Chris Seddon up, Sean White down?

marc w · July 15, 2010 at 10:04 am · Filed Under Mariners 

The TNT’s Ryan Divish is reporting that Rainiers LHP Chris Seddon has been added to the 40 man roster and his heading north to join the Mariners. Not sure about the corresponding move, but it looks quite likely that Sean White’s lost his spot in the bullpen.

Seddon was a minor league free agent the M’s picked up from the Marlins organization. He’s been a decent innings eater, but a drop in his walk rate led to a half-decent FIP of 4.12 this year. His ERA is even better, thanks to a low BABIP and a marked improvement in his ability to get righties out. His stuff isn’t overwhelming, but with a reduced walk rate and a bit of improvement in his GB rate, he’s made himself a decent option to replace Garrett Olson. Man, I’m really selling this, aren’t I?

This is the latest step in what’s been a month or two of constant churn in the Tacoma bullpen. The M’s picked up all manner of indie leaguers, ex-MLB relievers and ex-prospects and given them each a bit of time to make an impression. Most haven’t worked out, as they’ve demoted a few guys to AA, and released Billy Traber (to make room for Dustin Ackley). This is what depth is for, and while it’s nice to see them make these moves quickly, I’d really like to see a bit more separation between the fill-in guys and the MLB bullpen. As it is, Seddon isn’t much different from 3-4 guys in the M’s pen, and that’s yet another example of why 2010 hasn’t gone to plan.
Here’s a video of an interview Mike Curto did with Seddon, and here’s a picture of Seddon in action. Here’s Divish’s blog post on the move.

Comments

13 Responses to “Chris Seddon up, Sean White down?”

  1. don52656 on July 15th, 2010 10:12 am

    Well, there really is no way that Seddon can pitch as badly as Sean White has. At least when Seddon is called in from the bullpen the first time, I won’t be yelling “NOOOOOO” like I was when White came in.

    Looking at the current 40-man roster, there really isn’t a major league pitching staff worth of talent on it, which is why the bullpen stinks this year.

    I’ll be curious to see if White is demoted to Tacoma or just waived. I can’t see any reason to keep him on the 40-man roster, honestly.

  2. marc w on July 15th, 2010 10:17 am

    Yeah. Given the way he’s used, and given his 2009 results, I think they may opt to waive someone else. Chad Cordero and Garrett Olson may not have slept soundly last night.

  3. Leroy Stanton on July 15th, 2010 10:28 am

    What about the other moves in Tacoma? They added 3 guys to the roster. Who goes? Joe Nelson? Does Moore get called up? Is this the end of Bard? Why are they hanging on to Kotchman? Is a trade close?

  4. MrGenre on July 15th, 2010 10:31 am

    Could this be why Tacoma’s coach didn’t use Seddon in the All-Star game yesterday? That’s a nice benefit to running the PCL team this year…

  5. marc w on July 15th, 2010 10:37 am

    I think the other moves in Tacoma were covered in JY’s post yesterday, Leroy.

    Essentially, Ackley, Paredes, Varvaro up, Billy Traber, Mark Worrell released, and I’m assuming Jeff Dominguez goes back to WT.

    And yes, MrGenre, I think we now understand that his ‘snub’ wasn’t a snub at all. Rainiers manager Darren Brown was the PCL manager, for those who may have missed it, and Seddon was one of the few guys who didn’t get into the game. The IL had a guy called up to the majors *during* the game, and he left the game immediately.

  6. maqman on July 15th, 2010 10:38 am

    Why ditch Kotchman while he’s still hot and before Smoak can show he’s ready to replace him? The Ms are still on the hook for over a million $ still owed to Kotchman this season.

  7. Leroy Stanton on July 15th, 2010 10:51 am

    Essentially, Ackley, Paredes, Varvaro up, Billy Traber, Mark Worrell released, and I’m assuming Jeff Dominguez goes back to WT.

    I didn’t hear anything about Worrell getting released. And if Dominguez goes to WT, they’ll still need to make another move (at WT), since Lawson took Ackley’s place. Also, I believe Traber’s release brought down Tacoma’s roster to 24 and was prior to the Ackley, et al getting called up.

    Why ditch Kotchman while he’s still hot and before Smoak can show he’s ready to replace him?

    I agree, but what are they going to do? 6 man bullpen, without Lee in the rotation? Sounds pretty unlikely. And when will Kotchman even play? Are they comfortable DHing Smoak? Or do you DH Kotchman and bench both Branyan and Bradley? It seems like they are buying time in order to trade one or more of Kotchman, Branyan, and Lopez.

  8. horatiosanzserif on July 15th, 2010 11:43 am

    Stone says Cordero also out, Jamey Wright in.

  9. Leroy Stanton on July 15th, 2010 11:59 am

    Jamey frickin’ Wright!!!

    Or does that only work with Cliff Lee?

  10. EthanN on July 15th, 2010 12:20 pm

    Wooo no more White!!!

  11. HititHere on July 15th, 2010 12:43 pm

    Why ditch Kotchman while he’s still hot and before Smoak can show he’s ready to replace him? The Ms are still on the hook for over a million $ still owed to Kotchman this season.

    Kotchman has no place in the future of this organization. This season is now about building for the future, and not winning now. It is much more worthwhile to give at-bats to the youngster who is the future of our club, even if it means Kotchman rides the pine and it costs us a few more meaningless games in the standings.

  12. firova2 on July 15th, 2010 2:27 pm

    Kotchman = sunk cost.

  13. bongo on July 16th, 2010 1:15 pm

    On NPR today, Art Theile suggested that the Mariners were going to send Justin Smoak down to Tacoma for “seasoning”. Honestly, he does look over-matched up the bigs, though not more than Mike Carp did.

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