Jack Zduriencik vs. Bill Bavasi in Free Agency
The hunter's gaze is steady as his mortal enemy–the albatross–mocks him in front of his peers.
This offseason has been one that has seen some pretty ugly thoughts thrown around about Jack Zduriencik. When he took the team over in 2009, and the team was immediately successful in terms of overall record, some high expectations were set. He’d made a ton of low-cost, high-impact moves that had improved the team, and it seemed like the Mariners were back on the fast track to relevance.
So when people have compared the Mariners record while Zduriencik has been general manager to the record of former GM Bill Bavasi, they’ve been disappointed. Zduriencik’s Mariners have a… Continue reading | 1 Comment
Mariners Prospect No. 19: Chih-Hsien Chiang
Chih-Hsien Chiang, OF, Jackson Generals (AA, 24.4 years old on average in 2011)
6-2, 170 lbs, 24 years old
Bats: Left, Throws: Right
Acquired: 2011 Trade with Boston Red Sox (Erik Bedard)
ETA: Late 2012-2013
Because Chiang was a part of the Red Sox organization, and played in Taiwan before signing with Boston, our information on him is limited. He was considered the second-best prospect in the trade that also brought Trayvon Robinson to Seattle (from Los Angeles), though he’s probably a more advanced hitter. Last year Chiang was good for a wOBA+ of 130 (100 is average, 130 is 30 percent above average) in the Eastern league, and a .308 ISO while playing in a home park that plays pretty neutral as… Continue reading | 1 Comment
Mariners Prospect No. 20: Steven Proscia
Steven Proscia, 3B/1B, High Desert Mavericks (A+, 22.7 years old on average in 2011)
6-2, 210 lbs, 22 years old
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Acquired: 2011 Amateur Draft (7th round)
ETA: 2015
When the Mariners drafted Danny Hultzen last year from the University of Virginia, they weren’t shy about drafting his teammates, akin to the way they drafted Kyle Seager and Brian Moran the same year they drafted Dustin Ackley. They had a scouting advantage on Virginia players, because they undoubtedly watched a lot of Virginia baseball. In this case they drafted John Hicks and Steven Proscia. Hicks has some serious warts as a future catcher, but Proscia hit the ground running in his first go at pro ball. He hit .303/.319/.568 with 12… Continue reading | 2 Comments
Mariners Prospect No. 21: Forrest Snow
Forrest Snow, RHP, Tacoma Rainiers (AAA, 27.1 years old on average in 2011)
6-6, 195 lbs, 23 years old
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Acquired: 2010 Amateur Draft (36th round)
ETA: Late 2012
Forrest Snow has shot through the Mariners farm system, and the former University of Washington has all the makings of a fan favorite. Snow has upgraded fastball to an offering that can touch the mid-90s, and one that rests in the lower 90s. Snow ran a 3.02 K/BB ratio last year across three levels, including AAA. He probably hasn’t earned his promotions at every level, but because the Mariners haven’t invested a ton in him they don’t seem to be very cautious with him. He presently doesn’t have the off-speed pitches to… Continue reading | 1 Comment
Mariners Prospect No. 22: Carlos Triunfel
Carlos Triunfel, IF, Tacoma Rainiers (AAA, 26.9 years old on average in 2011)
5-11, 170 lbs, 22 years old
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Acquired: International Signing (2007)
ETA: 2013
Triunfel has had a tumultuous career since being signed at 16 years old. He was widely considered a top prospect, advancing quickly though the Mariners system. Some plate discipline issues, power that never developed, and injuries have derailed perception of Triunfel. Triunfel will be 22 years old, and though he’s probably no longer a shortstop as he was when he was originally signed, he’s got potential to have a good year in Tacoma and put his name in the mix for third base in the future. Triunfel has been pushed quickly, which is normally good… Continue reading | 1 Comment
Edwin Jackson signs with Washington
Edwin Jackson was supposed to be good. He's ok.
The day I first met Sean Kramer, I don’t know if there was a thing that I agreed with him on that had to do with the Seattle Mariners. He wanted to talk to me about Jose Guillen’s RBIs and how losing Jose Guillen signaled the demise of the Mariners. The sky was falling in his world. I called him Chicken Little more times than anybody I’ve ever known.
Today Sean sent me a text message that said this:
“We couldn’t sign Edwin Jackson to a f—ing one year deal? Nationals proves Edwin doesn’t care about winning, he wants dough. And proves our ownership… Continue reading | 1 Comment
Mariners Prospect No. 23: Jonathan Arias
Jonathan Arias, RHP, Clinton Lumberkings (A, 21.8 years old on average in 2011)
6-3, 190 lbs, 24 years old
Bats: Right, Throws: Right
Acquired: International Signing (2006)
ETA: 2015
Don’t be fooled by Arias’ age. He was signed as a catcher, and one with a great arm and good defensive skills, but he didn’t hit. He pitched for the first time in 2009, and had limited success. Last year he pitched 63.1 innings, averaging 14.4 K/9 and 5.4 BB/9 while posting a 3.27 ERA in 39 appearances, all in relief. Arias figures to have a high-leverage arm, and he finished nine games in 2011. This isn’t the first time a rocket-armed prospect has had success in the Mariners system, Rafael Soriano became one of… Continue reading
Francisco Martinez Deserves More Respect
Francisco Martinez isn't a "big bat," but he owns at least one bat, as evidenced by this picture. Unless he borrowed that one.
Francisco Martinez is quite a polarizing figure for a guy who most Mariner fans have never seen in person. The guy came over in the Doug Fister trade. Fister was a fan-favorite. I think Fister will regress next year, but I liked him enough as a pitcher to be sad that he’s gone. However, when he was traded to Detroit there was a perception that came from some fans and media members about Francisco Martinez.
Here are some truths, and some things that go against Martinez:
The Tigers have… Continue reading | 2 Comments
February Poll of the Month
[poll id="35"]…
Carlos Guillen is a Seattle Mariner, yet again
The Mariners have signed Carlos Guillen to a minor league deal. For me it feels like yesterday that Carlos Guillen came in a trade of anonymity that sent Randy Johnson to Houston, and three guys that nobody had heard of the Seattle. Those guys turned out to be Guillen, Freddy Garcia, and John Halama.
Guillen left Seattle in one of the stupidest trades in the history of the Mariners. With rumors swirling about Freddy Garcia’s off-field habits, and his and Guillen’s friendship, the team sent Guillen to Detroit for Ramon Santiago. Santiago would return to Detroit shortly thereafter, and the Mariners would send Garcia to the White Sox for a deal that included Miguel Olivo, Jeremy Reed, and Mike Morse.
Guillen will be 36 years old next year… Continue reading | 1 Comment
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