Lookout Landing

Ackley Ackley Ackley

This is the healthiest comment from you in months

So you think that this year will magically change the offense?

and then this off season all the possible FA stay? And then the teams adds FA to improve the lineup? That would be what it would take for it to happen in less than 2 years.

I figure a 2 year cycle is the quick route accepting that one of Beltre or Bedard gets traded if the team is out of it.

That leaves you with hopefully whoever was drafted, plus a player in trade plus hopefully somebody in system plus maybe a FA in 2 years to use as a core. I have a hard time believing that a 1 year turnaround is really possible with how the team is structured right now. Add into that next FA class sucks and there leaves little room outside of trades for external improvement.

And I am with Graham on the Ackley band wagon. I think he is going to be pretty damn good.

laxtonto - May 14, 2009 reply

The Mariners have something like 30 million dollars coming off the books and a competent GM at the helm.

It wouldn’t be that hard to improve on this years’ edition.

We save almost $40 million with Washburn ($10.35m), Batista ($9m), Bedard ($7.75m), and Beltre ($12m) coming off the books.

Decatur - May 14, 2009 reply

That was from

Cot’s, by the way. And we have a solid fielding lefties (which is key for Safeco and for fixing our current lineup’s weaknesses) in Michael Saunders and Mike Carp tearing the cover off the ball in AAA and some solid catching talent in Moore, etc.. They look to be league average players in 2010. We will be much better next year.

Decatur - May 14, 2009 reply

I'd be pissed if Griffey returned.

I get that some athletes don’t want to call it quits, but Griffey needs to hang ’em up after this season.

If Griffey loves playing baseball and someone is willing to employ him,

he should continue playing baseball. I just would prefer that he isn’t the best option available to the Mariners. As much as I can’t stand watching him hit now, I realize that there weren’t exactly a ton of options when he was signed. If that’s still the case next year, I’d be concerned for the team. I doubt it will be the case, though.

abender20 - May 14, 2009 reply

Branyan!

OlSalty - May 14, 2009 reply

Who hit a home run last night

In a pitcher's park!

marc w - May 14, 2009 reply

I don't know much about Saunders' glovework.

Can he field?

A little above average in a corner, very good arm

I'll take that coupled with a good bat.

With, what, a sort of 3-4 WARish overall flavor to him?

abender20 - May 14, 2009 reply

Ceiling

That seems optimistic.

I’d expect something like a league average player for his first two years up. Unless he plays a +10 corner or something.

I could see him being league average pretty easily

Much above that and you’re starting to dream. He strikes out waaaaaay too much right now

Then again look at Balentien's season so far

and there is a guy who had huge holes in his swing just a year ago. Saunders, I think, is a better talent than Balentien.

Plus Saunders is a lefty

Whatever we don't need lef... wait, Feldman did WHAT?

Feldman is interchangable with Baker, Padilla, Colon, Bannister, and Ponson.

I'd be pretty happy with a Wlad/Saunders platton in LF in '10,

although I would also like to see Wlad get more regular playing time.

Use DH as a Clement/Balentien juggle as well

Not a strict platoon but enough to get Wlad some starts in with Clement pushing Joh to the bench occaisionally

Where does Endy Chavez squeeze in with this scenario?

He's a free agent next year

And unnecessary should Saunders step up or Wlad improve

Got it.

Thanks. I was unaware of his free agency.

If he comes back, where he belongs -

4th OF/PR/defensive replacement.

Wait Michael Saunders bats left handed?

get him here now…

seattlebruin - May 14, 2009 reply

I think we'll all agree that a turnaround in 2010 is unlikely and difficult but far from impossible

and I have faith that if anyone’s able to figure it out, it’ll be Zduriencik.

But the 2010 squad will almost certainly be better than this one

If Saunders bombs I am going to be most upset

Samesies!

I had just put together this .gif of andrus this morning

hope you don’t mind.

DShep - May 14, 2009 reply

I don't get it

Why is he leaving his feet? I’m pretty sure shortstops aren’t supposed to do that.

Lmao.

I was so used to MY at short I had forgotten that these plays were even remotely possible.

Brandon Worley - May 14, 2009 reply

I don't think MY combined range for last season

covers as much distance as Elvis did in that highlight reel….

But… But… But… You can’t move Micheal Young, He won a gold glove….. God I hate hearing that.

That kid is going to be good for a long time

laxtonto - May 14, 2009 reply

Stone:

Erik Bedard has a tight right hamstring, and manager Don Wakamatsu just told us that he’ a likely scratch for his next start, which was to be Saturday at Safeco against the Red Sox. Garrett Olson is likely to get the start. The Mariners don’t think the injury to Bedard — who tweaked his hammy in his last start — is serious enough for the disabled list. They think he will be able to pitch soon if they don’t push it.

Ronny Cedeno and Wladimir Balentien are both back in the lineup, as is Mike Sweeney. I’ll have much more — including Don Wakamatsu’s explanation for why he didn’t pinch-hit for Ken Griffey Jr. — once I transcribe my tape.

Oh Erik

But yay Ronny

Color me interested.

Wak better have a good reason, and not just some “He told me that he felt good and that he thought he could get a hit” bullshit. That’s something Hargrove or McLaren would say.

Could be because Junior had some terrible at bats last night; Wak seems to be on a war path.

I am assuming you’re referring to Sweeney, by the way, cause the other moves make all kinds of sense.

Should have clarified.

I’m referring to leaving Junior in against Wilson last night.

Oh that

he hasn’t pinch hit for Griffey all season. IIRC he’s only pinch hit for guys like Johnson and Chavez so far, which is a bit troubling. Then again it’s not the most flexible bench so…

I think Sweeney has a much better chance against Wilson than Griffey does.

Yep, I thnk we're all with you on that.

I guess Wak gets a pass for not using Olson against Hamiltion maybe

So this is going to be another three-week injury without a DL stint I take it