Wednesday chilling
(hah!)
The Blue Jays “rolled out the red carpet” for Gil Meche.
Nick Lachey has joined the Tacoma Rainiers ownership group. I’m not sure why everyone wants us to post about this, but let it never be said we’re not about customer service.
The good:
Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi said Tuesday, “I wouldn’t say we’re close” to adding the help the club is looking for, and he is perfectly willing to trade if free agency prices the Mariners out.
The bad: Hickey quickly goes into a strange digression about trading for Freddy Garcia. Did the team drop a hint he should pursue it, or is he just speculating?
But in the current environment, it seems Garcia, who has one year left on his contract at about $9 million, is beginning to look good to the Mariners as the pool of free agent pitchers dries up. For one thing, Mariners starter Felix Hernandez idolizes Garcia, a good friend. For another, Garcia was a steady winner during his time in Seattle.
Speculating! Please, speculating!
Also, Garcia was not a steady winner during his time in Seattle. Come on, John, you were around, you know that’s just not true by any reasonable definition of “steady”.
I’d sure like to know what “the drawing board” looks like right now.
I’d sure like to know what “the drawing board†looks like right now.
A big ol’ sheet of butcher paper with crayon scribbles and apple juice spills!
I can’t bear to think that my Blue Jays might well have Royce Clayton and Gil Meche on their 25-man roster this upcoming season.
Haha. Royce Clayton.
It’s like there’s a 154 comment limit on this sucker. The last 2 sets of two comments have gotten deleted. There must be a glitch.
I’m not sure about that Corco, I think my last post was in really bad taste!
Wow! It’s a miracle! We hit the 156 post threshhold!
[long link. Look, the instructions on how to link are right there, how hard is this?]
This thread delivers. And 152 is our new comment of the “day”.
Righty Washburn, tho, DMZ? At what point do you qualify that? Though Freddy’s 2006 was pretty bad, his three year numbers don’t indicate he should have declined that badly. I recognize his severe K rate decline, but he’s helped that out by improving his walk rate. In 2005 he helped this out more with a much higher groundball rate then usual. While I’m not sure I disagree with the idea he’s an innings eater now, I would put that as his “at worst”.
But Washburn? Washburn sucks on every level below Garcia. Lower K rate, lower walk rate, higher flyball rate, etc. If Washburn wasn’t left handed, he’d have nothing.
Well, Dave and Derek run the Ministry of Truth here at U.S.S. Mariner.
Similarly, Howard Lincoln and Chuck Armstrong operate the Ministry of Plenty for the Seattle Mariners.
The article is by Phil Rogers…I like how it starts off “As quickly as this franchise gained luster, it is in the process of losing it.”
Too late.
158–Who care what ESPN thinks? We would probably be better off sitting the free agent market out if all the contracts are going to be so insane, though I do think value can be found…..eventually.
160
Can I run the Ministry of B&?
Righty Washburn, tho, DMZ? At what point do you qualify that?
I’m Derek. You want Dave.
I hope everyone enjoys the new poll.
RE: my 158 post… So I’m a back end of the rotation commenter that can’t seem to figure out the posting zone. That’s credentials for 3/$30 on the FA market this winter!!! You should be inviting me to a hockey game!!!
I think Rogers might have apoint about the trade market possibly not having any bargains, either.
Looks like this is the wrong year to be short pitching, folks.
I’m thinking Rodgers might be right. So if there are no bargains on either market then maybe the M’s should look at 2 replacemnt level arms to fill out the rotation. King Felix (Schmidt way overpaid # 2 guy) Washburn # 3 (ugh) and any combo of Baek, Woods, other replacement level guy.
In today’s market…what is the best guess of what Meche will end up with? 4/$40? More?
Free agent Gil Meche could be departing just as he turns a corner in his career.
and just what corner is that, Phil?
Having to live with two (or more) replacement level arms is nothing new for most teams throughout history, isn’t it? If you’re lucky or smart, you’ll have 3 good-to-great starters and two plug-in pitchers who, with luck, might get results beyond their capabilities. Those are your #4 and #5 guys. OK, make that #5 and #5. If they pitch over their heads, cool. But you secretly hope they don’t flat out suck and can even occasionally throw a surprising gem or two.
So we have a potential #1 (Felix), a #4 (Washburn), and are hoping (sort of, not quite sure) to get a #2 or #3 (Schmidt). Let’s face it; we need some obscure guys to pitch over their heads…it’s about time.
Imagine if Meche turns into a stud… should we be happy for him?
I’m Derek. You want Dave.
I don’t *want* either of you. However, you are as right as I was wrong. That should have been addressed to Mr. Cameron.
IF Freddy comes back to “mentor” young Felix, it means one thing: PARTY TIME!
Or as Felix said in that article posted here: Beer, Women, and Baseball.
Would Mariners fans object to a trade of Beltre for Burrell ? our slop for your slop ?
Would Mariners fans object to a trade of Beltre for Burrell ?
Yes, they would.
Other than the fact that this would leave us without a 3B and Beltre isn’t slop if you realize he plays in a park that murders RHB (which would kill Burrell’s numbers too if he played there), it’s a great idea.
So, basically, yes.
I sort of wonder why anyone would consider an OF “slop” whose OPS the past two years is a shade under .900…but that’s Philly for you.
Chuck Armstrong’s comment that he is surprised about the free agent market being what it is just hacks me off. There was plenty of speculation about a ridiculously high market during the season last year. This team strategically left themselves with at least two rotation spots to fill and when they made that decision they should have anticipated the worst in terms of the market. Now it appears that they are preparing to offer the fans an excuse as to why they will likely have to fill their holes with stiffs. Unbelievable. On second thought, par for the course with this group.
Chuck Armstrong’s comment that he is surprised about the free agent market being what it is just hacks me off. There was plenty of speculation about a ridiculously high market during the season last year. This team strategically left themselves with at least two rotation spots to fill and when they made that decision they should have anticipated the worst in terms of the market. Now it appears that they are preparing to offer the fans an excuse as to why they will likely have to fill their holes with stiffs. Unbelievable. On second thought, par for the course with this group.
It certainly is on par with this front office. They should have been aware of the steady inflation of free agent salaries (even if fans aren’t).
well, we all expected it to be a higher market, esp. after the labor agreement, but honestly– did anyone really expect the ridiculous numbers that are being thrown around, or the lengths of the contracts?
I’ve got to admit…. I’d seriously consider shipping Reed/Morse to Philly for Burrell.
I’ve got to admit this too….. I thank God everyday that I’m not an Orioles fan….
At the rate things are going, being a Mariners fan = being an Orioles fan.
I’ve got to admit…. I’d seriously consider shipping Reed/Morse to Philly for Burrell.
Um… I don’t think this one takes much consideration.