Greg Halman Optioned to AAA, Trayvon Robinson Called Up
That didn’t take long. Trayvon Robinson’s been in the Mariner organization for all of three games, going 1-9 with 3 walks and 4 Ks, but according to Ryan Divish, he’ll join the Mariners in Anaheim. Greg Halman’s hot streak after his call-up seems like it happened years ago, if it happened at all. His 3 strikeout game yesterday didn’t help dissuade people that he didn’t belong in MLB. Even the Halman fans (and I still want to believe) would agree that he should be in AAA and playing, and not waiting around in Seattle for spot starts against lefties. The Halman detractors will simply point out that he struck out in 32 of his 91 plate appearances, and drew 2 walks.
Robinson’s gunning for the PCL strikeout lead himself, so the M’s are not swapping Halman for a fundamentally different kind of hitter. Still, he’s a switch hitter who can play CF and give Gutierrez a break, or play LF against lefties or in the late innings. I’m really curious to see what Robinson can do in MLB, as he’s another guy that might struggle for a while against quality right-handers like Jered Weaver (why have the M’s brought two guys up from AAA *just* in time to face Jered Weaver?). The big difference between Robinson and Halman is that, at least in the minors, Robinson’s shown the ability to take a walk. Welcome, Trayvon.
The ten day period following Jack Cust’s DFA was up Mike Snow points out that the 10 days weren’t up, so this wasn’t the M’s releasing Cust because they had to – they did so because they could. Would waiting another few days matter? Probably not, so he’s been released.
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32 Responses to “Greg Halman Optioned to AAA, Trayvon Robinson Called Up”
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I’m not sure I see where Trayvon gets playing time on this team. We shouldn’t be benching Wells very often as he has been contributing since joining the team. I really want to see if Gutierrez’ improvement the last two weeks is sustainable. And Ichiro is Ichiro.
I guess he can take starts against tough right-handers from Guti or Wells, but then what? How does he start more than two or three games a week? At DH?
Could we see a Wells, Guti, Trayvon outfield?
Carp at 1B, Ichiro at DH.
Ichiro is getting older and will need more and more time at DH. His numbers while DHing are SSS but very positive.
He did go 3 for 5 just yesterday as a DH…
Wow that was really quick. Let’s hope Robinson can play above replacement level.
Only feasible until Smoak comes back. Then Trayvon goes back on the bench.
I think maybe we should DL Guti and put him on a strength training regiment. Is that legal? At this point I don’t think playing everyday is helping, and we could go Wells Trayvon Ichiro, maybe call up Mike Wilson or Saunders to play 4th OF. I would like a Guti that can hit .240 or better next year, and more rehab seems like it may be more useful than continuing to swing a weak stick.
Actually, Cust was designated for assignment on July 29, so it’s only been seven days at most (I don’t know if these counts are inclusive or exclusive at either endpoint, or if ten days really means 240 hours or what). You don’t have to wait for the ten days to be up, the ten days is the deadline for resolving the situation one way or the other. I believe the only thing you actually have to wait for is the 48 hours to see if he clears waivers.
I really want to see if Gutierrez’ improvement the last two weeks is sustainable.
His “improvement” is a .357 BABIP and .045 ISO, and no walks in the last week.
I’m going to go with “the balls are just finding some holes right now, and he’s still a problem”.
I think you just rotate guys right now. If you figure this as all 3 OF positions, DH and 1B, you’re looking at splitting time between 5 positions/6 players. Obviously keep an eye to platoon advantage and so on.
I’m kind of fine with giving Ichiro some days off in that kind of rotation. If he was producing like he was from 2001-2010, sure, he’s in there every day. But he’s not, and quite frankly, he’s one of the reasons this team’s struggled, so he can give up some of his playing time the rest of the year. If he wants to make the case for being in the lineup all the time like he used to be, he can start hitting like he used to. There’s also the factor that this kind of rotation of players/positions gives you a good PH on the bench at all times who isn’t rusty. Lou Piniella used to do this pretty well.
and McLemore could still outhit half the current Mariners.
as ‘bad’ as he’s been, he’s still one of the better ‘hitters’ on this team. He doesn’t need to hit more to deserve a spot in the lineup (see anemic offense); I’d just rather see Trayvon, Casper, Carp, Seager etc. play everyday these final two months regardless of the results. Z and co. need to know where they stand before this offseason.
2011 began with too many hopes/question marks: Saunders, Moore, Figgins, Ryan, etc.
The best thing for this Mariners team is to find out what holes need to be filled for 2012 and beyond. The pitching will sort itself out, but will the outfield, catcher, third or 1st base? Will Smoak or Guti .. Figgins ..
Yay, Trayvon!
And so ends the Jack Cust era.
With Weaver suspended is he still pitching tomorrow? I know he appealed how long does that usually take?
He´ll pitch on saturday,maybe sunday, but i´m pretty sure not tomorrow
He’s scheduled to pitch Friday but I was curious if they will get it worked out before then. I was hoping so anyway.
If we can miss both Haren and Weaver we might have a chance to get a game or two from the Halos.
Weaver appealed the suspension, maybe he will pitch tomorrow…
I swear this team is better today than it was before they “sold” at the deadline. And that doesn’t even include Chiang, Martinez and PTBNL.
I don’t get it. Wily Mo should have gotten the call. Will still be fun to see how he does though.
With Justin Smoak day-to-day, I think they needed to replace Halman with another outfielder. It wouldn’t be an ideal situation to have Carp be the fourth outfielder while starting at first or DHing.
In other news, Bedard went 5 innings, gave up 7 hits, 3 runs (all earned), no walks, 5 Ks against the Indians. Probably not what the Boston fans were hoping for in his debut. I just hope he does well over there, I think he deserves a ring after all those years being injured. And then of course I’d love for him to resign with us in the offseason to mentor the young’ins.
In other news… We are not for sure getting Ruffin as the PTBNL.
I’m glad. A RELIEF PITCHER? C’mon Z, you can do better than that.
We kind of need those relief-y type of guys though…unless you think the guys we have are pieces we can build on.
Relief pitchers are a dime a dozen..
OK, maybe not, but they are not hard to come by. We can keep finding guys like Aardsma and Pauley, and build on Cortes and Lueke.
I´d be thrilled if Brantly is the PTBNL, a catcher with patience and some power is hard to find…
I’d be thrilled with Smyly or Brantly but even if its Ruffin its still a decent trade with a chance to be great if everything were to work out.
I noticed that Chiang wasn’t in the Jackson lineup tonight … wondering if he has been called up to Tacoma.
Kennedy can play 1st just fine while Smoak is out. I’m assuming Smoak isn’t going to be out long. Carp is better defensively than Kennedy, but I’d have Carp as the 4th outfielder for the time being. For the record, I actually think Carp is better defensively at 1st than Smoak.
I was really happy to see Wilson at 3rd as well. I had wondered why they didn’t try that in early May.
Let me try to make a little more sense of my last comment. I prefer Carp at 1st while Smoak is out (maybe even when he’s back). But if he’s needed in the outfield, Kennedy can fill-in at 1st. I understand Guti will need time off, but again, I’m assuming Smoak isn’t going to be out long. As far as I know, he hasn’t been placed on the disabled list.
I do know Wily Mo has an opt-out sometime in September if he isn’t called up. I’d like to see him get a shot before too long. Now, would seem like a good time for that.
Sorry, but not even close. I like Carp, but his proper role in a platoon DH and occasional 1B/OF. I kind of like the idea of the Carp/Pena platoon at DH.
Kennedy has been ridden a little too hard lately, and definitely should be out of the lineup against (nearly all) lefties.
I know some people roll their eyes at “going with the hot bat,” but honestly Carp is working out right now. It’s time to play Carp every day and make a final decision on him. Stop bringing him up, platooning him, and leaving him in limbo. Figure out what he’s got, especially now that Smoak’s on the DL. I really don’t want to see another Peguero/Carp/Halman situation. Run with the Ackley/Carp/Wells thing. It’s working for now. Granted, Wells has played 4 games, but still.
Maybe take time from struggling/aging Guti and Ichiro, but no platoons. The righties play so rarely anyway (Mike Wilson got no chance). I think you find out very little from having 2 callups split time.
However, Eponymous’s 5 positions/6 players platoon could work.
Weaver is scheduled to start tomorrow. when they appeal, there is no action until the appeal is heard.
Smoak is not on the DL, he is expected to be out a few more days.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/08/04/1770696/smoak-thumbs-his-nose-at-going.html#storylink=misearch
Not even close? Yeah, you’re not right about that. And Kennedy wouldn’t be in there very often anyway, so there’s little to worry about him being over-worked.
I agree wholeheartedly.
In Carp’s case, the “hot bat” was consistent in AAA and has continued with the big club – it’s not like we’re talking about a streak of a few games. He’s more than earned a shot to show whether he can stick or not.
If he sticks, I do think he’s best suited to a DH role – but there’s nothing wrong with that. I don’t want to see him in left anymore, if possible!
I was a lot more excited about Trayvon when I thought he was a third baseman (as some of the very early reports of the trade had him). Still would like to see what he offers, but I am not sure how many more young outfielders I can watch strike out 30-40% of their ABs.
As long as Carp’s bat is in the line-up, the team is better. I don’t think he’s on a hot streak either. I think he’s doing exactly what he’s been capable of doing. And in the clean-up spot!
Gotta like what we’re seeing out of Wells in the early going. Love seeing that positive energy and excitement out of him as well. Reminds me of Charles Gipson.