Anyone want to trade??

All you have to do is take this guy and I'll be happy!! I think the Yankees knew something when they threw in Hector as part of the deal that took Michael Pineda from Seattle. While I know that Mike has been hurt, and hasn't played we made a mistake. Everyone said we got a steal in this deal. While Jesus Montero is average at best, everyone seems to think he's the next Johnny Bench. The guy is a defensive liability behind the plate. He can't block balls, doesn't throw guys out, and can't really call a game. His offense is decent, but I've seen better and he will be our #1 catcher this year.

The Yankees sent Hector I think because they knew he wasn't that good. Just look at some of his numbers. In 22 games with us last year, he went 2-12 with a 5.82 ERA. All that came in 106 innings while giving up 71 runs and serving up 21 bombs. The spring of 2013 has been no better for him in Arizona. Before yesterday, Hector had given up 8 runs, six of them being earned in 3.2 innings. Thankfully Hector got rained out but not before giving up another six runs and two dingers in 2 innings to the A's. I think it's time for the M's to cut bait on this guy. If your team would like a bad pitcher, contact the Mariners in Peoria, AZ and I'm sure Jack Z would take just about anything for him. Send us some seeds, and a pack of gum and we will call it even.

Let's focus people...

Ding Dong the Witch is dead!! Thank goodness football is over. Now we can focus on the real sport for the next 8 months, Baseball!!

Coming soon: 2012 Topps Mariners want list. Will you help a poor Mariners fan out??

Knuckling for a shot

Mariner hopeful Charlie Haeger is in camp this year. He is with the team as an NRI, but it trying to make it.  Charlie has been with the White Sox, Padres, and the Dodgers. Charlie does have a nice knuckleball, but I don't think it will help him make the team out of camp. I hope maybe he can hang in Tacoma, and be ready to come up if needed.

A Ray of hope...

Another NRI that is trying to make this Mariners team this year is Chris Ray. I would say the chances of Ray making this team are very good. The guy does have 51 saves in a career with Baltimore, Texas, and San Francisco.

With David Aardsma on the shelf for a while, and Brandon League being shaky at best as a closer, I think Chris could hold the spot down until Aardsma comes back, and then David may have to fight for the spot if Ray is on. Here's hoping that Chris can continue to impress and make the club out of Peoria.

Spring Training Flashback

As I was listening to the Mariners get whacked yesterday in a meaningless spring game, I was reminded of the past ineptitude of the front office.

Boy genius here was running the show at the time. Boy oh boy, doesn't he look about as bright as a sack of potatoes. No disrespect meant to potatoes.

With the 6th pick in the 2006 draft we could have had this 3 time All-Star, 2 time Cy Young award winner and World Series champion. And he is a local kid after all.

Instead, Bill decided to draft this guy, who they couldn't decide if he should start or come out of the bullpen. Once, Bill finally got fired, Jack Z had seen enough of him and sent him to Toronto for this guy.

 I'm not a big fan of either Brandon, when we could have had "The Freak" along side Felix. As a side note, Felix and Michael Pineda both looked good in their outings against Oakland today.

That would have been an awesome top 3 in my opinion. Oh what could have been....

New Side Project

All right all this Spring Training has gotten me bit by a bug. I've been watching all kinds of games on MLB Network. It has gotten me thinking back to the old days of my youth. As a kid who grew up with the Angels spending half their Spring Training in Palm Springs, CA I got to see many games and get many autographs as a kid. I got to thinking about baseball cards and the pictures that are on them from Spring Training.

I do know that the Angels were in Palm Springs from 1961 until the end of 1992. I have started to make a list of cards that I can tell are from Angels Stadium in Palm Springs. I can tell some Topps cards for sure, but some I need some help. I haven't started looking at Donruss and Fleer yet, but I would think that there could be some from them too. I doubt that Score or Upper Deck ever made it to the desert.

Consider this an open call to any and all Angels fans, or anybody with knowledge of the stadium and the mountains in the background I would love your help. If I can figure out all the cards, and collect them it would a nice homage set to my home town.
Come on Angels fans, don't let a poor Mariner fan down!

Utmost respect for him

Since most of you don't follow the Mariners like I do, you may not have heard this news. I have found a now former player that I have an immense amount of respect for right now.

Now former Mariner Jody Geut decided on Sunday Morning to call it quits and retire from baseball at age 33. Here are some quotes from Gerut from the Seattle Times:
 "I can no longer, in good conscience, play the game in a manner that reflects the positive example for the younger generation of baseball players," Gerut said, reading his prepared statement. "Physically, I'm fine. But mentally, my reasons for wanting to be in uniform have become so thin and narrow that I refuse to disrespect the game that has provided so generously for my family by playing it in a halfhearted way. This game of ours owes me nothing, but I owe the game at least that much. When a player finds his willingness to compete so greatly diminished, that player must leave the game so as not to disrespect it by becoming a player who plays solely for his paycheck and his own personal glory."


"This is a notion so distasteful to me it makes me physically sick to my stomach. So I will now focus my attention on the well being of my family as I start the next chapter of my life. My children need their father, and my wife needs her husband to be a bigger part of their everyday lives, and today I won't have it any other way. I give thanks to God and to the fans everywhere in the world who love and support our pastime, and I encourage them to hold their heroes in the game of baseball to these very high standards, because you, the fans, deserve it."

"It was a personal, mental matter," Gerut said. "I couldn't ignore the lack of willingness to compete. There was no letdown on the field. I wasn't dogging it. But I was done. There are certain inevitabilities, and I'm sure there would've absolutely come a time when I mishit a ball and ran down the first-base line not at 100 percent and possibly had to answer for it with the coaching staff. I don't want to be that guy. It's not the way I play the game. I refuse to even think that's a possibility. And that was a possibility."

He came to camp with all intentions of trying to make the team. After three days, he said he just felt "Hollow" inside. He was able to play physically, but mentally he had checked out. I think he obviously had a huge amount of respect for the game and knows when to walk away. Jody has decided to hang out in Phoenix for the rest of the month because he says it's too cold to go back home to Chicago now. He did leave open the possibility of come back to baseball to coach someday, but right now his family is what is important to him. I wish him all the best in whatever he does. He wasn't even a Mariner for one game, spring or regular season, but he is a stand up guy in my book.

Teaching you a lesson

As you have noticed lately, I have been trying to showcase old faces in new places.There are former Mariner players all over the major and minor leagues. Some are still playing at a decent level or just trying to hold on to the dream. Some guys have hung it up and moved into the coaching ranks. I went through the major league rosters and found 33 former players, coaches and managers on big league rosters.

Managers

1. Bob Melvin- Scout for the Mets
2. John McLaren- Bench coach Nationals
3. Don Wakamatsu- Bench coach Blue Jays

Coaches

1. Rick Adair- Bullpen coach Orioles
2. Sam Perlozzo- 1B coach Phillies
3. Bryan Price- Pitching coach Reds
4. Ty Van Burkleo- Hitting coordinator Astros
5. Alan Cockrell- Hitting coordinator Diamondbacks
6. Mel Stottlemyre- Pitching coordinator Diamondbacks
7. Jeff Pentland- Batting coach Dodgers
8. Rafael Chaves- Pitching coordinator Dodgers

Players

1. Shane Monahan- Scout for the Padres
2. Ron Roenicke- Manager Brewers
3. Jerry Narron- Bench coach Brewers
4. Dale Sveum- Batting coach Brewers
5. Thad Bosley- Batting coach Rangers
6. Jim Presley- Hitting coach Orioles
7. Dave Magadan- Batting coach Red Sox
8. Torey Lovullo- 1B coach Blue Jays
9. Joey Cora- Bench coach White Sox
10. Tim Belcher- Pitching coach Indians
11. Bruce Fields- Hitting coordinator Indians
12. Orlando Mercado- Catching coordinator Angels
13. Spike Owen- Defensive coordinator Rangers
14. Keith Comstock- Rehabilitation coordinator Rangers
15. Leon Roberts- Hitting coordinator Braves
16. Lee Tinsley- Defensive coordinator Cubs
17. Bud Black- Manager Padres
18. Bill Plummer- Catching coordinator Diamondbacks
19. Glenallen Hill- 1B coach Rockies
20. Rick Honeycutt- Pitching coach Dodgers
21. Dave Hansen- Special coach Dodgers
22. Henry Cotto- Base running coordinator Giants

I do know that some former guys have also moved to the broadcast booth, and are coaches and managers in the minors. I'm slowly working on putting that list together too. I'm sure most of you couldn't care less about old Mariners, but I feel like if I put it out there someone might want to know about where some of our guys are now, and I might give you the desire to look up your former players.

It's time, boys and girls!!

Ladies and Gentlemen, the time that we all have waited for since November has come. At 10am my time, 1pm for all you in the East, we will have Spring games. I unfortunately will have to wait. The Mariners play a charity game tomorrow, but don't officially kick off until Monday.

 I know that there won't be much to watch the first two weeks or so as pitchers only get a couple innings and starters are out quickly. I like to watch spring games to see the kids that won't make it yet but are the future. You know a guy won't make it yet when he come in in the 7th or 8th inning and is wearing #96. There still is something to seeing youth playing a meaningless game with all the passion of a World Series game. Here's to everyone enjoying seeing their team play for the first time in too long.

Old faces in new places #4

Another former short time Mariner has popped up. This time it is first baseman Bryan LaHair.

Bryan spent some time up and down with the Mariners in the abysmal 2008 season. He would spend 2009 at AAA Tacoma, before being released to free agency. Bryan signed with Chicago Cubs after 2009, but proceeded to spend all of 2010 With the AAA Iowa Cubs. Bryan is a Non Roster Invitee with the Cubs in Mesa in 2011. Unfortunately for Bryan, I think it's another year in the minors with Carlos Pena holding down 1B for the Cubs this year.

Old faces in new places #3

While doing a little looking around again, I found another former Mariner. Today we look at Mr. Flatbrim himself George Sherrill. George has signed on with the Atlanta Braves this year.

After being part of the Bedard deal that took George to Baltimore, it seems that his career has gotten off track. After having an All-Star season in 2008 with the O's, they traded him to the Dodgers at the deadline in 2009. He had a great rest of '09, but for some reason bombed in 2010. After becoming a free agent in December, he signed on to work in the Braves bullpen this season. Good luck George.

West Coast Shocker

In the Mariners camp this year is a former Wichita State player. Former Shocker Pitcher Nate Robertson.

Nate's on the mound with the bubble

I'm hoping for good things from Nate this year. From the sounds of a recent interview with Nate, he might a good mentor to have this year. Nate did play for a Tigers team that lost 119 games and was in the World Series a few years later. It looks like Nate really got a rough deal in 2009 with the Tigers, and spent 2010 going from the Tigers, to the Marlins, and to the Phillies organizations. Here's to hoping former Shocker Eric Wedge can find room for Nate if he can have a good Spring Training.

Captain Comeback?!

It looks like we may have a new left handed possibility in our rotation. Look who's back ladies and gentlemen...

According to all reports so far, he is looking healthy. He has been taking regular turns in the bullpen sessions in Peoria. I also hear that he is being great with the media, answering questions and actually being nice and having fun.

Could we have a potential lefty that can throw on our team and we didn't have to make a deal? I surely hope that Erik can stay happy and healthy this year. I would like to see a year out of him similar to his years in Baltimore. I need some proof of why we sent four players to the Orioles for him. Good luck to Erik in the upcoming Cactus League.

Nothing could be finer--

Than to be in Arizona in the morning! Here it is ladies and gentlemen, the day we have waited for since October. I like the direction that Eric Wedge is taking this. Everyone needs to know their role, even media and coaches. I don't see us winning it all, but I can dream. Happy Spring Training everybody.

Manny and more

I guess the big excitement for Mariner fans is we signed Manny DelCarmen to a minor league deal yesterday. I'm really not all that excited about that one. I know there are still other guys out there that can help more. I guess we will see how he does in Peoria. The magic day is down to 3 days and counting!!

Also, yesterday I went to Target to get a Valentine's card for my wife(our 20th day together). I wanted to resist the urge but couldn't. I bought a couple rack packs and got a few Mariners I needed. I came to a conclusion, and it will be a big topic I'm going to hit this weekend for the Blog Bat Around. I can't guarantee that anyone is going to like my ideas, but I'll give them to you this weekend anyways. Some of the inserts are spoken for and I will get a hold of those people soon. I will try to put up later what is available which is pretty much all of it, except the M's cards. Here's the few Mariners I got:

Out with the old...

And in with the new as they say. First, I want to say congrats to the Packers and their fans. Now that that game is over, we only have one week of Hot Stove left. Pitchers and Catchers REPORT NEXT WEEK!! I'm sure you will start to see much complaining and wishing coming form me soon.

GOODBYE FOOTBALL.

HELLO BASEBALL!!

It's almost here!

If only we can get this football game over today, we can fully turn our attention to BASEBALL! I know it's going to be another one of those years for us, but right now I don't care. For all I know my Mariners could win the World Series. Sorry, I started off to dream land again. Who knows anything is possible. I'm sure most Ranger and Giants fans hoped, but didn't think their teams would make it last year.

I'm a little disappointed by the moves that weren't made or tried to be made this off-season, but I'm not in the front office. I would have liked to see a run made at Vlad instead of Jack Cust, maybe try to trade for Grienke. I'm not really sure why we have six possible guys in camp that can play Left Field. I've never figured out why left is a death zone in Seattle. I remember a stat that showed when Griffey was in his heyday, he something like nearly 60 or 70 different guys play in left filed. Some things just never change. I like some of our established guys, I think we will see a lot of kids this year, good thing AAA Tacoma is only 30 miles down the road from Safeco.

I hope my team can just keep it under 100 losses this year, develop some talent, and start to recover. I know it is a pipe dream, but I will still be watching every game on TV and hoping against hope. I also hope to continue to dwindle down the Mariners cards needs with the help of all of you folks out there.  Let's get this Super bowl over with and LET'S PLAY BALL!!

25 man roster for 2010

Since Opening Day is right around the corner, here is how I see the M's starting the year.

Starting Pitchers

1. Felix Hernandez- There is a reason he is called "King Felix." Cy Young awards and greatness is in his future. No, Yankees and Red Sox fans you CAN NOT have him when his contract is up in five years!

2. Cliff Lee- He will start on the DL and probably not start until May, but hopefully they can convince him a winner is being built here and will stay after the year.

3. Ryan Rowland-Smith- Remember his name. I have a feeling this Aussie southpaw is going to have a breakout year. Also, my favorite current Mariner.

4. Erik Bedard- Will start the season on the DL also. I don't expect much from him, but could be a steal this year if he comes back and pitches well.

5. Doug Fister- Doesn't have overpowering stuff, but is coming into his own in the big leagues.

Ian Snell and Jason Vargas will start in the rotation to start the season until Lee and Bedard return from injuries.

Bullpen

1. David Aardsma- Will be the everyday closer. Before last year, he had never closed. He had some blown saves and makes you sweat sometimes, but gets the job done.

2. Shawn Kelley- Made the club last year as an NRI and pitched well. Will pitch long relief or an inning or two.

3. Brandon League- Hardthrowing rightie can be the set up guy or just get guys out. Came over in the Brandon Morrow deal.

4. Mark Lowe- Will be the set up man for the closer or can be the closer if needed. Good stuff, and a flamethrower.

5. Kanekoa Teixiera- A Rule 5 pick up from the Yankees AA Trenton. Has been dominant in Cactus League. Has to stay on the roster all season or go back the Yanks.

6. Sean White- Will pitch long relief or situational spots.

Possible problem: NO LEFTIES IN THE PEN!!

Catchers

1. Rob Johnson- Will be the starting catcher and get the bulk of the work. Little worried after hip and shoulder surgeries in the off season.

2. Adam Moore- Will be the back up and catch two to three days a week. Still young, and not great at throwing out runners yet.

Infielders

1B Casey Kotchman- He is an excellent defensive fielder. Hoping for more consistency and pop from his bat.

2B Chone Figgins- The steal of the offseason. Is excellent defensively and can play multiple positions. He can also hit, run and score.

SS Jack Wilson- Not much in the way of a bat, but has good range at short. Had injuries most of last year, so M's fans will see an even better shortstop this year.

3B Jose Lopez- Has cut done on his propensity towards committing errors. Will be expected to be the big bopper in the line up this year.

Bench- Matt Tuiasosopo. Has the ability to play most infield and corner outfield positions.

Outfielders

LF Milton Bradley- Will be expected to put up decent power numbers. Should have a better year than last year. The media in Seattle won't go after him like Chicago.

CF Franklin Gutierrez- Had the best rating for defensive outfielders in MLB last year. Could win a Gold Glove this year with a repeat performance.

RF Ichiro Suzuki- What words have not been used to describe him. He can hit, run, score, catch, and throw you out. He will be in the hall of fame with an M's hat on his head.

Bench- Eric Byrnes and Ryan Langerhans. Nothing to write home about with either one, but will hopefully help when needed.

Designated Hitter

This year the duties will be split between Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Sweeney. While I think both guys are great in the clubhouse and getting fans to come out and watch, it is two roster spots that are wasted. Sweeney has had a great spring, but will it carry over? Griffey, puts butts in the stands, but is not "The Kid" anymore.

Manager/Coaches

Don Wakamatsu should have won Manager of the year last year. He and his staff have instilled confidence in this team and will take them far soon.

OUTLOOK:

I will always dream for big things like a World Series win, but I think we might be a year away from the playoffs. They will be competitive until the end, but will come up just short. Miracles could happen and we sneak into the playoffs though.

Let the games begin...

Today is the day that hope springs eternal. I am so ready to get baseball season under way. Between the high school having practice behind my backyard, and cactus league games starting today, it is time. I hope that my Mariners will be around until late October. Today starts the long haul. I'm sure we are all ready for the ride. Isn't baseball great!