Friday, May 28, 2010
I Blame Howard Schultz
Sorry, just felt like saying that. I blame Howard Schultz. Actually, not sorry at all. I really do blame Howard Schultz. He lost our team. There's no getting around it.
Surprise: I still kind of care about the NBA
The C's pulled it out tonight. I'm genuinely excited. Lakers-Celtics, round 17,638. Awesome. Almost as awesome as if the Seattle Supersonics remained an NBA franchise. As readers of this blog know, the one of you, the Sonics' raping and stealing remains one of the most painful push buttons in my life. However, I can't but root for the Celtics. Ray Allen. Example number one. Great player. Former Sonic. Nuff said. Might I also add: Nate Robinson. Huge in the first half. Difference maker of the game. Seattleite. Former Washington Husky football player. The kid finally got some run in the first half after Rondo went down with a back injury. It's his first exposure on a national level. Celtics should take heed and play young Nate Rob, the northwesterner sticking shit in the eastern conference finals. Go C's! Go Nate Rob! Go Wetland Sports! We're back! What! Why not?
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Following Seven Month Prison Stint, Wetland Sports Returns With a Vengeance
Don't worry, as far as we know, we didn't contract any easily transmitted diseases while in the joint. It's safe to tune back in to Wetland Sports.
I'm not going to promise you anything from this blog because, honestly, I have no idea what exactly we're doing here. But I will guarantee a few things that we will NOT do here:
1) Be accurate (sometimes that stuff gets in the way of the truth).
2) Be consistent (gets in the way of spontaneity).
3) Be nice (gets in the way of ripping to shreds our favorite targets: Howard Schultz, Clay Bennett, David Stern, the NBA, East Coast bias, Petyton Manning, Storm fans, Canadians, Ryan Leaf, Ty Willingham, Coug fans, Tim Ruskell, Glenn Beck, racists, Vin Baker, USC, the states of Oregon and Idaho, Utah, figure skating, steroids, censorship, Wall Street bailouts, Erik Bedard, Bill Bavasi, rapists, etc.)
Basically, we'll be writing about sports, mostly Seattle sports, with some other random commentary and thoughts. Enjoy!
I'm not going to promise you anything from this blog because, honestly, I have no idea what exactly we're doing here. But I will guarantee a few things that we will NOT do here:
1) Be accurate (sometimes that stuff gets in the way of the truth).
2) Be consistent (gets in the way of spontaneity).
3) Be nice (gets in the way of ripping to shreds our favorite targets: Howard Schultz, Clay Bennett, David Stern, the NBA, East Coast bias, Petyton Manning, Storm fans, Canadians, Ryan Leaf, Ty Willingham, Coug fans, Tim Ruskell, Glenn Beck, racists, Vin Baker, USC, the states of Oregon and Idaho, Utah, figure skating, steroids, censorship, Wall Street bailouts, Erik Bedard, Bill Bavasi, rapists, etc.)
Basically, we'll be writing about sports, mostly Seattle sports, with some other random commentary and thoughts. Enjoy!
Monday, July 27, 2009
Washburn Likely Gone w/in 48 Hours
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!
* 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 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.
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