Certainly, there are the simple matters of pride and professionalism, which should go without saying. But pitcher Carlos Silva on Friday called into question the motivation of a portion of his teammates, accusing some of them — “maybe half” — of playing only to pad their statistics.

Asked if he agreed with Silva’s basic premise, Ibanez said, “There’s no way of telling. How do you tell if a guy is playing for himself? I don’t think that’s a fair comment, to be honest. I just don’t see that. And if I did see it, I wouldn’t tell you. If I had a problem with someone, I’d walk up and tell him. That’s how I’d approach it.”

Bad teams play bad.

Just like the internet meme. Time to bust out photoshop:

“Bad team is bad.”

“Old veteran is old.”

“Fat pitcher is fat.”

Bad teams play bad. Telling a bad team to play better is like telling an apple to knit.

Quit claiming that players who worked hard enough to make it all the way to the Majors Leagues suddenly stopped caring and come to terms with the fact that they just aren’t very good.

Backing it up for more than just a season, too.

Doesn’t even take that sometimes. Look at Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder for the Brewers, or Evan Longoria for the Rays. All were leaders in their clubhouses before they had a year of service time. Longoria’s injury will devastate the Rays, and not just from a production standpoint.

Heck, even Kevin Youkilis was an example of that. He was a leader in the Sox clubhouse before he was even a regular starter, for crying out loud…

And also how little Geoff understands how a clubhouse actually works. Generally speaking, when someone talks the talk and backs it up by walking the walk, they are accepted in the clubhouse as a leader. Doesn’t much matter how old they are, if they back up what they’re saying with their on-field performance, people will listen.

Backing it up for more than just a season, too.

How old do ya have to be a veteran?

…tells you everything you need to know about the Mariners’ clubhouse. The veteran entitlement and “good ol’ boys” attitude permeating this club is extremely discouraging.

And also how little Geoff understands how a clubhouse actually works. Generally speaking, when someone talks the talk and backs it up by walking the walk, they are accepted in the clubhouse as a leader. Doesn’t much matter how old they are, if they back up what they’re saying with their on-field performance, people will listen.

Why are so many so quick to let it off the hook?

Where are these throngs of fans offering a mulligan?

There is a risk his message will be lost amongst the howling masses looking for any reason to discredit the substance of what he is saying.

The only scarecrow I’ve seen speak let alone howl was a key character in the Wizard of Oz…

It’s a confusing argument considering how he framed it….i.e. howling masses are letting the Ms off of the hook by denying the impact that poor chemistry has had upon the Ms record…by….presumably…..blaming the Ms poor performance on a lack of talent?????????? The Ms suck because they suck therefore everything is ok? Is that what Baker is seriously suggesting massive numbers of Ms fans are howling?

Really, Baker is kind of like Dunn. Great bat (reporter) whose value is diminished by making him play the field (fill the blank space on a blog as newspapers try to remain relevant).

I still have a suspicion that the real reason that Silva blew up is that somebody (Yuni?) ate his post-game Silva burger.

No, actually he blew up because he ate too many burgers.

If that happened, would Silva be a regular?

After the M’s DFA him, Yuni could always hire him as the burger chef.

Whatever you do, don’t mess with Jose’s food.