Some Progress

So, it has been a while since I've posted on hear and it has been hard after the horrible season we just had. While the off season is sure to stir some excitement, it's not the same as last year. With more money and movable players, we blew our hopes up and were even considered a front runner for the AL West. This year, there isn't a lot of money and with the success of triple-A Tacoma, a lot of prospects will be brought up and given reps to see if they can hack it at the big league level. If nothing else, this year is 2009 all over again, so we're really just trying to make some kind of step forward.

Eric Wedge has been tapped to manage from a list of candidates that included Bobby Valentine and Joey Cora. Honestly, I didn't want Valentine, because I feel like the level of potential disappointment was too high. His lifetime winning percentage as a manager is .510 (1117-1072) and he hasn't managed in the MLB since 2002. He's managed in Japan, but that's a completely different league with completely different players. While Wedge may not seem like he has a enough star power and perceived potential upside compared to Valentine, he won't create unrealistic expectations among the fan base so if this season goes down in flames it won't be as disappointing as if we put all our hopes in Valentine.

Besides, if Wedge works out, he's only 42 and could potentially be here for many years to come. He also has experience managing several of players on the Mariners while he was with the Cleveland Indians: Franklin Gutierrez (2005-2008), Josh Bard (2002-2005), Milton Bradley (2002-2003), and if he returns, Russell Branyan (2002). Bradley and Wedge didn't get along back in 2003, but they've both agreed to forget the past and try to work together. If not, Bradley will probably be waived mid-season.