Sweeney and Griffey already make a terrible platoon at DH, but we are keeping them both around for their clubhouse presence. Might as well substitute one of the them for some offense so we can keep the team happy by winning; then you don’t need the extra clubhouse guy.
I think that considering that he doesn't really get all that much playing time, has surprised me with a couple of big hits that stick out in my mind,
and is an all around good guy, I said yes. EnglishMariner’s point of blocking Shelton is valid to a point, and I wish we had a better RH platoon at DH (SHELTON!), but given he won’t be on the team next year and he doesn’t get a whole lot of ABs going forward, then I say yes.
But the team seems to love him. “Chemistry” is mostly just winning, but if high morale helps convince Felix to re-sign, or Washburn to resign for a good price, or etc, etc to resign, then Sweeney pays off.
LL as a whole has become a lot softer to clubhouse chemistry this year, probably due to the emergence of Wak as a proponent of it and his 'belief systems'.
The difference in attitude between Bavasi/Hargrove and GMZ/Wak couldn’t be bigger. The truth is though that the latter has earned respect for their ideas by improving everything about the organisation.
when it seemed a lot of shitty baseball players were talking shit about Ichiro. Was that caused by all the losing? Yeah, maybe; it clearly exacerbated it. But I think Wak/Z were right to set up some expectations early (like: you don’t get to take thinly veiled potshots at our best player in the press).
so I just went with my gut and voted a hesitant ‘yes.’ Felix seems to like him, he babysits (?) players kids, and apparently everyone loves him. It would be interesting to see how the Mariners (the actual players) would vote, and my hunch is it would pull the same way.
I answered Yes but that is really as a standalone decision
When you factor “all things considered”, you can only carry so many under-performing good guy types. With Griffey and Johnson also around, I don’t know how wise it is to use three spots primarily on good intangibles.
You can go three or four days without remembering he’s on the team and when you do finally see him again he’s getting a big hug from Ichiro after a game winning hit. He’s just little bursts of happy.
This team wasn’t supposed to contend. It was supposed to glue together a nucleus of parts and get a 100 loss team back to playing real baseball. This team was supposed to be in a rebuild mode where a new coach and GM gelled and figured out their systems.
If having veterans like Griffey and Sweeney around for a year to make everyone cheerful and enjoy the team and the job of playing baseball, it is absolutely worth it. If it makes Jack Wilson and Ian Snell feel at home and excited to be here then it is worth it. All of the September callups are going to get advice from strong veterans that help build their career into what we envision as fans. (see randy Johnson/Nolan Ryan conversation)
Contending for as long as we have with sub .200 hitters filling the lineup is a salute to veteran leadership and great coaching. Next year we offer them jobs like consultant, and first base coach so we can use those roster slots for hitters and let them go out in style.
Nope. If Shelton didn't exist, I would feel differently. But I feel that Shelton has been blocked by Sweeney.
EnglishMariner - July 30, 2009
My thoughts exactly.
I feel we might be a win better without him, but if the poll had an indifferent option I would have taken that.
Sec 108 - July 30, 2009
I voted 'False' as well.
Sweeney and Griffey already make a terrible platoon at DH, but we are keeping them both around for their clubhouse presence. Might as well substitute one of the them for some offense so we can keep the team happy by winning; then you don’t need the extra clubhouse guy.
Wilder. - July 30, 2009
Since "all things considered" includes the fact that we have little chance to reach the playoffs, I voted yes.
But if we were contending, I’d sacrifice his hugs for a better player.
Teej - July 30, 2009
I have no evidence that good team chemistry makes a baseball team better
but at the very least, it can’t hurt
seattlebruin - July 30, 2009
Well now I just feel like a jackass
Robert - July 30, 2009
He does not cost much. They don't give him too many at bats.
He seems to keep everyone happy. why not like him.
InSpokane - July 30, 2009
On the team, yes
In the lineup, no
manifestus - July 30, 2009
Basically this.
Play him just enough so that he actually is ‘on the team’
ARock - July 30, 2009
I think that considering that he doesn't really get all that much playing time, has surprised me with a couple of big hits that stick out in my mind,
and is an all around good guy, I said yes. EnglishMariner’s point of blocking Shelton is valid to a point, and I wish we had a better RH platoon at DH (SHELTON!), but given he won’t be on the team next year and he doesn’t get a whole lot of ABs going forward, then I say yes.
Zwakamatsu - July 30, 2009
He doesnt play a lot,
But the team seems to love him. “Chemistry” is mostly just winning, but if high morale helps convince Felix to re-sign, or Washburn to resign for a good price, or etc, etc to resign, then Sweeney pays off.
ARock - July 30, 2009
I was going to vote false just to be a contrarian but then I saw it was a closer vote than I thought
so I didn’t vote. TAKE THAT DEMOCRACY
pdb - July 30, 2009
Where's my third choice?
“Indifferent”
Matthew - July 30, 2009
I am late as usual.
Sec 108 - July 30, 2009
the guy babysits for his teammates
’nough said
BeltredNOT - July 30, 2009
66% true? Holy crap.
I’m a bit shocked by those results.
Goose - July 30, 2009
LL as a whole has become a lot softer to clubhouse chemistry this year, probably due to the emergence of Wak as a proponent of it and his 'belief systems'.
The difference in attitude between Bavasi/Hargrove and GMZ/Wak couldn’t be bigger. The truth is though that the latter has earned respect for their ideas by improving everything about the organisation.
EnglishMariner - July 30, 2009
I think we care about clubhouse chemistry a lot less when
A) it’s good
B) the front office focuses on getting good players who happen to be nice guys, not nice guys who may or may not suck at baseball
seattlebruin - July 30, 2009
We HAD to care last year
when it seemed a lot of shitty baseball players were talking shit about Ichiro. Was that caused by all the losing? Yeah, maybe; it clearly exacerbated it. But I think Wak/Z were right to set up some expectations early (like: you don’t get to take thinly veiled potshots at our best player in the press).
marc w - July 30, 2009
I disagree with B) because I don't think Griffey and Sweeney are good players.
EnglishMariner - July 30, 2009
Sweeney had the potential to be useful when he was signed
and Griffey is a completely different case than anything Jack Z is likely to encounter going forward as M’s GM
seattlebruin - July 30, 2009
This is a tough call rationally
so I just went with my gut and voted a hesitant ‘yes.’ Felix seems to like him, he babysits (?) players kids, and apparently everyone loves him. It would be interesting to see how the Mariners (the actual players) would vote, and my hunch is it would pull the same way.
Ballard Erik - July 30, 2009
I think it would be 24-0 in favor of him
seattlebruin - July 30, 2009
Sweeney is such a classy guy that he will abstain from voting for himself.
Eyebrows - July 30, 2009
I really hope there's one guy in there who think he's a prick
Jeff Sullivan - July 30, 2009
I bet it's Griffey
seattlebruin - July 30, 2009
I bet does not care for him Shelton
I bet Jose Lopez would forget to vote.
InSpokane - July 30, 2009
Did you forget how to speak today?
Eyebrows - July 30, 2009
I am having a rough time. I think doing work and hanging out here is causing me trouble.
InSpokane - July 30, 2009
Then Lopez would come to the ballpark early the next day to practice voting.
I Lick Squirrels - July 30, 2009
Batista.
royalcurve - July 30, 2009
I always forget about Batista.
InSpokane - July 30, 2009
I bet it's Lowe.
Seems like Mark would tire of getting the stink eye every time he’s talking to Aardsma about doing jager bombs at the strip club last night.
marc w - July 30, 2009
Ian Snell
calim - July 30, 2009
I answered Yes but that is really as a standalone decision
When you factor “all things considered”, you can only carry so many under-performing good guy types. With Griffey and Johnson also around, I don’t know how wise it is to use three spots primarily on good intangibles.
mem - July 30, 2009
I think someone should drive Johnson over a cliff.
InSpokane - July 30, 2009
Your future manager?
Seriously though, ever listen to his post game interviews? He’s fantastic, management written all over him.
Kermit. - July 30, 2009
He's already Shannon's little brother :)
Decatur - July 30, 2009
My feelings on this changed dramatically after the Cleveand series
Stakes are completely different now
Bearskin Rugburn - July 30, 2009
Sweeney's key to success is exposure
You can go three or four days without remembering he’s on the team and when you do finally see him again he’s getting a big hug from Ichiro after a game winning hit. He’s just little bursts of happy.
Nate Dogg - July 30, 2009
I am glad to have Mike Sweeney on the team.
Sure, Shelton’s a better hitter but if he were used like Mike Sweeney we’d be complaining about his lack of playing time. Sweeney’s spot is perfect.
ThundaPC - July 30, 2009
I think he's too nice.
What’s his ulterior motive? If I offered to babysit one of my co-worker’s kids I would probably be reported to HR. Nobody is that pure.
hcoguy - July 30, 2009
That's not true.
royalcurve - July 30, 2009
I think posting this so soon after the hugs gif is skewing the results
Poochie - July 30, 2009
As a political consultant, I say what's your point? The PDC has no say here.
InSpokane - July 30, 2009
As much as he helps the clubhouse
I just can’t support Sweeney on the roster when we got so many good AAA hitters he’s blocking. Specifically Shelton and Carp.
IceStormV1 - July 30, 2009
Sweeney isn't really blocking any lefties
Jeff Sullivan - July 30, 2009
That would be Griffey!
seattlebruin - July 30, 2009
I know
but it just seems were giving him at-bats that would be better off going to the kids to give them some experience for next year.
IceStormV1 - July 30, 2009
If we consider...
This team wasn’t supposed to contend. It was supposed to glue together a nucleus of parts and get a 100 loss team back to playing real baseball. This team was supposed to be in a rebuild mode where a new coach and GM gelled and figured out their systems.
If having veterans like Griffey and Sweeney around for a year to make everyone cheerful and enjoy the team and the job of playing baseball, it is absolutely worth it. If it makes Jack Wilson and Ian Snell feel at home and excited to be here then it is worth it. All of the September callups are going to get advice from strong veterans that help build their career into what we envision as fans. (see randy Johnson/Nolan Ryan conversation)
Contending for as long as we have with sub .200 hitters filling the lineup is a salute to veteran leadership and great coaching. Next year we offer them jobs like consultant, and first base coach so we can use those roster slots for hitters and let them go out in style.
Whoopetydoo - July 30, 2009
"Contending for as long as we have with sub .200 hitters filling the lineup is a salute to veteran leadership and great coaching"
No actually it’s a salute to a great run prevention unit
Graham MacAree - July 30, 2009
Well whoopetydoo
Sec 108 - July 30, 2009
you obviously don't know a thing about baseball, spreadsheet boy
because every winning team has one thing in common – veteran leadership. WITHOUT EXCEPTION. ALWAYS.
pdb - July 30, 2009
My unit makes it hard for me to run too
Aaron Campeau - July 30, 2009
I'm so sorry
Aaron Campeau - July 30, 2009
Goin' lowbrow. I like it.
pdb - July 30, 2009
I exist in low brow so I loved it.
Sec 108 - July 30, 2009
It would have been better if I hadn't made myself the focus of the joke.
Aaron Campeau - July 30, 2009
That's the part that really sells it!
Kermit. - July 30, 2009
Yep
Sec 108 - July 30, 2009
I'd prefer he not be on the team but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy him while he's here.
Aaron Campeau - July 30, 2009
Agreed
Robert - July 30, 2009
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