My oh My, How Sweeney It is!

The Mariners reupped Mike Sweeney to a minor league deal and invited him to spring training today. Mike Sweeney is primarily a right-handed designated hitter option that played 5 games at firstbase last season which makes it harder for the Mariners to find a big league spot for him since the are stacked at these spots (As mentioned in my previous blog).

However, the great thing about Sweeney, is that he's well aware of the situation and the odds against him, but wants more than anything to play for this team. So much so, that he's going to try playing some outfield to increase his versatility. So much so, that he's been working out non-stop since last season with a return to the Mariners being his ultimate goal. So much so, that he turned down other offers on big league clubs just for a chance to tryout for Seattle.

At this point, I don't care if Mike Sweeney hits .202 or .292. The attitude he brings to the clubhouse and the leadership is unmeasurable and a giant reason that this club was able to play such great ball last year. Its what can make the difference on a team that doesn't have a lot of allstars or overpowering offensive threats. Never give up, all for the team.

The other reason I'd like to see Sweeney around, is that he's the kind of guy you want coaching for the organization down the road. He's already been contacted about such a possibility, but shot it down because of his desire to be a player on this team. Maybe someday though, he'll be a hitting coach or something.

Are We There Yet?

Wow, this offseason has been one for the books. The question now is, Are We Done Yet? With Zudriencek orchestrating the moves, I'm sure the short answer to that questions is, "Never," but it seems like we've just about filled our roster. Going into spring training, the Active 40 man roster has been posted, as well as a list of the non-roster invitees. Here's a current prediction of the active 25 man roster we should have for the 2010 season, including a projected starting lineup posted:

* denotes projected member of 25 man roster according to SeattleMariners.com.

Starting Lineup (As listed on Seattle Mariners Home Site):

1. Ichiro Suzuki, Rightfield*
2. Chone Figgins, Thirdbase*
3. Franklin Gutierrez, Centerfield*
4. Jose Lopez, Secondbase*
5. Milton Bradley, Leftfield*
6. Ken Griffey Jr., Designated Hitter*
7. Casey Kotchman, Firstbase*
8. Rob Johnson, Catcher*
9. Jack Wilson, Shortstop*

Bench:

1. Adam Moore, Catcher
2. Ryan Garko, Firstbase/Designated Hitter
3. Eric Byrnes, Outfielder/Designated Hitter
4. Jack Hannahan, Thirdbase/Firstbase
5. Matt Tuiasosopo, Shortstop/Secondbase/Thirdbase

Rotation:

1. Felix Hernandez*
2. Cliff Lee*
3. Ryan Rowland-Smith*
4. Ian Snell*
5. Doug Fister*

Bullpen

1. David Aardsma, Closer*
2. Mark Lowe, Setup Man*
3. Garret Olson, Setup Man*
4. Brandon League, Setup Man/Closer
5. Sean White, Middel Relief
6. Jason Vargas, Long Relief/5th Starter

Now, I know there are some issues with this. A lot of people see Ryan Langerhans as also making the team, but this seems kind of silly with the addition of Byrnes. Ichiro and Gutierrez will play the outfield everyday barring an injury, and if he's all smiles, Milton Bradley can too. Now if any one of these guys needs a day off, Eric Byrnes can fill in, or if he's healthy, so can Griffey. Now, versus left handed pitching, Griffey may be sat, but that means that you could have either Byrnes or Bradley DH while the other plays the field, or you can have Ryan Garko DH and leave Kotchman in the linuep. Thus, having 4 capable outfielders (assuming no health or other issues take place) for 3 spots, especially where 2 have been etched in stone since last years all star break, is enough.

Also, I have a feeling that if Kotchman can hold his own against lefthanded pitching in spring training, he may be given the opportunity to play everyday, just as Russell Branyan was given last year. Garko may find himself pinch hitting, taking over for Kotchman in late innings, DHing against lefties, and potentially, showing us that he is seriously being considered as a 3rd catcher.

Thus, bench wise, I think the only depth problem is the middle infield. Hannahan is reliable enough at the corners and Tuiasosopo is trying to break into the bigs at 3rd or short, but right now, if Lopez or Wilson were to go down, the depth is pretty slim, and I'd bet that Figgins would be moved to the middle infield while Hannahan or Tuiasosopo held down the hot corner. Sure, there's Josh Wilson, who held the spot once Jack Wilson got injured last year, but he's a reserve at best.

Back to Bedard?

Update: It's being reported that a deal has been drawn up between Bedard and the Mariners. It's a 1.5 million base that could reach around 7.7 million if Bedard can stay healthy and effective at the Major League level. I'd figure that the starting rotation depth now looks something like this once Bedard returns to play in June/July. Also there's still a rumor that Jarrod Washburn could be returning, but with the M's reupping Bedard, it seems unlikely:

1. Felix Hernandez
2. Cliff Lee
3. Erik Bedard
4. Ryan Rowland-Smith
5. Ian Snell

At the beginning of this offseason it seemed all but 100 percent certain that Erik Bedard was on his way out. Now that the offseason spending sprees have winded, Bedard finds himself with almost no interested parties (only the Orioles and Royals have been mentioned), and a small chance that he'll return to Safeco.

Of all the signings this offseason, except for maybe the Silva for Bradley exchange, bringing back Bedard would potentially be the most controversial move made by the master, Jack Z. While Cliff Lee is being heralded as the additional piece to best 1-2 punch in a starting rotation, Bedard was supposed to have been this piece 2 years ago. He had started an average of 28 games with a record of 40-34 and hefty amount of strikeouts the 4 previous years in Baltimore before being brought over for two future all stars (Adam Jones and George Sherrill), and 3 other prospects.

However, he's been pretty much a bust and has only started 15 games in each of seasons with Seattle missing plenty of time due to injury. He will not be available till at least May.

But, when he's pitched, he hasn't been all that awful. He has an 11-7 record with a 3.23 era and 8.9 strikeouts per 9 innings when he's managed to pitch for Seattle. That's a good deal more productive than Silva was.

Plus, Zduriencik won't blow the load. It sounds as if a 1.5 million base with incentives is being offered and for that, I'd be willing to gamble. Would You?? Let's a get debate going here: Bedard or no Bedard?

We Got that Right Handed Bat!

So, when it seemed last week that maybe the M's would have Eric Byrnes as their off the bench right handed batting option and stop there, they went ahead and snagged Ryan Garko at a low salary. At the fanfest, Assistant GM Jeff Kingston mentioned that the hunt for a right handed bat was still on the agenda and Garko should fit in nicely as a DH and Firstbase option as well as a catching option once in a blue moon.

Garko was picked up from the Giants at midseason of last year and did not wow them, but he's hit quite a few homers in the American league during his tenure with the Cleveland Indians and over the last 3 seasons, he's hit .311 with a .391 onbase percentage against lefthanded pitching. For 550k, he's a steal

Also, Kingston mentioned that the M's have their sights on another veteran starting pitcher and hope to have one signed in the next week. The M's will watch Noah Lowry throw, but once, there are rumors on a Washburn return. I'd love nothing more than the M's to sign one more veteran starter to place in the middle of the rotation and push back Rowland Smith and Snell to the 4 and 5 spots, instead of going strong with Fister or French in the 5 spot. Things are looking great. Get Stoked!