Casey McLain
David Aardsma signs with the Yankees
It appears that David Aardsma has signed a major league deal with the Yankees. That sucks because we like David Aardsma, and we hate the Yankees.
Aardsma remains one of the biggest coups of Jack Zduriencik’s tenure as Mariners GM. Aardsma was traded for Fabian Williamson, who is presently getting his shit kicked in pitching for Oakland’s farm system. Aardsma was the Mariners closer for most of two seasons, compiling 69 saves and 9.6 K/9.
Aardsma was expected to be one of the Mariners top trade chips last offseason, but Tommy John surgery derailed that. The Mariners have Brandon League in their closer role now, and have worked to improve their bullpen this offseason. Since Aardsma won’t be available until mid-season, he makes more sense for a team like the Yankees, who figure to be in contention in July, while the Mariners future is more uncertain.
For Aardsma the move makes a ton of sense. In the wake of Mariano Rivera at least entertaining the thought of retirement (but who really knows with that guy), someone will have to replace him. Joba Chamberlain was expected to be that guy, but a mid-season Tommy John surgery may have derailed his chances also.
Interesting fact: Aardsma was injured during or prior to spring training, Chamberlain was injured mid-season, yet Chamberlain had Tommy John surgery (June 8) more than a month before Aardsma.
Mariners Prospect No. 7: Vinnie Catricala
Vinnie Catricala, LF/3B, Jackson Generals (AA, 24.4 years old on average in 2011)
6-2, 210 lbs, 23 years old
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Acquired: 2009 Amateur Draft (10th Round)
ETA: Late-2012
Catricala is a prospect from Jack Zduriencik’s maiden 2009 draft, a draft that seems to be turning into one that will help to define the franchise’s farm system revival (also included Dustin Ackley, Nick Franlin, Kyle Seager, and Anthony Vasquez). Catricala came in as a guy who seemed likely to move off of third base, if only because of his size, but a guy that may hit. Hit Vinny has. He OPS’d 1.021 last year in a split between High Desert and Jackson, and… Continue reading | 1 Comment
Figgins to Leadoff, Ichiro to the Three-Hole
Ichiro will hit behind Chone Figgins. Not as literally as this picture though. In this picture Ichiro is hitting behind Figgins who is hitting behind Ichiro who is hitting behind Figgins who is hitting behind Ichiro…
According to reports, Ichiro will be moving to the third spot in the order, with Chone Figgins taking the everyday duties at third base, as well as sliding up into the leadoff spot.
On the surface this seems silly. Moving Ichiro—the best leadoff hitter in Mariner history—is almost sacrilegious to some fans at this point in his career. And that he’s making way for Figgins—unarguably the biggest blemish on the Jack Zduriencik regime—doesn’t make things any better… Continue reading | 1 Comment
Oakland signs Manny
Cover your head the sky is falling! The A’s signed Man-Ram! Manny Ramirez has 12 All Star appearances, and 555 home runs, the Mariners are screwed!
JK Guys (and Girls, don’t get me or my headline writer (also me) fired (I bet you don’t see a lot of double parentheses)). Manny probably isn’t good anymore. Since he got suspended for taking a woman’s fertility medication while he played for the Dodgers, he has been downright human. He retired after playing only five games with the Rays last year, facing yet another suspension. He was a good player in 2010 (138 wRC+ in 320 plate appearances), but he will be about a year-and-a-half removed from that when he suits up for the first time this year, and that much farther… Continue reading
Mariners Prospect No. 8: Phillips Castillo
Phillips Castillo, OF, Arizona League Mariners (Rookie, 20.0 years old on average in 2011)
6-2, 190 lbs, 18 years old
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Acquired: International Signing (2010)
ETA: 2015
Since Jack Zduriencik has been the Mariners general manager, the team has put a huge emphasis on international scouting and player acquisition. Several of the players that they’ve added using that process have already appeared on this prospect list. Presently Castillo is the best prospect of the bunch. Considered one of the best hitters of the 2010 class of free agents, Castillo came stateside and produced pretty well in the Arizona League (.848 OPS), Castillo probably didn’t hit as many homeruns as a successful season by him would be expected… Continue reading | 1 Comment
Mike Cameron Retires
Mike Cameron has decided to hang ‘em up after 17 years in the MLB, retiring from Washington Nationals camp where he’d signed a minor league deal. You may know Cameron as the guy who replaced Griffey. You may also know Cameron as the guy who made everyone forget about Griffey as an outfielder.
Unfortunately for Cameron, he wasn’t Griffey at the plate. Not many have been. But Cameron’s offensive value was quite undervalued, because many media members chose to focus on his strikeouts. He struck out over 24 percent of his career plate appearances. He also had a 11 percent walk rate and a .195 isolated power. He even had some of his best years in Seattle, accruing 19.7 WAR in four years. Cameron was worth 52.6 WAR in… Continue reading | 1 Comment
Leave the Kings in Sacramento, If Possible
This kind of thing will make Sacramento hate Seattle, even if the Kings stay.
It’s been an exciting couple of days in the Seattle area. There is a buzz in the city that I haven’t personally experienced in a couple years, since Ken Griffey Jr. made his return to the Mariners. The whole city seems to be talking about Chris Hansen. Hansen is a hedge-fund manager who grew up in Seattle, and cited a “civic obligation” to help bring the Sonics back to Seattle.
But the new Sonics shouldn’t be the old Kings. At least not in a world that is anywhere near perfect.
Two months ago there were probably less people… Continue reading
Mariners Prospect No. 9: Victor Sanchez
Victor Sanchez, RHP, Did not pitch professionally in 2011
6-0, 185 lbs, 17 years old
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Acquired: International Signing (2011)
ETA: 2016
Victor Sanchez was basically the top pitching prospect available in the international free agent market last year. He’s a guy who was a star in Venezuela at 12 years old, and who is able to hit 92 mph with his fastball, and already possesses an adequate curveball and a developing change. He’s far from a prototypical pitcher, as he’s short for the position presently, but at only 17 years old it’s not out of the question to think that Sanchez could grow a couple of inches before his major league debut. Sanchez signed for $2.5 million… Continue reading | 1 Comment
The Mariners Should Sign Roy Oswalt
Roy Oswalt is worth as much as several acres of dilapidated swamp land that happens to be full of oil that may one day be mistakenly discovered. Seattle may be no Beverly Hills, though.
Roy Oswalt has been conspicuously absent from a major league roster this entire offseason, and it’s probably about time for him to consider coming to Seattle. The 34 year old right-hander came into the offseason with high hopes, and probably overshot the market. His desire for a three-year deal probably made several teams shy away, though he’s flirted with the Red Sox and Rangers, among other teams.
Oswalt may not seem like an ideal buy-low candidate for the Mariners… Continue reading | 1 Comment
Mariners Prospect No. 10: Carter Capps
Carter Capps, RHP, Clinton Lumberkings (A, 21.8 years old on average in 2011)
6-5, 220 lbs, 21 years old
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Acquired: 2011 Amateur Draft (3rd round)
ETA: Late 2012
Though Capps was taken in the third round last year, he has a good chance to be the first 2011 draftee to make their Mariners debut. Capps has an electric fastball and a slider that is an adequate secondary offering. The real dilemma with Capps is whether or not the Mariners view him as a starter or reliever. He’ll need a third pitch (and probably need to improve his slider) if he’s made into a starter. He’d also, likely, need some additional time to develop those pitches in the minors… Continue reading | 1 Comment
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