Doing Work, the Mariner way.
Posted on 27. Jan, 2010 at 2:05 am by Stake in Seattle Mariners
In response to: Felix Signing a Sight for Sore Eyes. But Something Doesn’t Add Up.
There’s a reason Safeco was built in SoDo, Seattle‘s Industrial Disrict. There’s a reason the train tracks run just a few steps from the right field fence. This all because they are the country’s leading manufacture of runs. No longer are the days of buying synthetic instant offense aka ‘roids’. That whistle you hear every game is not the train, but the sound signaling the beginning or end of a shift. Whether these are legitimate reasons or not, we do know that for Los Marineros to succeed this season, run manufacturing will be a must.
Compared to other divisional teams, I’d rather have Felix this year for 7 million and Lee for 9, then have Sheets for 10 million. I don’t think they’re done making moves either. But ya, at best 3 players have 20 bombs. Ichiro should bat in the 3 hole and mash. They always say he drops bombs in bp. That’s good enough right?
I would also rather rely on trusted in-house pitching, than expect above average numbers from a power hitter in free agency.
Beltre was supposed to be that guy, even Kenji was thought to have been bringing over a little power, and lets not forget about Big Rich; who not only killed the M’s books, but had pubs in Seattle and thesportsbrewery.com losing profits from selling pints for the price of his average. When these expected power hitters actually panned out, the M’s cut the big man and were left with a couple bottom of the order hitters.
Whether the small-ball strategy works out or not, I like to see them doing something different. At least they’re not the Mets, however if they do well, they would be the Jets of the baseball.
brewSKI
27. Jan, 2010
Rafael Belliard is wondering why the M’s haven’t given him a call to hit cleanup
DonnyB
27. Jan, 2010
Losing Rauuuuuuuuuuuuuuul last season was brutal. He was a good run producer – even in his bad season he still had 90 some RsBI. I think Figgins will fit well behind Ichiro, but I did like Beltre. He played outstanding D, knocked in over 90 runs a season, and actually had a good amount of extra base hits. Then they lose Branyan. So their already shitty offense loses its top 3 big bats over the last couple seasons, and they replace them with….with…..who?
Ichi should definitely hit 3rd – he’s their best hitter but I’m not sure his 200 hit-seeking ego will allow such a move for the whole season.
bbryan
27. Jan, 2010
Mariners seem to be headed in the right direction. I was pissed at the Figgins signing for two reasons:
1.) It is a lot of money for a non-power guy, and they are already dumping large sums of cash to Ichiro. The 9 million per could have been better spent on a guy like Raul or another guy who can drive runs in.
2.) I figured they wouldn’t be able to sign Felix after dumping that amount into Figgins, but now that they have Felix on lock down for a couple years I feel better about it.
Still think it’s too much money to spend to fix a small problem when there is a ‘South Eugene Cheerleader’ sized hole at the power positions in the line up. But at least the King will be around for a few more years.
Meerkat
27. Jan, 2010
Raul Ibanez looks wonderful in a Phillies uniform … and he’s having a whole lotta fun.
E
27. Jan, 2010
Nice article Stake, few years ago it was Cheap Sex-on Mondays then last year it was Bud Prices Below the Beltre, we need Bats and we need ‘em soon. I suppose we always have Griffey Bubble-Butt night to look forward to, I think this year they have The Kid in a wheelchair.
Stake
27. Jan, 2010
D&B, ya Raul would have been nice to sign, one problem, that was last year. If a Cy Young winner is available for 9mil you cant pass it up. Not really sure why Philly traded him in the first place. Roy, Cliff, and Cole would have been auto pennant. In 111 games Beltre had 8 hr’s and 44 rsbi, now that’s power! Oh, and the reason he missed games was from not wearing a cup and getting hit in the nuts, enough said. Defense wise, Chone is equally as good. Don’t even start with Branyan either. They are really going to miss those 150 strikeouts and .240 avg, this in his best year at the age of 34. The guy was horrendous on defense also….There aren’t Texeria’s and Arod’s in free agency every year. When there are, teams like the M’s would be hurting for years with the salary. Should they have signed Holliday for 17/yr for 5yrs? LOL But, Figgins and Lee for 9mil a piece is too much?
3D
29. Jan, 2010
Branyan helped win a lot of games last year w/ his bat early in the season. His final numbers stunk, but he had a good impact early on as I recall he was over .280 and 20 bombs close to the break. HUGE numbers for a Mariner at that. I wish at some point they would address the most glaring weakness. Not just this off season, but the ones before. They could go to the playoffs this year since they got better during the off season and the Angels got worse. But it will take many above average individual performances.
Australian Horse Racing
22. Feb, 2010
A well written article to be sure. Keep up the good work.