The Feed and the Long View
I’d like to take a different angle on the Feed — “what does this all mean?”
Short term, it’s a mixed bag, but there’s reason for hope. Take the Garica trade (woo-hoo!). I think they’re realistic, but some of the things I’ve continually harped on don’t seem likely to change (minor league depth to cover for things like the rotation collapse, working free-talent avenues harder, building a complete 25-man roster with useful, fitting parts, that kind of thing).
The most encouraging part was knowing that the team wants to win, but is trying to build a minor league system that can support a sustained competitive team. We talk about stars-and-scrubs, but this is how you want a team to build for a World Series title: develop stars, prospects for trade or who’ll become role-players on the cheap, and use your money to fill the holes around them. Then drink champagne and fly the pennants.
So when they talk about being buyers or sellers, that’s scary, but it’s almost irrelevant. They do want to put wins on the board, and keep people turning out at the park. They’ve got to keep people buying season tickets, and that’s where .400 seasons really hurt their bottom line. If getting to .500 this season requires them to sacrifice (say) Choo, that’s something the ownership’s going to want to go for, and I’m going to scream about.
Read more
Doyle Back To Tacoma
The Mariners have demoted Our Aussie Prospect, thanks in large measure to Derek’s “get the guy at bats” exhortations at the feed. Dave Hansen has been activated.
By the way, thanks to everyone at the feed who, when the “S” word was uttered, shouted “Doyle!” repeatedly, something that I’m sure confused Bavasi, but brought joy and mirth to my heart.
[Registration site: poo@katu.com, password biteme. I’ll put up a non-registration link when one is available. Like this one at the bottom of the Times notebook, and this one from the P-I.]
Bavasi and the Feed
As you’ve almost certainly heard by now, Mariners GM Bill Bavasi spent two hours on Saturday before the game answering questions from the BP/USSM readers in attendance. His candor was remarkable, and he got high marks from everyone in attendance for his ability to simultaneously be insightful, strong, funny, and articulate. For almost everyone there, I’m sure it will be a highlight from a season that hasn’t had many.
As we’ve also mentioned, Bavasi was extremely honest with his opinion of a large amount of players, speaking his mind openly about their strengths, weaknesses, and the organizations take on their abilities. Those comments were made with the understanding that they wouldn’t be published on the site, and we have no problem honoring that commitment, even though we realize this may be a bit frustrating to many of you were not able to attend. We’re sorry about that, but we feel that is the right course of action in this case.
However, Bill was also very forthcoming with regards to the questions he received on baseball theory, player development philosophies, the roles of scouting and statistical analysis, and his methods of player valuation. What follows is both a recap of Bavasi’s responses to his philosophies as well as a look at how our assessment of the organization’s direction has gone since he was hired.
The Attrition War, Padres
Part of a continuing series, follow-ups to the initial post detailing the Mariners history over the same period.
Do the Mariners, in comparison to other teams, suffer a higher rate of injury to their pitching prospects than other teams? Here, I look at the Padres.
Junior
As one of the few people left who roots for Ken Griffey, Jr., I wanted to point out that he’s finally having the sort of year the Reds thought they’d be getting when they traded for him five years ago. I can’t believe it’s been that long.
Griffey homered and walked three times today, raising his season line to a none-too-shabby .290/.365/.546 with 20 homers, giving him 521 in his career. I still say he hits 600 before he’s done. He’s also on pace to play in 150 games for the first time since he left Seattle.
He’ll probably go on the DL tomorrow. Ken, I’m sorry.
The Attrition War, Orioles
Part of a continuing series, follow-ups to the initial post detailing the Mariners history over the same period.
Do the Mariners, in comparison to other teams, suffer a higher rate of injury to their pitching prospects than other teams? Here, I look at the Orioles.
Game 91, Orioles at Mariners
1:05 sure snuck up on me. RHP Sir Sidney Ponson v RHP Gil Meche.
Bloomquist sits! (gasp of shock)
Notes from Underground: Wrapping the Feed and Game Outing
Bill Bavasi put me in a headlock, threw one fan’s hat in the trash, and told another “I’m right, you’re wrong — get lost.” Jim Caple brought bats identical to the ones Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner and Shoeless Joe used. It was revealed that David Cameron is on steroids.
Suffice it to say, tonight’s USS Mariner/Baseball Prospectus outing was eventful. With a 3-2 win sealed in last of the ninth, it was enjoyable as well.
Read more
Game 90, Orioles at Mariners
LHP Bruce Chen vs. LHP Jamie Moyer, 7:05pm, FSN & KOMO
I just got back from Maryland tonight after a really long — amazing how Friday afternoon NYC traffic can turn a four-hour drive into seven hours — one-night trip with wife and son. Palmeiro was on the cover of the Baltimore Sun, as you might have guessed.
Chen’s in search of his fifth straight win, and since he’s a lefty, Hargrove has take the liberty of benching Reed in favor of Willie Bloomquist. Morse at short, Lopez at second, Borders behind the dish; the rest is pretty standard.
And hey, how’s this for amusing? For a mere $4.95 per month — $44.95 a year — Major League Baseball will host your baseball blog at their special URL which I won’t be mentioning. They really are all about the fans, eh?
P.S. Blogger hosts blogs for free and even lets you post photos now. No foolin’.
Game 89, Orioles at Mariners
RHP Rodrigo Lopez v RHP Joel Pineiro (that’s ei for everyone commenting). 7:05, FSN.
There are, according the the press notes, 11k tickets left tomorrow and 10k tickets for Sunday. Yow. Willie Bloomquist is working on a nice little nine-game hitting streak, during which he’s hit .438. But today he sits in favor of Morse at short and Reed in center. Also, it’s the sixth anniversary of Safeco Field. Yayyyy.
But most importantly — Snelling’s in left field, batting 8th. Woo-hoo!