After the trade first went down, I wondered if the M's might send Justin Smoak to Tacoma for a little while so that they could sort out the playing time situation in the bigs. Todd Dybas throws water on that idea:
Wakamatsu says Smoak will be every day first baseman. #Mariners
I'm not entirely sure how this is going to work, but I'm leaning to some sort of job rotation between Michael Saunders, Russell Branyan, and Milton Bradley through left and DH. You can't sit Saunders too often. You have to try to get Bradley going, since he's still here next season. And Branyan's not going to want to sit on the bench.
Who knows. I'll worry about the playing time another day. For now, hey, the M's have Justin Smoak. This'll take some getting used to, but I'm pretty sure that's neat.
-----
And now for an unrelated poll!
0 recs | 130 comments
I wouldn't be surprised to see Bradley to the DL until they sort it out.
JonBBT - July 9, 2010
Well now Branyan or Kotchman will HAVE to be dealt (or Kotchman could be DFA'd, but I doubt it)
Having all three of those guys is unnecessary.
Coach Owens - July 9, 2010
It think it was a tie
BRKLN M'S - July 9, 2010
Whoops
BRKLN M'S - July 9, 2010
Kotchman has got to be gone
Jeff Sullivan - July 9, 2010
Kind of too bad, too
He has played ok over the past couple weeks. I don’t dislike him – seems like a good guy. I assume that they will DH Branyan, and one could see them keeping Kotch as a replacement. Maybe Bradley is the odd man out in that case, but his contract and reputation make him too hard to move. I’ve not seen Sweeney mentioned – he could be gone as well?
Henry H - July 9, 2010
Sweeney is - for all intents and purposes - gone already.
seattlesundevil - July 9, 2010
I guess my point is that I assume he still occupies a roster spot.
Henry H - July 9, 2010
Sort of?
He’s definitely taking up a spot on the 40 man roster, but he’s also taking part in one of his tri-annual DL stints. So there’s no need to purge him necessarily at the moment, particularly if he’s still providing his usual “intangibles” from the bench.
(And we also still have 38 of the 40 man roster occupied, presumably with one slot reserved for Bedard’s eventual return.)
ebbnflow - July 9, 2010
Wow, I'd totally forgotten he was still on the team.
wyte_lightning - July 9, 2010
Me too!
Jeff Sullivan - July 9, 2010
When he showed up on the rail tonight I was startled
msb - July 9, 2010
Seeing that he's making $3.5 million this year, he'd clear waivers, wouldn't he?
Teej - July 9, 2010
Kotchman certainly had his chance.
But maybe that’s the story of his life. I was rooting for him, but he just didn’t take advantage of the huge opportunity given to him here. Given how poorly others have hit, if he had just had a first half of say .240 with 9 hrs and 36 RBIs he’d have looked like gold.
ignacio - July 9, 2010
Worth a bullpen arm, maybe.
The Typical Idiot Fan - July 9, 2010
We've heard the "having all three of those guys is unnecessary" thing before.
I think.
JonBBT - July 9, 2010
Maybe they should just trade Kotchman and Branyan?
BRKLN M'S - July 9, 2010
Move a couple of them into the bullpen
It wouldn’t make it any worse. Could you imagine the look on Bradley’s face standing on the mound in the 8th?
Henry H - July 9, 2010
NOT SMILING :( :(
Jeff Sullivan - July 9, 2010
WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM TEXAS?!
seattlesundevil - July 9, 2010
But in Texas he can look as much like a homeless bum as he wants!
Coach Owens - July 9, 2010
I never realized how much he looks like House.
craig3410 - July 9, 2010
Age him about 15 years and that's spot on!
wyte_lightning - July 9, 2010
Hugh Laurie. C'mon now!
The Typical Idiot Fan - July 9, 2010
He's doing the Jim Halpert face.
SeaKoala - July 9, 2010
Not looking at the camera though.
JonBBT - July 9, 2010
5-Hour Energy Drink Guy
tait644 - July 9, 2010
Cliff Lee even grows beard better than everyone else.
That’s grown like 1/2 inch since yesterday.
JonBBT - July 9, 2010
They made that mustache growing contest commercial a couple years too early.
ralphie81 - July 9, 2010
Been done, better
Jeff Sullivan - July 9, 2010
^That one was better than Seattle's.
JonBBT - July 9, 2010
Because he wanted to go to New York.
Teej - July 9, 2010
I want his babies so bad.
katal - July 9, 2010
Wakamatsu says that we've always been at war with Eastasia.
Everyday baseman does not mean a new first baseman everyday.
Janic - July 9, 2010
I'm not sure what this means.
seattlesundevil - July 9, 2010
Wak said Branyan was the everyday first baseman when he got here.
Then a couple days later Casey Kotchman was back to being the everyday first baseman and now it’s Justin Smoak’s turn.
Janic - July 9, 2010
I think that was because Bradley got hurt, so we moved Branyan to DH?
joof - July 9, 2010
That should read, Everyday first baseman does not mean a new first baseman everyday.
Janic - July 9, 2010
Maybe we can put Branyan at third.
I’m not sure I wouldn’t mind punting defense there just so I never have to see Lopez play again.
Mariner John - July 9, 2010
Then we can trade Lopez for Ramos!
Coach Owens - July 9, 2010
His back would probably explode after a day
Corco - July 9, 2010
You know what? Seconded.
Matthew - July 9, 2010
The "never see Lopez play again" part sure is appealing, isn't it?
Jeff Nye - July 9, 2010
YAY!
kentroyals5 - July 9, 2010
Screw health and defense - can't Branyan just go back toplaying 3B and just bury Lopez?
Just kidding…kinda.
SethGrandpa - July 9, 2010
Didn't they say the same thing about Branyan being the everyday first baseman?
Smegmalicious - July 9, 2010
You can DH him every day. I don't see how they can keep his bat out of the lineup
Henry H - July 9, 2010
Bradley, that's how.
Smegmalicious - July 9, 2010
The problem is
Bradley has sucked all season. I don’t see how the M’s can justify keeping the only legitimate slugger they have on the bench, when you look at how anemic the rest of the team is hitting.
Henry H - July 9, 2010
Because Bradley's under contract for a ton of money next year and you'd like to give him a chance to perform
Jeff Sullivan - July 9, 2010
How comfortable do we feel rotating Saunders through CF every now and then?
Edgar for Pres - July 9, 2010
Given how worn-down or vitamin-deficient or whatever Guti has looked lately
that may well be in the cards.
ignacio - July 9, 2010
Looks like Smoak is slowly getting comfortable in the big leagues, at least
Or maybe it is his low BABIP turning around.. But he OPSd over 850 in the month of June. Promising after an abysmal May.
seattlesundevil - July 9, 2010
Whoops that should be over 830
seattlesundevil - July 9, 2010
He'll fit right in with the M's, if that abysmal May becomes a regular thing.
Henry H - July 9, 2010
Interesting piece at Fangraphs on Smoak this season
http://www.fangraphs.com/fantasy/index.php/justin-smoaks-struggles/
seattlesundevil - July 9, 2010
Great article... don't like this part though
wyte_lightning - July 9, 2010
Adjustment to the league.
It’ll pass.
The Typical Idiot Fan - July 9, 2010
True, and SSS
I just hope the trend doesn’t continue.
wyte_lightning - July 9, 2010
The most logical solution is to trade Branyan, I'd think. Bradley's salary gets in the way.
The White Sox were/are hot for Adam Dunn – perhaps they’d like Branyan at a lower price.
tait644 - July 9, 2010
Unfortunate move if that happens
I have viewed the Branyan move as a move to get some power back in the lineup – for this year, and for a reasonably inexpensive amount of money next year. On that premise, I don’t see him being dealt. But, hey, until I get a significant pay raise and find my name changed to Jack Z, my view really doesn’t mean much.
Henry H - July 9, 2010
What's the alternative? Taking ABs away from Saunders?
Because they aren’t going to simply eat Bradley’s contract and sit or trade him.
tait644 - July 9, 2010
Well...
Saunders can get some AB’s by resting Guti – isn’t like Guti is tearing it up. Also, Bradley has averaged about 120 games a season for the past few years. So, you are still platooning – but the AB’s might come more at the expense of Guti.
Henry H - July 9, 2010
I'd really hate to see us get rid of the best hitter of the three.
Teej - July 9, 2010
Depends on what he could return.
I like that this trade and the decision to make Smoak the everyday 1B gives the team the flexibility to move Branyan if there’s something interesting to be had for him.
Aaron Campeau - July 9, 2010
I still have the impression that other teams don't value him properly.
You’re right, though.
Teej - July 9, 2010
He's one of the only players on the team I'd actually contact the Rays about
Aaron Campeau - July 9, 2010
...Brignac?
Actually, though, I don’t think they’d give us anything of much value for Branyan, and he’s a pretty easy solution at DH next year (and by solution I mean “not a black hole”).
Fuckmikereilly - July 9, 2010
They could use him and it's worth inquiring.
They’re smart enough to overlook his flaws and probably know well enough that they’re not going to Zduriencik.
Aaron Campeau - July 9, 2010
Pena is likely gone after this year so he's an option.
abender20 - July 12, 2010
If I may suggest.
A similar rotation that includes Franklin Gutierrez getting a day off to rest on occasion (with Saunders playing CF)? That’s if Bradley’s legs can hold up. This certainly is a logjam that’s developing. It will be interesting to see how this will be handled.
ThundaPC - July 9, 2010
Adding Guti off-days into the player rotation seems to be the way to go
Standard line-up:
1B: Smoak
DH: Bradley/Branyan
CF: Guti
LF: Saunders
Against RHSP with strong platoon splits, give Guti a day off, move Saunders to CF with Bradley in LF.
Against LHSP with strong platoon splits, give Saunders or Smoak the day off and play Bradley/Branyan in the field accordingly.
CMC_Stags - July 9, 2010
You don't really want to platoon split with these guys tho.
Especially not the developing players. Give Saunders all the chances in the world to prove he can’t hit lefties before you declare he can’t. Same with Smoak, who’s a switch hitter. Bradley is also a switch hitter, so he “shouldn’t” have a split. Branyan has been showing he can handle lefties effectively enough.
So who do you bench? If you’re going to do anything, it probably shouldn’t be for handedness of pitcher yet.
The Typical Idiot Fan - July 9, 2010
DON'T PLATOON YOUNG PLAYERS
tait644 - July 9, 2010
2011
1B: Smoak
2B: Ackley
3B: Figgins
Shortstop: Question mark – can’t rely on Jack Wilson and Josh shouldn’t be a starter
LF: Saunders
CF: Guti
RF: Ichiro
Rotation: Felix, Pineda, ???, Vargas, Fister?
Catcher: Question mark
DH: Maybe Branyan, Maybe Bradley, Maybe neither
All things considered, doesn’t look all that bad.
Griffin Cooper - July 9, 2010
I'm still not sold on the fact that Ackley is on the team at the beginning of next year
But you’re right, it doesn’t look too terrible.
wyte_lightning - July 9, 2010
I don't like our options at second base (or third base) if he isn't
Griffin Cooper - July 9, 2010
But, but...
You don’t like Loafie there!?!?
wyte_lightning - July 9, 2010
Ackley will get the standard Memorial Day/Early June call up at the earliest.
Putting him on the roster sooner would cost us service time and make him a potential super-two.
Even still, the Ackley hasn’t exactly proven to be MLB ready yet. Over reactions to his first month were completely knee jerk and would never haver arisen if it had happened as a mid-season slump. Nevertheless, I think he has some things to work on, like a line drive percentage north of 19% (currently, 12.5%) before he’s ready for the show.
Of course, I don’t know shit about player development.
philosofool - July 9, 2010
That makes me pretty excited actually
Snuffleupagus - July 9, 2010
SS and #3 starter appear to be our top priorities this winter
With Catcher and the Relief Corps also in the mix for some revamping.
MT Olson - July 9, 2010
I would like to get Moore some more time in the Majors this year.
Gotta have Josh Bard.
Fuckmikereilly - July 9, 2010
With the season lost they might as well cut Bard and just throw Moore in there full-time.
MT Olson - July 9, 2010
FUCK ROB JOHNSON
Matt Erickson - July 10, 2010
Ok, so the mariners needing just one big bat theory hasn't panned out so far. Next up, the two big bat theory.
Janic - July 9, 2010
If this hasn't been said yet....Poor Mike Carp.
kentroyals5 - July 9, 2010
Went from catch of the day to bait.
I think he’ll be dealt to be blocked somewhere else.
The Typical Idiot Fan - July 9, 2010
Destined to be a career AAAA'er
wyte_lightning - July 9, 2010
He had his chance to make an impression here. He didn't rise to the occasion.
ignacio - July 9, 2010
All of 12 at-bats.
Fuckmikereilly - July 9, 2010
When writing about this trade at USSM, I did not remember that Carp existed.
JY - July 9, 2010
With regard to the poll, I don't want the Rangers to win the World Series
But I want them to get to the playoffs so much more than the Angels and this only makes me want it more.
CapSea - July 9, 2010
Too bad we won't be able to see him tonight
C-Nage - July 9, 2010
I just realized that Justin Smoak is a white guy.
This fact makes me hate the trade.
ScottBrowne - July 9, 2010
Justin being such a black person name and all.
Right up there with Blake, Keith, Jake and Chone.
CapSea - July 9, 2010
In my head he's always been a black guy.
My reality has been shattered.
ScottBrowne - July 9, 2010
I did the same thing with Alex Gordon.
Double06 - July 9, 2010
I've never met a black man named Keith
Corco - July 9, 2010
Kool Keith?
JY - July 9, 2010
Keith Sweat?
Boz86 - July 9, 2010
I'm pretty fucking tired of comments like this.
Sec 108 - July 9, 2010
Me too
East Bay Ray - July 9, 2010
What, why?
Because smoke is supposed to be black?
C-Nage - July 9, 2010
Uh oh
Manzanillos Cup - July 9, 2010
Only if his name was Swisher!
kentroyals5 - July 9, 2010
Tempted to try to get tickets for tomorrow night, now.
Smoak should be here by then I assume.
Jeff Nye - July 9, 2010
I have a couple extra
If you’re looking
Snuffleupagus - July 9, 2010
So we called up French to take Lee's spot instead of just putting Smoak on the active roster
Does this mean Kotchrocket’s days are numbered?
Corco - July 9, 2010
Or Pauley goes away after he gets blown up by the Yankees.
Fuckmikereilly - July 9, 2010
What prevents in game platoons?
Is it the lack of bench depth? If we have three players rotating through two positions, what prevents pinch-hitting situations that allows players to regularly play half games?
Injuries and long extra inning games can happen, but they don’t seem to be common enough to prevent this from working.
Snuffleupagus - July 9, 2010
For the next 4 years
The Mariners have Dustin Ackley, Michael Pineda, Justin Smoak, Felix Hernandez, Franklin Gutierrez and Michael Saunders.
No matter what happens, this team is going to be a lot more interesting to watch than it has been in a while.
Fuckmikereilly - July 9, 2010
And only Guti is over the age of 24.
Youth!
MT Olson - July 9, 2010
And no Swiffey!
Eyeball Kid - July 9, 2010
And Ichiro!
Probably.
Double06 - July 9, 2010
I just can't root for the Rangers
That would be like asking your friend to try and get that really cute girl’s number before you do.
OceanBird - July 9, 2010
I do enjoy the fact that they've won one playoff game ever.
Makes the Mariners seem slightly less pathetic. But I could care less if they make it to the Series before us. If Mariners fans are going to bitch and moan about how terrible our franchise is, may as well be the most futile.
Fuckmikereilly - July 9, 2010
Better them than that rich annoying douchebag from California.
I Lick Squirrels - July 9, 2010
Lee needs to give his spot in the ASG to Felix
Please?
OceanBird - July 9, 2010
Could someone give me some comparisons?
I’m not very up to date on minor league baseball, could you guys possibly give me some major league comparisons for the guys we just got? I do know my major league players, so if you believe one of these prospects won’t pan out feel free to compare him to a lesser known player.
bradderup - July 9, 2010
I'm probably way off
but I’ve heard Smoak could become a poor mans Texiera.
Hancock.Brett - July 9, 2010
Try Will freaking Clark
Decatur - July 9, 2010
Will Clark was the best player in my first pack of baseball cards
Therefore, I approve.
Fuckmikereilly - July 9, 2010
It's the most common comp I hear.
Seems maybe a touch optimistic, but I guess most comps are.
Teej - July 10, 2010
I hear lots of Will Clark and John Olerud comps.
John Olerud immediately makes me think “very solid, but not great.” Then I realize that Olerud twice put up 8.4 WAR seasons.
But seriously though, John Olerud sucks.
Fuckmikereilly - July 10, 2010
I've never been in love with that swing in terms of power potential
But if he’s Nick Johnson 2.0, that’s still a pretty good player.
baetown415 - July 10, 2010
(Not that I'm saying he will be, but I think that's a better comp than Tex)
baetown415 - July 10, 2010
I’ve heard “switch hitting Justin Morneau” in terms of ceiling. I like Will Clark. I’ve heard people go straight to “Texeira” and leave out the “poor man’s” .
If you look for guys that are actually switch hitting 1Bs, Eddie Murray seems closest to me. But actually finding guys that fit the switch-hitting 1B profile is harder than you’d think.
Realistic projection: .270/.365/.480
Opticmistic projection: .300/.410/.550
I’m more bullish on Smoak than many. I see a guy who’s shown very legit raw power that hasn’t totally translated on the field, coupled with advanced plate discipline and good pitch selection for his age. It reminds me of (final comp:) Joey Votto.
philosofool - July 10, 2010
Switch hitting Youk with worse defense?
Poochie - July 10, 2010
Good
Mariner John - July 11, 2010
WOOOOOOO!
Wilder. - July 10, 2010
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Lookout Landing to post a comment.