD’s
3. Randy Moss: 69 catches, 1008 yards, 11 TD’s
4. Andre Johnson: 115 catches, 1575 yards, 8 TD’s
5. Steve Smith: 78 catches, 1421 yards, 6 TD’s
6. Greg Jennings: 80 catches, 1292 yards, 9 TD’s
7. Reggie Wayne: 82 catches, 1145 yards, 6 TD’s
8. Anquan Boldin: 89 catches, 1038 yards, 11 TD’s
9. Roddy White: 88 catches, 1382 yards, 7 TD’s
10. Dwayne Bowe: 86 catches 1086 catches, 1022 yards, 7 TD’s
11. Terrell Owens: 69 catches, 1052 yards, 10 TD’s
12. Marques Colston: 47 catches, 760 yards, 5 TD’s
A few that just missed the cut:
Brandon Marshall: 104 catches, 1265 yards, 6 TD’s
Wes Welker: 111 catches, 1165 yards, 3 TD’s
T. J. Houshmandzadeh: 92 catches, 904 yards, 4 TD’s
Anthony Gonzalez: 57 catches, 664 yards, 4 TD’s
Vincent Jackson: 59 catches, 1098 yards, 7 TD’s
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Battle for Soccer Soul of Pacific Northwest Tonight!
Things might get a little crazy tonight in Portland -- Seattle's well-planned, Napoleon-complex-having neighbor to the south -- for the showdown between the Sounders and Timbers.
While the Sounders have ascended to the top flight MLS, the Timbers continue to languish in the opaque obscurity of First Divion U.S. professional soccer. (Most Timber players also have night jobs working in Portland's two growth industries: male stripping and weed.)
The Timbers, of course, will join the MLS in 2011. But until then, they will remain pissed that Seattle was awarded a big league franchise first. So, tonight's match amounts to a Champion's League final for Portland fans, who will be joined by a healthy cotingent of neon green-wearing, mohawked Seattleites.
I'm hoping for at least two or three mid-game brawls followed by hearty communal microbrew and/or Pabst drinking afterwards.
Here's Miguel Romero's story in today's Seattle Times about the rivalry, which dates back to the North American Soccer League.
Here's some coverage from the Oregonian.
Here's what my boy Briggs, a die-hard P-town lifer, said about the game:
"The energy for the game [tonight] is crazy here in Portland. Portlanders are envious, excited and pissed by the sounders early success. Tomorrow's prediction; bloodbath for sure, timbers win 3-2. Supposed to be over 3,000 sounders fans, going to be interesting on the smoke deck at halftime. I'm hoping someone beats up Drew Carey."
3-2, Timbers? Sounds like somebody's already been hanging out on the smoke deck for quite some time now.
My prediction: 2-nil, Sounders. Tim-burrrrrrrrrr! No one's getting past Keller in this one. Welcome to big-time soccer, Portland.
While the Sounders have ascended to the top flight MLS, the Timbers continue to languish in the opaque obscurity of First Divion U.S. professional soccer. (Most Timber players also have night jobs working in Portland's two growth industries: male stripping and weed.)
The Timbers, of course, will join the MLS in 2011. But until then, they will remain pissed that Seattle was awarded a big league franchise first. So, tonight's match amounts to a Champion's League final for Portland fans, who will be joined by a healthy cotingent of neon green-wearing, mohawked Seattleites.
I'm hoping for at least two or three mid-game brawls followed by hearty communal microbrew and/or Pabst drinking afterwards.
Here's Miguel Romero's story in today's Seattle Times about the rivalry, which dates back to the North American Soccer League.
Here's some coverage from the Oregonian.
Here's what my boy Briggs, a die-hard P-town lifer, said about the game:
"The energy for the game [tonight] is crazy here in Portland. Portlanders are envious, excited and pissed by the sounders early success. Tomorrow's prediction; bloodbath for sure, timbers win 3-2. Supposed to be over 3,000 sounders fans, going to be interesting on the smoke deck at halftime. I'm hoping someone beats up Drew Carey."
3-2, Timbers? Sounds like somebody's already been hanging out on the smoke deck for quite some time now.
My prediction: 2-nil, Sounders. Tim-burrrrrrrrrr! No one's getting past Keller in this one. Welcome to big-time soccer, Portland.
Mariner Optimism
I am and always have been a Mariner optimist. Before every season, even with a lack of talent, I believe through some sort of wizardry the Mariners can win the American League West.
Don't ask me why I feel this way, especially in the years when Jamie Moyer was our staff ace. You shouldn't expect to make the playoffs when your best pitcher is only a 10-15 game winner every season. Still, I expect to see a new banner hanging every year in the best stadium in America. Safeco Field!
Halfway through the season, the Mariners are fighting for every win and find themselves just a few games back in the West. Am I an optimist to believe the M's can make the playoffs? Beltre is out for 6-8 weeks and being replaced by an aging veteran, Chirs Woodard, and a guy who never sees first base in Cedeno. The bottom of our lineup is plagued with guys hitting barely 200. We have some of the worst hitting catchers in the league in Jojima, Johnson, and Burke.
Nonetheless, I still believe the Mariners can make the playoffs. Bedard can come back and give the rotation a shot in the arm. Olson can pitch the rest of the year like he did in Dodger Stadium. Griffey can get hot and hit a few more homers. Jose Lopez is crushing the ball and will end the year around .280-.300. as usual. In other words, anything can happen.
I am leaning towards the Mariners buying come July 31st trade deadline if we are still in the playoff picture. But I want the M's to buy smart. I am not willing to trade away the future for a run at the playoffs today. We just don't have the pieces to do that yet.
I'm proposing we add a bat for cash. Most teams in the Major Leagues want to dump payroll come trade time. The Mariners can take advantage of the current market, add a bat for cash, and not give up any prospects. Instead of trading Washburn and Bedard for below average prospects, since MLB "insiders" don't believe teams will give up much come the deadline, the M's can stockpile draft picks by letting their class A and B prospects leave in free agency.
The Mariners have options, and July is going to be a fun month for baseball in Seattle!
Don't ask me why I feel this way, especially in the years when Jamie Moyer was our staff ace. You shouldn't expect to make the playoffs when your best pitcher is only a 10-15 game winner every season. Still, I expect to see a new banner hanging every year in the best stadium in America. Safeco Field!
Halfway through the season, the Mariners are fighting for every win and find themselves just a few games back in the West. Am I an optimist to believe the M's can make the playoffs? Beltre is out for 6-8 weeks and being replaced by an aging veteran, Chirs Woodard, and a guy who never sees first base in Cedeno. The bottom of our lineup is plagued with guys hitting barely 200. We have some of the worst hitting catchers in the league in Jojima, Johnson, and Burke.
Nonetheless, I still believe the Mariners can make the playoffs. Bedard can come back and give the rotation a shot in the arm. Olson can pitch the rest of the year like he did in Dodger Stadium. Griffey can get hot and hit a few more homers. Jose Lopez is crushing the ball and will end the year around .280-.300. as usual. In other words, anything can happen.
I am leaning towards the Mariners buying come July 31st trade deadline if we are still in the playoff picture. But I want the M's to buy smart. I am not willing to trade away the future for a run at the playoffs today. We just don't have the pieces to do that yet.
I'm proposing we add a bat for cash. Most teams in the Major Leagues want to dump payroll come trade time. The Mariners can take advantage of the current market, add a bat for cash, and not give up any prospects. Instead of trading Washburn and Bedard for below average prospects, since MLB "insiders" don't believe teams will give up much come the deadline, the M's can stockpile draft picks by letting their class A and B prospects leave in free agency.
The Mariners have options, and July is going to be a fun month for baseball in Seattle!
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