Seattle: 51-44
Cleveland: 38-58
| MARINERS | INDIANS |
EDGE | |
| HITTING (wOBA) |
-51.7 (27th) |
27.1 (8th) | CLE |
| FIELDING (UZR) |
33.8 (4th) |
-19.1 (24th) | SEA |
| ROTATION (pRAA) |
5.5 (13th) | -21.3 (23rd) | SEA |
| BULLPEN (pRAA) |
-10.0 (24th) | -28.3 (30th) | SEA |
| OVERALL(RAA) |
-22.4 | -41.6 | Seattle |
The thought struck me recently that with the organization publicly performing all kinds of fellatio on Rob Johnson and with Kenji Johjima's contract and actually tangible qualities that even if Jeff Clement, recently cleared to play catcher again, impressed the bigwigs, it seems highly unlikely that he would net himself a role on the big league club. I do not have any info on this, but it is my feeling that Jeff Clement is done as a Seattle Mariner. Even more than Wladimir Balentien.
Game 1: Ryan Rowland-Smith* vs. Aaron Laffey*
Game 2: Erik Bedard* vs. Jeremy Sowers*
Game 3: Chris Jakubaukas(?) vs. Cliff Lee*
There is a non-trivial chance that we will not be facing Cliff Lee on Sunday. With the winning tense games along with some some personal stuff that I will not go into, the end of this month has really jumped up on me. The trade deadline is a week away. That we have been talking about trades for about six weeks now also makes this deadline seemingly appear out of nowhere to me. Should be an interesting seven days. It probably will not be.
Hooray RRS is back! I am trying to temper my expectations, but holy crap have his numbers looked fantastic in Tacoma. If he carries over the improved command to Seattle, he could approach being a league average starter.
This stretch could pose a tough test for our fragile bullpen. RRS in his first start back plus Erik Bedard and Jaku? If I were setting an over/under on innings pitched by that trio I would be pegging it around 16 or 17. Did I mention that David Aardsma has already pitched the last two games? This would be an excellent time for the Mariner bats to realize they are facing the worst run prevention unit in baseball.
I covered Laffey and Lee in the last Indians preview, so only Sowers is new. Jeremy Sowers sucks.
1 recs | 84 comments
No Beer Sponsor?
InSpokane - July 24, 2009
And I expect a sour to go along with Sowers pitching.
Wilder. - July 24, 2009
I see what you did there.
I forgot, is that a dead meme? If so, sorry.
BrettJMiller - July 24, 2009
I liked Jeff Clement.
So is he a trading piece now?
Pessimistic Optimist - July 24, 2009
You said "liked"
You’ve already accepted that he’s gone.
Eyebrows - July 24, 2009
Has been for at least a year so far as I can tell
but there’s a difference between being a trade piece and being done in the organization. Saunders is a trade piece, as is Morrow. Bu tif nothing happens, they’re in Seattle next year; Clement, not so much.
Bearskin Rugburn - July 24, 2009
I would be disappointed if he went away.
He tore up AAA last year, and this year he struggled after his demotion, but lately has been showing he still is a solid hitter.
Are we really going to have Griffey next year? There’s a chance we won’t even have Branyan. He may not be the best option at those two positions, but he’s free and could allow us to concentrate on other areas.
Fuckmikereilly - July 24, 2009
Yeah, I mean even if he isn't a catcher, he can still have a future with this team, no?
Kenny Knows Sports - July 24, 2009
Not when they clearly like Carp more at 1B
If Branyan signs somewhere else next year, he could be a bench bat I guess. Maybe. LaHair may have more positional flexibility at this point, and hits righties better. It’s going to be tough for Clement.
marc w - July 24, 2009
Why is it clear they like Carp more at 1B?
Fuckmikereilly - July 24, 2009
He's getting most of the playing time there in Tacoma despite Clement needing time to learn the position if they were going to move him
OlSalty - July 24, 2009
Somewhere in there is still 25+ HR power right?
Kenny Knows Sports - July 24, 2009
Yeah, absolutely.
marc w - July 24, 2009
Quick Rays!
Cliff Lee! Cy Young!
Let’s bribe them.
Fuckmikereilly - July 24, 2009
Double bribe!
Once for him to go away before Sunday, once to keep him out of the hands of the Angels.
LauraBu - July 24, 2009
I get the feeling that at some point in this series, a pitcher is going to "take one for the team" and be left on the mound to take a pounding.
Thingray - July 24, 2009
Jak = Butters?
Poochie - July 24, 2009
Jeepers.
Thingray - July 24, 2009
I'm going to have Butters' song in my head now whenever Jakubauskas pitches.
Lu lu lu, I got some apples….
marc w - July 24, 2009
Lu lu lu, I've got a curveball,
Lu lu lu, you got one too….
Thingray - July 24, 2009
Oh, hamburgers.
Eyebrows - July 24, 2009
I thought you meant what what in the butt
OlSalty - July 24, 2009
I've got something in my front pocket for you
Why don’t you reach in and see what it is!
seattlecougar - July 24, 2009
Anybody know if Guti is playing today?
And isn’t it Guti bobbledhead day?
Pessimistic Optimist - July 24, 2009
Bobblehead*
Pessimistic Optimist - July 24, 2009
1) Obtain Bobblehead
2) ?
3) PROFIT!!
Thingray - July 24, 2009
One of my favorite all-time South Park moments
BrettJMiller - July 24, 2009
Screw the bobblehead. How about Guti's underpants as a give away?
LauraBu - July 24, 2009
I don't think anyone's heard yet
I’m keeping an eye on Baker’s blog/twitter, he’ll probably have the lineups first.
appleshampoo - July 24, 2009
Bit early for lineups no?
I mean its a ten oclock game.
Bearskin Rugburn - July 24, 2009
Yeah, early, but I'm OCD and bored at work
Ten o’clock? What d’ya think this is, the east coast?
appleshampoo - July 24, 2009
Lineup just posted
Ichiro!
Branyan
Lopez
Shelton(!)
Guti(!)
Langerhans(!)
Johjima(!)
Hanners(!)
Cedeno
Matthew - July 24, 2009
Hanners!
I like it. Even better than Hannahan the bananaman.
appleshampoo - July 24, 2009
Faint praise
Bearskin Rugburn - July 24, 2009
I've heard Hannahannahannhannahanna an Hannamontanahan
But I think Hannahan the bananaman and Hanners are both better.
BrettJMiller - July 24, 2009
I am calling all of his home runs Hanana Bammocks and I don't care how dumb it is.
Sec 108 - July 24, 2009
If I could rec this comment twice, I would gladly do so.
BrettJMiller - July 24, 2009
The dumb is what makes it awesome.
It’s not stupid; it’s just a little dumb.
Aaron Campeau - July 24, 2009
Much like myself!
Sec 108 - July 24, 2009
Dammit, I was going to steal this just to get your goat
Kermit. - July 24, 2009
Hmmm...
Anyone?
SethGrandpa - July 24, 2009
Yeah, that's what came to my mind.
But it works on its own too I think.
appleshampoo - July 24, 2009
We very well may have seen the last of Wlad.
It’s also disturbing that there are that many exclamation points in the bottom of our lineup.
Fuckmikereilly - July 24, 2009
I think it has less to do with how good they are, and more to do with how bad the alternatives are.
BrettJMiller - July 24, 2009
Oh Wakamatsu, how I love thee
BrettJMiller - July 24, 2009
Best lineup optimization ever!
OlSalty - July 24, 2009
I would like Joh above Langerhans
But with Wak I will rarely pick nits.
Fuckmikereilly - July 24, 2009
Ryan has better discipline though.
It’s not a huge deal either way.
BrettJMiller - July 24, 2009
Spot on re: Clement.
I know the org has traded for Chavez and Langerhans in the past 12 months, but they are giving Wlad plenty of chances to stick with the team. I figured he’d get Morsed out of the org for some random guy, and the fact that they seem to like him enough to just stash him is interesting.
I think the org values Bryan LaHair and Jeff Clement as equals.
marc w - July 24, 2009
Wlad's probably gone within the week
And no, no they don’t.
davidcameron - July 24, 2009
Or this, apparently.
Why can’t Jeff get a game at 1b, let alone C?
marc w - July 24, 2009
Because they haven't played a game since last night?
He played first base. Carp DH’d.
busplunger - July 24, 2009
He's played 1B twice this month.
That’s less than Brad Nelson, Carp and around the same as LaHair.
He’s playing there less than the back-up 1B. None of this means he won’t get a game there to spell some people, but he is NOT the Rainiers 1B.
marc w - July 24, 2009
Yeah, I won't pretend to know what the org is planning
But my impression is that they’ve been keeping him off the field altogether to let his knees heal up. My guess is that he’ll get more time at first in the second half, as well as some time behind the plate. If anything, not playing much at 1B may be a sign that they want to give him one more shot at C.
busplunger - July 24, 2009
I think that's the optimistic way to look at it, yeah.
Here’s hoping he does get more time at 1B AND C. But again, I have to think he’s fallen behind Carp and Moore.
marc w - July 24, 2009
Jeff Clement has the potential not to be a platoon player
And LaHair won’t be a valuable OFer, so positionally they are ~equal, except Clement could maybe still play catcher (big maybe).
Fuckmikereilly - July 24, 2009
Aside from the platoon thing
isn’t Clement just a way, way more talented hitter than LaHair? Or do I read too much into the irrational Clement love/LaHair hate around here?
Bearskin Rugburn - July 24, 2009
Clement is better
although he’s having a bit of a down year.
Fuckmikereilly - July 24, 2009
Yeah.
I think it’s time to acknowledge that Clement’s 2008 in AAA was not sustainable and not indicative of his true talent level, but he’s also better than than ~370ish wOBA he’s put up in 2007 and 2009.
And yes, Clement’s a more complete hitter in terms of plate discipline and in his ability to hit lefties. Though the lack of any huge split means he may not be suited to a bench-bat role, and he’s behind Adam Moore at C and Carp at 1B.
marc w - July 24, 2009
Boy I got a totally different impression regarding Wlad
Seems to me he’s on the roster because they don’t want to lose him for nothing. Wakamatsu has been harder on him publically than any other player. Remember the comments about how he’s basically been given chance after chance and hasn’t shown anything? I don’t know if its fair to say he’s been given a proper chance, but with the combination of no options, poor defense and worse pitch recognition the organization seems to view him the way I see my 3 year old’s pram – I have no use for it at all and it’s taking up a ton of room in my small apartment, but I don’t want to just throw it away.
Bearskin Rugburn - July 24, 2009
Yeah, exactly.
They don’t want to lose him for nothing. I honestly thought he’d have been waived a month ago, or at least when they brought in Langerhans. That they didn’t told me he still has value to SOMEBODY.
marc w - July 24, 2009
Morse cleared waivers before playing in Tacoma no?
I somehow doubt Wlad would [insert Natinals joke here].
Bearskin Rugburn - July 24, 2009
Yes, but again, that they somehow care about the fact that Wlad wouldn't is something.
I think nobody would’ve noticed if Morse’d been picked up by the Nats in the spring, and I highly doubt it would’ve messed up Z’s plans. Although in hindsight the whole thing worked out almost impossibly well….
marc w - July 24, 2009
OK I think I misread your initial post
I see what you’re saying now. Yes, they seem to think he has enough value to someone to not just scrapheap him the way they did with Morse and others (Baek?). But Wlad has done precious little to build value… which really sucks, actually, because he’s got plenty of talent and I can see him really blossoming someplace like Colorado or… I dunno, the Phillies?
Bearskin Rugburn - July 24, 2009
Yeah, that's it exactly.
FWIW, fangraphs has him above average on D now, which could also help his value. But yeah, I sort of expected a scrapheap move by now, and Dave indicates that may still be a possibility. But can you imagine them keeping, oh, Morse or Nelson on the roster, tweaking his swing, etc. like they have with Wlad? I can’t.
marc w - July 24, 2009
Whats a 'pram'?
TrashiDawa - July 24, 2009
stroller
Aaron Campeau - July 24, 2009
Rec'd for the analogy
Kermit. - July 24, 2009
re: Sowers
visiting over from Let’s Go Tribe. To add a little nuance to Sowers (I’m not sure I disagree with your general assessment), this season he has been downright respectable the first two times through the order (.569, .681 OPS against), but no batter than a batting tee the third time through (1.527 OPS against). So just hope Eric Wedge thinks Sowers is “turning a corner” with this start and lets him attempt to get through the 6th/7th inning.
APV - July 24, 2009
better = batter /sigh
APV - July 24, 2009
Dear Matthew (or anyone else who knows how to get this information),
Can you look to see if there are any differences in peripherals between the first two times around and the third time around for Sowers? Also I would assume that most pitchers get worse as the game goes along. Can you get the league average rise in OPS against (or tRA) as the pitcher sees a lineup more and more times?
Dewey N - July 24, 2009
B=R has those splits
Over his career, the following numbers are for facing an opponent 1st 2nd or 3rd time in a game:
OPS- .726, .820, .755; K/BB – 1.76, 1.27, 1.75; BABIP – .270, .298. .266
This season those numbers are all way off, but you’re looking at <100PA in each case, and the BABIP for the third time around is over .600 (though the K/BB rate is .5). Could be that he is legitimately worse this season than every season prior, could be that he’s running a very high pitch count, or it could be just shitty luck. At the end of the day, who gives a shit about Jeremy Sowers?
Bearskin Rugburn - July 24, 2009
"At the end of the day, who gives a shit about Jeremy Sowers"
I think that is the correct answer.
BrettJMiller - July 24, 2009
Woooo RRS
OlSalty - July 24, 2009
Where is your post on Felix, ass?
:o
BrettJMiller - July 24, 2009
Season Up or Season Down?
Anybody brave enough to predict where we will be at month’s end? In it, trading for next year or still stalling?
there'vebeenfishesintheocean - July 24, 2009
We win every game until then, the Angles lose every game, and we trade Wlad for Halladay and Washburn for Jesus.
I Lick Squirrels - July 24, 2009
That would be awesome. I bet Jesus gives a great post-game interview.
Plus, the miracles would really help.
Lanky - July 24, 2009
Maybe, but . . . .
In JC Superstar, Pilate asks whether JC is King of the Jews. Doesn’t he respond, “So you say!”
Might not make the best interview.
there'vebeenfishesintheocean - July 24, 2009
Up or Down
That’s a great question, Fishes! I personally think we will roll the dice this season. It would be easy for the suits to hold off one more year, though.
Either way, keep those insightful questions coming!
there'vebeenfishesintheocean - July 24, 2009
What in God's name is your major malfunction friend?
Aaron Campeau - July 24, 2009
Impeccable use of friend.
Sec 108 - July 24, 2009
I would sure like me some Ian Snell pitching Sunday.
I believe in you Z!
SethGrandpa - July 24, 2009
So if we are in such a weak division...
Why can’t anyone really beat us and those %^*( Angels. It seems like Cleveland is the first set of Patsies we’ve seen in ages.
My humble opinion… Jesus could probably play a mean Shortstop. I bet he is good for clubhouse chemistry. If we could get him signed long term, I bet noone would miss Sweeney.
I think Ms make a couple Langerhans-like moves to fill middle infield prospects but I would put my bet on stall tactics over the next week. I think they are going to finish up expecting to resign Wash, Bedard, and Beltre for another set of year longers.
First post … Go Ms
Whoopetydoo - July 24, 2009
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Lookout Landing to post a comment.