Baek’s striking out 5.42 guys per 9 innings pitched in AAA, and his lifetime numbers are around 6. Ryan Franklin has better WHIP, BB/9 and K/9 numbers during his time in Tacoma…and we saw what his true ability was once we got past 2003.

In other words: Baek’s 5.52 ERA in Seattle in 2004 was probably close to his real level of talent and ability, were we to promote him and stick him in the rotation. As such, he’s not much of an improvement on Piñeiro (ERA as of today: 5.88).

Cruceta, on the other hand, has better peripheral stats all around (ovverall minor league numbers), as well as this year. His ERA is significantly higher because Baek’s had more unearned runs scored while on the mound; if you look at runs alone, Baek’s allowed 37 in 86.1 IP, Cruceta’s allowed 39 in 88.1, very, VERY close to identical.

Given that, I take the guy who’s missing more bats. Baek has almost no margin for error for success in the majors, because in the majors he’s going to have a K rate at aroundf 4-5 to 5 per 9 innigs, the floor where you get hit out of the majors; basically, he has to be lucky and have an Elmer Dessens/Ryan Franklin kind of fluke run where he’s carried by his defense and “at’em balls”. The thing is that ANY pitcher can have that kind of run- including Francisco Cruceta. The difference is that Cruceta might strike enough guys out that he can stay around for a while.

That being said, I’m not sold that either of these guys are much of an answer, but if you’re going to make a move with Piñeiro that’s strictly internal, Cruceta’s your guy.

#471– Guardado goes out late every game as he is in the clubhouse finishing the treatments he still does for the rotator cuff injury until about the 3d or 4th inning– he has a series of exercises & stretches pre-game, goes back in during the 2nd & does them again, & then does more after the game.

Teams come together when they are not only winning, but internalizing what’s making that happen.

I’m hoping that’s what’s happening here. All other considerations aside, what it’ll come down to is for them to be able to take that on the road.

Go M’s!

However, as I stated at the time, Soriano should have been used when Mateo was put in (relieving Woods). Of course, it’s not a “hold situation” and we know Grover…

Mateo did well tonight, but quite honestly, we all know that overall he will be a very mediocre pitcher. When you’re in a one-run game (it was 7-6 at the time), with sacks full of Rox, you have to go with your best. Soriano was fully rested. There was no excuse for keeping him out.

Good job Mateo, poor management (good/lucky escape) Groudini.

Good job M’s, pathetic AA BP quality job Piñeiro.

Two things to report from the game. First, Joel got boo’d hard. Very hard. Safeco was pretty full, and when he started giving up runs, the fans started booing loud. When Grover finally pulled him, the boos were the loudest I’ve heard in Safeco since A-Rod’s first return. I take back what I said yesterday. I think the fans are through with Pineiro.

Second, remember back when Eddie was the closer? He’d usually start the game in the dugout or the clubhouse, and meander out to the bullpen, oh, about the fifth or sixth inning, since, y’know, as the closer and all he wouldn’t be needed before the eighth or ninth. Well, he ain’t the closer now, but he still started off in the clubhouse and didn’t make his way out to the pen until the fifth tonight. Sigh.

Oh, and it was Ibanez 1, Angry Bees 0 tonight. Great way to start the game!

But like everyone else, I’m absolutely puzzled by Hargrove’s decisions in the game, from sending Yuniesky with nobody out and Ichiro up, letting Sherrill finish the eighth instead of Soriano (even if it worked), not pinch hitting for Reed with the bags loaded, etc. And of course this happens on seemingly a nightly basis.

Do Grover and Bavasi even talk about these things after the game? Does Bavasi call Grover into his office and say, “Look, I want to keep my job. Do you? Are you even remotely aware of why that one move was so stupid?” etc.? Can Bavasi really have confidence in Grover? If so, they both should go. I’m not at all saying fire Grover now while the team is riding high, even though I don’t think he deserves the job, but I really just hope Bavasi is smarter than Grover and biding his time to make a switch.

That said, awesome win. Go M’s.