Friday, December 30, 2005

Turtle Power!

Mariner Magic's favorite ninja reliever, Rafael Soriano, is back for another year. I didn't even realize he wasn't under contract, but woo hoo!

I'm using a Mac right now, and because Mac's like to make everything more difficult, I can't put the article (that was e-mailed to me by Magic faithful Chris) in as a direct link, but here's the address if you wish to take a look:

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/253999_mari30.html

Bavasi says they won't be doing anything until after the 1st of the year, but let's be honest. We all know nothing else big is happening.

Friday, December 23, 2005

Thoughts before the Holidays

Neddyballgame was in my living room last night and yelled up that the M's had signed Matt Lawton. We all know this by now.
Opinions are varied, but I think it's a decent move. Cheap, good bench bat. Much better than the Greg Dobbs and Scott Spiezio's than rode the pine last year.

A lot of people's first thought was that this means a Reed deal is imminent. That, of course, makes me cringe as I think of an outfield with Raul Ibanez and Carl Everett limping towards balls. But, it really has me wondering why the M's would even consider trading Jeremy Reed. You're talking about the only non-sucking, non-steroid using guy left from the Freddy trade. At the time, Reed was considered a top prospect. He didn't have a great year in 2005, but I don't see why the Mariners would be ready to move him. But, a couple of reasons come to mind (note these are from the Mariners perspective):

1) Bavasi needs to win this year. If moving Reed for a starter means the M's can win 80+ games, then Bavasi would have to think about it. I don't necessarily think that Reed for Clement or Arroyo would mean that kind of improvement, but if Big Bill feels that way, then he has to consider it. I can't imagine him surviving the winter if 2006 is anything like 2004-2005.

2) The Mariners think Adam Jones is the real deal in centerfield. If the M's think this is true, then Reed becomes expendible. They may not think Jones is ready for the big time in the spring, but are willing to get by with an outfield of Ichiro, Ibanez, and rotating Lawton and Everett. I'd have to think Ichiro would see some time in center with that group. Move Reed and have a rotation of Felix, Washburn, Clement/Arroyo, Moyer, Piniero. Survive with the guys you have, and wait until Jones is ready.

Reason #2 has me intrigued for sure.

Oh, and one more thing. I read that the White Sox are shopping Jon Garland for bullpen help. We definitely could provide some of that bullpen help. The only problem is that Garland is a free agent after this year so we may not get him back. Guardado for Garland?

So the offseason has blown so far, but I think there is reason to believe the M's will be better in 2006. Let's not forget that the 2005 M's had Bret Boone, Miguel Olivo, Scott Spiezio, Wilson Valdez, and Aaron Sele for half of the year. I'm excited to see improvements from Beltre, Ichiro, Reed, Betancourt, Lopez. A whole year from Felix too. Playoff contenders? Doubtful. .500 and hope for 2007? Maybe.

I'd expect things to be slow here at Mariner Magic until the new year with the Holidays and traveling and whatnot. So.....enjoy your respective holidays.

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Moves.....

The Cubs get Jacque Jones. It's a three-year deal. I have to wonder whether the M's had an offer on the table. Regardless, it makes my decision to keep Derrek Lee on my fantasy team that much easier. Jones and Pierre hitting in front of him? Nice.

Buster Olney doesn't think Millwood is coming to the Mariners. Whatevs.

That's about it.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Crapola

It's official...ish USS Mariner is saying the Everett signing has happened. I really can't put it any better than they did, so check out the link.

I'm really interested to see how the M's management spins this. His numbers don't justify the move, he's no help in the field, you could find plenty of people who will give you his production for way cheaper, and he's a total jackass. What can they possibly say?

Update: It's official.

Here's what they're saying:

Bavasi-"Carl Everett is a clutch-hitting run producer with power. As a switch-hitter, he provides our lineup with added versatility. Carl is a winner, most recently as a member of the 2005 World Series Champion Chicago White Sox. His experience and intensity will be welcome additions to our clubhouse." My head is spinning from trying to count the cliches in that quote.

Hargrove-"Having him in my lineup gives us some of the left-handed sock and run production we were looking for." Everett hit .246 left-handed last year.

Mike L-"This move sucks."

Look at the stats that the official site brought up:
-He did not make an error over 22 starts in the outfield last year. OOOOH! Put him in center with those numbers!!!

-Everett is one of six switch-hitters in Major League history (and the only player to accomplish the feat in successive seasons) to record 100 RBI in each league (108 with Houston in 1999 and Boston in 2000). I'm dusting off my time machine as we speak.

Let's face it, the M's have signed a homophobic, dinosaur-hating, switch-hitting version of Bret Boone.

Monday, December 12, 2005

Not much going on....

But I don't like not having a new post for too long.

Matt Morris is going to the Giants. I know the Big Daddy is a fan, but I don't think he's worth what's he getting.

Tejada is now saying he didn't demand a trade. Hmmph.

Ok that's it.

Oh yes...and the Seahawks are ridiculous. 83-3 in the past 7 days. Wow. Shades of Warner, Largent, and Fredd Young.

Thursday, December 08, 2005

Hmmmm....

Carl Everett's agent says the rumors are exaggerated. You'll notice in that same article that Boras is trying to get Millwood 5 years. Back away from the super-agent Mr. Bavasi.

By the way, for those who support the idea of waiting until next year's crop of free agent pitchers, Peter Gammons says the top guys in that crop are Barry Zito, Mark Mulder, and Kelvim Escobar. Personally, I like Escobar the best of that crew (for no real reason), but I like all three better than who's available this winter.

M's bring back Jamie for one more year.

Oh-and Tejada wants out of Baltimore. Bavasi said Betancourt's untouchable, but....come on. Tejada! He wanted to be a Mariner-let's grant his wish this time.

Most importantly, Paul Posluszny beat out the toolish Buckeye AJ Hawk for the Bednarik award. And Paterno won coach of the year.

Wednesday, December 07, 2005

World Baseball Classic

Amidst all the Carl Everett for Mickey Brantley trade rumors, something else has caught my eye in the baseball world. Next spring's World Baseball Classic is going o include some freaking good players.

Check out some of these squads:

Dominican Republic
Beltre, Colon, Vlad, Pedro, Big Papi, Pujols, Manny, Soriano, Tejada

Puerto Rico
Beltran, Delgado, Pudge, Piniero (where's Edgar?)

USA
Bonds, Buerhle, Chavez, Clemens, Crawford, Damon, Guardado, Halladay, Jeter, Peavy, Rollins, Teixeira, Utley, Willis, etc.

Venezuela
Abreu, Freddy and Carlos!, Mora, Santana, Zambrano

If all these players end up playing, this is going to be pretty sweet.

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Millwood 4 for 44?

Thats the rumor I just heard. The Mariners have offered Kevin Millwood 4 years at 44 million. I dunno. Is he better than much of our staff from last year? Yes, is he the guy that makes you go Heck ya I am fired up...........Unquestionably NO. This of course is not offical but from what it sounds like it is likely to happen


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EDIT 12/07/05

Larry Stone wrote in today's seattle times:
"With or without Moyer in tow, the Mariners are in hot pursuit of pitching help. But it turns out that the reports of a four-year, $44 million offer to Kevin Millwood on Monday were greatly exaggerated, if not outright fiction.
The truth is, the Mariners didn't even meet here with Millwood's agent, Scott Boras, until Tuesday afternoon — their first session with Boras since the GM meetings in Palm Springs, Calif., last month. While they remain interested in Millwood's services, the Mariners remain just as highly reluctant to go five, or even four years for a pitcher."

this sounds much more like the mariners to me than the above report of 4 for 44. I knew they were there somewhere.