tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55730842011-04-21T13:28:03.225-07:00marinerbullpenA website devoted to serious bull on all things regarding the Seattle Mariners.
We invite interesting input: send your thoughts to rickmichels@juno.com - we also invite you to join discussion at thebullpen@yahoogroups.comRickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comBlogger1941100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1092955686986194902004-08-19T15:41:00.000-07:002004-08-19T15:48:06.986-07:00I happily retract all comments I made about Ichiro not being worth $11 mil a year.
If the M's had decided not to sign him, I suppose everyone would be saying he was motivated by this being his free agent year. Makes one wonder about those that people do say this about. Freddie Garcia comes to mind, although Freddie was turning it around by last September.
It's a real bummer about Leone's hand.Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1092176909969129822004-08-10T15:26:00.000-07:002004-08-10T15:28:29.970-07:00It's strange to me to think that anyone would argue Edgar Martinez does not belong in the Hall of Fame. This is definitely the wrong way to frame the debate.
When Edgar is eligible, other great players will be as well. Sportwriters will vote for those they think are most worthy. Some will win, others wont. But the idea that a hitter as great as Edgar Martinez somehow is not worthy of the Hall ofRickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1090305539536977902004-07-19T23:33:00.000-07:002004-07-19T23:38:59.536-07:00If you hadn't noticed by now, I'm doing all my blogging these days over at the caffeinated confines: http://mariners.mostvaluablenetwork.com/. The blog editor is a little more friendly.
Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1088787869708133312004-07-02T10:03:00.000-07:002004-07-02T10:04:42.160-07:00A long post on minor leaguers at the friendly Caffeinated Confines of Most Valuable Network dot com.Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1088717919313765052004-07-01T14:33:00.000-07:002004-07-01T14:38:39.313-07:00I checked the baseball scores and saw that Thornton was pitching a shutout after three. This really surprized me. Then I saw it was Blackley pitching the gem (to date). Wow - that was a quick callup. That's great, but not as surprizing as Thornton would be. Blackley is probably more ready than Nageotte.
Nageotte's had a couple bad outings, but we need to remember that these were typical Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1088528946037943402004-06-29T10:06:00.000-07:002004-06-29T10:09:06.036-07:00Great, Great deal. Read my comments in the friendly and Caffeinated Confines.Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1088140529721200182004-06-24T22:15:00.000-07:002004-06-24T22:15:29.720-07:00Out of town this weekend, celebrating my parent's 50th. See you all Monday!Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1088096375346912242004-06-24T09:36:00.000-07:002004-06-24T09:59:35.346-07:00Baseball Prospectus offers nifty stats that allow us to compare the runs above replacement value of current major league players to adjusted for major league equivalents for the minor leaguers. This allows us to see whether we would truly be improved if we replaced our current Mariners with guys from Tacoma (from an offensive prospectus).
Let's go position by position, with the big producers inRickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1087753394405231872004-06-20T10:42:00.000-07:002004-06-20T10:43:14.406-07:00More postings on Roy Hobbs, and more by me at
the caffeinated confinesRickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1087576073447895262004-06-18T09:20:00.000-07:002004-06-18T09:27:53.446-07:00A couple of strong impressions from last nights doubleheader in Tacoma:
Travis Blackley is one poised and impressive dude on the mound. The kid's only 21, but he knows how to pitch.
Greg Jacobs can not only hit, but plays a helluva good right field and has a strong, accurate arm.
more on these and other thoughts at the friendly caffeinated confines of mostvaluablenetwork.comRickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1087506786792775812004-06-17T14:00:00.000-07:002004-06-17T14:13:06.793-07:00I'm heading to Tacoma tonight, to get a good look at this Casey Kotchman fella. Anaheim looks to be scary for the next few years: Kotchman, Dallas McPherson (20 homers in AA) and Jeff Mathis, the best catching prospect this side of Joe Mauer. Seattle's AA team is currently facing Anaheim's as well. Tonight would be a good game to catch, if San Antonio was sister city to Seattle instead of Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1087487780988635062004-06-17T08:40:00.000-07:002004-06-17T08:56:20.990-07:00Was anyone else surprized we couldn't hit Doug Davis? But there's something kinda cool about baseball in that a team like the Brewers can totally stink, maybe even for a whole decade, clean house, patch together a group of players from other teams castoffs, and become a contender. Last year it was Kansas City. Sure, it wont last, because the Brewers are owned by Bozo Selig.
Compare what theRickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1087485623401375392004-06-17T08:16:00.000-07:002004-06-17T08:20:23.403-07:00There's talk on Leoneforthird (and Jacobsen for first I might add) and on insidethepark.com about keeping Garcia and signing him to a long term contract instead of trading him for lower prospects. The feeling is the M's wont get any major prospects.
It's a good idea. But what's wrong with doing both? Trade Garcia for prospects, low or otherwise, then go after him in the off season. The Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1087328494776277782004-06-15T12:33:00.000-07:002004-06-15T12:43:08.700-07:00Before I get too excited about some of these good Tacoma numbers (like Jamal's .420 or so OBA, and Leone's 17 home runs) there's a fella we all kinda remember named Andy Barkett, a 29 year old first baseman journeyman minor leaguer if we ever saw one, who is currently tearing up the International League for the Toledo Mud Hens. Look at these numbers:
203 at bats: .340/.394/.611 - 13 home runs.
Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1086992938002871022004-06-11T15:24:00.000-07:002004-06-11T15:28:58.003-07:00There's been a lively discussion on the Bullpen newsgroup about Winn's abilities as a center fielder. His home run robbing catch of Wednesday has given credence to the idea he isn't such a bad fielder. Add to that his rocket shot that hit the Hitithere Cafe window, and there's talk that perhaps Winn wants to prove to the fans he's the true heir to Ken Griffey.
And there's interesting Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1086992559148045352004-06-11T15:20:00.000-07:002004-06-11T15:22:39.146-07:00Luis Ugueto is making some noise down in Tacoma. Moving this light hitting infielder to the outfield seemed utter folly, except to perhaps increase his ability to do utility work on a bench somewhere. But check out these numbers in 139 at bats:
.295/.368/.468
I read somewhere Luis has been working hard on his stroke. It will be interesting to see if he can maintain this kind of production. Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1086799000899653812004-06-09T09:23:00.000-07:002004-06-09T09:36:40.900-07:0019 innings against a formidable Astro lineup, and the Mariners give up 1 run - zero if Wilson holds the ball. I'm feeling a little better about the M's now. Sure, we're out of it. But our young pitchers are looking real good right now. Blackley is handling AAA just fine, Madritsch did as well before his oblique strain. And there's always the possibility Rhett Johnson will return, Soriano Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1086680766433926272004-06-08T00:43:00.000-07:002004-06-08T00:46:06.433-07:00Boy, was Clint something. I feel much better about dealing Freddie. Imagine making your first start in the majors by striking out Biggio and Berkman each twice. Nothing wrong with this kid's command tonight. The Mariners have something special here. Of course, he'll have his bad outings, where the slider wont find the strike zone, and he'll get lit. But this is one special pitcher we have Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1086680577278328992004-06-08T00:19:00.000-07:002004-06-08T00:42:57.276-07:00Sunday, we looked at the famous Moneyball draftees. Today, we take a look at the Milwaukee Brewers' highly regarded triumphirate of top prospects. How do Prince Fielder, Richie Weeks, and Anthony Gwynn stack up?
The Brewers are in a hurry to get these kids to the majors, and after various amounts of time in the mid-A level Midwest League, all have been force fed into the AA Southern League, Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1086643845719183832004-06-07T14:28:00.000-07:002004-06-07T14:30:45.720-07:00Mariners pick Matt Tuiasosopo with their first pick. I was just thinking this morning that if my beloved Huskies are going to lose their next great quarterback to baseball, I hope it is the Mariners who take him away.
At any rate, I think this will create interest and boost ticket sales in Everett this summer. Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1086586273478428642004-06-06T22:27:00.000-07:002004-06-06T22:31:13.476-07:00More on the Moneyball class of 2001:
A reader asked about the ages of these guys, an important factor when discussing prospects. Basically, they are all 23 except for Teahen, (22) and in AAA, Kiger (24), and Brown will be a ripe 25 this fall. By Mariner prospect standards, these are all babies, but they are ripening quickly.
I'm betting Colamarino will be the best of the bunch.Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1086585194005726392004-06-06T22:09:00.000-07:002004-06-06T22:14:35.166-07:00Wow! First Boonie hits into the second deck in left field, and now Winn hits the hititherecafe window. Where's the power surge coming from? Bocachica has apparently set Winn free, returning him to left field where he can concentrate on hitting (we can hope). Meanwhile, Boca's getting on base for the M's (.455 OBP), and hit the ball real well a couple times today.Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1086584302985790262004-06-06T21:56:00.000-07:002004-06-06T22:01:07.513-07:00Well, well, well. Ryan Christenson not only played catcher for the Missions today, but he threw out a baserunner AND hit a home run. Ryan has already matched Ben Davis's home run output for the season. Aaron Taylor pitched a shutout inning in the game as well. It's nice to see guys like these on the mend and on their way back.Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1086567754109945582004-06-06T17:08:00.000-07:002004-06-06T17:22:34.110-07:00How bad was the Moneyball draft?
David at the U.S.S. Mariner called it a disaster. Derek simply said it was a "bad draft" but suggested it was no worse than what a pure scouting system would have produced.
Was the Moneyball draft really that bad?
Here are my impressions, looking at the very latest info:
Nick Swisher
AAA: .254/.376/.480 - still has a chance at a good MLB career, he Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1086541716777136712004-06-06T10:07:00.000-07:002004-06-06T10:13:23.126-07:00Interesting day on the Mariner farm - Roy Hobbs homers for Tacoma, and former first rounder Ryan Christianson returns to action as a DH for the Missions, going 3 for 5. It will be interesting to see if Ryan will be able to return to catching. What a bonus if so.Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1086486081413974282004-06-05T18:29:00.000-07:002004-06-05T18:41:21.413-07:00Hiram Bocachica replaced Winn at Center Field today, moving Winn to left. HMMMMM....are the Mariners thinking what Jeff Sullivan is thinking? Put Winn at left field, where he a)belongs and b)can increase trade value?
Bocachica drew two walks (good work Hiram), and was an adventure on the basepaths.
In other news, Kevin Youkilis - the Greek God of Walks - apparently is looking for a new Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1086365442165281442004-06-04T09:01:00.000-07:002004-06-04T09:11:49.546-07:00Back in 1979, there was a 25 year old outfielder in the American League who put up these numbers:
473 ABs 152 hits 29 doubles 28 HR 101 RBI 77 BB 74 Ks
Translating to: .321/.416/.573 OPS: .989
Imagine having a 25 year old in your system like that. He's a player you build around, isn't he?
The following year, he broke his wrist. He was never the same, and by 1984 was out of major Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1086364835916985902004-06-04T08:58:00.000-07:002004-06-04T09:00:35.916-07:00This just in...Roy Hobbs has been promoted to Tacoma. Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1086280819442809142004-06-03T09:31:00.000-07:002004-06-03T09:40:19.443-07:00After last night's game, I am so depressed about being a Mariner fan, I can't even find any silver linings. Even if there is talent down below, it pales in comparison to what the Angels and especially the A's have down there. And the A's are ready for another restocking of the system next week. Chavez is a tough break, but they'll figure out a way to stay in the hunt.
Meanwhile, Toronto, a Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1086158184366172492004-06-01T22:59:00.000-07:002004-06-01T23:36:24.366-07:00Aurilia doesn't have the range Guillen had, which admittedly, isn't saying all that much. I think Aurilia's lack of range cost us this game.
Hand it to the Jays. They couldn't really hit our guys tonight, so they fouled off pitches and drew walks. We weren't nearly so patient.
Why we aren't winning
If we had kept Guillen, and went out and bought Guerrero (.345/.393/.596 and 40 RBIs), we'dRickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1086134302422115402004-06-01T16:49:00.000-07:002004-06-01T16:58:59.016-07:00Comparing AL Leadoff Men by OBP and stolen base efficiency:
Lew Ford: .407 5 sb/1 cs
Lawton: .392 11 sb/1 cs
Damon: .384 5/4
Ichiro: .379 11/5
W. Harris: .371 8/1
Sanchez: .365 11/10
Reed Johnson: .364 2/2
Mike Young: .364 4/1 (.324 on the road!)
Crawford: .344 24/9
Eckstein: .330 4/3
Kotsay .333 3-2
Jeter: .277 5/2
Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1085764034254228082004-05-28T10:00:00.000-07:002004-05-28T10:07:14.253-07:00I don't understand this talk about how Nageotte needs to develop a soft pitch:
"They think he needs to work on a soft pitch, whether it's a change or a curveball. They think that putting him in the bullpen right now will inhibit that a bit," Melvin said.
I can think of plenty of hard throwing right handers who have two pitches, a hard fastball and a good slider. Anybody ever see Randy JohnsonRickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1085760873981680152004-05-28T09:06:00.000-07:002004-05-28T09:14:33.980-07:00I've been out of town all week, so I've got some catching up to do.
Ibanez at Safeco Field
In 119 offical at bats, Ibanez has hit 11 home runs in Safeco Field. That's one home run for every 11 at bats.
The sample size is growing, and the trends shows that Ibanez apparently loves to hit in Safeco field. But we can't draw any real conclusions yet. This season also suggests Ibanez loves to hitRickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1085246661330454042004-05-22T10:20:00.000-07:002004-05-22T10:24:21.330-07:00Why not? Could it be any worse?
Let’s take a look at some of these Rainier OPSs:
Bocachica: .995
Jacobsen: 1.023
Zapp: .893
Leone: .980
Strong: .849 (.411 OPS at leadoff)
J. Lopez: .818
Seriously, for the money, you’re better off spending the extra gas and driving to Tacoma to watch baseball. These guys can hit.
Suppose these guys all replaced Mariners at their positions:
Strong at CF forRickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1085244712852225112004-05-22T09:43:00.000-07:002004-05-22T09:51:52.853-07:00Man, this team is so bad that even Ichiro playing at his very best can't jump start the offense.
11 K's for Meche - I'd say he earned a reprieve in the rotation.
Leone is tied for the PCL lead for homers with 13. Anyone smell a Leone for third, Spiezio to first move coming soon? At least against lefties.
How many men did Winn leave on base last night? Ugh!
Everytime I see Carlos Guillen Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1085178946890133992004-05-21T15:33:00.000-07:002004-05-21T15:35:46.890-07:00Revisiting the Randy Johnson trade
Since the perfect game, there’s been a lot of second guessing, lamenting, etc. over the fact we didn’t make a long term commitment to Randy Johnson. I’ve been one of those second guessers/lamenters. Randy should have remained a Mariner. But in hindsight, the Mariners really didn’t make a bad decision here.
They always say it takes a few years to analyze aRickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1085155194086283972004-05-21T08:56:00.000-07:002004-05-21T08:59:54.086-07:00Oh incidentally, I missed last night's game. Saw a real kick-ass concert by Jars of Clay (am I allowed to say that about a Christian band), and did a little catch-up with old College chum Warren Moon ("hey, Warren, how ya been? Haven't seen you since we pounded WAZZU on the icy astroturf. Yeah, I was in the white student section that day, all bundled up. Done anything interesting since leavingRickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1085154853136885142004-05-21T08:44:00.000-07:002004-05-21T08:54:13.136-07:00I have a good feeling about the M's - that they have indeed turned the corner. I hadn't really felt that at all until yesterday. Probably because I took a good look at their numbers and decided they simply can't get any worse. It's simply time for these guys to be at least average.
But mostly, it's likely due to Ichiro's bat coming alive.
Meanwhile, on the farm, the mighty mashing Rainiers Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1085098855216640992004-05-20T17:16:00.000-07:002004-05-20T17:20:55.216-07:00In three minor league seasons (including this year so far) San Antonio leadoff man Dustin Delucchi has had OBPs of .390, .396 and .408. Last year in the Cal league he added 19 doubles and 15 SBs (caught just twice) in 312 official at bats. He's 26, and I kinda doubt Randy Winn performed as well in the minors. Here, let me check......nope.
Delucchi was signed out of the Independent league. Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1085072867814204262004-05-20T09:30:00.000-07:002004-05-20T10:23:37.746-07:00Reminiscing
I've been wondering lately whether last year's Mariner defense, which I loved watching, was the best ever assembled. It's an impossible question to answer which defense was the best ever assembled of course, but it appears that it may not have even been the best assembled in the 21st century. That honor would probably go to the 2002 Anaheim Angels in a photofinish. It is Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1084985178232477482004-05-19T09:27:00.000-07:002004-05-19T09:46:18.233-07:00It's somewhat interesting to me to see the core of Mariner prospects move as cohorts through the minor leagues, creating league championship teams. The teams that won the Texas league for two straight years are now as a cohort dominating in the PCL. The Inland Empire 66'ers won the Cal league last year, and are driving San Antone in contention.
These teams are built on some interesting things:Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1084984017477226792004-05-19T09:15:00.000-07:002004-05-19T09:26:57.476-07:00The C.J. Giles decision to play for Kansas has me depressed today. I feel similar to how I felt when Arod decided Seattle wasn't for him.
It's tough as a Husky basketball fan to see one great player after another spurn Seattle for other venues. Seattle is simply not an attraction for people seeking sports glory. We have our days, but they are short-lived. The moments of success are never Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1084983293537234162004-05-19T08:58:00.000-07:002004-05-19T09:14:53.536-07:00I was a big supporter over the winter regarding the Ibanez signing, for the sole reason that it was the first time in the Mariner Safeco field days that they acquired a player who was truly adapted to playing the game there. For that last few years, we've been focusing on line drive hitters (whatever that means), high average guys who can "take advantage of the entire field" when it seemed to Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1084914154999356472004-05-18T13:44:00.000-07:002004-05-18T14:02:35.000-07:00Casey Kotchman, one of baseball's brightest hitting prospects, has been called up by Anaheim to fill in for a hurt Erstad at first base. Here are Casey's AA numbers:
Casey Kotchman Arkansas 114 ABs: .368/.438/.544
Compare this to San Antonio's Greg Jacobs, known in this site as Roy Hobbs:
108 ABs: .343/.393/.565
Casey, a younger prospect, will be given every opportunity to fail at the big Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1084818627759436652004-05-17T11:15:00.000-07:002004-05-17T11:30:27.760-07:00The Mariners are 11.5 games behind Anaheim. Interestingly, they have only allowed 3 more runs than Anaheim: 184 to 181. The difference is pure offense: 154 to 224 - a 70 run differential!!
It's hard to imagine how the Mariner brain trust expected to compete with Anaheim this year. They did not compete in the offseason, yet they expected this team to compete in season? Leadership begins at Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1084816978013850272004-05-17T10:58:00.000-07:002004-05-17T11:15:02.473-07:00It's interesting the Mariners have moved Jose Lopez back to SS in the Tacoma lineup. In Spring Training and for most of the early season,they had looked like they decided his future was at 3rd base. Now he's back at Short. I think it is a CYA move. The M's can't justify the Aurilia signing and the giveaway of Guillen on its merits. So they have to engineer this response: "Well, we would have Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1084570098932263672004-05-14T14:26:00.000-07:002004-05-14T14:28:18.933-07:00Time to take another look at Bocachica
Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1084568407074897012004-05-14T13:59:00.000-07:002004-05-14T14:00:07.076-07:00From Dave Hatten:
Back during Spring Training, when the M's were winning, the thought struck me that this was unusual, compared to recent years. I couldn't remember for sure, but it seemed like they hadn't done too well in spring games the past few years, but then started the regular seasons playing quite well. I decided to look for the numbers:
Year Spring Reg. Season
2000 13-16 91-71
2001 Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1084058639303419882004-05-08T16:23:00.000-07:002004-05-08T16:40:28.780-07:00500!
Congratulations Edgar!
Edgar will be our first Sabermetric Hall of Famer - elected because of the emphasis on excellence that goes beyond the traditional numbers. Doubles, Walks, On Base Percentage. No disqualification based on biased ideas the player has no control over - such as the existence of the DH, elongated time spent in the minor leagues. Edgar is one of the best right handed Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1083861840617193582004-05-06T09:44:00.000-07:002004-05-06T09:47:13.373-07:00I missed the game last night, as I was at the Moore Theatre enjoying Steven Wright. Regarding the M's, I think he said it best:
"If worse comes to worse, we're screwed."Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1083793338310966632004-05-05T14:42:00.000-07:002004-05-05T14:45:30.500-07:00That was some mighty fine defense being played at the Safe last night. It is reported that Ibanez, besides having an OPS of around .930, is leading the league in assists. Excellent throw to nail the runner. This former catcher has a real nice arm. Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1083777778262779802004-05-05T10:22:00.000-07:002004-05-05T10:26:31.060-07:00The 2004 Rainier team is essentially the same one that owned the Texas League all last year. It will be interesting to see if it can own the PCL as well.
Most of the key components are there: All Star SS Lopez, MVP Leone, Zapp, E. Guzman, Nageotte, Baek, Sherrill, Blackley, Madritch. Then you have some holdovers from the 2002 Texas League champs - Craig Anderson, Jamal Strong.
San Antonio Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1083690797120468242004-05-04T10:13:00.000-07:002004-05-04T10:15:57.326-07:00If you want to see some excellent mashing at affordable prices, check out the Tacoma Rainiers. There is some awesome AAA power on display. Last night, we saw AJ Zapp crush two pitches deep out of right field, and Bucky Jacobsen did the same to a pitch out to left. Heck, even Luis Ugueto got into the act, an inside the park with a drive between the center and right fielders that rolled to the Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1083387500591951522004-04-30T21:58:00.000-07:002004-04-30T22:06:30.966-07:00King Felix Hernandez is on the mound for the 66'ers Saturday. If you are near a computer, the game can be heard on the internet at 7:00.Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1083386527955308092004-04-30T21:42:00.000-07:002004-04-30T21:45:15.280-07:00Here's an interesting player in the Mariner farm system: TJ Bohn is a 24 year old. A lanky 6'5", he plays center field, and is graceful for a big guy (I got a chance to see him play a game in the Brewer's Miller Park last year). Last year at Wisconsin, Bohn hit .366 OBP with a .527 Slugging %. This year with the 66's in the Cal league, he currently holding a .432 OBP and slugging .550.
Bohn Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1083342568596048862004-04-30T09:29:00.000-07:002004-04-30T09:32:35.590-07:00What's wrong with Ichiro?
I've heard people suggest the obsession with OBP and drawing walks is screwing up with Ichiro's hitting mojo. He's trying too hard to draw walks this year and as such his hitting is in the toilet. But the stats don't seem to bear this out.
Ichiro's 2001 season was remarkable, but in 2002 was almost as good, perhaps better as a leadoff hitter in that he improved his Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1083339949306412422004-04-30T08:45:00.000-07:002004-04-30T08:48:56.060-07:00It's kinda funny, this franchise is so old, even our prospects are long in the tooth.
Roy Hobbs goes 2 for 4 last night, and is now hitting .462, slugging .769 - remember, this is a former pitcher who didn't start hitting in the minors until last year.
27 year old lefty George Sherrill is blowing away PCL hitters. Sullivan thinks he should take Villone's place on the Mariner roster. It'll Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1083283540638391172004-04-29T17:05:00.000-07:002004-04-29T17:08:57.686-07:00It's still early, but...
Guillen: .312/.402 (!)/.455/.857
Aurilia: .232/.292 /.305/.597
Not that anyone is surprised.Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1083281540312771132004-04-29T16:32:00.000-07:002004-04-29T16:35:26.686-07:00Of course, when I say I'm optimistic, I mean optimistic in a realistic way. I think we can play .500 ball this year. Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1083278965315906102004-04-29T15:49:00.000-07:002004-04-29T15:52:31.483-07:00Tough loss, but Pineiro looked real good, even if his numbers look bad. Only 1 BB in 6+ innings, 6 Ks. The 4 run inning inning was filled with soft singles and an error. In the 7th, he was just under 90 pitches and got ahead of the hitters he faced. The both singled, and if he snags the second one that gets under his glove, it's a double play and we may end up winning 5-4. Only two of the 12Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1083262837994261222004-04-29T11:20:00.000-07:002004-04-29T11:23:44.263-07:00Down on the Farm in San Antone:
The Mayor is hitting .373 with 5 home runs.
Roy Hobbs is hitting .458
and the other Delucchi is hitting .355 as a leadoff hitter.
Now, these guys are old: Lindsey and Jacobs are 27, Delucchi is 26, so they aren't real prospects. But it is their first full year in AA, so they aren't quite minor league veterans at the level where all real prospects go to prove Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1083261289009546762004-04-29T10:54:00.000-07:002004-04-29T10:57:55.500-07:00My immediate impression of this “old teams take longer to get started" line from Bavasi is that it was pure bullshit. I would be shocked to find there is any credible basis for making such a statement. I would put money on this: if there is evidence that older teams take longer to get started, those teams that are old and took long to get started had predominately losing seasons – and a large Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1083261154430797392004-04-29T10:52:00.000-07:002004-04-29T10:55:40.936-07:00I remain a fan of Olerud, despite my pining for left handed slugging. I think Olerud's defense and OBP is extremely useful IF we supplement the lack of power elsewhere. Plus Olerud's projected VORP is one of the few on this team that is projected to go up. His defense last year was calculated by Baseball Prospectus to be worth 8 runs (by contrast, Ichiro's was calculated to be worth 4, Cammy'sRickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1083083319403814032004-04-27T09:28:00.000-07:002004-04-27T09:31:43.403-07:00Who Lost Cameron?
You would think baseball people like Melvin, who, even if they didn’t know a thing about statistics and went totally on watching ballgames and evaluating talent on what they observe, would understand the tremendous value Mike Cameron gave the team – just on defense alone. How many times did Melvin think, “oh – a deep drive to center – good – out number 3. Now, let’s go score Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082919559775282922004-04-25T11:59:00.000-07:002004-04-25T12:02:23.436-07:00Egads, when did we become the Texas Rangers of the AL West?
Texas pitching has either gotten better, or we've gotten worse. I think it's a little of both.
I didn't know Wasdin could throw that hard.
Who was it in the Mariner Management that thought that if being the oldest team in the Major Leagues kept us a few games from the playoffs, the answer to making the playoffs was not to get youngerRickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082739849164543682004-04-23T10:04:00.000-07:002004-04-23T10:07:09.513-07:00I have to say, as a winter long Ibanez booster, that I am a little annoyed with these "well, kudos to Ibanez, enjoy it boys because it wont last" kind of comments. There may be a blind spot here among the anti-Ibanez signing crowd that I would like to point out.
Imagine if Ibanez were totally ignored by all in baseball these last three years, just some dude toiling in obscurity in the Mexican Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082732377903674152004-04-23T07:59:00.000-07:002004-04-23T08:02:37.403-07:00Roy Hobbs went 3 for 4 and is currently hitting .548. Casey Fossum didn't pitch last night like the Missions website promised.
It's also great to see Shin Soo Choo hitting so well and with power. Real great to see. Especially with Snelling out again. Keep hope alive.
Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082665957129676922004-04-22T13:32:00.000-07:002004-04-22T13:36:00.763-07:00Mariner minor leaguer baseball cards! Now This is fun.Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082660747342631202004-04-22T12:05:00.000-07:002004-04-22T12:08:46.750-07:00Riske YES! Fans Beltran and Stairs to hold a 1 run lead and earn a save!
OK, Citizens, return to your lives.Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082660324857880962004-04-22T11:58:00.000-07:002004-04-22T12:01:43.500-07:00I've got my fingers crossed. I have one closer on my roto team - David Riske. Cleveland has a one run lead entering the 9th. If Riske loses his closer role, I'm toast this year - unless Lance Carter gets another shot at it in Tampa.
Btw, our league is the longest running roto league I know of in the Seattle area - since 1985 - I'll keep making that claim until someone comes up with a longer Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082660031806599682004-04-22T11:53:00.000-07:002004-04-22T11:56:50.560-07:00You know, Pickering's never going to get a chance to play first base for the Royals so long as Ken Harvey's hitting .417.Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082649698070309752004-04-22T09:01:00.000-07:002004-04-22T09:04:37.403-07:00Jeff Sullivan has been documenting the Calvin Pickering story (although Baseball Prospectus really deserves mention for tipping us off on him in their 2004 edition). Now Rob Neyer is on the story.
He is returning to earth, btw, going 0-3 with 3 k's last night.Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082648638215166052004-04-22T08:43:00.000-07:002004-04-22T08:58:56.170-07:00Thanks to Mariner Minors for the heads up on this article about Bobby Livingston's ambidexterity. Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082648478626610622004-04-22T08:41:00.000-07:002004-04-22T08:44:17.403-07:00David Cameron brilliantly dissects Bob Melvin's use of the pen last night. Again, why the heck doesn't the mainstream media get to the nub like this?
Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082615593438659652004-04-21T23:33:00.000-07:002004-04-21T23:36:32.513-07:00Tomorrow, the San Antone Missions face Casey Fossum, making a second rehab start for El Paso. I hope Roy Hobbs (.519 BA) plays and kills him.Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082615067113015872004-04-21T23:24:00.000-07:002004-04-21T23:31:56.750-07:00Tough loss. The bullpen is turning second class. Our lefty setup guy is now closing for someone else. Mike Myers? How can you settle for Mike Myers when you've dined on Arthur Rhodes for four years? It's like having Randy Winn in center. You get so used to excellence, you forget how the unfortunates on the other side of the tracks live - you know, the teams that settle for Mike Myers as Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082590225417133072004-04-21T16:30:00.000-07:002004-04-21T16:37:44.513-07:00Ibanez vs. Hudson:
.269/.345/.423/.768
One home run in there. Let's make it two.
Spiezio does Ok vs. Hudson as well:
.316 .333 .421 .754 Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-108259007195704232004-04-21T16:27:00.000-07:002004-04-21T16:30:50.250-07:00Nice: we've lost 5 of 6 against Anaheim, and we're only one game behind them.
Oakland is looking real shaky right now, with Crosby out for who knows how long, and Kielty with sore ribs.
Let's hope for another stellar pitching performance, and some guys on base for when Ibanez faces Hudson.Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082526774380450902004-04-20T22:52:00.000-07:002004-04-20T22:57:02.653-07:00Let's see, we've scored 4 runs in 23 innings and we have a 2-0 record over that span. We're either playing the A's or the Tigers.
It's the A's - awesome. It's the A's - awesome. Even more awesome is how lame the A's lineup looks right now.
Why did it take the Mariners four years to get a left handed pull hitter, and not a true pull hitter at that?
Let's do some dealing, management guys. Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082478253470156212004-04-20T09:24:00.000-07:002004-04-20T09:28:00.733-07:00The boys of San Antone are off to another good start:
Batting Averages:
Delucchi: .356
Choo: .311
Dobbs: .325
Roy Hobbs: .579
Mayor John Lindsey: .375
Oliveros: .333
Ibanez has hit two homers in two straight games, against two lefthanders, and drew a walk against Arthur Rhodes. Without Ibanez's "power", we are in a two game losing streak. Nice work Raul.
Warning Track Wilson continues to Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082394409242709402004-04-19T10:06:00.000-07:002004-04-19T10:09:45.543-07:00The loss of Mike Cameron is the most significant thing about the Mariners this year. Winn's arm is truly weak and he can't cover the same amount of ground. Also, Mike offers more power.
Ibanez is a good replacement for Winn, but Ibanez/Winn for Cameron/Winn is not a good change. Winn may look like the more productive hitter, numbers wise - but the home run Ibanez golfed out to right yesterdayRickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082313564930211372004-04-18T11:39:00.000-07:002004-04-18T11:48:33.060-07:00Jaime and Dan are the Man!
Every now and then, I suppose it's good for Wilson to aim for the warning track. That long drive to the left field track last night worried me: "No DAN, DON'T!!! Aim for the space between 3rd and the left fielder." (as if that's possible)
Moyer and Wilson go together like Peas and Carrots, as Gump would say. I wondered whether Meche's working with Wilson was part Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082240421045561222004-04-17T15:20:00.000-07:002004-04-17T15:23:15.356-07:00Boy, last night's game was due for a three run bomb, inning after inning. Problem is, we don't have the power to do it.
Ibanez came close, crushing a shot foul into the second deck. That's it Raul, pull it. Unfortunately, he promptly struck out afterwards, and every other at bat looked weak. Ugh. Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082240282478753822004-04-17T15:18:00.000-07:002004-04-17T15:20:56.826-07:00Well, the good news is that Dan Wilson is swinging the bat real good. Wilson seems to have chosen to stop swinging for the warning track and is concentrating on spraying the ball for base hits.
Dan has become the Rick Dempsey of the Mariners hasn't he? Year after year, the light hitting mainstay behind the mask.Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082134760310223052004-04-16T09:59:00.000-07:002004-04-16T10:02:12.873-07:00John Levesque introduces the general community to the sabermetric crowd in typical fashion:
Granted, number crunching is the new darling among baseball people who think there's a better way to measure player effectiveness than by using old-fashioned seat-of-the-pants evaluation. The Red Sox are so into it they hired as a consultant none other than Bill James, whose "Baseball Abstract" got the Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082100760584935902004-04-16T00:32:00.000-07:002004-04-16T00:35:33.110-07:00Wow! Ten K's for Felix Hernandez in 5 innings of work at Inland Empire. The kid is stunning.
read about it at Mariner Minors.
On the other fronts, Roy Hobbs (28 year old Greg Jacobs) went oh for four. Stay away from the San Antone nightlife, Roy! But hey, look at our AA catcher Oliveros, hitting .353. He and Rene Rivera at Inland make the Christiansen bust easier to digest.
And Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082060215033976542004-04-15T13:16:00.000-07:002004-04-15T13:20:16.623-07:00Here's the link for the Jacob's note:
San Antonio statsRickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082059683792490752004-04-15T13:08:00.000-07:002004-04-15T13:18:54.733-07:00ROY HOBBS SPOTTED IN MARINER ORGANIZATION
Hey, look at this: Greg Jacobs is hitting .818 in San Antonio! Of his 9 hits, five are doubles and three are home runs.
Yeah, sure, I know the guy is too old to be considered a prospect. But that's what they said about Robert Redford, er - I mean Roy Hobbs.
If this continues, I'm going to change the name to this blog to Jacobsforleft
Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1082057773708246262004-04-15T12:36:00.000-07:002004-04-15T12:39:05.810-07:00On the positive side of things, Clint Nageotte was awesome in his second AAA game last night, setting down 14 batters in a row at one point.
Letting Cameron go was a horrible mistake. I was a proponent of the Ibanez signing, but that was more a situation in which I allowed Mariner inaction in addressing the left handed power shortage to cause me to cry out "FINALLY!" when a guy like Ibanez was Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-108180425584207522004-04-12T14:10:00.000-07:002004-04-12T14:13:45.250-07:00I caught a bit of the Mets game on TV today. Mike Cameron looked real good - made some nice Cameron plays in the OF.
I miss Mike Cameron. I think that was a mistake, letting Mike go.
Are some of you noticing that balls in play you automatically assumed would be turned into double plays or outfield outs are no longer automatic? Are you watching a little more closely, to make sure Aurelia Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1081728150139924892004-04-11T17:02:00.000-07:002004-04-11T17:05:18.750-07:00Marcos Scutaro - playing second base for the A's. Had anyone who reads this ever heard of him before opening day this year? Not me. But the A's have again done what they do so well - find the gems everyone else misses. Scutaro has some very nice minor league stats. He's got some pop and he gets on base. Very nice little ballplayer.
His first full year of AA he had a .387 OBP and a .472 Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1081446101890602302004-04-08T10:41:00.000-07:002004-04-08T10:44:26.686-07:00I have to admit there’s a piece of me, the “bad Rick”, who quietly relishes Anaheim kicking our asses because they take free agency seriously. Seattle hasn’t had an owner like Anaheim’s since the Sonics Sam Schulman – an owner who, by indicating he will do whatever it takes to win, sets the tone for the rest of the organization. Well, Paul Allen is stepping up. But so long as we are content toRickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1081116848693427282004-04-04T15:14:00.000-07:002004-04-04T15:16:50.110-07:00Here's my prediction for the AL West:
1. Anaheim
2. Oakland
3. Seattle
4. Texas
Anaheim has the bullpen, enough starting pitching, good power, minor league talent it can deal during the season, and most importantly and what separates it from the rest - ownership willing to do what it takes to win.
Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1081116651660219532004-04-04T15:10:00.000-07:002004-04-04T15:14:06.796-07:00Darn!
Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1080925388789125372004-04-02T09:03:00.000-08:002004-04-02T09:05:48.043-08:00I agree wholeheartedly with David at the USS Mariner regarding Bradley. Nageotte for Bradley - yes - make the deal. I'd give them Nageotte and Lopez at this point. What's the use of having all sorts of solid citizens of high character in your clubhouse if you can't use them to influence troubled souls like Milton Bradley, troubled souls who can hit the snot out of a ball?
It pains me to see Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1080839884530667642004-04-01T09:18:00.000-08:002004-04-01T09:20:42.560-08:00It looks like Bloomquist will start at 3rd on opening day. That is just plain depressing - the thought that after last year, Bloomquist is back at 3rd is just plain depressing.
And Jeff Sullivan at Leoneforthird/fire Bavasi is simply wrong about putting Bocachica and Bloomquist in the same "no hit" group. There is a major difference between these two players, Jeff, and the overall stats make Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1080237988816046962004-03-25T10:06:00.000-08:002004-03-25T10:09:00.060-08:00It's nice to see Melvin notice what a good spring Bocachica is having. It's nice to see Melvin realize he can do a lot of the things Bloomquist can do. Here's hoping the guy makes the team. Bocachica has the potential to play himself into some significant time on this team. It's more than a matter of a marginal player having a hot spring. Bocachica has been the victim of bad starts, the Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1079919317696544932004-03-21T17:35:00.000-08:002004-03-21T17:40:03.356-08:00Fisking Bob Melvin:
From the Seattle Times, Melvin guarantees a roster spot to the worst player on the squad:
Melvin: Bloomquist 'great fit'
When it comes to worries, there may be some for fans of Willie Bloomquist, who went into yesterday hitting .233 while Ramon Santiago was pounding away at .480.
Not to worry, Melvin said.
"For me, Willie's on the team," Melvin said. "He's such a greatRickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1079630051180554182004-03-18T09:14:00.000-08:002004-03-18T09:17:53.920-08:00Seattle Times reports this morning the M's are looking at Jason Kendall. Is it just me, or does this guy bear an eerie resemblance to Jeff Cirillo?
Lifetime stats: Kendall BA .304 OBA .385 SLG .422 OPS .807
Cirillo BA .299 BA .369 SLG . 435 OPS .805
Both right handed hitters.
Man, the Cirillo fiasco has really got me spooked these days. Anyway, could Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5573084.post-1079562024911247532004-03-17T14:20:00.000-08:002004-03-17T14:22:48.170-08:00I just got my copy of Baseball Prospectus 2004. Haven't had much of a chance to look over it yet, but I must say I am very impressed with the Mariner essay. I assume David Cameron wrote most if not all of it. Very well balanced, objective and insightful. He put everything in proper perspective. Nice work!
Rickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17210123062621100680noreply@blogger.com