Category Archives: Mariners

Two Trade Possibilites for Nick Franklin and the Mariners

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It’s been no secret that upon their acquisition of Robinson Cano, Nick Franklin became an expendable commodity for the Mariners.  Soon after the Cano signing, teams seeking infield help – the Mets, Blue Jays, and Yankees to name a few – began surfacing as possible suitors for the highly regarded 23 year-old.   Despite the early rumblings, however, it hasn’t been until this past week that the Franklin rumor mill has started to heat up.   In the past seven days, the Mets, Rays, and now Yankees have emerged as possible landing spots for Franklin.  In fact, if not for the injury to Rays starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson, a Mariners-Rays deal was reportedly close to being finalized that would have sent the young second baseman to Tampa in exchange for one of the Rays’ starting pitchers.

With Nelson Cruz and Ubaldo Jimenez both officially off the free agent market, and Ervin Santana seeking a Jimenez-like 4 year $50M contract, trade is now the likely route the Mariners will take to fill their believed needs: a mid-rotation starting pitcher and a centerfielder.  And if it’s true Jack Zduriencik is willing to part with Franklin, the Mariners could fill one – or both – of those needs by dealing Franklin to either the Mets or the Twins.

The Mets:

Lookout Landing recently did a nice piece on what the Mets have to offer as a potential trading partner, focusing much of their attention on whether young pitching prospects like Noah Syndergaard or Rafael Montero could be had in return for Franklin.  Both of those players would be solid returns for Franklin.  The question, however, is whether the Mariners should be targeting a young pitching prospect? It’s true that a team can never have enough young pitching talent.  And while Syndergaard or Montero meet that criteria and could be nice arms for the near future, neither help the Mariners’ current pitching needs for 2014.    The Mariners rotation will, presumably, contain two of baseball best young (and unproven) arms in Taijuan Walker and James Paxton.  An addition of Syndergaard or Montero would either replace one of Walker or Paxton, or simply add to the rotations expected youth and inexperience.  What the Mariners don’t have, and are in need of, is a solid veteran mid-rotation arm to slot in behind co-aces Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma.  As things stand now, the Mariners have to feel uncomfortable heading into the season with the prospect of having three untested and unproven young arms anchoring the back-end of the rotation.  And with Iwakuma still recovering from his finger injury and out for at least the next three weeks, the Mariners may be looking at having four young arms following Hernandez in the rotation to start the season.  Given that foreseeable abundance of youth and inexperience, a more established pitcher like Dillon Gee would be a better target for the Mariners than a Syndergaard or Montero.  Last season, Gee went 12-11 with a 3.62 ERA, tossed 199.0 innings, posted a 1.281 WHIP, and is under team control for another three seasons.   Gee probably has reached his ceiling as a pitcher, but at just 27 years of age (Gee will turn 28 in April) he’s in the midst of his prime and should be expected keep producing those type of numbers for years to come.  That kind of production would be serviceable as a temporary #2 pitcher, and feature nicely as the Mariners’ #3 once Iwakuma returned to the rotation.

The other player Lookout Landing discussed was centerfielder Juan Lagares, whom we here at Mission Mariner believe could be a diamond in the making.  Lagares was signed by the Mets as a 17-year old amateur free agent in 2006, and began his professional career as a shortstop.   In 2009, the Mets moved him to the outfield where he logged time at all three outfield positions as he ascended through the minor league system.  Last year, after getting off to a sizzling .346/.378/.551 start at Triple-A, and after an injury to centerfielder Matt den Dekker,  Lagares was called up in late April, making his mlb debut at the age of 24.  In 121 games thereafter, Lagares would dazzle the league with his defensive range and throwing ability, posting a dWAR of 3.5, a 21.5 UZR (2nd in mlb), and 15 outfield assists (3rd in mlb).  Of course, it would be hard to imagine Lagares continuing to put up such astronomical defensive numbers.  But even with expected regression, Lagares would most likely still continue to provide above average defense at one of baseball’s most demanding and important positions.

While Lagares shined on defense, his offense, however, was a different story.  Lagares finished 2013 with a slash line of .242/.281/.352, markedly below the league average of .261/.328/.402 for centerfielders.  As good as Lagares’ defense was, his offensive shortcoming is difficult to overlook for someone expected to account for 500+ plate appearances per season.  However, if there is a silver lining to take away from 2013 – perhaps a glint of potential to be found – Lagares’ offensive output was marred by early and late season swoons.  In May and September, Lagares slashed a .149/.184/.255 and .168/.216/.221 respectively.  During the three months in between, Lagares put up a respectable .288/.325/.420, highlighted by a .353/.408/.529 July.  Of course, it would be silly to make any sort of judgments or conclusions based on those numbers.  But it does beg the question whether Lagares was a below average hitter who just happened to get hot, or whether he was a potential league average hitter who got off to a slow start and then tired at the end of the season?  Truthfully, time will only tell.  But if the answer is foreseen to be closer to the latter than it is to the former, then Lagares would be a very valuable asset to have.

In assessing the trade availability of Gee and Lagares, the Mets have not let it be known whether either are available.  With the recent injury scare to opening day starter Jon Niese, and Lagares showing flashes of offensive potential, the Mets may have no intention of trading either player.   But with the likes of Syndergaard, Montero, Niese, Bartolo Colon, Zach Wheeler, Jenrry Meiji, and Jon Lannon all vying for rotation jobs in 2014, and with ace Matt Harvey expected back from injury next season, someone like Gee could be seen as a soon-to-be odd man out and therefore available.  As for Lagares, the Mets already have a handful of capable centerfielders in den Dekker, Chris Young, and Eric Young, Jr.  Prospect Cesar Puello, despite his connection to the Biogenesis scandal, is also an up-and-coming centerfielder who put up a .950 OPS last year at Double-A.   With center field seemingly covered, Lagares, like Dee, may be seen as an expendable commodity.  If both were to be true of Dee and Lagares, the Mariners could try and deal for both, possibly offering up a package of Franklin and one of Blake Beavan, Brandon Maurer, or Erasmo Ramirez, all of whom could be serviceable arms out of the Met’s bullpen and/or capable of filling in as back-end starters.

The Twins:

The other possibility for the Mariners is centerfielder Aaron Hicks of the Twins.  Hicks is a five-tool player taken 14th overall in the 2008 draft, and the player the Mariners tried to get Minnesota to include with catcher Wilson Ramos back in 2010 when Cliff Lee was being dangled at the trade deadline.   Hicks started off his pro career by scorching Gulf Coast League pitching to the tune of .318/.409/491 in 45 games, and giving Twins’ management early validation that Hicks was indeed a future star.  But over the next three seasons, Hicks’ star would dim a bit, posting OPS’s of .735 and .829 during two years at the Class A, and then a .722 OPS at Advanced Class A.  Promoted to Double-A in 2012, Hicks lit up the Eastern League with a .285/.382/.459, 13 homeruns and 32 stolen bases.  Hicks would carry that hot hitting over to the Twins’ 2013 Spring Training, where he blistered the Grapefruit League with a .370/.407/.644, four homeruns, and gold glove caliber defense.  That encore led Twins management to believe that Hicks had arrived, and named him the starting centerfielder.  But come the start of the regular season, Hicks struggled right out of the gate, seemingly never being able to get comfortable at the mlb level.  In 81 games, Hicks struggled to a .192/.259/.338.  His strikeouts were steep (26.8%) and his walks scant (7.7%).  And most surprising, Hicks’ vaunted defense was shaky, making the difficult play look routine, and the routine play look difficult.  After five disappointing months, Hicks was demoted to Triple-A.

Naturally, 81 games at the mlb level does not a career make.  And it’s certainly not enough time to warrant giving up on a player, especially a player with great upside.  But Hicks’ future with the Twins seems to be unclear.  With Hicks’ demotion back to the minors, the Twins went out and traded for Alex Presley, who is now slated to be the Twins starting centerfielder.  Presley, though, is merely keeping center field warm until highly touted Byron Buxton arrives in a few years, at which point Presley will move to whichever corner outfield spot is not being occupied by Oswaldo Arcia.  That ostensibly leaves Hicks on the outs, or at least in an up hill fight with Presley or Acia to win back an outfield job.  And if top power hitting prospect Miguel Sano is moved from third base to the outfield, that could make it even tougher for Hicks to work his way back into the starting lineup.

In assessing a possible trade, the question is whether Hicks would be enough of a return in the eyes of the Mariners?  Both Hicks and Franklin were highly rated prospects, both are under team control for similar amount of years, and both would be obtained to play elite positions.  But because of Hicks’ underachieving 2013, questions now surround his future prognosis as a mlb regular.  Fangraphs’ Oliver projects a five-year WAR of 17.5 for Franklin, but only a  12.3 for Hicks.  For 2014 alone, Oliver projects a 3.1 WAR for Franklin and a 2.4 WAR for Hicks.  In addition, Zduriencik’s penchant for valuing quantity over quality may make a one-for-one trade not so appealing to the Mariners.

Despite what the numbers say, though, its difficult to ignore the huge upside that Hicks possesses.  Like the Mets’ Lagares, Hicks would provide – at a minimum – above average defense in center field, something sorely needed for the Mariners especially if Corey Hart and/or Logan Morrison end up in the outfield.  But unlike Lagares, Hicks would offer considerable offensive upside, including the ability to get on base (career 14.7% walk rate, .376 OBP in the minors).  If his minor league walk rate and OBP are anywhere close to being indicative of what it would be at the mlb level, Hicks would fill another huge need for the Mariners as a leadoff hitter capable of swiping a base or two.

Franklin for Hicks?  Another interesting possibility.  And one the Mariners would be fools not to explore.

Injuries May Have Seattle Mariners Rethinking Nelson Cruz, Ervin Santana

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With pitchers and catchers reporting to Peoria, the Nelson Cruz “will he or won’t he be a Mariner” saga still has yet to reach a conclusion.  Rumors continue to swirl around the blogosphere that it’s only a matter of time before Cruz will be donning Mariner blue.  Recent reports indicate that a deal between the Mariners and Cruz is close, with only a difference in contract years standing in the way of a completed deal.  The Mariners seemingly do not want to go more than two guaranteed years, with a third vesting year being a possibility.  Cruz – initially looking for a five year deal at the beginning of the offseason – purportedly is looking for three or more guaranteed years.

The discourse over a possible Cruz acquisition continues to be one of heavy debate.  And the debate is noteworthy.  On one hand, Cruz represents that right-handed power hitting outfield bat the Mariners covet (career .823 OPS, 32 hr/season average). Not only would he help balance out a predominantly left-handed hitting lineup but would slot in nicely behind Robinson Cano and Corey Hart providing the Mariners with a potentially lethal middle of the order batting lineup.  On the other hand, Cruz brings with him some fairly heavy concerns, namely his questionable hitting outside of hitter friendly Rangers Ballpark, (a career road OPS of .734, compared to a career .912 OPS at home), his 50 game suspension in connection to the Biogenesis scandal, and his defensive regression in the outfield (-14.1 UZR in 3055.3 innings the past three seasons).

Both sides of the Cruz examination bring merit to the sign/don’t sign Cruz dialogue.  There’s no arguing that Cruz would be a risky signing for all the reasons mentioned above.  But at the same time, concerns over his career OPS away from Rangers Ballpark may be overblown, as his road OPS+ indicates above average production in three of the past five seasons.  Still, it’s a gamble that GM Jack Zduriencik has to make, and one he appears willing to roll the dice on if the number of years falls to his favor, thereby minimizing the long-term risk while maximizing the possible short-term benefits.

However, by waiting so long to address their outfield needs, the Mariners now find themselves – barring a trade – with really one of two options; sign Cruz, or go with what’s in-house.  And outside of prospect Abraham Almonte, there isn’t a ton of viable outfield options that are mlb ready within the Mariners organization.

So now, at this juncture, it’s Cruz or nothing.  It’s shopping for a tree on Christmas Eve, with Cruz akin to the best of the remaining mangled up and dried out Douglas Firs that no one really wants. Despite seriously questioning whether the tree would last through the New Year, you need something.  And you know coming home empty handed would most likely end up being more problematic than coming home with something.

Complicating the decision, however, is the recent rash of injuries to players expected to play a prominent role for the Mariners during the upcoming season.

Yesterday, Mariners officials announced that starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma will miss 4-6 weeks with a strained tendon in his middle finger of his pitching hand.  Having your No. 2 pitcher sidelined with injury is never welcomed news.  But for a pitching staff trying to find viable arms to compete for the last three pitching spots in the rotation, losing Iwakuma couldn’t have come at a worse time. This setback may now force Zduriencik to reassess how he wants to allocate the team’s remaining offseason funds, opting to abandon his pursuit of Cruz in favor of acquiring one of the remaining top free agent pitchers in Ervin Santana or Ubaldo Jimenez.

The Mariners also announced today that outfielder Franklin Gutierrez will miss the 2014 season due to a relapse of the gastrointestinal issues that sidelined him for most of last season.  Although Gutierrez was looked upon as only a reserve outfielder, he was one of the few right handed hitters the team had, and was a potential platoon partner for the left-handed hitting Michael Saunders, Logan Morrison, and/or Dustin Ackley, all of whom figure to be in the mix for at least two of the starting outfield jobs.  Gutierrez’s absence ostensibly increases the need to add another right handed hitting outfielder.  Cruz would fill that need, and the Mariners may now feel the need to compromise their previous position and give Cruz the three plus guaranteed years he’s looking for.

The Mariners now find themselves in a pickle of a situation.  And it’s one that the Mariners could have avoided had they been more proactive in free agency when affordable free agents outfielders such as Nate McLouth, Rajai Davis, David Murphy and Chris Young, as well as starting pitchers Bartolo Colon, Phil Hughes, Josh Johnson and Scott Kazmir were all readily available for the signing.

Where the Mariners go from here is anyone’s guess.  But one thing is for sure; the Mariners will have to do something.  Heading into the season with a starting outfield of Morrison, Ackley and Saunders, with rookie Almonte serving as the fourth outfielder, and a starting rotation of Felix Hernandez followed by four from a selection of Scott Baker, Randy Wolf, James Paxton, Brandon Maurer, Taijuan Walker, Hector Noesi, Erasmo Ramirez, Blake Beavan, and Zach Minor is simply – to put it kindly – underperformance waiting to happen.

Seattle Mariners Finished Making Major Moves, Payroll Sits at $80 Million

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Last week at FanFest, Seattle Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik informed the Mariner faithful that the team is most likely finished making “major” moves this offseason, and will, instead, focus on “tweaking” the lineup that has been put together for the 2014 season.

Amongst the tweaking that needs to be done, the Mariners still seek a veteran pitcher to slot in behind Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma in the rotation.  As Mission Mariner previously wrote about, heading into the season with some combination of Taijuan Walker, James Paxton, Erasmo Ramirez, Brandon Maurer, Blake Beavan and Hector Noesi rounding out the final three rotation spots would be a hazardous path for the Mariners to venture.   In addition, a bullpen that ranked as one of the worst in all of baseball last season has been largely ignored, as has an outfield defense that ranked last in UZR (-58.8) and defensive runs saved (-70).

Newly promoted team President, Kevin Mather, recently reiterated that Zduriencik still has some financial flexibility left in order to make further additions to the roster.  The big question, of course, is how much financial flexibility does Zduriencik have?  Enough to land a legitimate #3 starter for the rotation such as Ubaldo Jimenez or Ervin Santana?  Or just a minimal amount, enough to tweak the rotation with recently signed low risk reclamation project, Scott Baker, to a minor league deal?

Since 2008, the Mariners have been cutting payroll by focusing on playing young, cost-controlled prospects and inexpensive veterans.  Last season, the Mariners’ front office proclaimed it was finally prepared to raise payroll, only to see team spending remain stagnant, settling at $85MM for a second straight season.  With the signing of Robinson Cano to a 10 year, $240MM contract to begin this offseason, and with new revenue streams coming in from revised television deals from MLB and the Mariners own Regional Sports Network, many anticipated that 2014 would finally be the year payroll would increase to a more competitive level allowing the Mariners to acquire several high-end players.  But that seemingly will not be the case.  Unlike seasons prior, where available offseason funds were spread around to fill varying needs, this year’s plan consisted of investing most all of the funds into one player.  And with Zduriencik’s proclamation that major offseason moves are now finished, breaching the $85MM payroll mark doesn’t look to be plausible for 2014.  Rather, it appears payroll will once again fall around $85M.

Below is the Mariners’ current projected 25-man roster to begin the season with corresponding salary:

Position Player Salary   Position Player Salary
C Zunino $.500 SP Hernandez $22.587
1B Smoak $2.8/3.25* SP Iwakuma $6.5
2B Cano $24.0 SP Ramirez $.500
SS Miller $.500 SP Walker $.500
3B Seager $.500 SP Paxton $.500
LF Ackley $1.7
CF Saunders $2.3 RH Medina $.500
RF Morrison $1.7/2.5* LH Furbush $.500
DH Hart $5.0/13.0** RH Wilhelmsen $.500
LH Beimel $.500
Bench Buck $1.0 RH Pryor^ $.500
Bench Bloomquist $2.8 RH Beavan $.500
Bench Franklin $.500 CL Farquhar $.500
Bench Gutierrez $1.0/$3.0**  
SP Hultzen^^ $1.7
Total: $44.3/55.55 Total: $35.787
Total Payroll $80.087/91.337

*Projected arbitration award/ Full arbitration request award.  ** Guaranteed salary/Salary based on reaching all performance incentives.  ^Player currently recovering from injury. ^^Player to miss 2014 season with injury. 

Even with the signing of Cano, the Mariners’ current payroll based on guaranteed salary and projected arbitration awards to Smoak and Morrison comes in at $80.09MM for 2014.   If all performance incentives are met by Hart and Gutierrez, and arbitration requests are awarded in full to Smoak and Morrison, team payroll will reach $91.34MM.

With the Mariners still rumored to be interested in free agents Jimenez, Santana, Fernando Rodney, Nelson Cruz and Kendrys Morales, and possible trade targets Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Colby Rasmus, and David Price, Zduriencik may still acquire a player that would have a significant impact on the field, as well as in the pocket book.  Recent rumors are that the Mariners could be ready to “turn loose,” showing renewed interest in both Rodney and Cruz. Such acquisitions would be far from merely “tweaking” the roster, so if we are to take Zduriencik at his word, such signings would seem unlikely.  But if there is one thing we know about Zduriencik, what he says he may do, and what he actually ends up doing, rarely go hand-in hand.

What’s Next for the Seattle Mariners?

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It’s been five weeks since the Mariners went on an acquisition binge by signing Robinson Cano, Corey Hart, and trading for Logan Morrison all within a span of five days.  But since that bender, all has gone relatively silent from GM Jack Zduriencik, raising question as to whether the Mariners have exhausted their available offseason funds to make further significant moves, or are simply waiting for their next opportunity to strike?  The question looms large, as the Mariners – despite adding Cano, Hart and Morrison – find themselves still needing to address several weak points in their lineup.

The Mariners entered the offseason primarily in want of an everyday center fielder, a designated hitter, a backup catcher, and a #3 pitcher for the rotation.  Ideally, they also sought an everyday power hitting corner outfielder, and help in the bullpen.  Depending on how Hart and Morrison are used, the designated hitter position could be filled.  The Mariners reportedly signed veteran catcher John Buck to a one year deal to be the backup to Mike Zunino.  But despite these moves, the Mariners still find themselves with a fairly large to-do list.

A few big name free agents still remain on the market who could help the Mariners in 2014.   Designated hitter/first baseman Kendrys Morales, right fielder Nelson Cruz, starting pitchers Matt Garza, Ervin Santana, Ubaldo Jimenez, and Masahiro Tanaka, and relief pitchers Grant Balfour and Fernando Rodney are all available, would fill needs, but each would come at a fairly significant price.   If the Mariners truly are strapped for cash, and with a mostly depleted free agent market limiting their options, the Mariners will presumably have to rely on trades if they want to further upgrade their lineup.

Let’s take a look at where the Mariners stand in regard to their remaining areas of concern.

Centerfield:  Rumor is that Zduriencik and company are looking to Michael Saunders to be their everyday center fielder.  Back in 2011, Saunders appeared to be on his way to establishing himself as an above average defensive center fielder, putting up a 3.2 UZR in 44 games.  But since then, his defense has regressed as a starter.  In 2012, Saunders’ UZR as a center fielder fell to -3.7.   Last year it fell even further, to -9.6.   Not exactly what you want in a center fielder.  Perhaps the Mariners believe Saunders will rebound.  That certainly could happen. But it’s difficult to imagine any ball club, aware of such a downward defensive trend, being comfortable heading into the season with that type of uncertainty at one of their most important defensive positions, with no real backup plan.

The Mariners did resign Franklin Gutierrez to a one year deal.   But injury has now reduced the former starting center fielder to being a fourth outfielder only capable of playing three – maybe four – times a week, if lucky.   During his on-the-job training last season, Dustin Ackley showed the ability to play centerfield on a regular basis, but in his limited time there (48 games) he proved to be less than good, producing a -6.3 UZR.  Ackley should improve as he acquires more innings and becomes more comfortable roaming the outfield.  The question, however, is by how much, and how quickly?  And can the Mariners afford to gamble on Ackley developing into an adequate center fielder should that need arise?

If all else fails, Abraham Almonte is another option for the Mariners in centerfield.  In his first call-up to the bigs last season after being acquired via trade with the Yankees, Almonte showed speed and promise in limited action, producing a -1.2 UZR in 25 games.  But, like Ackley, it is unknown whether Almonte can handle the grind of playing on a regular basis.

Designated Hitter: Corey Hart would appear to be the new designated hitter, the position best suited for him.  But Zduriencik has gone on record stating the intention is for Hart to see time in right field.  Hart running around the outfield would be a precarious sight for anyone’s eyes.   Besides his less than desired defensive prowess (a career -15.0 UZR in RF), Hart sat out the entire 2013 season recovering from injuries to both knees.  Although now deemed healthy, it’s absolutely impossible to know how Hart will hold up to playing on a regular basis, which is why the Mariners signed Hart to an incentive laden contract.

If Hart does find himself in right field, the Mariners could use Logan Morrison at designated hitter.  Morrison is best suited as a designated hitter or first baseman, but, like Hart, Zduriencik has said that he, too, will see time in the outfield.  Could we see Morrison and Hart roaming the corner outfield positions at the same time?  One would hope not, but if the Mariners can have Raul Ibanez and Michael Morse starting in the outfield together, then anything is possible.

Jesus Montero, if he isn’t traded, will surely be given a chance to win a roster spot this coming season.  How big of a chance remains to be seen.  After being demoted to the minors last year, and serving a 50 game suspension for PED use, questions linger whether the catcher-now-turned-designated hitter/first baseman can find that stroke that made him one of the top all-around hitting prospects in baseball?  He’ll have to if Montero wants to find his way back onto the Mariners 25-man roster.  However, Montero’s only realistic hope of making the team is as the starting designated hitter.  With Hart, Morrison, and Smoak sure to be on the opening day roster, the Mariners do not have room for a reserve player whose utility is limited to designated hitter and first base.

Starting Pitching:  At the top of their rotation, the Mariners boast two of baseball’s best starting pitchers in Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma.  Last season, Hernandez and Iwakuma combined to go 26-16 with a 2.84 ERA.  At the bottom of the rotation, the Mariners have two of baseball’s best mlb-ready pitching prospects in Taijuan Walker and James Paxton.  During their late season call-up last year, Walker and Paxton combined to go 4-0 with a 2.30 ERA.  The problem for the Mariners is they have nothing in between.  As it stands now, the starting rotation consists of Hernandez and Iwakuma at the top, Walker and Paxton rounding out the bottom, and under achieving holdovers Erasmo Ramirez, Blake Beavan, Hector Noesi and Brandon Maurer fighting it out for the #3 spot. As much talent as Walker and Paxton bring to the table, Zduriencik does not want to head into the season with three-fifths of his rotation relying heavily on inexperienced and untested arms.   And with Walker and Paxton most likely being limited to somewhere between 150-170 innings each in order to protect their arms in their first full season at the big league level, the Mariners lack the pitching depth when the time comes to shut them down for the year.

The acquisition of a solid #3 pitcher would allow Walker and Paxton to comfortably fill out the last two rotation spots, with Ramirez, Maurer, Beavan and/or Noesi able to step in if either struggle or reach their innings limit.  As it stands, the Mariners have several options that they could go in to acquire that mid rotation arm.  As mentioned, the Mariners could dip into free agency and sign Garza, Santana or Jimenez (Santana and Jimenez have draft pick compensation attached to them) or enter the Tanaka sweepstakes.  Of course, bringing aboard any of those players would take a financial commitment.  David Price, whom the Mariners have been linked to quite frequently this offseason, could come via trade with the Rays, giving the Mariners one of the best rotations in baseball.  Price is due to only make $10MM this season, is under team control until 2016, but would cost the Mariners a couple of top prospects, including one of Walker or Paxton.  Others like Bronson Arroyo and Chris Capuano are available, although at this stage in their respective careers, they both are closer to being #5 starters than they are solid #3 starters.

Bullpen:  Last season, Mariners relievers posted a 4.59 ERA, good enough to finish 29th in all of baseball.  They also blew 23 save opportunities, seventh worst in all of baseball.  Those two statistics alone stand as reason enough that upgrading the bullpen for 2014 is desperately needed.  Despite solid performances from Charlie Furbush (3.74 ERA), Oliver Perez (3.73 ERA) Yoervis Medina (2.91 ERA) and Danny Farquhar (2.23 ERA, 16 saves in the second half), the rest of the relievers –  Beavan (5.28 ERA), Noesi (7.83 ERA), Tom Wilhelmsen (4.12 ERA), Lucas Luetge (4.86 ERA), Bobby LaFromboise (5.91 ERA), and Carter Capps (5.49 ERA) – all proved to be ineffective.  Adding to the need to bring in help, Capps was traded this offseason to the Rays in exchange for Morrison, Perez elected to explore free agency, and hard throwing set-up man, Stephen Pryor, is still recovering from torn lat and triceps injuries that saw him miss most of last season.  Yet, despite the abuse that was taken by Mariners relievers in 2013, Zduriencik has yet to make any improvements.  The addition of Balfour or Rodney – both capable of serving as closers – would strengthen a questionable bullpen, but there are no indications that Zduriencik is interested in investing the type of money needed to secure the services of either player. If the Mariners elect to stand pat, Zduriencik will most likely be banking on Farquhar continuing to perform in the closers role as he did in the second half of last season, that Pryor will be healthy and able to hold down the set-up role, Wilhelmsen will return to form, and one of Luetge or LaFromboise will emerge as a competent second left-handed specialist to go with Furbush.

Corner Outfielder:  The Mariners have let it be known that they would like to add a power hitting outfielder into the mix for 2014.  But if the season were to begin today, the probable starting lineup would consist of Ackley in left field, Saunders in center field and either Hart or Morrison in right field.  Assuming Hart would begin the season at designated hitter, an Ackley/Saunders/Morrison outfield doesn’t quite provide that sought after power.  The Mariners have been linked to free agent Nelson Cruz for most of the offseason, with rumors being that Cruz already turned down a five-year, $75MM contract from the Mariners. Signing Cruz would be the easiest solution towards fulfilling the power corner outfield void, but Cruz’s suspect defense and the fact he is coming off a PED suspension, makes his acquisition risky and possibly unwise.  The Dodgers’ Andre Ethier is another possibility the Mariners could explore.  Like Cruz, Ethier is a middle-of-the-order bat.  But unlike Cruz, Ethier would provide solid defense in right field.  But Ethier carries with him a $15MM annual salary, in addition to the fact the Mariners would probably have to give up a top prospect in return.  Both of those factors could make a trade of this kind unlikely for Zduriencik.  All things considered, the most plausible acquisition (not necessarily the best, mind you) would be the Mariners continuing to wait out the Morales market, and then signing him to a “qualifying offer-reduced” two or three-year deal at around $10MM per year to be the designated hitter, and then use the power hitting Hart as the regular right fielder.  Of course, as stated earlier, Hart running around the outfield on two bad knees is just a season-ending injury waiting to happen.

Mariners Add Hart & Morrison, Position Themselves To Go After Carlos Gomez

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With Day 3 of the MLB Winter Meetings concluded, the Mariners added two more bats to their revamped lineup.  First, Jack Zduriencik signed Corey Hart to a guaranteed one-year, 6M contract with additional incentives that could push the deal to 13M.  Hart will take over the DH duties as well and spend time in the outfield and possibly at 1B.  Within an hour after signing Hart, reliever Carter Capps was sent packing to the Florida Marlins in exchange for Logan Morrison.  Morrison will replace Justin Smoak as the starting 1B.

Hart missed all of 2013 after having surgery on both knees, but he possesses big time power when healthy.  In 2012, he slashed a .270/.334/.507 to go along with 30 homeruns. From 2010 to 2012, Hart averaged a slash line of .279/.343/.514 and 29 homeruns.  That kind of production should slot nicely right behind newly acquired Robinson Cano, giving the Mariners two potent bats for the middle of their order.

Morrison was a highly rated prospect coming up through the Marlins organization, living up to expectations in his 2010 big league call-up by slashing a .283/.390/.447 in 62 games.  He followed that up the next season with a slightly lesser .247/.330/.468 despite hitting 23 homeruns.  The last two seasons, Morrison has been less than pedestrian, averaging a .236/.321/.387.  However, against RHP last season, Morrison put up a solid .261/.354/.423.   The Mariners could be looking to implement a platoon at 1B next season, with Morrison starting against RHP, and Hart against LHP.

While Hart and Morrison fill needs for the Mariners, their acquisitions may have also created an opportunity to land a needed centerfielder and leadoff hitter.

Both Hart and Morrison were top targets for the Milwaukee Brewers who are looking to fill their need at 1B.  With both Hart and Morrison no longer available, the market for first basemen has thinned dramatically.  The Brewers’ current remaining options are trading for the Mets’ Ike Davis, or signing free agent James Loney.  However, the Mets are asking for top pitching prospect Tyler Thornburg in return for Davis, whom the Brewers are not willing to give up.  And Loney is seeking a three-year deal, also something the Brewers are not interested in providing.  To complicate matters even more, the Brewers are competing with both the Pirates and the Rays who are also looking to fill needs at 1B.

Enter the Mariners and newly available Justin Smoak.

By acquiring Hart and Morrsion, the Mariners not only added needed offense, but simultaneously positioned themselves for a possible trade with the Brewers.  But not just any trade.  Rather, a trade for centerfielder Carlos Gomez.  As we noted in our offseason lookout, Gomez is one of the games top up-and-coming players who would provide the Mariners with elite defense as well as production at the top of the batting order.  The Brewers have made no indication that they are willing to move Gomez, but the Mariners – via their acquisitions of Cano, Hart and Morrison – have created an abundance of tradeable pieces that could persuade the Brewers to think otherwise.

In return for Gomez, the Mariners could not only offer Smoak to fill the Brewers’ need at 1B, but also include any combination of Dustin Ackley, Nick Franklin, Michael Saunders, Jesus Montero, in addition to top pitching prospects Taijuan Walker and James Paxton.  We previously suggested a package of Walker, Smoak, Saunders, and top outfield prospect Stefen Romero.  But with the signing of Cano, the Mariners are now free to add Ackley or Franklin into the mix without creating a need in their own lineup.  Could a package centered around Walker, Smoak, and Ackley entice the Brewers to part with Gomez?  Maybe swap out Ackley for Franklin?  Perhaps offer Paxton instead of Walker, but include a few more prospects in the deal?  In any scenario, the Brewers would be receiving young cost-controlled players with upside, capable of stepping right into the starting lineup, and who would fill immediate needs.

Clearly, at this point, a possible Gomez trade is nothing more than conjecture.  But with the Brewers looking diligently to fill their need at 1B, the Mariners suddenly find themselves with a golden opportunity to make an offer to acquire that coveted center fielder and leadoff hitter, one that could find the Brewers hard pressed to pass up.

Robinson Cano and the Mariners

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Robinson Cano.  The Seattle Mariners.

The former an elite superstar looking for a mega deal.  The latter a franchise desperate to land an elite superstar, and willing to dish out the necessary cash to do it.

A match made in free agency heaven, or simply wishful thinking by the Mariners?

As the trade rumors continue to swirl at tsunami speed regarding a possible Cano signing by the Mariners – the latest being a possible 9 year, 225M offer – reactions to this unlikely marriage have resulted in the type of mocking, jeering and disapproval last seen in 1990 when Rosanne Barr butchered the national anthem at Jack Murphy Stadium .

For example, there was this from Keith Olbermann:

The Yankees, who put out signals tonight that they are still in the market for Cano, want that market for him to deflate, so their 7 year, sub 200M deal suddenly looks wonderful to him…and there’s nothing that can make that happen faster than making it look to Cano like the only place he can go is Washington State.

Not just the Mariners, but Washington State?  Ouch.

Then there was this from Ken Rosenthal:

I’ll come right out and say it: If Cano signs with the Mariners, it will be the dumbest move by a free agent since Rodriguez signed with the Rangers after the 2000 season.

Dumbest move since Arod?  Double ouch.

But my favorite was this little nugget from Dave Cameron at USS Mariner:

Mariners, I get why you like Robinson Cano. I get why he’s pretending to like you back. Don’t fall for it, though. Don’t be the nerd doing the pretty girl’s homework in hopes that she’s going to realize that the jocks are stupid and you’re the one for her. You’re just going to end up in the friend zone. Go find someone who is actually into you for you, and not someone who wants to use you for your money.

End up in the friend zone?

Look, here’s the thing.  Yes, as Cameron points out, the Mariners are “nerds.”  But what Cameron fails to understand is that the Mariners have been in the “friend zone” for years when it comes to trying to win the affection of top free agents.

You know, Seattle, the city that has enough qualities to make it a nice place to visit – i.e. a nice stadium, pretty scenery, abundant coffee, good bars and restaurants – but just not enough of that certain je ne sais quoi to make it a place worthy of a long-term relationship?

In recent years, the Mariners have courted the likes of Mike Napoli, Nick Swisher, Prince Fielder, and Josh Hamilton, all of whom spurned the Mariners, letting them know that while they liked them, they just didn’t like them in that way.

Even when the Mariners completed a trade for Justin Upton, the slugging outfielder invoked his no trade clause, in essence saying thanks, but no thanks to the Mariners’ overtures.

Yes, the Mariners are nerds.  But make no mistake, they are in the friend zone.  And the only players that have reciprocated the same level of affection shown by the Mariners have been baseball’s version of barflys – Jack Cust, Miguel Olivo, Jason Bay, Adam Kennedy, Mike Sweeney, and Eric Byrnes to name just a few.

Fast forward to current day, and what the Mariners have seemingly figured out with their recent pursuit of Cano is that in order to get that pretty girl, the nerd has to go big and over the top.

Sure, it’s irrational.  Maybe even foolish.  But there comes a time when it becomes necessary.

I’m not sure what has led to this realization.  Maybe Jack Zduriencik spent the Thanksgiving holiday watching a marathon of 80’s teen flicks.   Maybe it was watching Eric Stoltz trading in his college savings to spend on the school’s most popular girl on the date of all dates?  Or perhaps Patrick Dempsey paying the beautiful Amanda Peterson one-thousand dollars to be his girlfriend?

In either case, the nerd went irrational, maybe even was foolish, but by doing so jettisoned himself from the geeky friend zone and catapulted himself into an aura of cool and being someone everybody wanted to hang out with.  And that, in a nutshell, is what a Cano signing would do for the Mariners.

So, Zduriencik, quit hoping the popular girl will end up liking you.  Stop settling for less simply because you are smart, awkward, unfashionable and have confidence issues.  Instead, go big and do what it takes to make that popular girl realize how cool you truly are.

Go make John Hughes proud and get yourself Robinson Cano.

Mariners Bring Back Willie Bloomquist

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According to reports, the Mariners have inked utility player Willie Bloomquist to a two year deal for somewhere in the neighborhood of 5M-6M pending a physical.  Since his departure from the Mariners after the 2008 season, Bloomquist has gone on to play for Kansas City, Cincinnati, and most recently Arizona where he slashed a .289/.328/.368 the past three seasons for the D’backs.

At first glance, Bloomquist’s signing is nothing more than obtaining a versatile bench player who can play every position on the field other than pitcher and catcher.  However, Bloomquist joining the M’s could mean something more than just adding depth.

In constructing a 25-man roster, one’s bench ideally would consist of a catcher, an outfielder, and two backup infielders, one of whom is also capable of playing an outfield position.  As of right now, the M ‘s have that duo in Dustin Ackley and Carlos Triunfel, assuming that the M’s are not content with starting 2014 with Ackley in the outfield.  So why guarantee that type of contract to a 36 year old Bloomquist who would essentially be a minor overall upgrade over Triunfel?

One answer would be if the Mariners were going to lose Ackley as that versatile infield/outfield backup. And that scenario could come true if Nick Franklin were traded, allowing Ackley to move back to second base, or if Ackley were to be traded.  With the Mariners looking to obtain an impact bat this offseason, either of those players could be moved without leaving a hole in the starting lineup.

The other reason is if the Mariners signed Bloomquist to not just be a backup, but, rather, as someone who is going to play, and play a lot.   While, career-wise, Bloomquist has carried a below average bat, his split against left handed pitching has been decent, slashing a career .283/.339/.377.  Zduriencik has made it clear the Mariners will be employing more platoons in 2014, and with Bloomquist’s versatility in the infield and outfield, Zduriencik could be looking at Bloomquist to provide platoon options for Mike Saunders, Kyle Seager, Justin Smoak, and perhaps even someone like Shin-Soo Choo if signed.

Whatever the reason(s) that exists behind the Bloomquist signing, one thing can be said – the Mariners apparently are not worried about overpaying (even if minutely, relatively speaking) for someone whom they see as filling a need in 2014.  That, in itself, could be a good sign from a team looking to add impact bats, but who have been reluctant to pay market value to obtain such players.

Lloyd McClendon Announces Coaching Staff

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Today, Lloyd McClendon announced the remainder of his coaching staff for 2014.  A common theme with a majority of his hirings – four of the six – is their prior work with the young Mariners who are expected to play a significant part in the team’s 2014 campaign.  Whether this is any indication as to whether the Mariners are going to be serious players in free agency, or are going to rely on in-house options to fill needs, that still remains to be seen.  But judging from McClendon’s newly formed staff, surrounding the M’s young players with the coaches who have worked with them during their minor league ascension to the big league ballclub appears to have been a priority.

Joining previously named bench coach Trent Jewett, bullpen catcher Jason Phillips, and batting practice pitcher Scott Budner, McClendon has added the following to his staff:

Howard Johnson, hitting coach.  The former NL all-star spent the 2013 season serving as the Tacoma Rainiers hitting coach, where he spent time tutoring Brad Miller, Nick Franklin, and Mike Zunino.  Prior to working in the Mariners organization, HoJo spent 11 seasons in the Mets organization, including three seasons as their big league hitting instructor from 2008-2010.

Rick Waits, pitching coach.  Waits has spent the last three seasons working as the Mariners Minor League Pitching Coordinator, where he worked extensively with top pitching prospects Taijuan Walker, James Paxton, Danny Hultzen, and Erasmo Ramirez.  Prior to coming to the Mariners, Waits worked in the Mets organization, spending 15 seasons in Player Development, and one season as the Mets Bullpen Coach.

John Stearns, third base coach.  Stearns spent 2013 as Seattle’s Minor League Catching Coordinator, as well as Manager of the Tacoma Rainiers, during which time he worked with many of the Mariners top prospects now on the big league club.  Prior to working in the Mariners organization, Stearns spent two seasons with the Mets serving as the team’s third base coach and catching instructor.

Chris Woodward, infield coach.  Last season, the former Mariner big leaguer received his first coaching job as the organization’s Roving Minor League Infield Coordinator.  In this capacity, Woodward spent a majority of his time working with many of the organizations top infield prospects including Franklin and Miller.

Andy Van Slyke, first base coach.  McClendon adds another former NL all star, gold glover, and fellow teammate to his roster in Van Slyke.  Away from baseball the last four seasons, Van Slyke comes to the Mariners having last coached alongside McClendon with the Detroit Tigers in 2009, serving as the team’s first base coach.

Mike Rojas, bullpen coach.  McClendon dips into the Tigers’ current coaching staff, hiring the Tigers’ bullpen coach the past 2 ½ seasons to fulfill the same duties with the Mariners.  Rojas also served time as the Tigers’ Director of Player Development, as well as Minor League Infield Coordinator.

Seattle Mariners Preview, Offseason Outlook

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The 2014 offseason is upon us, and now that the Mariners have solved their first order of business this offseason by hiring Lloyd McClendon as their new manager, GM Jack Zduriencik can now go to work addressing the team’s many on-field needs.

The most glaring holes are on offense.  Failing to address the Mariners’ lack of offense has been a constant under Zduriencik.  Last year, the Mariners scored 624 runs, fourth worst in the American League.  As bad as that seems, it was the first time since Zduriencik took over as GM that the Mariners did not produce the worst runs scored total in the league.  Finding areas to improve the offense should not be a problem, as the Mariners are currently lacking starting outfielders, a designated hitter, and a starting catcher.  On the pitching side of things, the Mariners had one of the best one-two starting duos in Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma.  However, once past the top of the rotation, the Mariners struggled to get quality starts from the rest of their starters.   The Mariners relief corps was a mess in 2014, allowing the 2nd most runs, 2nd highest ERA, 2nd highest batting average against, 2nd highest WHIP, and 4th most blown saves in the league.

The offseason plan centers around the Mariners increasing payroll to $100 million for 2014.  With shrewd, aggressive moves in free agency and one bold trade, the Mariners can remake their lineup without surrendering much of their young prospects, all while staying under budget.

Without further ado…

Trade SP Taijuan Walker, 1B Justin Smoak, OF Michael Saunders and INF/OF Stefen Romero to the Milwaukee Brewers for CF Carlos Gomez

There is a lot of talk of the Mariners going out and signing free agent Jacoby Ellsbury to a 7-year, $100 million plus mega deal to take over center field and bat leadoff.  As great as Ellsbury would look patrolling the outfield for the Mariners, it will take a huge commitment from Zduriencik to land the 30-year old outfielder.  Which raises the question as to whether or not the Mariners should make that kind of long term investment on a player about to enter the backside of their career?   By trading for Gomez, the Mariners would shore up their centerfield and leadoff needs with one of the games top up-and-coming players, and at a salary much less than what it would cost to obtain Ellsbury.  In return for Gomez, the Brewers would receive an elite, young, cost-controlled rotation arm, one of the organizations top outfield prospects, and two big league players with upside who could step right into the starting lineup.

Sign OF Carlos Beltran to a 2 year, $28 million contract

The Mariners continue their search for outfield help by signing the 37-year old Beltran to man right field.  Despite his age, Beltran is coming off a productive 2013 where he posted a .296/.339/.491 and 24 homeruns.

Sign C Carlos Ruiz to a 2 year, $15 million contract

If there was one thing the Mariners should have learned from last season, it was that top prospect Mike Zunino was nowhere close to being ready to hit big league pitching.  In 52 games after being rushed up from the minors, Zunino posted a .214/.290/.329.  Ruiz is coming off a disappointing 2013 where he put up a .268/.320/.368, but would still be an upgrade offensively as well as providing solid defense behind the plate.

Sign DH/1B Corey Hart to a 1 year, $7 million contract with incentives

Along with an Ellsbury signing, the other constant heard around the hot stove is the Mariners re-signing designated hitter Kendrys Morales to a multi-year deal worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $14 million per year.  Morales is a solid hitter, but he lacks the ability to play any other position, and makes Jesus Montero look like Jesse Owens on the base paths.  Hart would be a cheaper alternative to Morales, with higher upside in almost every offensive category.  Health, of course, is the big question with Hart.  But if his leg is healed, Hart could provide big numbers in the cleanup spot.

Sign OF’s Rajai Davis and Nate McLouth to respective 2 year, $10 million contracts

Here, the Mariners fill their LF need via platoon.  Last season Davis posted a .319/.383/.474 against LHP while McLouth produced a .272/.342/.411 against RHP.  Both players are above average defenders, can play all three outfield positions, and are adept base runners.  While free agent Shin-Soo Choo will command upwards to $20 million per year, the Mariners would receive the same production from a Davis/McLouth platoon, but at a fraction of the cost.

Sign SP Phil Hughes to a 2 year, $15 million contract

With Joe Saunders’ option not being picked up, the Mariners are in search of a #3 starter to slot in behind Felix and Iwakuma and Hughes offers the best upside to fill that need.   Last year, Hughes was battered at Yankee Stadium allowing a .909 OPS against, 17 homeruns, and a 6.32 ERA.  But on the road, Hughes allowed a far better .735 OPS,  7 homeruns, and a 3.88 ERA.  Moving out of Yankee Stadium and into a the more pitcher friendly Safeco Field would likely see Hughes’ overall number regress closer to last season’s road numbers.  And unlike most of the rotation arms available, Hughes is on the right side of 30, turning only 28 during the upcoming season.

Resign OF/DH/1B Raul Ibanez to a 1 year, $5 million contract

Last season, Ibanez showed he still had plenty of offense left in the tank, belting 29 homeruns and putting up a .487 slugging percentage.  But his poor outfield defense nearly negated his offensive contributions.  With Smoak departed to Milwaukee as part of the Gomez deal, Ibanez would take over as the starting 1B where his defensive shortcomings would be limited.  Ibanez has played 1B before in his career, so the position would be familiar territory.  And if health permitted, the Mariners could have Hart take some innings at 1B with Ibanez moving to DH.

Re-sign RP Oliver Perez to a 2 year, $6 million contract

Perez had a solid 2014 season, limiting LH hitters to a .238 average, a .288 slugging percentage, while striking out nearly a third of the batters faced.  Perez, however, struggled in the walk department, issuing 14 free passes to left handed hitters, accounting for his .358 OBP against.

Starting Lineup

  1. Carlos Gomez (R) CF
  2. Brad Miller (L) SS
  3. Carlos Beltran (S) RF
  4. Corey Hart (R) DH
  5. Kyle Seager (L) 3B
  6. Carlos Ruiz (R) C
  7. Raul Ibanez (L) 1B
  8. Rajai Davis/Nate McLouth LF
  9. Nick Franklin (S) 2B

Bench

  1. Mike Zunino (L) C
  2. Dustin Ackley (L) INF/OF
  3. Rajai Davis/Nate McLouth OF
  4. Carlos Triunfel (R) INF

Rotation

  1. Felix Hernandez (R)
  2. Hisashi Iwakuma (R)
  3. Phil Hughes (R)
  4. James Paxton (L)
  5. Erasmo Ramirez (R)

Relief

  1. Charlie Furbush (L)
  2. Stephen Pryor (R)
  3. Yoervis Medina (R)
  4. Carter Capps (R)
  5. Oliver Perez (L)
  6. Danny Farquhar (R)
  7. Tom Wilhelmsen (R)

Conclusion

With the additions of Gomez, Beltran, Davis and McClouth, the Mariners would field one of the top defensive outfields in the American League.   Hart would provide a legitimate cleanup hitter, while Ruiz would allow Zunino to move to the backup catching role where he could more comfortably ease into the starting catchers role.  Ibanez would provide a short term solution at 1B until D.J Peterson is ready to make the jump to the big leagues, or until the Mariners were able to find a more suitable long term solution.  The bench would be deep and flexible, with Ackley able to play the infield or the outfield, Triunfel able to play 2B, SS, and 3B, and Davis and McLouth able to handle any of the outfield positions.  Hughes would serve as a legitimate #3 starter, while the back end of the rotation – relying on youngsters James Paxton and Erasmo Ramirez – would be an upgrade over Brandon Maurer, Blake Beaven, and Aaron Harang.   With improved starting pitching, a return to form from closer Wilhelmsen, and full seasons from Medina and Farquhar, the bullpen should be an improvement over last year.

All said and done, total payroll for 2014 would come in at $98.9 million

Mariners Hire Lloyd McClendon as New Manager

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Before Jack Zduriencik could contact his finalists to notify them of who would be filling the managerial vacancy for the Seattle Mariners, the Puget Sound Business Journal decided to leak the identity of the chosen candidate via their Twitter feed.  The unsolicited disclosure sent Mariners’ officials scrambling, quickly calling all those interviewed to inform them that they were not chosen, and, at the same time, apologizing for the means in which their fate had been made known.   Even the man selected to take his turn at leading the Mariners’ stagnant rebuilding effort was unaware he had been hired by the Mariners when news broke across the Twittersphere.  Despite a new season, the incompetence by the Mariners’ front office seemingly continues.

Lloyd McClendon, welcome to Seattle.

Yes, the same McClendon who was the close runner-up to Eric Wedge in 2010, with some reports even indicating that McClendon was the preferred choice by Mariners officials, choosing instead to go with Wedge believing his Manager of the Year Award and near World Series appearance in 2007 would be a better sell to fans and season ticket holders.

From a list of candidates looking for their first manager gig at the major league level, McClendon was the only applicant with prior big league managerial experience.  He led the Pirates for five dubious seasons before his firing in 2005, guiding the Bucs to a 55-81 record that year.  McClendon would then catch on with Jim Leyland and the Tigers, where he has served as batting coach since 2007.  Despite his long tenure with the Tigers, as well as being highly respected by Leyland and his front office, McClendon was passed over for the Tigers’ managerial opening, with the team opting to go outside the organization with the hiring of Brad Ausmus, a former big leaguer who had no prior coaching or managing experience at the major league level.

McClendon now becomes the third manager hired in five seasons under Zduriencik.  In a year where the Mariners could use a shakeup, Zduriencik went back to same old well, choosing yet another flamed-out manager looking for a second chance.  Uninspired, lackluster, and safe; more of the same qualities seen in the product put out on the field year after year.   Like watching a struggling pitcher continually short-hop the catcher;  it eventually gets to the point where you just want to see one hurled high and outside, all the way to the backstop, rather than continue to be witness to redundant futility.

Ultimately, though, the fate of McClendon will rest in the hands of Zduriencik and Howard Lincoln.  A team lacking in talent and productive everyday major leaguers, the Mariners will have ample amounts of money to fill glaring holes via free agency or trade if they choose to do so.  If not, and Zduriencik decides to, again, lean heavily on in-house prospects and bargain-basement veteran acquisitions, he will be asking McClendon to accomplish what two others before him failed to do:  perform the miraculous.