But I think we need to find a nickname, or a gif, or something for him. JJ might have been an asshole, but he was a lot more entertaining. Morrow was worse, but at least we had the Walk the World gif. Aardsma? We don’t have much to work with.
I like that he is quite representative of the volatility of relievers. Garbage one year, aces the next. I also like that he was acquired for nothing and has helped make GMZ look like a genius. I also wish he had been traded at the beginning of the year for something useful so that we could reap the benefits of his 2009.
But, to me, the posterchildren of Z’s reign are Gutierrez and Bradley, because one we didn’t give up anything remotely resembling similar value, and the other we actually got rid of a horrible player to pick up a very good one.
If Bavasi was good at one thing, it was building bullpens on the cheap. That’s not to say he was good at anything, but it was his best trait, and that’s likely why I have a sense of indifference with the way Aardsma was acquired.
I voted dislike but after more than 10 seconds of thought I regret it.
Aardsma is beyond terrifying but he’s pretty good, which is better than most closers who are terrifying and probably pretty bad. I’d like to see League take over the closer role but the Mariners could do a lot worse than what they’ve got now. So I guess I’m indifferent.
Part of it is because we were at a Spring Training game this year and my four year old daughter dropped the foul ball that she’d gotten and it rolled under a fence. Aardsma very nicely picked it up for her and then signed it. Regardless of how I feel about him as a baseball player (and I’m in the “no strong opinion” to “like” range), he gets bonus points for that.
Cheap, surprisingly effective, and predictable. If he blows a save, we’ll know why. So far, he’s been a lot more effective than not. I may be anxious when he’s pitching but I find that better than being lured into a false sense of security when a “talented” arm is closing and somehow falls apart. Having talent doesn’t automatically equal being as reliable as Mariano Rivera.
It’s pretty simple with Aardsma. Just get the last three outs. An occasional pitch might fly out of the park but as long as he doesn’t mess around I’m good to go.
Don't have a strong opinion.
He wins some, he loses some, and he is always an adventure. I am simply satisfied knowing he gets the job done 90% of the time.
Wilder. - April 30, 2010 via mobile
If he threw his off-speed pitches with the same authority
as his fastball I would have voted “love”. I simply “like” Aardsma the same way I like Lowe and League.
Mario Shawn Hayden Jr - April 30, 2010
Aardsmeh
Corco - April 30, 2010
There should be an option on there
that is something like: I would love him, but he nearly gives me a heart attack every time!
MissoulaMarinerFan - April 30, 2010
Scariness factor is a factor
I only voted Like because of his flyball tendencies, which are really scary away from Safeco.
Paul AB - April 30, 2010
Yup,
I totally agree, that is why I only chose “Like” as well!
MissoulaMarinerFan - April 30, 2010
I replied "like"
But I think we need to find a nickname, or a gif, or something for him. JJ might have been an asshole, but he was a lot more entertaining. Morrow was worse, but at least we had the Walk the World gif. Aardsma? We don’t have much to work with.
Also, his entrance music sucks. That never helps.
Sportszilla - April 30, 2010
Someone with talent should do one of those courtroom sketches with the DA in a suit and tie
Janic - April 30, 2010
Don't have a strong opinion
but I like him. Hmmm. Dilemma.
didycel - April 30, 2010
I was torn also.
So I figured I’d just wait until Robert blows up his house and then I’ll love his memory.
ToddK - April 30, 2010
I like the idea of David Aardsma.
I like that he is quite representative of the volatility of relievers. Garbage one year, aces the next. I also like that he was acquired for nothing and has helped make GMZ look like a genius. I also wish he had been traded at the beginning of the year for something useful so that we could reap the benefits of his 2009.
abender20 - April 30, 2010
Not to say JJ and Valbuena were 'nothing'
But, to me, the posterchildren of Z’s reign are Gutierrez and Bradley, because one we didn’t give up anything remotely resembling similar value, and the other we actually got rid of a horrible player to pick up a very good one.
If Bavasi was good at one thing, it was building bullpens on the cheap. That’s not to say he was good at anything, but it was his best trait, and that’s likely why I have a sense of indifference with the way Aardsma was acquired.
cwel87 - April 30, 2010
Aardsma was acquired from Boston for Fabian Williamson.
abender20 - April 30, 2010
I am aware
cwel87 - April 30, 2010
Misread. Mea culpa.
abender20 - April 30, 2010
Mostly because I used the word "nothing" and you said "remotely similar" when describing the value given up.
abender20 - April 30, 2010
I personally don't like him
He gets the job done (much) more often then not, but there’s always the lingering sense he’s going to spin out of control.
I like confidence in the closer. I don’t really ever have it with Aardsma.
cwel87 - April 30, 2010
Precisely how I feel
Way too volatile for me… and he seems like a poster child for the stupidity of saves as an evaluative tool. Lots of saves do not a good reliever make.
Matt Erickson - April 30, 2010
Okay, Yoda.
sanford_and_son - April 30, 2010
This is my view in a nutshell
seattlesundevil - April 30, 2010
Like David Aardsma, but prefer Brandon League as our high-leverage guy.
lailaihei - April 30, 2010
Like him.
Going on the radio with the “You don’t know me!” junk and taking a photo of his actual junk makes me like him a bit less.
Janic - April 30, 2010
I want him to do well because it helps the Mariners,
but I don’t have any attachment to Aardsma.
Jed MC - April 30, 2010
I don't mind Aardsma himself
But I absolutely despise his entrance tag line.
Hearing Mike Blowers growl “TELL IT TO THE D.A!” every time The Aardvark trots out makes me want to vomit.
HititHere - April 30, 2010
That's Sims
Jeff Sullivan - April 30, 2010
I stand corrected, thanks
But still despise the tag line with the same number of white-hot burning suns.
HititHere - April 30, 2010
It's the one acceptable use of initials or first syllables.
Way better than the Seattle-coined A-Rod that spawned stupid imitators.
“Case closed” is wonderful.
yuniform - April 30, 2010
Terrifies me with his fly-balls.
Fearless Frog - April 30, 2010
Yeah, I fear him. That should be an option.
hejuk - April 30, 2010
I cheated
since I’m not a Mariners fan.
But Aardsma went to Rice. And I went to Rice. So I like him.
JBImaknee - April 30, 2010
I voted dislike but after more than 10 seconds of thought I regret it.
Aardsma is beyond terrifying but he’s pretty good, which is better than most closers who are terrifying and probably pretty bad. I’d like to see League take over the closer role but the Mariners could do a lot worse than what they’ve got now. So I guess I’m indifferent.
Nate Dogg - April 30, 2010
I like him
Part of it is because we were at a Spring Training game this year and my four year old daughter dropped the foul ball that she’d gotten and it rolled under a fence. Aardsma very nicely picked it up for her and then signed it. Regardless of how I feel about him as a baseball player (and I’m in the “no strong opinion” to “like” range), he gets bonus points for that.
GJS - April 30, 2010
I'll hold off my vote until I get to see that picture of his junk.
Eyebrows - April 30, 2010 via mobile
I said "don't like" only because he makes me nervous and on edge everytime he comes in.
Not good for my health.
SethGrandpa - April 30, 2010
I like Aardsma.
Cheap, surprisingly effective, and predictable. If he blows a save, we’ll know why. So far, he’s been a lot more effective than not. I may be anxious when he’s pitching but I find that better than being lured into a false sense of security when a “talented” arm is closing and somehow falls apart. Having talent doesn’t automatically equal being as reliable as Mariano Rivera.
It’s pretty simple with Aardsma. Just get the last three outs. An occasional pitch might fly out of the park but as long as he doesn’t mess around I’m good to go.
ThundaPC - April 30, 2010
He's a likable guy, my friend's mom is a friend of Aardsma's wife.
He’s like a big kid.
Talent wise I would prefer League or Lowe but I still like Aardsma.
Slurvey - April 30, 2010
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