Heres that Starting Rotation that I've been eagerly awaiting. You'll notice there's no Washburn, but there is potential:
1. Felix Hernandez
2. Ian Snell
3. Ryan Rowland-Smith
4. Doug Fister
5. Jason Vargas
I will say that I am happy that Garrett Olson is no where to be seen and that at least Vargas is on there because his spring was impressive and if that doesn't carry over, Cliff Lee should be back soon. Lee played some catch with Lee Tinsley today and did so without pain. So, we can hope that he should be back sooner than later.
A few more moves were made:
-SP Erik Bedard and 1B/3B Jack Hannahan were each put on the 15 day DL. Hannahan should be back in action relatively soon and the return of Bedard is expected to happen in May, (he's thrown bullpen season from the stretch and making progress).
-SP Luke French was optioned to Tacoma and Chad Cordero was sent to minor league camp. French figures to get ample starts in Tacoma while awaiting a call up if the M's rotation should suffer any injuries.
-Still 33 players in camp and 8 to leave before with the roster is solidified.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Garko Gone
Well, I had mentioned before that I'd love to Mike Sweeney make the opening day roster and the big guy did it! Unfortunately, the M's have place Ryan Garko on waivers in order to make space. While I'm excited to see how well Sweeney transitions into the regular season coming off a very hot spring, Garko is a few things that Sweeney isn't: a) a first base backup/platoon, b) younger and more athletic, c) a little more powerful when swinging the bat. Of course, it was ridiculous to believe that the team would keep both and while Sweeney may not hit 15 or more home runs, he is a lifetime .298 hitter, and here's hoping that he raises his lifetime average to the big 3-0-0!
Meanwhile, I'm awaiting the final starting rotation announcement. Plenty of rumors surround the club involving a possible pickup to hold the fort until Lee is ready, but nothing has happened. Jarrod Washburn is constantly being discussed as a possible candidate, but no ground has been gained there. While I know money is tight and sometimes you just have to go with what you already have, the Mariners could go a long to convince their fans of their intentions to make the post season by just adding one mediocre veteran with a decent amount of experience (like a Washburn) that would hold a front spot for now and shift in rotation depth after Lee, and eventually Bedard, return. Here's hoping!
Meanwhile, I'm awaiting the final starting rotation announcement. Plenty of rumors surround the club involving a possible pickup to hold the fort until Lee is ready, but nothing has happened. Jarrod Washburn is constantly being discussed as a possible candidate, but no ground has been gained there. While I know money is tight and sometimes you just have to go with what you already have, the Mariners could go a long to convince their fans of their intentions to make the post season by just adding one mediocre veteran with a decent amount of experience (like a Washburn) that would hold a front spot for now and shift in rotation depth after Lee, and eventually Bedard, return. Here's hoping!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Ouch
So, it appears that the lower abdominal pain that Cliff Lee has been suffering from will hold him out of the start of the season. The rotation is sure to feel Lee's pain. While this leaves Felix Hernandex leading a rotation that lacks certain experience and prowess, which leaves us remembering that as soon as Washburn was shipped off last season, it was the exact same situation. An interesting rumor has been floating around that Washburn may return to the M's if the price is right for both parties, but unfortunately, he may not be ready at the start of the season since he is still unsigned and thus, has not been participating in spring training. Though imagine a rotation with Hernandez, Lee, Bedard, and Washburn. That would be cool.
Some more players were cut from the big league camp. First baseman Mike Carp was sent to the Rainies and catchers Eliezer Alfonzo and Guillermo Quiroz were also sent to the minors, leaving Rob Johnson, Adam Moore and Josh Bard as the backstops in the major league camp. Bard will go once Wakamatsu is sure that Johnson is 100%. This leaves 30 guys on the active roster and 8 non roster invitees left vying for spots on the 25 man roster. However, 3 on the active, (Cliff Lee, Erik Bedard, and Jack Hannahan), will more than likely start the season on the disabled list.
Some more players were cut from the big league camp. First baseman Mike Carp was sent to the Rainies and catchers Eliezer Alfonzo and Guillermo Quiroz were also sent to the minors, leaving Rob Johnson, Adam Moore and Josh Bard as the backstops in the major league camp. Bard will go once Wakamatsu is sure that Johnson is 100%. This leaves 30 guys on the active roster and 8 non roster invitees left vying for spots on the 25 man roster. However, 3 on the active, (Cliff Lee, Erik Bedard, and Jack Hannahan), will more than likely start the season on the disabled list.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Seriously?
All in one day, (yesterday):
-Lee has been feeling some abdominal pain and may start the season on the 15 day DL. Too bad he can't get those suspension games waive as part of a major league LI deal.
-Doug Fister lasted only 2/3 innings after being smacked on the fore arm by a line drive courtesy of Reds' first baseman Joey Votto. Sounds like its only a soft tissue bruise and shouldn't keep Fister out long, but we don't need anymore of these starting rotation injuries. What's Jarrod Washburn's # again?
-Jason Vargas relieved Fister and threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings only to then get clobbered by the Reds for 6 runs, making it harder to find Bedard's placeholder to start the season. Again, Washburn is jonesing to get back here and if the fifth start spot is undecided and now Cliff Lee is out for the start of the season, we might want to snag him at what should be a bargain.
-Oh, and Bradley got ejected. Again third strike on which Bradley questioned but did not throw the tantrum over. So, probably the first record breaking moment of the 2010 campaign: 3 ejections in 3 consectuvie spring training games. I doubt that's even happened in the regular season. While I don't like that the umpires seem to be doling out a revenge on past altercations by being uber strict on Bradley's criticism, I do like that Bradley seems pretty mild mannered about the whole thing. Hopefully, he can keepo brushing it off and let the umpires make themselves look ridiculous.
Okay, we need some good news:
-Felix took Lee's start today against the Diamondbacks and has thrown 3 scoreless innings giving up 2 hits and 1 walk and 1 strikeout. Great speed on his fastball and the split finger is dropping wickedly. Oh! Add another a k!
-Gutierrez slammed a homer in the first inning off Dan Haren that seemed effortless.
-In one of these ken griffey Jr. unscripted segments, Junior talks about when he retires, "in 2 years." So, 2010 hasn't even started and Griffey is already planning his 2011 return.
-And make that 4 scoreless by king Felix!
-Lee has been feeling some abdominal pain and may start the season on the 15 day DL. Too bad he can't get those suspension games waive as part of a major league LI deal.
-Doug Fister lasted only 2/3 innings after being smacked on the fore arm by a line drive courtesy of Reds' first baseman Joey Votto. Sounds like its only a soft tissue bruise and shouldn't keep Fister out long, but we don't need anymore of these starting rotation injuries. What's Jarrod Washburn's # again?
-Jason Vargas relieved Fister and threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings only to then get clobbered by the Reds for 6 runs, making it harder to find Bedard's placeholder to start the season. Again, Washburn is jonesing to get back here and if the fifth start spot is undecided and now Cliff Lee is out for the start of the season, we might want to snag him at what should be a bargain.
-Oh, and Bradley got ejected. Again third strike on which Bradley questioned but did not throw the tantrum over. So, probably the first record breaking moment of the 2010 campaign: 3 ejections in 3 consectuvie spring training games. I doubt that's even happened in the regular season. While I don't like that the umpires seem to be doling out a revenge on past altercations by being uber strict on Bradley's criticism, I do like that Bradley seems pretty mild mannered about the whole thing. Hopefully, he can keepo brushing it off and let the umpires make themselves look ridiculous.
Okay, we need some good news:
-Felix took Lee's start today against the Diamondbacks and has thrown 3 scoreless innings giving up 2 hits and 1 walk and 1 strikeout. Great speed on his fastball and the split finger is dropping wickedly. Oh! Add another a k!
-Gutierrez slammed a homer in the first inning off Dan Haren that seemed effortless.
-In one of these ken griffey Jr. unscripted segments, Junior talks about when he retires, "in 2 years." So, 2010 hasn't even started and Griffey is already planning his 2011 return.
-And make that 4 scoreless by king Felix!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Minor Cuts
The Mariners will start the 2010 season with plenty of outfield options. One of those will not be Michael Saunders, who was optioned to the Rainiers today. Also cut were pitchers Mike Koplove and Levale Speigner. With 41 players left in the big league camp, it will be interesting to see who makes a pretty full roster.
Pitching wise, it appears that Wakamatsu will more than likely carry an 11 man pitching staff, (5 Starters, 6 relievers). Of the 18 currently in camp (15 active roster, 3 non-roster invitees), at least 8 spots are guaranteed. These would be 4 Starters (Felix Hernandez, Cliff Lee, Ian Snell, and Ryan Rowland-Smith), and 4 Relievers (David Aardsma, Mark Lowe, Brandon League, and Sean White). Of the guys left, Erik Bedard will join the team later in the season, but not until May or June. So far, Jason Vargas appears to be the front runner to fill Bedard's rotation spot until then, which would probably count out Luke French, who hasn't given Vargas a run for his money. I'd imagine that Doug Fister and Garrett Olson have pitched their way out of the rotation as they have abyssmal springs and have yet to establish consistent success in the bigs. The only thing helping Olson or French is that the bullpen lacks lefties. However, all three remaining non-roster invitees (Jesus Colome, Chad Cordero, and David Pauley), as well as Kaneoka Texeira, have all outpitched French and Olson. Plus, Cordero gets points for have 128 big league saves. I'd bet on Cordero and Texeira, or Shawn Kelley making the roster.
Catching wise, Rob Johnson looks to start. His hitting is still not there,but his defense has been stellar. Gulliermo Quiroz and Eliezer Alfonzo, two of the remaining non-roster candidates, will not make the team. The big choice will be whether to have Adam Moore backup Johnson and work his into a starting role during this season and next, or if the M's decide to give him more minors experience and have Josh Bard as the backup. It looks to go about 50/50 on that choice.
The infield is all but chosen. Casey Kotchman, first. Chone Figgins, second. Jack Wilson, short. Jose Lopez, third. This is assuming that Lopez gets acclimated enough to playing to the liking of Wakamatsu. Otherwise, Lopez and Figgins could be switched back. Bet its temporary and completely dependent on Dustin Ackley's progress. As soon as he's ready, Lopez will probably get traded. Anyways, those would be the starters. Also making the team will be Ryan Garko to face lefthanded pitching while playing some first and DH.
Outfield starters will be Milton Bradley, Franklin Gutierrez, and Ichiro with Griffey facing right handed pitching as DH. When the M's face lefties, Griffey sits, Bradley DHs, and Eric Byrnes plays left.
This leaves 3 open spots for the field. Jack Hannahan is a favorite as he can play the entire infield as an adequate defensive replacement and catch in emergency situations. Ryan Langerhans, (You know that guy who hit 2 walk off home runs and did little else), may be a fifth outfielder which may be a waste of move, since Figgins can also play outfield. I'd like to see Tuiasosopo make the team as he's been tearing up the ball, as well as Mike Sweeney. So many starters on this team have been chosn for their defensive play, but maybe Sweeney and Tuiasosopo could be could pitch hitter choices. Also, I'd like to see non-roster invitee Corey Patterson beat out Langerhans for a reserve role if the M's decide they need an extra outfielder.
Pitching wise, it appears that Wakamatsu will more than likely carry an 11 man pitching staff, (5 Starters, 6 relievers). Of the 18 currently in camp (15 active roster, 3 non-roster invitees), at least 8 spots are guaranteed. These would be 4 Starters (Felix Hernandez, Cliff Lee, Ian Snell, and Ryan Rowland-Smith), and 4 Relievers (David Aardsma, Mark Lowe, Brandon League, and Sean White). Of the guys left, Erik Bedard will join the team later in the season, but not until May or June. So far, Jason Vargas appears to be the front runner to fill Bedard's rotation spot until then, which would probably count out Luke French, who hasn't given Vargas a run for his money. I'd imagine that Doug Fister and Garrett Olson have pitched their way out of the rotation as they have abyssmal springs and have yet to establish consistent success in the bigs. The only thing helping Olson or French is that the bullpen lacks lefties. However, all three remaining non-roster invitees (Jesus Colome, Chad Cordero, and David Pauley), as well as Kaneoka Texeira, have all outpitched French and Olson. Plus, Cordero gets points for have 128 big league saves. I'd bet on Cordero and Texeira, or Shawn Kelley making the roster.
Catching wise, Rob Johnson looks to start. His hitting is still not there,but his defense has been stellar. Gulliermo Quiroz and Eliezer Alfonzo, two of the remaining non-roster candidates, will not make the team. The big choice will be whether to have Adam Moore backup Johnson and work his into a starting role during this season and next, or if the M's decide to give him more minors experience and have Josh Bard as the backup. It looks to go about 50/50 on that choice.
The infield is all but chosen. Casey Kotchman, first. Chone Figgins, second. Jack Wilson, short. Jose Lopez, third. This is assuming that Lopez gets acclimated enough to playing to the liking of Wakamatsu. Otherwise, Lopez and Figgins could be switched back. Bet its temporary and completely dependent on Dustin Ackley's progress. As soon as he's ready, Lopez will probably get traded. Anyways, those would be the starters. Also making the team will be Ryan Garko to face lefthanded pitching while playing some first and DH.
Outfield starters will be Milton Bradley, Franklin Gutierrez, and Ichiro with Griffey facing right handed pitching as DH. When the M's face lefties, Griffey sits, Bradley DHs, and Eric Byrnes plays left.
This leaves 3 open spots for the field. Jack Hannahan is a favorite as he can play the entire infield as an adequate defensive replacement and catch in emergency situations. Ryan Langerhans, (You know that guy who hit 2 walk off home runs and did little else), may be a fifth outfielder which may be a waste of move, since Figgins can also play outfield. I'd like to see Tuiasosopo make the team as he's been tearing up the ball, as well as Mike Sweeney. So many starters on this team have been chosn for their defensive play, but maybe Sweeney and Tuiasosopo could be could pitch hitter choices. Also, I'd like to see non-roster invitee Corey Patterson beat out Langerhans for a reserve role if the M's decide they need an extra outfielder.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Spring Update
Less than three weeks before spring training ends and the real excitement begins, but until then, here's some spring training numbers for you all:
2: Number of Mariners to be ejected in the some number of games. On Monday, Cliff Lee was ejected for throwing a couple of questionable pitches at Chris Snyder, the second of which sailed over Young's head. The benches cleared, but no fighting occurred. Then, during tonight's game against the Rangers, Milton, "Big Bad," Bradley was thrown out for what the umpire thought was a protest against a called third strike. After called out, Bradley dropped his bat and began to take off his batting gloves to which the umpire took offense. Wakamatsu immediately ran out to protest the ejection as it appeared that Bradley merely thought the inning was over. Umpire Bellino said he couldn't take the call back and Bradley was replaced by Ryan Langerhans. Which leads us to...
5: Games that the league has suspended Cliff Lee to start off the 2010 season. Seems like a bit of over kill for a spring training ejection. Lee will appeal and at least try to get the suspension reduced.
.105: Chone Figgins' spring batting average, he's 2 for 19.
.393: Chone Figgins' spring on base percentage, almost 4 times higher than his batting average thanks to 9 walks. Figgins has also managed to come around and score 5 times, so while the batting average isn't pretty, he's still very productive.
.160: Batting average that rule 5 draft pick Kaneoka Texeira has held opponents to in spring exhibition. Texeira has only given up 1 earned run as well and is strongly making a case for the Mariners to keep him around for a while.
.750: Mike Sweeney's batting average during spring exhibition, which actually dipped a little when he went 2 for 3 in monday's game against Arizona. As I've said before, it'll be awful hard to cut Sweeney if he continues to hit like this.
12: Non-Roster invitees left in the major league training camp. They Jesus Colome, Chad Cordero, Mike Koplove, David Pauley, Levale Speigner, Eliezer Alfonzo, Josh Bard, Gullermo Quiroz, Josh Wilson, Chris Woodard, Corey Patterson, and Mike Sweeney. Add 32 players still on the active roster and that means that there are still 17 cuts to make in order to piece together the 25 man opening day roster.
2: Number of Mariners to be ejected in the some number of games. On Monday, Cliff Lee was ejected for throwing a couple of questionable pitches at Chris Snyder, the second of which sailed over Young's head. The benches cleared, but no fighting occurred. Then, during tonight's game against the Rangers, Milton, "Big Bad," Bradley was thrown out for what the umpire thought was a protest against a called third strike. After called out, Bradley dropped his bat and began to take off his batting gloves to which the umpire took offense. Wakamatsu immediately ran out to protest the ejection as it appeared that Bradley merely thought the inning was over. Umpire Bellino said he couldn't take the call back and Bradley was replaced by Ryan Langerhans. Which leads us to...
5: Games that the league has suspended Cliff Lee to start off the 2010 season. Seems like a bit of over kill for a spring training ejection. Lee will appeal and at least try to get the suspension reduced.
.105: Chone Figgins' spring batting average, he's 2 for 19.
.393: Chone Figgins' spring on base percentage, almost 4 times higher than his batting average thanks to 9 walks. Figgins has also managed to come around and score 5 times, so while the batting average isn't pretty, he's still very productive.
.160: Batting average that rule 5 draft pick Kaneoka Texeira has held opponents to in spring exhibition. Texeira has only given up 1 earned run as well and is strongly making a case for the Mariners to keep him around for a while.
.750: Mike Sweeney's batting average during spring exhibition, which actually dipped a little when he went 2 for 3 in monday's game against Arizona. As I've said before, it'll be awful hard to cut Sweeney if he continues to hit like this.
12: Non-Roster invitees left in the major league training camp. They Jesus Colome, Chad Cordero, Mike Koplove, David Pauley, Levale Speigner, Eliezer Alfonzo, Josh Bard, Gullermo Quiroz, Josh Wilson, Chris Woodard, Corey Patterson, and Mike Sweeney. Add 32 players still on the active roster and that means that there are still 17 cuts to make in order to piece together the 25 man opening day roster.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Spring is Upon Us!
Well, it's been almost a month since I lasted updated this. I got married and just returned from a two week honeymoon in Florida. I did get some of my baseball fix by attending a Braves and Mets game at Champion Stadium in the Espn Wide World of Sports complex. However, as I left, the Mariners began their work in Arizona and since then, a lot of things have happened.
Of course, the most exciting action is where competition for remaining roster spots have heated up. We all know that Felix Hernandez, Cliff Lee, Ryan Rowland-Smith, and Ian Snell will be penciled in 4 of the 5 starting rotation spots at the beginning of the season and when he's healthy again, Erik Bedard will become #5. Until then, Jason Vargas, Doug Fister, Garrett Olson, and Luke French are all vying for that spot.
The clear leader is Jason Vargas. He's pitched 5 and 2/3 innings so far while only allowing 3 hits, 1 walk and no runs. Meanwhile, Fister got smacked around a little by Milwaukee, Garret Olson got whalloped by San Diego for 6 runs in 2/3 of inning, and French has thrown 4 scoreless innings of relief. Spring is still young, but Vargas may also have an edge as he has considerable more experience starting than either Luke French or Doug Fister, and appears to be a bit more effective than Olson.
Next, the catching situation is still to be decided between Rob Johnson, Adam Moore, and Josh Bard. The big question of course: is Rob Johnson fully recovered from his multiple hip surgeries? Johnson has yet to play a game this spring, but managed to catch a simulated game for Felix Hernandez and is slowly gearing up for his catcus league debut. Meanwhile, Adam Moore is crushing the ball, hitting .583 with a few doubles and rbis. It's going to be hard to ignore this kid if he's the type of offensive player that neither Johnson or Bard are. Prior to signing Bard, it was assumed that Johnson and Moore would split the duties with Johnson taking the lion's share, but some among the mariners coaching staff and front office believe that Moore would benefit more from another year in the minors where he could play regularly versus being on the big league roster as Johnson's backup, thus leading to signing of Bard. However, if Moore can compete with the other catchers defensively, then the Mariners should start consider giving a good amount of starts this year. A good all-around catcher who can hit is hard to come by.
Finally, Mike Sweeney is making a case for himself, even though the Mariners already have a plethora of DH (Ken Griffey Jr., Milton Bradley, Eric Byrnes, Ryan Garko), and firstbase (Garko, Casey Kotchman, Jack Hannahan) options. Sweeney leads the team with a .769 batting average, 3 doubles and 6 rbis. While he came into camp to fight for a spot that may not be available to him, Sweeney may be the answering to Mariner's need for a right handed offensive threat. Plus, everybody loves the guy. Maybe this would be easier for Wak if Sweeney was a douche that hit sub .250.
Of course, the most exciting action is where competition for remaining roster spots have heated up. We all know that Felix Hernandez, Cliff Lee, Ryan Rowland-Smith, and Ian Snell will be penciled in 4 of the 5 starting rotation spots at the beginning of the season and when he's healthy again, Erik Bedard will become #5. Until then, Jason Vargas, Doug Fister, Garrett Olson, and Luke French are all vying for that spot.
The clear leader is Jason Vargas. He's pitched 5 and 2/3 innings so far while only allowing 3 hits, 1 walk and no runs. Meanwhile, Fister got smacked around a little by Milwaukee, Garret Olson got whalloped by San Diego for 6 runs in 2/3 of inning, and French has thrown 4 scoreless innings of relief. Spring is still young, but Vargas may also have an edge as he has considerable more experience starting than either Luke French or Doug Fister, and appears to be a bit more effective than Olson.
Next, the catching situation is still to be decided between Rob Johnson, Adam Moore, and Josh Bard. The big question of course: is Rob Johnson fully recovered from his multiple hip surgeries? Johnson has yet to play a game this spring, but managed to catch a simulated game for Felix Hernandez and is slowly gearing up for his catcus league debut. Meanwhile, Adam Moore is crushing the ball, hitting .583 with a few doubles and rbis. It's going to be hard to ignore this kid if he's the type of offensive player that neither Johnson or Bard are. Prior to signing Bard, it was assumed that Johnson and Moore would split the duties with Johnson taking the lion's share, but some among the mariners coaching staff and front office believe that Moore would benefit more from another year in the minors where he could play regularly versus being on the big league roster as Johnson's backup, thus leading to signing of Bard. However, if Moore can compete with the other catchers defensively, then the Mariners should start consider giving a good amount of starts this year. A good all-around catcher who can hit is hard to come by.
Finally, Mike Sweeney is making a case for himself, even though the Mariners already have a plethora of DH (Ken Griffey Jr., Milton Bradley, Eric Byrnes, Ryan Garko), and firstbase (Garko, Casey Kotchman, Jack Hannahan) options. Sweeney leads the team with a .769 batting average, 3 doubles and 6 rbis. While he came into camp to fight for a spot that may not be available to him, Sweeney may be the answering to Mariner's need for a right handed offensive threat. Plus, everybody loves the guy. Maybe this would be easier for Wak if Sweeney was a douche that hit sub .250.
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