And It’s Over
Thank God. I think we all agree that the 2008 season was one of the most frustrating, disappointing seasons of baseball we’ve ever followed. And it’s mercifully over.
So, let’s talk about the future.
Despite how badly we all agree that this organization has been run, there’s no deep dark abyss that the team is about to fall into. There’s actual, tangible hope to be found within, with real talent at all levels of the system. Clement, Balentien, Halman, Saunders, Valbuena, Tuiasosopo, Moore, Johnson – there are eight position player prospects at AA or AAA with legitimate chances at major league careers. For all the talk about how the M’s have been terrible at developing from within, they’ve got some guys knocking on the door. Maybe only a couple of them make it and the rest wash out, but that means a couple of them make it, and the team would have two or three good young position players around which to build. And led by Carlos Triunfel, there’s more on the way.
Felix and Morrow and Rowland-Smith give the team three young starting pitchers. Yea, there’s nothing else coming for a couple of years, but the rotation isn’t an urgent need anymore. There’s time to let Aumont and Ramirez and Pineda develop. They don’t have to rush the teenage arms up to try to patch holes.
They’ll have the 2nd pick in the draft next summer, and for all the talk Stephen Strasburg has garnered, there’s a college shortstop named Grant Green who could be a franchise type player at a position the M’s could use a significant upgrade. The M’s are going to get a terrific player next summer even if Washington does take Strasburg.
The major league team needs some work, but there’s talent in the organization. Don’t let despair overwhelm you, because help is on the way. Most of it won’t be ready in 2009, but there’s a legitimate core of a good major league team coming. There’s reason to hope.
Yeah! Grant Green is a USC guy! I bet Clement will love it.
Which actually brings up a question. How soon do you think Green would be ready to make the big show? Has the team given up on Yuni and Lopez enough to look for that SS and 2B as quick as possible?
It’s a bit disappointing that I won’t have Mariner baseball to tune on when I get off work… but then again don’t have to sit through another likely loss.
How would you rate Riggleman’s performance in comparison to Hargrove and McLaren? My overall impression is he was at least better than McLaren with seemingly better rosters and perhaps better bullpen use, but I don’t have any nifty stats,facts, or examples to back it up.
If you were drafting #2 and Strasburg goes #1, would you take Green over White, Ackley, or Gibson? How does Green’s power project vs. Ackley (realizing of course that Green is a SS and Ackley a 1B)?
We’ve got posts on Riggleman and all of the Strasburg Alternatives coming pretty soon.
thank you for some perspective. I’ve been hearing all morning about how the M’s blew their chance at Roger Clemens, at Michael Jordan ….
Pre-draft coronations are historically ridiculous. There is no Brian Bosworth Ave in Seattle.
Now, I can handle lots of ’09/10 losing as long as we’re developing talent, rather than bringing it in to convulse its last throes at 2B/DH until being mercifully cut. Hopefully we see an obvious philosophical change in the FO this offseason, and the sooner the better.
Remember, the Nats might not even take Strasburg due to cost…and as Dave pointed out, there are alternatives…
I just hope the new FO doesn’t see us as “close” again next season and starts trading away the kids that will be ready in 2010 and 2011…
Although, we do have a sort of surplus at C with Joh, Burke, Clement, Johnson, Moore, etc.
I’d be okay if we traded a couple of the catchers for a new SS…
I guess the reason we aren’t optimistic is the idea of a Rainier making it to the big leagues and getting traded such as Adam Jones. Or traded before they get there, like Tillman. Or drafting a patient, well-coached player and turning him into a hacker. Or burning through more young arms. I guess I would describe my mood as apprehensive going into the off-season. I sure hope the new GM and manager can turn things around.
General optimism is a stretch, I agree. But there are small reasons for optimism (the pick, for one) that suggest that total despair is unreasonable as well. I think apprehension is totally reasonable, and probably we should all give Jobu some rum anyway.
The way the Nats intentionally lost that last game should really speak to how much they want Strasburg. Plus all the rumors of how they love the guy.
But if Green really has the upside of an Evan Longoria, I would prefer the Mariners get him rather than a pitcher anyway. The offense is in so much more trouble than is the pitching.
Getting a good GM will be the key to EVERYTHING here, that and Armstrong and Lincoln after they select the new GM need to STFU and stay away along with Nintendo.
I’ve been wondering about Green–from what I’ve been hearing about him, given relative risk of position players vs. pitchers and relative depth in the farm system in both, I’ve been thinking I’d rather have him than Strasburg anyway. I’ve been wondering if that made me nuts, so this is an encouraging reference.
For sure, but the defense, too. The reports on Green I’ve seen say he has “very good range and a good arm.”
Ah…thinking of Triunfel makes me smile.
I know you’ve got the wedding coming up Dave – will you be posting an update to the Future 40 soon, or after the wedding?
I know I’m getting WAY (light years) ahead of things here, but a triunfel-green-clement-beltre (PLEASE keep him) infield in 2011 would certainly help me get over missing out on Strasburg.
If Nintendo took your advice we’d have no team at all to moan and bitch about and then what would you do with your life?
I’m glad this season is over. We can all turn the page for despair to hope now.
BTW, isn’t Triunfel a SS? I didn’t see him mentioned in the above stuff.
Check the end of the 3rd paragraph – Triunfel is mentioned .
One question:
So which was worse: The Mariners’ 2008 season or the Wall Street implosion?