RSS
Home
Hot stove '08-'09: Will the M's fizzle or sizzle?
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
This is a very important offseason for the Seattle Mariners.
Over the next few months, the 2009 team will take shape. But for now, the annual question remains on everyone’s mind: Will this be the year the M’s are smart AND aggressive in the free agent market?
The last time the Mariners front office actually took that approach was the winter after the 2000 season when Pat Gillick brought in seven-time Japanese Pacific League batting champion Ichiro Suzuki. As for the 2004 offseason when they put in millions of dollars to bring Richie Sexson and Adrian Beltre to Seattle -- that was aggressive, not smart. Sexson was coming off of a season where he played only the first 23 games before injuring his shoulder checking a swing. Beltre had just finished his seventh year in L.A. with the Dodgers, an absurd career year where he belted 48 homers and drove in 121. He didn’t deserve the amount of money he signed for, but has produced as expected, on par with his first six seasons as a member of the Dodgers.
Last season, the M’s traded stud reliever George Sherrill, promising outfielder Adam Jones and three minor league hurlers to the Baltimore Orioles for starting pitcher Erik Bedard. When I first heard the M’s were trying to get Bedard, I was excited. Finally Bavasi was trading for a legitimate starting pitcher. But when I saw the names he was giving up, I was annoyed. I had a sinking feeling this was going to be one of those deals Mariners fans would want to forget. Turns out Bedard hates the media, doesn’t want to be in Seattle, and can’t be traded because of injury problems. There is still a possibility that Bedard picks up 2009 (whenever he starts the season) where he left off in 2007…before he got hurt and missed all of September.
Just once I would like to see some smart player personnel moves from the Mariners as this decade winds down. It’s not too often you see a team go from 100 wins to 100 losses as quick as the Mariners did, but that’s why Bill Bavasi was number two on my list.
The first priority of a smart Mariners offseason would be re-signing Raul Ibanez, who seems to have become the new Edgar Martinez -- a veteran leader whose bat you can count on in the clutch.
They’ll need to trade Jarrod Washburn, Carlos Silva, Miguel Batista or all three. Get two or even three young starting pitchers for these vets and toss them in the minors, build up the farm system, and maybe they’ll get someone who can fit into a fifth starter’s role.
Find a veteran with plenty of career left who can play the right side of the infield. If he plays second base, Jose Lopez can play first. Perfect match: Orlando Hudson. He won’t cost too much, has three gold gloves and is extremely personable, a smart AND aggressive free agent signing.
Finally, the M’s need to find a way to motivate Yuniesky Betancourt. The kid has so much talent but never looks interested. He needs to learn patience at the plate to go along with his gold-caliber glove. Yuni could be this year’s dark horse All-Star if he would just discipline himself when the bat’s in his hand.
Congrats to Ichiro and Beltre on their gold gloves!
Related Articles:
Comments
