Game 58, Angels at Mariners
Santana v Washburn.
Is there any stranger move than Cairo’s ascent to starting first baseman so far this year?
Any team in baseball, any position.
- There’s no injury involved
- Only a couple months ago, the team (and particularly the manager) expected Sexson to have a big bounceback year… which, relatively, he was
- Sexson is paid vastly more than Cairo, when generally teams favor the huge contract
- As of May 23rd, Sexson was hitting .200/.277/.413 while Cairo was hitting .171/.250/.200
- The last time Cairo hit as well as Sexson hit when benched was 2004, when he hit .292/.346/.417 while with the Yankees
- And he’s only hit that or better three times in 13 seasons
- Cairo’s career line of .266/.314/.357 is worse than what Sexson was hitting when benched
- Cairo plays pretty crappy defense too, and if the team can’t recognize that Ibanez is horrible out there, why would they suddenly realize Sexson sucked and turn on him?
- If the team wanted additional scrap, baserunning, and defense, there’s an internal option already much-beloved they could have gone with
- And if the problem’s the PR of having Sexson booed, see above
- Cairo’s not a prospect, or on a long-term deal that makes him worth developing
- Benching Sexson likely lowers his trade value (or his “release value”)
I follow baseball reasonably closely (um, yeah) and I can’t think of another decision like this on any other roster this year. Every day this goes on I’m more convinced the losing has only made the people who run the Mariners crazier. Pretty soon they’re going to go hole up together and have the ball boys read them increasingly made-up game reports.
“General Riggleman reports an absolute shutout against the hated A’s, sir.”
“Excellent! I order a brace of champagne shipped to them by autogyro!”
Update: so it appears that they’ve put Sexson back in the lineup, because it’s a new series. I have the same question I have every time they make a move like this — what does that have to do with anything? If Cairo was the right choice the last n games because he made the team better, why is that not true now? What can possibly be driving these decisions?
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In 2007 the worst offensive 1B with at least 300PA was Scott Thorman who put together a 216/258/394 line. Thats all I can come with for a comp of suckiness.
Laughing HARD at “brace of champagne” and “autogyro”.
Maybe Sexson was caught kissing Bloomquist on the bench.
The only reason I can think of for the switch to Cairo is the famous “change for change sake.” Under the rubric of conventional baseball wisdom, making a change (even if it doesn’t make sense) is supposed to “alter the chemistry” or “jolt the team awake.” Or some other tired bromide. No, there’s nothing logical about it, but why should McLaren start managing with logic now?
Oh, I just thought of one other reason, and I actually think it’s a very good one: The Ms are tired of seeing Sexson go up there and look pathetic time after time. At least with Cairo, we don’t have to watch that crap.
Let’s see what is on ESPN this fine Monday night.
Oh, look, the Yankees. That’s different.
Regarding Cairo, having him as a starting firstbaseman is about as likely as having, say, Neifi Perez as your DH.
Oh, wait, we kind of do. Neifi’s lifetime OPS was .672. Vidro this season has an OPS of .631.
and he’s back at 1st base, with assurances they aren’t going to go to any silly old platoon at first.
Mac on why tonight for Sexson;s return: “new series … Angels .. off day …. working hard”
that was almost a direct quote, by the way. it was the strangest stream of consciousness answer to a question.
Are you saying their isn’t much of a market for players who were benched in favor of Miguel Cairo, sparkplug(tm)?
I am also of the opinion that the words “brace of champagne” and “autogyro” have never appeared together in an article about baseball.
O/T, but [o/t]
I now add “and so on and so forth” to everything Mac says, just to make it sound more….inform-y.
I tell ya what. its the Kingdome curse!
This whole argument that they’re pulling players out for stretches of time to re-work their hitting is equally baffling. How did the swings go so wrong? Were the flaws not noticed until now? Are the issues really so large that the choice is between not playing them and full-time instruction? Does playing a game wreck the value of the hitting work, forcing continual sitting?
It’s garbage, it’s all garbage.
oh, lordie. Gas is just baffled as to what could have happened to Richie, because he is in the prime of his career, and then wonders about making trades — do you think about trading Beltre, because “you certainly haven’t had any kind of success with Adrian”
What are you getting at DMZ? Do you think the team is made up of bad players and poor managers?
Yesterday we attempted to install a Carbon Monoxide detector in our house. For the longest time we couldn’t get it to stop its infernal 85 dB shrieking, and for the life of my I just wanted to smash the thing with a hammer because I couldn’t figure out how to get it to stop.
Same principle. Desperation, anger, frustration => Try anything to make the problem go away!
At least smashing the detector with a hammer would have removed the immediate problem (if not solved your long term need for a detector).
Playing Cairo at first neither solves an immediate nor a long term problem.
Maybe Mac wants to keep Cairo fresh for pinch-hitting in the ninth again with the game on the line.
Is there any chance Sexson will be one of the surprise guests at the USSM/LL event? I mean, seems like he’s got free time…
Maybe not, but I can only imagine how painful it is to manage a team playing this poorly on a day to day basis without any clue why it’s happening. I can only assume that it prompts even greater irrationality, so that playing Cairo makes sense.
Baker, on Sexson’s return to the lineup:
“There should be smiles galore out in blogland today.”
Sigh.
You must not try to understand the logic. You must instead tell yourself, ‘There is no logic.’
In his blog on yesterday’s game with Detroit, Baker takes a not so nice swipe at the USS Mariner and Papua New Guinea beer.
He disagrees with those who think McLaren should have pinch hit Sexson for Cairo in the ninth inning.
The only rational thought that I could dream up in imaginary-land would be that the Ms are trying to find some way to get Richie to improve enough in the short-term to be worthwhile elsewhere in a trade-deadline deal. The lipstick-on-a-pig strategy.
Like I said, imaginary-land.
I don’t read Baker, because, quite honestly, most of what he writes makes no sense.
Although, in McLaren-through-the-looking-glass-land, maybe it makes perfect sense. In a mad hatter sort of way.
which reminds me of one of the letters to the editor in the Times this weekend; the writer listed the (few) team accomplishments the Mariner francise had achieved in its 30+ years, and concluded they were having a bad franchise, not a bad year, and it was all the fault of Nintendo, Lincoln & Armstrong.
now, I am not thrilled with the FO these days, but didn’t all those Mariner accomplishments happen on their watch?
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. It’s so obvious that the FO came into this season with one plan and no idea what would happen if they needed a Plan B. That thinking is not, in and of itself, necessarily incorrect. Do you think the Orioles ever thought “Hey, we need a viable back up to Ripken this year?” However, this was the prime year where we needed a guy who could back up, platoon with, or even start in place of Sexson. After last season, it was pretty freakin’ obvious. Instead, the FO has actively gotten rid of the types of players who might have done this, from Broussard to Norton. That leaves us with Cairo. CAIRO!!!
Again, I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
I doubt there is another team that would give Cairo, Sexson, or Vidro a roster spot. Maybe Sexson, if a team needed someone to platoon and hit lefties.
how was that a swipe at USSM?
@MattThompson
You may have hit on something here. In order to achieve a more enlightened state of fanhood, we are presented with the koan that is the 2008 Mariners.
I was just watching something today about the 2005 MLB draft and the cream of the crop players that were in that draft (Justin Upton, Ryan Braun, Jay Bruce, Troy Tulowitzki, and others) and I realized that we could have picked any of those players but we chose Jeff Clement #3 overall.
I realize Jeff hasn’t had the time to really show himself so I’m not angry with him. I’m angry, once again, with the organization for not leaving him in Seattle and not Tacoma. Shuffle around the lineup and get that guy playing in a Mariners uniform.
Well, we already know the sound of no hands clapping.
Wait, I meant leaving him in Seattle and instead being in Tacoma….or something like that.
D.W.P.
Drinking while posting
DMZ (like the rest of us here) obviously doesn’t recognize the devilish genius behind “going with a hunch”. Years of honing that kind of skill apparently qualifies one to manage the Mariners.
Upton went #1 overall
Friends don’t let friends…
#33 I was just trying to make the point to leave Clement in Seattle, thanks for the correction.
It gets better: Red Sox vs. Baltimore
Adam Jones drives in 3 with a double in the bottom of the 8th against Hideki Okajima
Sherrill comes in and gets the save.
Now I know what that headache I got today came from.
If Baek gets a win for the Padres tonight, one could say it’s been a excellent recent ex-M’s night. If one were to use words like “excellent” when one would prefer to curse, scream and explode.
That interview with Pentland certainly did nothing to increase my confidence in his skill as a hitting coach. On the other hand, it did increase my confidence in the fact Sexon is done.
No personal catcher for Washburn. Looks like Mac remembered that he’s our #5?
It’s things like that that keep me coming back. (I apologize in advance if the quote doesn’t work…)
“It ain’t rocket science.” — Pentland
Because, clearly, you are not a rocket scientist.
With Papi out for awhle, maybe Boston can see some very hidden upside in Sexson…or Vidro…or Cairo…or Raul…
Baek update: 1 IP, O R, O H, 9 pitches, 1K
And even so, Wash is only one of three #5’s!
What can possibly be driving these decisions?
Magic beans? Seriously, I think two bunt defense plays in a couple of days have them convinced that Cairo brings both offense and defense — he’s the complete package!
And, see, they’re even following some of that new-fangled stat business: Felix, Silva, and Batista are ground ball pitchers. So Cairo was out there for his defense. Washburn is a flyball hitter, so Richie is in because, uh, he’s tall and has a better chance to snag those fly balls.
Watching the Angel’s broadcast is just about as painful as it gets. As Rex Hudler was going through the lineup he made the following statements:
“If washburn can get the Angels to roll over on a few pitches, he hsa a pretty good chance of winning this game”
and
“The Mariners have a pretty good defense”
Thanks Hud-dog. Thanks.
Trade the face of the franchise? Never!
Although Raul – the only player amongst those I can even imagine Boston being interested in – does have a some nice upside – as a DH. Take him out of the field and his total value should see a nice little spike.
So I just noticed today that the M’s, in the only 4 team division in baseball, are farther out of the division lead than any other team in either league. Even the moribund Rockies, with a 20-37 record and in the midst of a 7 game losing streak, are only 12 games out (the M’s are 12.5). Heck the Royals, proud owners of a 23-34 record, are only 7.5 games out; even the Nationals and Pirates are doing better in their divisions.
But hey, the M’s are playing the leaders, so here’s the chance to turn it around. Just how many 5 or 6 win streaks do they need?
Oh, nevermind. I watching for some other reason. Somebody give me one, quick.
Rex Hudler’s list of reasons for Santana’s improvement, according to Neihaus:
1.)Concentration on the hitter
2.)Confidence
I bet I could come up with better, actual reasons using Fan Graphs in about 15 minutes. Alas, finals say otherwise.
Jeez, two name typos in two posts. Ugh
So Santana throws almost exclusively fastballs and sliders this season. His fastball speed is up, too.
Not surprisingly, he’s pitching much better against righties, as they only have a .74 WHIP against him so far in 2008.
If anyone wants to see what a championship celebration looks like, since we are stuck watching this stuff for 2/3rds of a season more….flip over to the Stanley Cup for what is shaping up to be the last 10 minutes of the season. RedWings lead 3 games to 1 and lead the game 3-2.
Wow. Todays Mariner mailbag answers a question about a force out at second base. Are those the best questions they get or is the writer just lazy? Compared to other teams we suck at mailbags too.
Washburn should do everyone a favor and retire at the break….. Seriously, do you know how much $50 million is worth in Wisconsin, or wherever he escaped from……. Like Way More….
52- See, how long did that take you, honestly. Good stuff.
I just thought about a list of things going on the Mariners roster, just off the top of my head, and realized this organization makes NO sense. None.
And I haven’t been watching games that much as of late, but is Balentien platooning in right?
It is amazing to see more than 50 posts in a game thread without a single comment that I can see on the actual action of the game.
At least that new stance lets Sexson ground into a double play more efficiently.
Open stance. Closed stance. MEH.
Here ya go 57 – Nice DP ball Richie.
Rally killing machine!
Maybe Richie should try a different batting stance every single time, til’ gets it going of course.
Sexson .200 .277 .413 .690
Sexson’s OPS is really .690? Oh wait it was .694 for all of 2007…
I’m looking through 2007 stats and Sexson’s gotta have more ABs of suck than anybody in the league in the past 1.33 years, Andruw Jones included. Amazingly low figures…Juan Pierre-esque. Just amazing to look at. And yes, Andruw Jones really sucks, too.
50 — I’ve got Hudler on the broadcast since I’m in L.A. and that guy drives me crazy. As part of his “rallying cry” for continuing their winning streak, the Angels apparently need to be a “pest in the west.” That, coupled with the “confidence” comment makes me think that Hudler and the Mariners’ front office would have a great evening at a bar. “Yeah! Gritty confidence! That’s the number-one-all-important factor to successful professional baseball teams!”
Since Hudler gets to do color commentary for a decent team, he could at least do some decent analysis.
I just realized the depths of my faith in this team when I turned on the radio to immediately hear Sexson hit into a double play and have Rizzs say “No score, end of the second,” and my reaction was, “Alright, No score!”
Killer Ewok – Can we go with suck stance 1 and suck stance 2?
Baek Update: 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2K, 28 Pitches.
Washburn Update: Still blows goats.
hhmmmm……
I concur. I actually ventured over there earlier today for the first time in a while and read this:
Huh? If your assumption that the “8th Inning Set-Up Guy” and the “Closer” are normally going to be facing the same exact hitters, I’d say there’s more of a problem there than velocity changes.
And I’m sorry, I can’t help but laugh when I see Washburn give up long balls. Stupid catcher.
Washburn, you suck.
I’ve never liked Johnny Mathis and now he hits this 2 run homer. #$*& easy listening!
Hudler says those hits are “contagious.” Yep, Wash is diseased.
Spokane: lol. Brett Boone-esque.
Raul Ibanez at least made it look like he was quick to that ball.
I’d bet a nickel that late in the game McLaren will have his #3 hitter lay down a sac bunt.
Is there any actual reason that there tend to be people with stronger arms in right field? I understand it cuts down on players going 1st to third on singles to right…but other than that is there any good reason? I guess the importance of runners getting to 3rd, and RF being the furthest outfield throw, that would also make sense.
Just thought about it because Reed’s arm is pretty damn weak. I never really saw Balentien air one out but pretty sure his arm is stronger than Reed’s.
Why, oh why, is Reed not in LF? Is there any reason for Balentien not to play over Reed?
That sums up almost everything that is awful about this team.
I think I’m going to go find something else to do than make fun of incompetence.
Okay well I’m glad I didn’t leave before I saw that.
Run things!
Well, at least one.
I must say, I’m feeling an odd sense of confidence when J. Lo comes to the plate this season.
Vidro grounds out to the pitcher.
NOW I’m leaving…
81- I agree.
I could have sworn Niehaus was calling Edgar’s 95 double when Lopez hit that.
Settle down Dave Niehaus. Geeez!
Mariners get a two out run…….
I think that was suck pitch 2, but they’re all the same anyway…
Mound Conference Theater:
Mel: Hey, Wash, I’ve noticed that you suck.
Wash: It’s this guy! This guy right here!
Mel: Uh huh. Look, Julia Child couldn’t have made those pitches any more appetizing.
Wash: Who?
But Washburn’s throwing strikes and that’s what’s important here. No walks to this point. Oh wait…
Oh DMZ. Don’t ruin your great dialogue by misspelling Julia’s last name. Thank goodness this isn’t a cooking blog (although you would have benefited from auto-correction perhaps).
Oh shit
Soup de jour!!!
oh DMZ… soup DU jour.
It’s ok. Not everyone is a Gourmand. Anyway you get an extreme set of free passes (as if Washburn was pitching to you) because I just read your Bugs Bunny post this morning. Highest of high comedy.
Per Baker’s blog:
“Balentien will now be the next guy out for a while so that Pentland can work on the obvious holes in his bat.”
No word on whether Pentland is working with Julia Child on her switch hitting.
I wish Pentland hadn’t messed with Sexson’s swing. The crew was talking about that before his AB with runners on 1st and 2nd and 1 out when he then promptly MADE CONTACT in the form of a GIDP
Am I the only one who chuckles every time Dave or Rizzs do a “Ream Team” promo? And then Dave has to follow it up with an anedote about the team “squat” record? Is this the M’s or an episode of “Ambiguously Gay Duo”?
I wonder who is responsible for ruining Wash’s game this time. Can’t be him, of course. Ah! The ball girls! How can he be expected to pitch well when they’re off to the side scooping up foul balls?
I had the soupe du jour once…it’s chicken.
In Beltre’s defense, I’ve always heard that the high fastball is the hardest pitch to hit. When it’s 3 ft over your head, it has to be damn near impossible.
“Bursts of speed”? That’s what I’m supposed to want from my internet now? Um, no thanks.
Is it a well known statistical fact that Angels go from 1st to third better than any team? Because I am sick and tired over the announcers fawning over the Angels.
In defense of Washburn that strike zone is kind of insane.
Enazario: Maybe they’d talk about the M’s going from 1st to 3rd if they did it more often?
enazario: Don’t you know by now that it’s Kenji’s fault that those aren’t being called strikes? If Burke was in there Wash would probably have a shutout going. Damn you Kenji!!
101 – Haha. That is what I was thinking.
While I’m at it can they stop talking about how Washburn is locating pitches well and getting hit? He is locating well allright -right in the middle of the plate.
Solve the following mathematical equation for winning baseball in Seattle…
Suck + B_lls = M’s
So, Suck= M’s – Balls?
They mentioned on the radio that Washburn was skipped because he had such bad numbers against Detroit. Exactly against whom does he have good numbers?
The equation is also true in the negative
Suck + B_lls = -M’s, thus B_lls – M’s = Suck
Need a K. Ditch the guy who doesn’t strikeout hitters for one who does.
What have I told you boys about crude terminology?
SPELL IT OUT dammit!
P.S. Balls!
Nice work by Lowe. I hope we’re seeing him turn a corner in these last few outings. It would be nice to have both him and Morrow pitching well out of the ‘pen. God knows the franchise is deathly afraid of putting them in the rotation for fear of upsetting one of their $7+ MM/year starters.
Hey that Lowe kid is pretty good!
Honestly, I question your (and Dave’s) sanity to be able to continue on.
Aaaand.. there’s Yuni not thinking again. So much talent, but he just doesn’t concentrate. Sexson should have dug that out, but it isn’t his fault.
Yuni – Showing once again why he is so infuriating.
Your math is off. If:
Suck + B_lls = -M’s
then:
B_lls + M’s = -Suck
Which is, of course false.
J-Lo Shot!
Good thing they closed the lid….
so, what I’d miss?
If Lopez would just reach out for those easy plays he doesn’t make, I’d even be willing to vote for him in All-Star balloting. But he’s so damn frustrating.
I imagine they’d be more worried about Lowe’s elbow holding up as a starter than upsetting starting pitchers.
sez Dave with a straight face:
“….so the Mariners’ got some firepower coming up against Frankie Rodriguez in the ninth”
Wasn’t this game 58?