Somewhere around a year ago, I ripped into Chuck Armstrong. I mean, I really ripped into him. The Mariners and Twins had agreed on a Jarrod Washburn trade that, for whatever reason, Armstrong saw fit to nix, and in the midst of a disaster of a season, that was enough to set me off. I can't remember the last time I so vividly felt the cold elixir of fury coursing through my veins. That was a bad day to know Jeff.
Now, I'm not going to apologize. I meant everything I said, and it was an unforgivable decision that hurt both our talent level in the future and our financial flexibility in 2009. Had we been able to spend the Washburn money elsewhere over this past offseason, there's no telling what the team would look like or where it would be in the standings.
But what I will say is that I never, never in my wildest dreams, could've imagined the whole situation going on to still work out as well as it did. Had I known that the potential for this sort of move would exist down the road, I doubt I would've flipped out to the egregious extent that I did.
Jack Zduriencik killed it. Leading up to the deadline, there'd been rumblings that we'd have to settle for a weak package if we moved Washburn, and that there was a chance we wouldn't even move him at all. Between those rumors and the Jack Wilson/Ian Snell maneuver, I think a lot of people were preparing themselves to be less than ecstatic. So to wake up to something like this - something so out-and-out wonderful - I don't think anyone ever lost faith in the Zduriencik front office, but it's hard not to feel like they just redeemed themselves. For what? I don't know. But their stock just keeps rising.
For his part, I'd like to thank Jarrod Washburn for his efforts. Obviously there's no hiding the fact that I've never been a fan, but his improvement this year played a big part in keeping the Mariners in the hunt for so long, and even when he wasn't getting good results, he's always been an honest person and an excellent interview. I'm thrilled that he's gone, but I do wish him well in Detroit. They'll be happy to have him, and in a league where LAnaheim, Boston, and New York look like virtual postseason sure things, there's a good chance I'm not yet done rooting for Jarrod to succeed.
As for the return...well, what a return. We'll start with Luke French. French never really impressed a whole lot early on in his professional career, but this year something changed and his numbers took off. Facing the highest levels of competition he's ever seen, French chopped his walk rate and started to strike some batters out, turning him from generic lefty prospect to prospect with upside. No, his ceiling isn't very high. Lefties who top out around 91 without any extraordinary secondary offerings don't turn into big league stoppers very often. But what French gives us is a lefty who throws more strikes and misses more bats than Jarrod Washburn right now, and he's under cheap team control for another six years. Six years! For all those people who wanted to see Washburn get an extension - he kind of just did, for six years and little money, with the only catch being that he also becomes more than a decade younger.
French - like Jason Vargas - is the sort of young player the league seems to be underrating right now, that being a guy with little upside but a good deal of certainty. He's perfectly capable of giving us a bunch of cheap years of #3/4-level performance, and that gives us an advantage. This is a team that, barring something unforeseen, won't have to worry about paying money to fill out the back of its rotation. We're pretty much set, which will allow Zduriencik to turn his attention towards fixing the lineup.
High-80s heater, low-80s change, high-70s slider, balls in the air - we've seen this package work before, and now we'll get to see it try to work again, for next to nothing. That's terrific.
I would've been more than happy to trade Washburn for French alone. The fact that we got Mauricio Robles as well just takes this from good trade to beer-at-12-on-a-Friday worthy. Robles is a 20 year old kid who's striking out more than a batter an inning against high-A competition. I'd describe him as a live arm with a good fastball and developing secondary stuff, but while that sounds like the scouting report of pretty much any Latino pitcher in the low minors, what makes Robles more notable is the fact that he's having success at what is, for a guy his age, an advanced level. Yes, he has yet to perfect his curve. Yes, his change has a long way to go before it's a weapon. But Robles has taken it up a notch in 2009, and when you see a kid suddenly improve his strikeout rate by 33% and succeed against higher competition, you get excited. Robles may not go anywhere, but he's already made excellent progress, and he has it in him to turn into a power starter or high-leverage reliever down the road. He's a better arm than any we gave away to Pittsburgh.
When I went to bed last night, I wasn't sure what to expect from Zduriencik with regards to the whole Washburn situation. Turns out that had little to do with the M's wanting to keep Washburn around and everything to do with our front office just not letting anything slip. To the critique that they overplayed their hand, Zduriencik and company just issued a most delicious rebuttal.
We are in excellent hands.
0 recs | 148 comments
I can't believe we got six years of an average pitcher for Wash. And an interesting prospect as to boot. Very nice.
russak - July 31, 2009
Well said, Jeff. Very well said.
Coach Owens - July 31, 2009
I loved the Dough Melvin quote yesterday
Saying the M’s would be happy to hold on to Washburn for the rest of the season.
I wonder how that happened…
Melvin: Jack, I don’t think we’re going to make the playoffs this year so I’m not going to give you anything for Washburn.
Zduriencik: Doug, I understand. Would you mind doing me a favor?
Melvin: Sure, what’s that?
Zduriencik: Tell the press that we’re happy with Washburn’s performance and not looking to trade him.
Melvin: Sure thing.
CMC_Stags - July 31, 2009
Dough Melvin?
Jack Moore - July 31, 2009
There's something fishy about this picture. It appears to have been altered.
Eyebrows - July 31, 2009
He switched ties.
Wilder. - July 31, 2009
Dave Cameron was on LL the other day saying that Jack Z. had blown it with Washburn.
Obviously he’s taken that back a hundred times over during the last few hours. I’ve never seen him eat crow so graciously and with such obvious pleasure.
esoteric - July 31, 2009
If only Dave's critics would do the same
pdb - July 31, 2009
I understood Dave's frustration, though I thought maybe he was overdoing it a bit.
I can sort of see Dave as Jeff Daniels in the move Dumb & Dumber after Jim Carrey pulls up on a motor scooter and announces how it got it.
“Just when I thought you couldn’t get any dumber…. you go and do this…. AND COMPLETELY REDEEM YOURSELF!”
Only not, y’know, ironic.
The Typical Idiot Fan - July 31, 2009
Did you have to bring up Jeff Daniels in Dumb&Dumber?
Now, all I can picture is Jeff Daniels on the toilet after he intakes the laxative.
M'sin.. - July 31, 2009
My favorite thing about the trade is what a fucking snake Zduriencik has shown himself to be
All the misiinformation out there about not wanting to move Wash, about buying for a run this year (which the Snell trade can be construed as, though it isn’t) and all the way up to Doug Melvin saying to national media as recently as last night that Jack isbuysing and will not move Washburn (favor for a friend?)… Zduriencik handled this trade like a ninja.
About French – crappy fastball, good change, flyballs, does all this add up to Feierabend with good control?
Bearskin Rugburn - July 31, 2009
With our current outfield defense
Feierabend may not have sucked as much as he did when he was in the big leagues. As long as we have a good outfield defense and Safeco Field, a flyball lefty is a good bet.
b_rider - July 31, 2009
Jack the Knife?
The Typical Idiot Fan - July 31, 2009
The shark, babe, has pretty teeth dear, and he shows them, pearly whites
Just a Jack knife!
JAH - July 31, 2009
The fact that we got Mauricio Robles as well just takes this from good trade to beer-at-12-on-a-Friday worthy.
I love this line Jeff, well done!
Thingray - July 31, 2009
I have never been happier to be an M's fan than I am this year
I don’t even care about the actual names involved in any of the trades. I’m just in awe of the fact that, for the first time in 32 years, the M’s both have a plan to succeed and an ability to execute that plan successfully.
These are exciting times to be a Mariners fan.
pdb - July 31, 2009
You have to love all the philanthropic work Z is doing
Going around the league, handing out GM beat-downs
lemonverbena - July 31, 2009
In two years, Silva and Johjima's contracts are gone.
I cannot wait for this point in the future. GMZ has done such a remarkable job rebuilding the team over the past nine months, it’s going to be remarkable to see what he can do once he has scratch to spend.
katal - July 31, 2009
Maybe sooner on Johjima
since Dave was intimating on USSM that the M’s are going to eat his money and move him — either a trade or back to Japan; if he just goes back to Japan, one would think we might be able to buy him out and save a bunch of that contract.
The Ancient Mariner - July 31, 2009
Well...
That just means we’d be rid of Johjima. We’d still be eating his contract til 2011.
I’m hoping that – $12M (Silva) – $8M (Johjima) = +$20M (Felix) in 2011
Adam B - July 31, 2009
Maybe and maybe
Depends on the circumstances.
The Ancient Mariner - July 31, 2009
I can't think of
Any circumstances short of Johjima pulling a “Washburn”, where the Mariners wouldn’t end up eating the majority of his paycheck.
And anyone want to venture what the odds on Johjima matching his 2006 numbers are?
About as beefy as Brandon Fahey I’d imagine.
Adam B - August 1, 2009
Think more of a Sasaki than a Washburn
BrettJMiller - August 1, 2009
Tell him he's being outrighted or he can announce his retirement and save face.
I wonder if that type of situation could ever come about with Joh.
Kermit. - July 31, 2009
Everything that's happened this morning has left me very confident in this team's future.
katal - July 31, 2009
This trade deadline has made me realize how much I love the Mariners' FO team and how much I hate the Nationals' FO team.
As of this moment, I think I’m temporarily suspending my Nationals fandom and going full-time with the Mariners. Only Joe Beimel traded? NICK JOHNSON STILL ON THE TEAM? Fuck ‘em, fuck ’em all. Sign Strasburg and we’ll talk.
Anybody want to sell me on a National League rooting interest that isn’t the goddamned Mets or Dodgers? I’m moving to Madison, so maybe the Brewers?
esoteric - July 31, 2009
Nick Johnson got traded..
seattlesundevil - July 31, 2009
Might have fallen through.
Still some confusion.
Matthew - July 31, 2009
I heard that deal fell through.
esoteric - July 31, 2009
It's gone through according to ESPN.
Shrug - July 31, 2009
Brewers
Then you have Seattle’s original MLB team and it’s current version
lemonverbena - July 31, 2009
Works for me.
kentcheesehead - July 31, 2009
Second the Brewers
By rooting for them now you also have a team that is built very similar to how ours is being built.
Also, you’re living in Madison. That seems like a no brainer.
Andersean - July 31, 2009
Hell yes, Brewers, and Madison is pretty awesome.
Although significantly more awesome if you’re in college.
Jack Moore - July 31, 2009
Hell yes to the college thing.
kentcheesehead - July 31, 2009
In Zduriencik we trust
This is amazing, I cannot believe we have had to deal with so many GMs that had no idea what they were doing. And then this bald genius comes along and starts to heal our wounds in an amazing way.
OceanBird - July 31, 2009
Maybe it's because I've always liked the way Wash pitched
But I think I was one of the only people this off season defending Armstong’s nix last year (mostly on Baker’s blog, I hadn’t yet created an account here – too afraid of the relentless zingers, I guess).
I was expecting Z do make a move earlier in the year, to be honest, or in the off-season, and at the time Armstrong nixed the deal I really believed we were going to get a haul over the winter. Well, that obviously didn’t happen so I became very trepidatious about what Wash was going to do this season.
Honestly, today is one of the happiest days in a while. This return is great, and I am genuinely excited for Wash playing on the Tigers (I’ve always liked them in the central).
So, I guess this comment turned into me being masturbatory.
Point is, I’m happy with the trade and I feel a little vindicated for my previous Armstrong defenses.
Andersean - July 31, 2009
The thing that's interesting about Jack Z to me...
…from an outsider’s perspective is that he looks at that trade deadline so differently than we’ve grown accustomed to. The ESPN “ZOMG THE WORLD IS ENDING JERRY HAIRSTON JR GOT TRADED RIGHT AT THE DEADLINE” news reporting style has seemed to condition me/us/fans to this idea that you trade away players who good right now but won’t be helping you when your whole team is good and trade for veterans when your team is good to help put you into the playoffs/put your team over the top.
It’s interesting to me that he traded for players who will help the Mariners past this season…but will help then a lot sooner also. And the tradeoff he seemed to give up was not aiming for the big-name young guys so much as average players.
I’m a Rangers fan, but I enjoy watching what’s happening to your team.
GhettoBear04 - July 31, 2009
So, it'll be pretty sweet when Washburn looks like normal Washburn in Detroit.
Fearless Frog - July 31, 2009
Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Tigers have a pretty good outfield.
If Wash can continue his success anywhere it would probably be Detroit.
csiems - July 31, 2009
Add that Detroit is just as much of a pitcher's park as Safeco, if not more.
Washburn will do good in Detroit and I wish him the best. I pity the team that signs him this winter, though.
Wilder. - July 31, 2009
They also have a really good defense
Jeff Sullivan - July 31, 2009
It's much, much worse than Seattle's
6.8 = Tigers UZR from the OF positions this year
35.9 – Mariners UZR from the OF positions this year
CMC_Stags - July 31, 2009
They don't have Guillen flailing out in left anymore, do they?
BrianL - July 31, 2009
Outfield Defense Leaderboard
From Fangraphs
CMC_Stags - July 31, 2009
Granderson only at +0.9 on the season, +6.2 over the last 3 years.
This surprised me. Also surprised to see Frankie leading the way in OF UZR over the last 3 years. +43.3!
sammy - July 31, 2009
It's not like it's terrible.
Mariner John - July 31, 2009
10th in UZR according to Fangraphs
Mariners are in first by a bunch (7.9 runs, to be exact).
CMC_Stags - July 31, 2009
I don't wish him failure.
I just wished him gone.
CapSea - July 31, 2009
Amen
seattlebruin - July 31, 2009
So just so I get this trade straight...
The 5’10" guy is the fireballer and the 6’4" guy is the crafty lefty? Odd.
csiems - July 31, 2009
Yeah, weird huh?
Eyebrows - July 31, 2009
He is a huge injury risk
look at him his body makes an inverted
when he pitches that puts huge stress on his perineum he will spend his career on the DL
Bearskin Rugburn - July 31, 2009
You said perineum heh heheh heh
Kermit. - July 31, 2009
Aww going green ruined the prince symbol blending in.
Eyebrows - July 31, 2009
Aw fiddlesticks
Bearskin Rugburn - July 31, 2009
Zduriencik due up on 710 about 3:10
msb - July 31, 2009
He likes the phrase "at the end of the day".
Kermit. - July 31, 2009
And the word 'tremendous'
Wilder. - July 31, 2009
His assistant does, too.
katal - July 31, 2009
Why was Calabro so interested in the waiver wire. That was wierd.
Rudy4three - July 31, 2009
Why does Calabro suck so much as a radio host?
CMC_Stags - July 31, 2009
Because he's just a guy with a nice voice and catchy phrases.
JamMasterJesus - July 31, 2009
No joke
He’s amazing at calling basketball games, but his knowledge of other sports seems to be very lacking.
CMC_Stags - July 31, 2009
He astonishes me with some of the dumb shit he says about baseball.
Zwakamatsu - July 31, 2009
"Washburn had a great outing today!
He got 14 flyball outs!" —Calabro
JMKaustin - August 1, 2009
I think what I like most about this trade
Is that now you have to find a picture instead of a flag the next time French pitches!
me <———— helper
section331 - July 31, 2009
Sorry if somebody posted this or it is obvious,
but are we paying Washburn’s salary the rest of this year? I sort of assumed that we were, but I do not believe I have read anything about money exchanging hands.
Attractive Nuisance - July 31, 2009
I hear we're not paying shit
Bearskin Rugburn - July 31, 2009
No.
Detroit picks up the salary.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4369031&name=fantasy_baseball
Andersean - July 31, 2009
Thank you to both of you.
And thank you to Z.
Attractive Nuisance - July 31, 2009
Drayer confirms Snell starting Sunday for M's.
Fuckmikereilly - July 31, 2009
So no AAA assignments at all? I thought we had optioned him.
sammy - July 31, 2009
We called him up today to replace Washburn.
Mariner John - July 31, 2009
Had to wonder about that, having him report to Texas to throw a bullpen for Adair.
Kermit. - July 31, 2009
Was hoping we'd give him a soft landing against KC
Rudy4three - July 31, 2009
Neat.
Goose - July 31, 2009
That's hot.
section331 - July 31, 2009
FUCK YES! IT'S LIKE WE'RE SELLING, BUT WE'RE NOT!!!
JamMasterJesus - July 31, 2009
WE GOT BETTER AND HAVEN'T BROKEN OUT THE CHECKBOOK YET WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
SUCK IT BAVASI YOU COULDN’T CARRY GMZ’S BAGS YOU POS
Kermit. - July 31, 2009
And now Lynn (Tigers will miss Robles) Herring on 710
msb - July 31, 2009
Herring feels Wash is the classic rental; that Detroit got him just so they didn't have to rely heavily on French & Porcello in the last months
and that they’ll have no interest in re-signing him, as next year they will have better, cheaper options for the rotation. He also thinks they are underestimating Robles, that as an organization they obsess about physically large pitchers to their own detriment
msb - July 31, 2009
For a team that wasn't supposed to have a good farm system.
It sure appears they have a good farm system.
Kenny Knows Sports - July 31, 2009
Detroit that is.
Kenny Knows Sports - July 31, 2009
I have a feeling French is going to surrender
…. a lot of runs. (boo)
CapSea - July 31, 2009
Hiss.
waldo rojas - July 31, 2009
Why don't the Italians get pissed on for losing wars?
waldo rojas - July 31, 2009
Mussolini makes them much less lovable in hindsight
pdb - July 31, 2009
Yeah, he was a total dick.
waldo rojas - July 31, 2009
The Italians are brilliant at switching sides halfway through wars
so they can be on the winning side.
katal - July 31, 2009
I'm staying in a hotel and was trying to find out deadline news on ESPN
All I got was 4 different, in depth stories on David Ortiz/Manny, Hairston Jr to the yanks, victor martinez to the Red Sox, and the Kotchman/La Roche trade
Then they did the bit on Washburn… not only did they not even mention the names of who we got, but they did nothing but praise Washburn and exclaim that this was a steal for Detroit….
In reality, as I texted my friend earlier, we basically just made Washburn 10 years younger, then gave him a 6 year extension while saving money in the process, and got another pitching prospect, just for the hell of it…
I know ESPN’s bias and incompetence is nothing new, but seriously, how hard would it have been to at least say one or two words about who Detroit was sending back, you know, just in case there were maybe one or two Mariner fans that were trying to watch ESPN for baseball news, or just baseball fans in general.
Luckily I found a wifi spot and I can actually find out for myself what we got in return… I didn’t realize by trying to find that out from ESPN I was asking too much of them.
…Sorry for beating a very dead horse here, but it was a little frustrating, especially when I was so anxious to find out the details of the trade.
BQueezy - July 31, 2009
.
What? There are teams besides Boston, New York and Los Angeles?
/espn
seattlesundevil - July 31, 2009
This is a deader than dead meme.
For christ’s sake people.
Matthew - July 31, 2009
Washburn was covered extensively throughout the morning on ESPN.
Then the other dozen deals went down and ESPN covered them.
Wilder. - July 31, 2009
I find it funny how befuddled most of MSM is
about how we can buy one day then turn around the next day and sell. At least Buck Showalter liked our moves.
Fuckmikereilly - July 31, 2009
In the video on the front page of ESPN.com, Deadline Winners
Buck Showalter calls the Mariners winners, albeit based partially on the ‘fact’ that they got a shortstop for the next 5 years…it was mentioned in another one of the articles written on the site as well. Did Jack Wilson sign a huge extension that I missed?
Malcontent1 - July 31, 2009
Haven't you learned yet that there are only two teams in MLB according to ESPN?
Going to ESPN for non-Yankee/Sox news is a fool’s errand. There’s no point in trying to get in-depth news from them.
pdb - July 31, 2009
aaaaand reply fail
pdb - July 31, 2009
I nearly reply failed on my extremely similar post.. No worries.
seattlesundevil - July 31, 2009
This is overblown.
ESPN will predispose programming time to teams in big markets, yes, but also to teams that are winning (hey, Boston and NY are in pennant races every year) and have more rabid fans. You want to know why other cities do not get more air time? Here’s a big reason
Because that’s where people are still caring about baseball.
Matthew - July 31, 2009
And not only that, the Red Sox and Yankees are far and away the most popular franchises in MLB.
More people care about them than other teams.
Aaron Campeau - July 31, 2009
Did any team making the playoffs last year get as much coverage as the Yankees missing the playoffs?
Even during the Rays amazing run, it wasn’t about how good the Rays are doing, it was about how bad the Yankees are doing.
Kenny Knows Sports - July 31, 2009
This just isn't true.
ESPN were all over the Rays’ jock last season.
Aaron Campeau - July 31, 2009
Okay, I trust you. It's just more to the point of - every time the Yankees start out the season and struggle a bit, it's front news on Sportscenter.
Like last season with constant Joba-talk. Constant. Constant. Joba-talk.
I can’t speak for this season as I don’t have ESPN.
But I’ll admit none of this needs to be established, as it already has been many times.
Kenny Knows Sports - July 31, 2009
They talked about the Rays all the time.
Not to mention that the Yankees were still a good team, still play in New York and them missing the playoffs was a big story regardless.
Matthew - July 31, 2009
I will ponder the question though Matthew, couldn't there be some sort of question about cause and effect in terms of caring about baseball in the northeast and the northeast getting all the ESPN coverage?
Chicken and Egg type deal.
Of course Yankee success goes way back in time before ESPN, but if the Yankees got equal coverage today as any good team does (Say, the Yankees get no more coverage than any other playoff contending team) would the interest even out over time?
This would be a lot easier to consider also, if the Red Sox and Yankees didn’t constantly pick up the best players available.
Kenny Knows Sports - July 31, 2009
No offense, but I think it's better to simply not even think about it.
kevin_ess - July 31, 2009
No because the Yankees are their own media/hype machine as well.
See: The YES Network.
New York does not rely on ESPN to build awareness of the Yankees.
Matthew - July 31, 2009
I agree. Also though, there's a reason kids on the west coast and south grow up loving the Yankees and Red Sox.
See: LeBron James
Its not JUST ESPN of course, it’s also history of being a winner, but ESPN has some iota to do with Yankee awareness.
Kenny Knows Sports - July 31, 2009
Wow, that's awesome that Wisconsin is so into baseball right now.
That Sabathia trade is still paying off in Milwaukee right now.
Jack Moore - July 31, 2009
Packers fans don't have the Brett Farve orgies to look forward to anymore.
And the Brewers have a sausage race ever game.
Wilder. - July 31, 2009
I was just catching up on Baker, and allowed myself to get sucked into the comments.
Boy, wonder what you have to do to get at least 3 of your comments removed.
msb - July 31, 2009
Baker
Goose - July 31, 2009
Can someone find good pics of the two guys we traded for?
So we can comment on their appearance.
Kenny Knows Sports - July 31, 2009
Was this really all that hard?
Luke French
Mauricio Robles
Go to town
seattlebruin - July 31, 2009
French is a handsome young man.
Aaron Campeau - July 31, 2009
I had a feeling I'd catch some flack for asking that, Im just not as experienced in the posting of pics in the comment thread yet.
Kenny Knows Sports - July 31, 2009
Only jackasses do work themselves.
Matthew - July 31, 2009
Why was this the 2nd pic for Robles?
I wonder if Alien Hand Syndrome will affect his pitching.
Snowman1025 - July 31, 2009
Ten females for EVERY man???
I must confess, that’s quite the plan doctor.
BigR - July 31, 2009
A computer could be set and programmed to accept factors from youth, health, sexual fertility, intelligence, and a cross-section of necessary skills...
Dr. Strangelove’s mineshafts = Lookout Landing!
lemonverbena - July 31, 2009
Mr President
We must not allow a MINDSHAFT GAP!
Snowman1025 - July 31, 2009
Felix on 710
msb - July 31, 2009
For what purpose?
Summarize for those who can’t listen?
Fuckmikereilly - July 31, 2009
Feh.
Pittman implied it was going to be a conversation; it turned out to be just his reaction to the last few days, which you can actually read plus more on Drayer’s blog
msb - July 31, 2009
Now feh did you just make that up?
M'sin.. - July 31, 2009
Which?
msb - July 31, 2009
This.
M'sin.. - July 31, 2009
.
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/feh
I can’t wait until the world learns about the Google.
CapSea - July 31, 2009
Loads of Laughter!
Matthew - July 31, 2009
I don't get this.
CapSea - July 31, 2009
I do not expect many to.
But, par for the course with my references.
Matthew - July 31, 2009
Gunter Wilson?
CapSea - July 31, 2009
HEY HEY!
How much searching did that take?
Matthew - July 31, 2009
Less than a few seconds on the Google!
I have already fired my doctor.
CapSea - July 31, 2009
Great quote:
Great great stuff. I feel like I’m dreaming. Every time I set myself up for Z to make a stupid move, extend an old player like Washburn or something, and I’m ready to just say fuck it all, he renews my faith 1000x over.
I love the Seattle Mariners from the bottom to the top. If you told me I would be saying what I just said a year ago, I would slap you for being so stupid.
Zwakamatsu - July 31, 2009
AND WE AREN'T PAYING ANY OF WASHBURN'S SALARY? AHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I think I just ruptured something.
Zwakamatsu - July 31, 2009
Detecto isn't impressed by French at all.
Sorry guys.
(I would link you, but I promise that I’m doing you a favor by not.)
katal - July 31, 2009
Well damn now I'm devestated
Graham MacAree - July 31, 2009
That's it, we need to rescind the trade
pdb - July 31, 2009
That's fair.
The English language is not impressed by Detecto.
CapSea - July 31, 2009
.
ThundaPC - July 31, 2009
As an A's fan, I've been blessed with Beane at the helm for the last decade.
After giggling at the stupidity that was Bavasi, I am absolutely floored at how quickly Z has turned the Mariners organization around. Last year you lost the second most games in baseball, this year you’re over .500 with no major acquisitions. That’s scary, and I think with the talent that Oakland and Texas has, combined with Z’s plan for Seattle… Let’s just say the AL West is going to be a very competitive division. It’s NOT going to be a cakewalk like I hoped it might. Living in the northwest gives me Mariners sympathy to boot, so I hope Z pulls it off.
Cheers.
Orodawg - July 31, 2009
In your face.
JamMasterJesus - July 31, 2009
Huh? No major acquisitions?
Mariner John - August 1, 2009
Well...
None that involved players that ESPN analysts have man-crushes on.
I would say that Zduriencik’s strength has been making what look like relatively minor transactions pay off like major ones (Gutierrez, Branyan, Aardsma), all while mitigating the repercussions of the flops (Cedeno, Olson).
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if we see some pleasant surprises from the most recent acquisitions.
Adam B - August 1, 2009
I think I know what he means and I think it's a huge compliment.
On the face of it, Branyan, Gutierrez, Aardsma, Endy, Vargas Langerhans, Wilson, etc seem fairly minor, don’t make a big splash etc. The point (I am assuming) is that we did not go all out for big names/contracts in pursuit of mediocrity.
Aaron Campeau - August 1, 2009
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