it’s almost a lock that he’ll also play in 2011. He’s 30 away from passing Willie Mays, which means if he plays like he did this year, he would need 12 to move into 4th place all time. If he gets close there’s no way he’s not coming back for that

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Yes, but would Griffey agree to play in KC?

Is there a difference between Ken Griffey in 2010 and Jay Buhner in 2001? Jay did not start a game, had 45 at bats, spent most of the season on the disabled list and served as an extra coach.

Unable to serve as the designated hitter, the only thing Junior and Bone have/had to offer the team were intangibles. Jay was on a team with Edgar, but the 2010 DH has yet to emerge.

Neither Ken nor Jay can/could play left field, so it is/was a platoon. Instead of Charles Gipson, Al Martin and Mark McLemore, at the moment it is Michael Saunders, Ryan Langerhans and Bill Hall.

Bone was little more than a gimpy cheerleader and bench coach through 2001. Junior might be fine with that being his role next year, but they still need to get left field and DH sorted out.

I loved Jay and I love Junior too. I just hate to see a fellow playing hurt when he does not have to play anymore. At a point, a guy should save those knees for his grandchildren.

I said to my buddy at the last game, if Junior comes back the front office is throwing in the towel for ‘10.

As much as I don’t like this move, I have to disagree that this is what it means. If we assume for the moment that Langerhans will lose his job, that means that the roster spot is occupied by Griffey’s likely 0.0 WAR as opposed to Langerhans’ 0.5 WAR (using Dave’s projection).

Yes, we’re paying $2-3M more for a 0.5 drop in WAR. It’s a bad baseball move. But I just don’t think it’s enough to conclude that they are giving up on next season.

Trade lopez and lowe for Inge and Jackson!

Inge is not exactly someone you want to be hitting in Safeco unless he happens to be on the visiting team.

Conclusion: Only Felix and Jarrod Washburn pitched deep enough into games that would allow the Mariners to field an 11 man pitching staff.

Exactly. And the bus only succeded here at safeco (with his new center fielder) for a short time. I know, I know, “he was a dominant pitcher until they traded him”. But he got a combination of great defense a lots of good luck. Now he wants to come back. Does anyone wonder why?

Forget what Griffey playing for the Mariners in 2010 means, it’s almost a lock that he’ll also play in 2011. He’s 30 away from passing Willie Mays, which means if he plays like he did this year, he would need 12 to move into 4th place all time. If he gets close there’s no way he’s not coming back for that.

And if he doesn’t get it in ’11, what then? Do they sign him in ’12? Honestly, as surprising as this signing may or may not have been, signing him to another year would be a Bavasiesque move. And, thankfully, “the paycheck” has moved on to other teams that need destruction.

Well, maybe Mark Teixeira when he’s an early-forty-something and toward the end of his career…but unfortunately, that might take a while.

I would love to see teixeira on this team. I would also love to see my lotto numbers come up. I think the odds of either coming to pass might just be evenly comparable.

Not trying to make an argument, but wouldn’t that logic then make every AL team want a switch hitting DH…..it would free up money and a roster spot!

Absolutely. Find us a good one, please.

Well, maybe Mark Teixeira when he’s an early-forty-something and toward the end of his career…but unfortunately, that might take a while.

Question – should teams carry an 11 man or 12 man pitching staff. According to my calculations, teams should pitch about 1,458 innings per year (9 x 162 – Last year, M’s pitcher pitched 1,452.7 innings). If an average reliever spot (more than 1 person can fill a single spot, but not at the same time) pitches 65 innings per year, relievers on an 11 man staff will pitch 390 innings per year while relievers on a 12 man staff pitch 455 innings per year.

Thus, starters on an 11 man staff must pitch 1,068 innings, or appoximately 6.6 innings per game.

Starters on a 12 man staff must pitch 1,003 innings, or approximately 6.2 innings per game.

Last year’s Mariners starters averaged the following innings per game.

Felix: 7.02
Washburn: 6.65
RRS: 6.42
Bedard: 5.53
Snell: 5.36
Fister: 5.55
All others also had significant relief appearances that substantially reduce innings/game.

Conclusion: Only Felix and Jarrod Washburn pitched deep enough into games that would allow the Mariners to field an 11 man pitching staff. As Washburn is no longer with the club, it will likely be impossible for the Mariners to field an 11 man pitching staff (without a great deal of creativity in sending pitchers back and forth between Tacoma and Seattle). Thus, Griffey will almost certainly cost one of Saunders, Hall, Langerhans, or Hallahan their job.