Extra rest didn't do Jarrod Washburn any good, as he struggled against the Royals this afternoon and allowed ten baserunners and three runs in five innings. Over seven starts with Detroit, Jarrod's put up a 1.4 K/BB, and his contact rate is pretty much exactly where it was as a Mariner pre-2009. It's been fun to listen to people talk about him over the course of the season. He started out as a guy most people couldn't wait to see leave, then people liked him, then people wanted to re-sign him instead of trade him, then people wanted to re-sign him despite trading him, and now those people aren't talking about him anymore, which I assume means they no longer want him around in 2010. That's a neat and tidy full circle with a couple weeks to spare. I wonder if Jarrod's going to re-re-consider that whole retirement angle once he finds out that Z won't bring him back.
Now to change things up, guess what this table is showing:
| O-Swing% | Z-Swing% |
| 33.8% | 70.3% |
| 34.6% | 66.8% |
| 25.7% | 62.5% |
That's Yuniesky Betancourt (A) as a Mariner in 2008, (B) as a Mariner in 2009, and (C) as a Royal in 2009. He's drawn 11 walks in 191 plate appearances with Kansas City, and while that isn't any shade of good, it's a great deal better than his ten in 245 with Seattle earlier on. It seems the coaching staff over there may actually be making a bit of a difference. Unfortunately Yuni still can't hit or field, but at least now when he makes outs he looks a little more professional.
0 recs | 16 comments
But his ERA was better than Halladay!
Slurvey - September 10, 2009
If Z doesn't win Executive of the Year, I'll go crazy.
Coach Owens - September 10, 2009
Obviously Dayton moore should win it for trading for Yuni and getting 11 walks in 191 PA.
Slurvey - September 10, 2009
I really want Yuni to save the Royals
Dewey N - September 10, 2009
I want WFB to do it, myself...
PositivePaul - September 10, 2009
GRIFFEY!
CapSea - September 10, 2009
Yuni's also doing better on Tango's fielding survey.
On the Royals page he’s average. On the Mariners page he’s the worst defender not named Rob Johnson.
Llewdor - September 10, 2009
The Mariners page is filled out mostly by readers of LL and USSM, who tend towards extremes with players they like or don't like
With the Royals, he still scores poorly, just less poorly.
http://tangotiger.net/scout/index6.php?prim_fld_cd=6
Jeff Sullivan - September 10, 2009
It's pretty clear that the result for Yuni is entirely unreliable
He’s a shitty shortstop but that should make him about average overall as a defender.
Graham MacAree - September 10, 2009
I've intentionally not linked to the survey two years running
He gets more than enough Mariner ballots as is, and I figure we can reduce some of the bias if USSM readers have to find it on their own.
davidcameron - September 10, 2009
Holy crap
Poochie - September 10, 2009
Egad, Ichiro's arm is overrated.
Mariner John - September 10, 2009
"It seems the coaching staff over there may actually be making a bit of a difference. "
Hmm.
Trey Hillman talking to him in Japanese? Kevin Seitzer working the same magic that revived Raul’s career? Rusty Kuntz & Dave Owen telling him about the old Mariners days he missed?
msb - September 10, 2009
Rusty Kuntz?
Wow.
Eyeball Kid - September 11, 2009
Speaking of the KC Mariners
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Royals starter Gil Meche is probably done for the year with a shoulder problem. Royals manager Trey Hillman said on Thursday that Meche would most likely be shut down for the final weeks of the season.
msb - September 11, 2009
Rany Jazayerli must be nodding his head.
abender20 - September 11, 2009
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