Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 2840 Location: Back where we all belong 3528 eGriz Bucks
The rotation looks good enough to challenge Anaheim:
Bedard
Felix
Washburn
*Batiste
Silva
*If he struggles at any point, Morrow will get a shot.
There is no reason to think J.J. won't have another great year. It will be tough to replace Sherrill as a left handed setup guy, but maybe Rowland-Smith can fill that role.
Offensively, there are question marks. Losing Guillen's bat sucks. Keeping Richie's sucks even worse. We are going to be counting on guys to give us more than they have in the past (Beltre, Jojima, Lopez) and hoping to get production out of a relatively unknown quantity in Balentien. Vidro was actually pretty good in the 2 spot last year, but is that potentially the best use of a DH?
Defensively: Infield should be great again this year. Catcher is solid. Ichiro is Ichiro. We have a DH playing left field. I don't know what's up with right.
The new rotation is enough to have me excited for spring ball.
Also McCarron (sp?) guaranteed that Richie Sexton wins the comeback player of the year. Apparently he's been working his ASS off...we'll see.
I'm not too disapointed to see Sherrill leave, yet it creates a void, but he really choked towards the end of last year. I think he needed a new start.
I can't wait for the season to start...I can already smell the garlic fries.
SODO MOJO
You are entitled to your own opinion, but you are not entitled to your own facts.
Bedard's a real good pitcher, been following him awhile since he has ties to somebody I know. Tough to give up Jones, but they needed to make a move like this.
Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 2840 Location: Back where we all belong 3528 eGriz Bucks
wbtfg wrote:
Also McCarron (sp?) guaranteed that Richie Sexton wins the comeback player of the year. Apparently he's been working his ASS off...we'll see.
I'm not too disapointed to see Sherrill leave, yet it creates a void, but he really choked towards the end of last year. I think he needed a new start.
I can't wait for the season to start...I can already smell the garlic fries.
SODO MOJO
Re: Sexson - Yeah, the club announced that he has completely recovered from a "stiff knee" that was plaguing him last season. I don't believe it for a minute - it's funny how this mysterious and here-to-for unheard of ailment is just now announced but - thank god - is finally cured ...if it was so bad, why wasn't he resting it for a week or two last season to get healthy instead of piling up 0-fers? Broussard = not exactly a slouch at the plate.
SI was talking about how Bedard had better numbers than Santana in 2007 and how this was a huge trade, I'd agree. Looking at the Ms last year they needed a legit #1 guy or a "stopper." Felix might become that guy but he's not there yet. With Bedard in there you've got it, having to face both Felix and Bedard is going to make series wins/sweeps VERY difficult.
I am concerned that they sold out their future for the "right now" though, Adam Jones I really believe will become a superstar in this leauge, and with the Ms aging outfield, having Jones ready to step up and replace Raul (presumably) or take right field this year was key to the future of this team. Also they've sent off Ben Broussard, so there's another lost option in right field, however he's not the best fielder. I wonder if a guy I've followed Wladimer Balentien will get a shot, however he's probably the next Mike Cameron in the making, fast, powerful, lots of Ks.
This team is relying on two guys to powerhit that haven't consistantley done so, Sexson and Beltre. At least Adrian can play some defense. Raul Ibanez should've been traded a few years back, and I'm expecting another sub-par season from him. Ichiro will continue his thing, so no worries there. That leaves the need for Lopez and YuBet to step up and do more than just bat in the upper .200's at the bottom of the rotation.
Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 2840 Location: Back where we all belong 3528 eGriz Bucks
Re/MaxGriz wrote:
I am concerned that they sold out their future for the "right now" though, Adam Jones I really believe will become a superstar in this leauge
Aye, there's the rub. However, the Sonics have one foot out the door and the Seahawks are basically on their final year before a total rebuild. As far as the Seattle sports fan in concerned, the Mariners getting the best pitcher in the AL in exchange for a guy who's played 70 games in the bigs - in order to win now - is a fairly defensible move. I have been critical of Bavasi but I will give him props here. It's something to be excited about now while, otherwise, it appeared that a Seattle sports recession is/was looming.
I am concerned that they sold out their future for the "right now" though, Adam Jones I really believe will become a superstar in this leauge
Aye, there's the rub. However, the Sonics have one foot out the door and the Seahawks are basically on their final year before a total rebuild. As far as the Seattle sports fan in concerned, the Mariners getting the best pitcher in the AL in exchange for a guy who's played 70 games in the bigs - in order to win now - is a fairly defensible move. I have been critical of Bavasi but I will give him props here. It's something to be excited about now while, otherwise, it appeared that a Seattle sports recession is/was looming.
Well now he has a rotation where all 5 really should/could win at least 10 games each, so that's a good start. ESPN is predicting Balentien will get the not in RF over Wilkerson b/c Wilkerson apparently is terrible against lefties. Of course Wlad's only played something like 5 games in the bigs...
Joined: 11 Dec 2004 Posts: 2647 Location: Mill Creek, WA 4335 eGriz Bucks
I like this deal, but at the same time it scares the crap out me. Bedard, IF he can stay healthy (and there's a reason IF is in all caps), he will be a fixture at the #1 spot in the rotation. Surprisingly, McClaren already announced that he will get the opening day start. But if he has injury problems, this deal will cripple the Ms for years to come.
In addition, I have serious concerns about the offense: Who's going to drive in runs?? Can the middle of the order collectively bat over .223?? Wilkerson is who you sign to play RF???!! I like what little I've seen of Balentine, but I don't think he's ready to be a regular. As 02 and ReMax have said, 1st base is a joke. Left will continue to be an adventure (although I do think Ibanez will have a decent year offensively). Have I mentioned, who the hell is going to drive in runs????
But sh&t, I'm just happy to be talking baseball again. Can't wait for opening day.
I like this deal, but at the same time it scares the crap out me. Bedard, IF he can stay healthy (and there's a reason IF is in all caps), he will be a fixture at the #1 spot in the rotation. Surprisingly, McClaren already announced that he will get the opening day start. But if he has injury problems, this deal will cripple the Ms for years to come.
In addition, I have serious concerns about the offense: Who's going to drive in runs?? Can the middle of the order collectively bat over .223?? Wilkerson is who you sign to play RF???!! I like what little I've seen of Balentine, but I don't think he's ready to be a regular. As 02 and ReMax have said, 1st base is a joke. Left will continue to be an adventure (although I do think Ibanez will have a decent year offensively). Have I mentioned, who the hell is going to drive in runs????
But sh&t, I'm just happy to be talking baseball again. Can't wait for opening day.
Could be a good year for Jeremy Reed to make a big comeback, that would help.
Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 2840 Location: Back where we all belong 3528 eGriz Bucks
EverettGriz wrote:
In addition, I have serious concerns about the offense: Who's going to drive in runs?? Can the middle of the order collectively bat over .223?? Wilkerson is who you sign to play RF???!! I like what little I've seen of Balentine, but I don't think he's ready to be a regular. As 02 and ReMax have said, 1st base is a joke. Left will continue to be an adventure (although I do think Ibanez will have a decent year offensively). Have I mentioned, who the hell is going to drive in runs????
No question - in a sense they are counting on some VERY unknown variables. In another sense, however, they are saying that they are going to win with pitching/defense and the offense is a secondary concern.
BTW, did you know Vidro is going to make over $7 million this year?
Does anyone know why I quit baseball to play rugby in high school?
Joined: 05 Nov 2002 Posts: 1548 Location: Corner of No and Where 614 eGriz Bucks
Rick Rizzs creeps me out. There is something seriously wrong with that guy. I can't even watch the pre-game TV show anymore - that creepy grin & stare thing that he does while the other broadcaster is talking...shudder.
As far as the M's go, Bedard is the type of pitcher that Safeco was built for: LH, flyball strikeout guy. He might put up a sub 2.00 era at home this year. Bedard and Felix with Putz closing behond them will make for some deadly pitching if they can make the playoffs.
A playoff run will probably rest on either a mid-season trade or the rapid progression of one of the young hitters like Clement or Wlad. If either of them tears the cover off the ball in ST or early in Tacoma it is going to be damn tough to keep them off the roster.
Wlad could take at bats from Ibanez (who is pathetic agains LH pitching), Wilkerson (who should spend some time at 1B) and Vidro (fat slow singles hitting DH???). Clement could take at bats from Vidro, Burke and maybe even Johjima if they want to give him some extra rest.
If neither of them can make anything happen, then the M's are going to be shopping for a hitter at the break. Probably some veteran with an expiring contract. A guy like Jacque Jones would make a lot of sense. Maybe even Griffey if he's healthy.
Edit to add: I expect Betancourt to have a very big year.
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The best way to predict the future is to create it.
-----Peter Drucker
Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 2840 Location: Back where we all belong 3528 eGriz Bucks
UMclassof2002 wrote:
It will be tough to replace Sherrill as a left handed setup guy
Tougher than I thought, apparently. Pitchers are bred to be such specialists these days, one guy goes down and some guys completely crap their pants when they have to do things slightly different than what they were expecting.
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...if it was so bad, why wasn't he resting it for a week or two last season to get healthy instead of piling up 0-fers? Broussard = not exactly a slouch at the plate.
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