By: Alex Carson on 2012-01-27
Jason on what not extending Ichiro says about the club.We're closing in on spring training, as there are only 15 days left until pitchers and catchers report. Let's dive right in.
Prospect Lists and Invitations
The Mariners announced their organizational invites to spring training. The nine players coming to big league camp are right-handers Taijaun Walker, Erasmo Ramirez, Stephen Pryor and Forrest Snow, left-hander James Paxton, infielder Nick Franklin, outfielder Vinnie Catricala and catchers Jesus Sucre and Ralph Hernandez.
You may notice Danny Hultzen's name missing from the list, but that's purely because he was signed to a major league deal, so his invitation was already there.
Another interesting note was Vinnie Catricala listed as an outfielder. See below for a quote from Tony Blengino on why the club wants to get Cat the Bat some outfield reps.
Spring Training Media Luncheon
The Mariners today held a media event at Safeco Field to discuss a plethora of issues regarding spring training, the roster, player development, Japan travel and more. Here are some of the takeaways I jotted down.
Kevin Martinez On Pro...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2012-01-26
One subject we've deemed untouchable here is trading Ichiro. I keep telling people when they ask me if Team X could be a fit for Ichiro that "we don't talk about fight club." The reason is because the Seattle Mariners aren't going to trade Ichiro.
It sounds, however, as if they have no plans to extend his contract, either. The great Larry Stone of the Seattle Times spoke to GM Jack Zduriencik Thursday and wrote that the club is "going to allow Ichiro to go into, and possibly through, the season on his current contract."
That is huge news that is going under the radar.
Now, Zduriencik did not flat out say the club will not be retaining Ichiro. He said nothing of the sort. This does mean, however, they they aren't going to extend Ichiro's contract and keep him around simply to keep Ichiro around. He has to earn it.
It also tells me that the club sees value in challenging a player in a contract year, even Ichiro, and that the organization is about winning, not marketing a Japanese player to appease the Japanese flavor of the ownership.
This is further evidence that Zduriencik's influence is strong, and that the franchise is not acting on the same principles it did in years past. Principles that greatly contributed to the woes its suffered through since the end of the 2003 season.
Maybe Ichiro earns an extension,...
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By: Chris Crawford on 2012-01-26
Just 16 days until pitchers and catchers report. I don't know about you, but I am on pins and/or needles. A final thought (from me, anyway) about the Pineda trade
Like many of you, I was following along on twitter as the many beat-writers tweeted various interesting quips from the parties involved with the trade. The most talked about response was Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman’s exclamation that Jesus Montero was maybe the most talented player he’s ever traded, but I was struck by a different quote.
“I’m feeling great and I’m beyond excited" Pineda said. "I never thought I would become a New York Yankee so early into my career. This is the best thing in the world.”
Now, maybe all Pineda was trying to say was that he was excited, and the translation got mixed up, or any number of things. But –- did anyone else get the impression that maybe he was saying that this was an inevitability? I realize these players grow up idolizing the pinstripes –- and maybe he would have said that about any team he was traded to (I never thought I’d be a Nippon Ham Fighter so early in my career, come to think of it, that’s probably been said quite a bit), but I found the remark a bit off-putting.
No, I’m not saying that I’m gl...
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By: Adam H. Wong on 2012-01-25
Jason's take on what's next for the MarinersThere are 17 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 12 - the rest of the squad will report no later than February 17 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.
The M's first spring game is against the Oakland A's on March 2 in
Phoenix, with their first home game the following day also against the
A's.
Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though
these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up
for camp.
In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as
the club heads closer to the 2012 season; lending you all anything you
might need to get yourself ready.
Prince in Detroit
The speculation on where Prince Fielder would land was laid to rest on Tuesday, as a nine-year, $214 million contract from the Detroit Tigers was reportedly accepted by the first baseman. It's the day after, and I still wonder: has this sunken in? It was almost exactly like the Arte Moreno, where he snuck in and offered a giant sum of money to Albert Pujols to earn his...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2012-01-24
With the news Tuesday that Prince Fielder has signed with the Detroit Tigers it brings up one question in the land of the Seattle Mariners: Now what?
The answer is: Stay the course.
And ya know what? It's the right move.
There will be angry M's fans aiming their frustrations at the owners for not ponying up the cash. There will be Jack Zduriencik doubters that suggest he couldn't get a deal done. There will be those that jump ship, and event those that do not renew their season tickets.
I understand the anger, I understand the frustration. I grew up a fan of the team. I, too, revel in the thought of this team winning playoff games and ultimately a World Series. In no way and to no level, however, would it have been a good idea for the Seattle Mariners to spend $214 million over nine seasons to Fielder. Not even close.
I wouldn't have been too disappointed at $170 million, but $44 million more makes it a huge mistake, perhaps even for the Detroit Tigers, who generate more revenue than do the Mariners, and they are a World Series contender. They are, in the immediate, buying a better shot at a title.
The Mariners would have been buying respectability in 2012, selling tickets and generating excitement. Not a World Series. Not in 2012, probably not in 2013, either.
Staying the course. In September, it's what Zduriencik told me the plan was. Most of you are asking me via text, email, Twitter, and here in the comments at Prospect Ins...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2012-01-23
The Prince Fielder chase continues on, but it appears there is a need to summarize what's happening right now.
Here is what I have:
As I tweeted last a few days ago, a source told me that the Washington Nationals' interest in Fielder -- or at last their reported interest -- is overblown. We read that report on the Seattle Mariners a few weeks back when an agent told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick that the M's only had $3-4 million dollars to spend the rest of the winter.
I didn't buy, not for one second, that the M's simply didn't have the money to sign Fielder, or weren't willing to make a competitive offer, so I dismissed that report without thinking twice. I still believe that.
With the Nationals, it's a different situation. They already have Jayson Werth on the roster -- an immovable contract at that -- making $116 million over the next six seasons, as well as guaranteed money to Mike Morse ($10.5 million over the next two) and Adam LaRoche ($9 million including the buyout of his 2013 option).
LaRoche has to play first -- or DH, which the Nationals do not have at their disposal. Morse has experience at several positions, but is well below average at all of them except the infield corners. The Nats have the money, but are they willing to use Morse in left field everyday and eat a large chunk of salary to move LaRoche so they can hand Fielder $150-200 million?
I am not sure. Maybe they are, but the above factors make the "overblown" int...
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By: Alex Carson on 2012-01-24
Jason's latest on Prince Fielder and the rotation.There are 18 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 12 -- the rest of the squad will report no later than February 17 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.
The M's first spring game is against the Oakland A's on March 2 in Phoenix, with their first home game the following day also against the A's.
Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp.
In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2012 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready.
UPDATE:1:00 PM by Alex Carson -- Prince Fielder is not coming to Seattle. As reported by everyone, Fielder and the Detroit Tigers have agreed to a nine-year pact worth $214 million. No word yet on possible opt-outs, no-trades or vegetarian buffet clauses.
This was a complete stunner. The Tigers hadn't been linked to Fielder in any serious capacity all off-season. They are thought to have been one...
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By: Chris Crawford on 2012-01-23
There are 19 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 12 -- the rest of the squad will report no later than February 17 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is against the Oakland A's on March 2 in Phoenix, with their first home game the following day also against the A's.
Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp.
In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2012 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready.
Millwood signs?
According to a report from the Gaston Gazette --, the Mariners have signed Kevin Millwood to a contract for 2012. The 36-year old right-hander sent time with three organizations last year –- electing free agency over continuing to pitch in AAA with the Yankees and Red Sox -– before signing with Colorado in August. In nine starts, Millwood posted a 3.98 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 54 innings pitched for the Rockies.
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By: Chris Crawford on 2012-01-22
There are 20 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 12 -- the rest of the squad will report no later than February 17 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is against the Oakland A's on March 2 in Phoenix, with their first home game the following day also against the A's.
Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp.
In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2012 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready.
The times they are a changing
Pardon the Bob Dylan quote, but yesterdays “trade” between the Rockies and Red Sox for Marco Scutaro fascinated me. It was first reported by Troy Renck –- a very reliable source -– that the two clubs were nearing a deal. Over the next twenty minutes, I’d say a good sixty percent of the baseball people I follow on twitter were offering their analysis of the deal –- what it meant for the Rockies, does this mean the Red Sox were going to sign Roy Oswalt, who would play shortstop now for Boston etc. etc. – wh...
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By: Adam H. Wong on 2012-01-21
There are 21 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers reportfor spring training on February 12 - the rest of the squad will report
no later than February 17 with the first full-squad workout slated for
the day after.
The M's first spring game is against the Oakland A's on March 2 in
Phoenix, with their first home game the following day also against the
A's.
Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though
these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up
for camp.
In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as
the club heads closer to the 2012 season; lending you all anything you
might need to get yourself ready.
Around the league
The Washington Nationals inked Mike Morse to a two-year, $10.5 million contract. His time was limited with Seattle, as he put up a .300/.365/.397 slash line from 2005 to 2008 in 107 games with the Mariners. Mariners fans will remember the ridiculous spring training he had in 2008 where he batted .478. Hopes were high for him going into the regular season, but after he tore his labrum diving for a ball against the Los Angeles Angels, his year was cut short. Morse was traded by Sea...
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By: Alex Carson on 2012-01-20
There are 22 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 11 - the rest of the squad will report no later than February 17 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is against the Oakland A's on March 2 in Phoenix, with their first home game the following day also against the A's.
Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp.
In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2012 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready.
Jesus Montero's Arrival Delayed
Thanks to visa issues and travel difficulties into the barren tundra of Seattle, Jesus Montero is still stuck in Venezuela.
As soon as those problems are resolved, he'll arrive in Seattle for a physical and the big trade can be finalized.
Fausto Carmona Isn't Actually Fausto Carmona
Reports swirled today that Fausto Carmona is actually Roberto Hernandez Heredia. To make things worse for the Indians, Heredia is 31 years-old, which is older than the aged 28 Carmona.
You'll rememb...
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By: Chris Crawford on 2012-01-19
There are 23 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 11 - the rest of the squad will report no later than February 17 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is against the Oakland A's on March 2 in Phoenix, with their first home game the following day also against the A's.
Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp.
In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2012 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready.
The Darvish initiative
It shouldn’t come to anyone’s surprise, but the Rangers have finalized their contract with Japanese sensation Yu Darvish. The deal is for five years with an option for a sixth season that could pay him up to $60 million over those six years. It’s a steep price when you consider the $51.7 million posting fee they paid the Nippon Ham Fighters in order to begin these negotiations, though I would have to believe that he’d get more than the $111 million total on the open market.
So, the question on every Mariner...
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By: Adam H. Wong on 2012-01-18
There are 24 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 11 - the rest of the squad will report no later than February 17 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is against the Oakland A's on March 2 in Phoenix, with their first home game the following day also against the A's.
Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp.
In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2012 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready.
The Mariners' Hall
The Mariners announced today that Randy Johnson and Dan Wilson will be inducted into the team Hall of Fame on Saturday, July 28. The duo will be the fifth and sixth members inducted. They will join Alvin Davis, Dave Niehaus, Jay Buhner and Edgar Martinez.
During the years he was with Seattle, Johnson amassed 2,162 strikeouts, pitched 19 shutouts and averaged an ERA+ of 129. In that same time frame he averaged a 10.6 K/9. He led the league in strikeouts from 1993 to 1995 , while also leading the league in...
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By: Alex Carson on 2012-01-17
There are 25 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 11 - the rest of the squad will report no later than February 17 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.
The M's first spring game is against the Oakland A's on March 2nd in Phoenix, with their first home game the following day also against the A's
Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp.
In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2012 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready.
Off-Season Calendar
Here are some important dates to keep in mind as we roll towards spring training and the beginning of the season.
Jan. 15: Arbitration filing period end
Feb. 1-21: Arbitration hearings
Feb. 11: Pitchers and catchers report
Feb. 12: First workout for pitchers and catchers
Feb. 17: Position players report
Feb. 18: First full-squad workout
March 2: Mandatory spring training report day
March 2: Spring games begin
March 28-29:...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2012-01-15
While I have no inside information on the subject, there have been hints that the Seattle Mariners are still in on Prince Fielder -- at least from the club's standpoint. Whether or not Fielder would consider signing with the M's is another story.
I guess that is both good and bad, but here's more positive news: GM Jack Zduriencik is not waiting around and dreaming on Fielder.
The Mariners aren't talking, that is important to note, but there are indications that the club also has a "we aren't adding Fielder" gear, and that mode could be sending them in one or more directions to add talent.
Since adding Jesus Montero and with Justin Smoak and Mike Carp both on the roster, the top offensive free agents left -- after Fielder -- the likes of Carlos Pena, Johnny Damon, Vladimir Guerrero and Derek Lee -- don't fit, and the trade market appears as dry as a desert -- which means more upgrades to the offense have to come at third base and/or the outfield.
There's still a chance that a player such as Seth Smith is of interest to Seattle, and if they want a lefty with a better defensive profile to platoon in left field, Ryan Spilborghs is a free agent, too.
Ryan Ludwick would have to come extremely cheap to be any kind of an option -- considering cost, defense and base running, isn't Casper Wells just as good or better than Ludwick? -- and Xavier Nady and Conor Jackson are better suited for first base or bench duties.
Carlos Guillen is no longer...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2012-01-14
The trade consummated Friday night between the Seattle Mariners and the New York Yankees brought the Emerald City Nine a 22-year-old power hitter in Jesus Montero and a 24-year-old starting pitcher in Hector Noesi. They sent Michael Pineda, 23 next week, and Jose Campos, 19, to the Bronx to complete the deal.Whether or not you like the trade from the Mariners' perspective -- and for the record, I think both teams win -- there is no question the transaction made an already-strong M's farm system even better.
Prior to the deal, I had done most of the work on the chapter of the 2012 Prospect Insider Handbook that discusses where the Mariners' system ranks in Major League Baseball. The latest draft, done Thursday morning, boasts the M's at No. 11. Now they undoubtedly rank in the Top 10.
Not only does Montero give the club their best power-hitting prospect in almost 20 years, but Noesi is a big-league ready pitcher with a little bit of upside who will rank In PI's Top 20.
Toss both into the mix with left-handers Danny Hultzen and James Paxton, right-hander Taijuan Walker, shortstops Nick Franklin and Brad Miller, catchers Jack Marder, John Hicks and Marcus Littlewood, third baseman Francisco Martinez and Cat the Bat, Vincent Catricala, among others, and the Mariners are very, very strong in a lot of a...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2012-01-14
The Seattle Mariners have agreed to a deal with the New York Yankees that will send right-handers Michael Pineda and Jose Campos to the Bronx in exchange for righty Hector Noesi and Jesus Montero, a catcher by trade.The deal may not become official until as late as Tuesday, as all four players are out of the country and need to be notified and complete physicals, and Monday is a holiday.
I was told the two sides discussed Ivan Nova rather than Noesi, but the M's settled on the latter.
In Montero, the Mariners get the No. 2 power-hitting prospect in baseball -- behind Washington's Bryce Harper -- who has six years of service left in the chamber. He's a right-hander, but won't be destroyed by Safeco Field because he's a hitter, not simply a slugger, and has power that could equal 40 doubles and 30 homers annually.
He could also hit .280 or better and has the plate skills to work counts and draw enough walks to post on-base marks in the .360-.380 range in his prime years. Scouts love his strength and hes even able to hit with authority out on his front foot, like that of future Hall of Famer Frank Thomas.
He's not going to catch long-term and may not catch much, if at all, for Seattle in 2012. I'd guess they give at least some time back there, however. He's a big guy at 230-240 pounds and whil...
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By: Chris Crawford on 2012-01-13
Jerry Crasnick first reported that there was a trade in the works for an impact bat, and now Jon Heyman is reporting that Michael Pineda has been traded to the New York Yankees for Jesus Montero.
As this develops and/or becomes official, we'll have more. It's certainly an interesting trade, and you can be sure we'll have plenty of analysis soon.
UPDATE: 7:48 PM -- Greg Johns is reporting that Jose Campos and Hector Noesi are also involved in the trade.
UPDATE: 7:58 PM -- My take: I don't think I care for it. I understand Montero for Pineda -- I don't love it -- but I understand it. Noesi for Campos is insane. I expect another piece in this trade.
UPDATE:8:11 PM -- Prospect Insider has learned that the deal involving Michael Pineda and Jesus Montero could involve both Ivan Nova and Hector Noesi or just Nova based on the fact that Jose Campos is included in the trade. Interesting.
UPDATE:8:15 PM -- Prospect Insider has also learned that the Montero trade does/will not preclude the club from signing Prince Fielder. If Fielder was to sign, Justin Smoak is the odd man out. If Fielder signs elsewhere, Smoak/Montero is your 1B/DH combination.
UPDATE:8:19 PM -- Jason Churchill reports that the deal is NOT done, and could drag into tomorrow. Important to keep in mind.
UPDATE:8:27 PM -- The reported signing of Hideki Kuroda by the Yankees might make Nova much more plausible now. Nova was t...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2012-01-12
The Seattle Mariners have made a few moves official over the last week, and we talked about right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma here and Aaron Heilman here, but the club also officially signed Japanese import Menunori Kawasaki.
Kawasaki, a natural shortstop, is widely considered an average or better defender -- even using the standards in Major League Baseball -- but he's a slap hitter with a bad swing and projects as a reserve, if he even makes the 25-man roster at all.
He does run well and if he plays with confidence during spring training, could serve as the backup middle infielder the M's were looking for to start the offseason.
Prince Fielder
Now, onto bigger and better things. Prince Fielder has yet to sign, and the hottest rumor to date -- until Wednesday, anyway -- was that the Washington Nationals were the most likely destination.
Bill Ladson of MLB.com reported yesterday, however, that the Nationals were not likely to sign the first baseman. The wording was "99 percent" chance the Nats do NOT sign Fielder.
Like almost all reports, this could very well be posturing on the Nationals' part, or more speculation than anything on the part of Ladson's source, but it's as viable a set of information as anything else we have. Sort of.
We learned earlier this week t...
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By: Chris Crawford on 2012-01-11
As first reported by Larry Stone, the Mariners have signed Aaron Heilman to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training. Despite having never thrown a pitch in Seattle, he’s somewhat famous with M’s fans for being involved in two different trades –- first the Franklin Gutierrez-J.J. Putz blockbuster, and then traded to Chicago for Ronny Cedeno and Garrett Olson.
Upon first glance, Heilman was terrible last year; a 6.88 ERA in 32 games for the Arizona Diamondbacks. If you take a closer inspection though, the former Notre Dame hurler might have been better than the counting stats tell us. His BABIP was a staggering .360, closer to 70 points higher than his career average. The biggest issue though was the homers –- 20 percent of the fly balls that Heilman gave up left the ball park, which was 45 percent higher than his career average of eleven. His FIP was 5.12, but his xFIP -- admittedly a statistic that has its flaws -– was a much more respectable 3.60. He still misses bats (8.40 K/9 ratio) and he only walked eleven batters in his 35 innings of work.
I’m not guaranteeing that Heilman is going to help next year –- he’s not even a sure thing to make the team, the pen is one of the strengths of the 2012 roster at this point -– but if you take a closer look at his statistics over his career, he’s the type of arm that can help a major-league roster. This could be your Jamey Wright of 2012, if 2011 is the aberration I think it might be.
...
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By: Alex Carson on 2012-01-10
The Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2012 was announced this week, and as usual, it's a pretty small class. Barry Larkin was the lone player elected by the BBWAA, having received 86 percent of the vote. Larkin, in my view, was a deserving candidate and deserves this honor.There were other players on the ballot I'd deem worthy as well, however, including former Seattle Mariners icon Edgar Martinez.
There has been a lot of talk about how differently the voters think throughout their selection process. Some want a more inclusive hall while others want a more exclusive edition. When you have nearly 600 voters, you're understandably going to have a wide variance of opinion.
The BBWAA isn't going away and it shouldn't. A large percentage of their members have earned the honor to have a say in who is deserving of a plaque at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York.
However, we have seen that the Hall of Fame is not opposed to changing things up a bit. When the Veterans Committee failed to induct anyone for several consecutive years, that committee was scrapped as the Golden Era Committee was formed.
An optimist who dislikes the BBWAA may look at this as hope that the Hall would consider altering their role in voting. But how could they and who would replace them? Could I pick out the best of the best wh...
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By: Adam H. Wong on 2012-01-09
The speculation that the Chicago Cubs were in on Prince Fielder was quelled Friday morning when the club acquired first baseman Anthony Rizzo and right-handed pitcher Zach Cates from the San Diego Padre in exchange for right-handed flamethrower Andrew Cashner and 20-year-old center fielder Kyung-Min Na.
Rizzo was touted as one of the better first base prospects in the game and he was the fourth at the position on Keith Law's Top 100 Prospect list a year ago. Cates’ fastball sits around 93 mph, and has the ceiling of a middle of the rotation starter, or a plus reliever. Cashner's fastball has been clocked up to 100 mph and he has the stuff to be a closer for any club, although he will probably end up setting up Houston Street in 2012. Na has great speed and has good range in the field, but his ability with the bat is in question.
The Cubs situation
Hoyer told reporters that he plans on starting Rizzo in the minors, while giving Bryan LaHair a shot to win a job out of spring training. Remember LaHair? He played in 45 games with the Mariners in 2008, putting up a .250/.315/.346 triple slash, good for a OPS-plus of 78. LaHair has turned some semblance of a corner, it seems, as he won the PCL Most Valuable Player award this past year.
It seems Hoyer and assistant Jason McLeod may have realized calling up Rizzo when they did may have been a mistake. The Cubs' brass obviously believes that Rizzo's 51 OPS-plus doesn't reflect his true potentia...
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By: Alex Carson on 2012-01-05
The Seattle Mariners and Hisashi Iwakuma have struck a deal, according to several reports.
You may remember that a little over a year ago, the Mariners were thought to have won the posting rights for Iwakuma. Then it was learned that the Mariners had not won those rights and that the Oakland Athletics prevailed. The A's failed to sign him, however, so he returned to Rakuten.
This time around, Iwakuma was a free agent, and one entering his age 31 season and coming off a year that saw his shoulder hurt and his velocity dip. Those two occurrences could be related as his velocity reportedly did come back up a bit as he got healthy.
What can we expect from him?
When healthy, he wasn't a flame thrower. Iwakuma is a high-80's pitch-to-contact ground-ball guy. Safeco Field tends to be nice to these pitchers. While he'll be facing better competition, he's not going to transform into a flyball pitcher.
His age and recent injury certainly create some risk, but for the right price this could end up being a good sign. It could even end up being a nifty bargain at the price he's guaranteed on the one-year deal, which is reportedly $1.5 million. The chance of this being a disaster is slim.
Yes, the Mariners need offense. But, behind Felix and Pineda, their rotation has a lot of question marks heading into 2012. Value is value and if they can get a one-win stopgap on a fair deal, we should all consider that a job well done by GM Jack Zduriencik.
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By: Adam H. Wong on 2012-01-04
The Seattle Mariners have a few holes to fill with the big league club. The top of their starting rotation isn't one of them. They already have a true top of the rotation starter, and it goes without saying that...well, on second thought, I'm just going to go ahead and not say it. It may break some writing rule or convention, but, there. It went without saying.
Michael Pineda showcased his ability to completely overpower hitters in the first half of the 2011 season. While his numbers deteriorated and his performance substantially came back down to earth after a spectacular first half of the season, his resolve and attitude showed that he is more than capable of handling the No. 2 slot.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on your outlook, the status of Jason Vargas' contract is currently in arbitration, and the Mariners will likely end up spending anywhere from $4 to $5 million on him this year. Whether you like him or not, Vargas will be coming back for the 2012 season, and he'll probably be slotted in the No. 3 position.
That leaves the back end of the rotation to be filled. Seattle has kicked the tires on a handful of free agents, and they have a couple of in-house solutions as well. Let's look at a few options that the Mariners can do to build the back of the rotation.
Danny Hultzen
Reports have stated that Jack Zduriencik drafted Danny Hultzen because he is major league ready and was a low-risk pick. While there is an i...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-12-31
The Prince Fielder sweepstakes may drag on for another few weeks, but there are signs of movement. Are the M's still in it? Who's the most aggressive club?
Subscribers can check that out here.
If your subscription expired or you have yet to become a premium subscriber, click here....
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-12-28
This week, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney has ranked the Top 10 starting rotations in Major League Baseball as well as the Top 10 bullpens. It may be a little early to be ranking units with seven weeks still remaining until spring training starts, but it is fun to talk about, so let's riff off that a little bit.
Olney's Top 10 Rotations started with Philadelphia at No. 1, which is not a surprise, even without Roy Oswalt. It's after that where I don't agree, perhaps even at No. 2 where Olney has the Rays.
The Rays' placement at that spot is making a large assumption. One, that the club doesn't trade James Shields, Wade Davis or Jeff Niemann, and two, that Matt Moore becomes what most believe he ultimately will right away this coming season. My point is, he's not an ace -- yet.
Here's how I'd rank the Top 10 rotations heading into 2012, with the caveat that things can change with further offseason transactions. Below, I project the top 10 rotations in three years. That one is fun.
1. Philadelphia Phillies
Led by Cy Young candidates Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee with a strong No. 2 caliber arm in lefty Cole Hamels, The Phillies are in good hands.
2. Los Angeles Angels
The Angels, havin...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-12-27
We've talked all offseason about Prince Fielder, Yu Darvish, Joey Votto and even Hanley Ramirez. The Seattle Mariners, however, have not added any of them, at least not yet, but there are moves I think the Seattle Mariners should consider.
I'm not all about shopping Michael Pineda -- or Felix Hernandez, for that matter -- for the best bat the club can get in return. The M's shouldn't change their approach just because their division rivals in Texas and L.A. have added big names.
When the offseason began -- before, actually -- GM Jack Zduriencik told me that the club is planning to stay the course and build a sustainable winner. So, any moves made will have that in mind. If signing Fielder doesn't make sense in three years, they won't do it. If trading Pineda won't make sense in three years, they won't do it. That doesn't mean they aren't trying to win right now, though.
In that light, among others, including the market price on specific talents, here are five ideas the M's should consider, and then five trade ideas in regards to Pineda.
1. Trading players at 75 cents on the dollar -- or less
The problem with trading players such as Franklin Gutierrez is that health or lack of performance has negated much of the value attached to the player in the first place. Gutierrez is signed through 2013 at an average of $6.25 million. He missed chunks of 2011 with a stomach ailment and even when he did play he didn't hit.
That doesn't mean h...
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By: Chris Crawford on 2011-12-22
With less than ten days left in the calendar year, we're starting to see rosters take shape, and while the off-season is nowhere close to being done, we have reached a point where we can see who the winners and losers of the winter have been.
In the AL West -- unless you root for a certain team in Orange County, this offseason has been one more of pomp than circumstance. There have been rumors galore, but outside of that fateful last day of the Winter Meetings, there just hasn’t been much in terms of concrete movement. Again, there’s a lifetime left until pitchers and catchers report in Arizona, but as things stand, only one club can be declared "significantly improved" right now.
Here's a look at what the four teams in the division have done, with their 2011 WAR. Keep in mind that non-consequential free-agents -- players with less than fifty at-bats or innings pitched -- have not been added to the list, with Joe Nathan being an exception to said rule. Also, any unsigned player is considered to have “left” the club, and is counted in the loss column.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Coming in: Albert Pujols (5.1), C.J. Wilson (5.9), Chris Ianetta (3.3), LaTroy Hawkins (0.7) 15 WAR total
Leaving: Fernando Rodney (-0.8), Joel Piniero (1.8), Jeff Mathis (-1.0), Tyler Chatwood (0.5) 0.5 WAR total
Plain and simply, this is a complete doppelganger of their last two off-seasons. You can question the amount of money a...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-12-20
The market for free agent first baseman Prince Fielder is a bit stagnant at the moment, and no end is in sight, but there has been some movement on that front in the past 36 hours.Also talk about Michael Pineda's trade value -- what could he bring back? -- and I share some a really fun conversation I had with an assistant GM over the weekend about trading Pineda, that turned into a trade that might make sense in dealing Felix Hernandez.
Subscribers can check that out here.
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By: Adam H. Wong on 2011-12-19
This weekend was full of action as the Seattle Mariners finally made some waves in the offseason, albeit small, unsurfable ones. Although it hasn't been officially announced, Jason A. Churchill reported that George Sherill and the Mariners have come to terms on a one-year deal worth about $1.1 million plus incentives, pending a physical. Greg Johns speculates that the physical will take place after the holidays.
LOOGY
Sherrill returns to the Emerald City, presumably as the left-handed specialist out of the bullpen. Sherrill absolutely devours left-handed bats, as made evident by his career .180/.241/.275 slash line against. He probably isn't going to face many right-handed bats, if any, because his career .272/.379/.414 is far less impressive.
Sherrill had a horrible 2010 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, posting a 6.69 ERA. But a year long stint with the Atlanta Braves in 2011 helped increase his value, where he posted a 3.00 ERA and held batters to a .248/.313/.346 slash line.
The left-handed pitching market is starting to thin out, and the Mariners made out with one of the better hurlers. Arthur Rhodes, Mike Gonzalez, and Darren Oliver are some of the LHP still on the market, but Seattle came to terms with the...
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By: Chris Crawford on 2011-12-14
Pretty simple really, this thread exists to discuss the soon to be settled Yu Darvish bidding.
1. Do you want him?
2. At what cost?
Also,keep a few things in mind. First, Nippon is aware of the winning bid, not the winning team. Secondly, reports are that Darvish would prefer to play on a West Coast team. And finally, Nippon has until 2:00 PM PST Tuesday to decide whether or not to accept the bid, but can decide immediately and we could find out the results soon.
Should Darvish be a Mariner?...
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By: Alex Carson on 2011-12-14
Edgar Martinez's hall of fame candidacy is largely viewed as one with fringe merit by most of the gatekeepers that monitor entry into the elite club. This has been evident considering the low number of votes he received in his first two years on the ballot.
Some say it'll get better. There aren't as many big names on the ballot for the next couple years. When those names do arrive, questions surrounding the steroid era will arise. Much like what we saw with Jeff Bagwell last year, some players will miss out on votes based on assumptions.
There are other non-stat related reasons players lose votes other than steroids. If they were paid big money, had egos and were jerks to the media, it'll cost them. Some BBWAA members are quick to point out that the voting rules allow them to include a player's character when considering potential enshrinement.
The question, then, is this: If you're looking for an upstanding member of the baseball community on and off the field that also played the game at a statistically high level, what better choice do you have than Edgar Martinez? If you're a voter hesitant to vote for a fringe player because he might have used steroids or was mean to anyone with a "PRESS" tag clutching their fedora, shouldn't the same logic be used going the other direction?
From the hall's w...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-12-12
The offseason is really just getting started as most free agent remain -- including one 275-pound masher -- and very few trades have been consummated to date.
Beyond potential additions to the roster, including hitters and pitchers alike, there is the question of the batting order. Eric Wedge has told the media on more than one occasion that he considered moving Ichiro Suzuki out of the leadoff spot last season, and that he's considering a change heading into 2012.
Fact is, it's a mistake to start next season with the aging and declining -- and free-agent-to-be -- Ichiro batting first in the order.
I'm not going to get all geeky on you and use some statistical formula to support the notion that Ichiro belongs batting elsewhere. I'm simply using common sense here.
Even if Ichiro bounces back from his worst season and hit 290/340/380, or thereabouts in 2012 -- which is possible, by the way, there's no question he was somewhat unlucky in 2011 -- it's much better for the Seattle Mariners, both in the immediate and distant future, that Ichiro's role be diminished on this club.
Even though he was unlucky last season, there is no doubt he's in decline, and even the most optimistic of projections suggests he should not bat leadoff for any big league club. A small part of that is because he was never an ideal leadoff bat, but in his prime years still got on base enough to more than warrant the placement.
The M's will add everyday players -- p...
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By: Adam H. Wong on 2011-12-10
The paradigm shift has begun, as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim inked Albert Pujols to a 10-year, $254 million contract. The largest contract ever awarded to a first baseman started an earthquake among the writers and analysts across the landscape of baseball.It will be a while until the aftershocks subside.
Until the 2012 baseball season begins, fans of teams in the American League West will have to quell their anxiety, as the best hitter of this generation has moved into their backyard. Not only did Los Angeles sign the best free agent hitter on the market, they also signed the best available free agent pitcher in C.J. Wilson to a five-year, $77.5 million contract. The Angels spent more on two players in one day than what was spent over the entirety of the winter meetings.
The signing of Pujols and Wilson is a mixed bag of emotions, but beyond the primary shock and awe, there's more than just a glimmer of hope for Mariners fans down the road.
Age and Depth
In the near future, however, things seem grim. The Halos have strengthened their already stellar rotation, and they added one of the best right-handed bats in the game. Thing is, Anaheim currently doesn't have the system to support success once their alr...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-12-08
We chatted for 90 minutes on rumors, prospects and more. Click here to watch the replay!
With the news that the Los Angeles Angels signed first baseman Albert Pujols -- and left-hander C.J. Wilson -- it seems fans of the Seattle Mariners are emotional and in a state of panic. I'm here to tell those that are freaking out to relax. Sure, the American League West is now a two-team race and for the immediate future the M's have to battle two clubs that are significantly better than they are at present.So why not freak out?
The Angels and Rangers are both far from perfect
Even with the addition of Wilson and Pujols, the Angels have major concerns, mostly on offense. Certainly Pujols is a huge help and they may be set to win 95 games. Torii Hunter and Vernon Wells, however, are on the decline, and their bullpen is far from dominant, which is why they are interested in Andrew Bailey.
The Rangers need pitching, and if they get Yu Darvish, they'll be in good shape. If they don't, I can't imagine the Rangers winning the west.
Long term, the Angels may be in a tough spot. They do have money, lots of money, but they aren't the Yankees and can't continuousl...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-12-05
UPDATE: Thursday, 10:02 AM PT | Good news on the Fielder front
UPDATE: Thursday, 09:30 AM PT | Don't jump overboard just yet
UPDATE: Thursday, 08:48 AM PT | Fielder chances, Rule five selection
Subscribers can check out the rumor mill by clicking here. This will be updated several times a day as information becomes available. One note -- the Seattle Mariners won't be leaking any information, so anything I hear on them will come from other sources. The club is rightfully tight-lipped, and are good at that as the draft serves as exhibit A.
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-12-03
When the Miami Marlins handed Heath Bell three years and $27 million guaranteed, Brandon League's value grew. Bell's deal includes a vesting option that could raise the total value of the contract to $36 million, and Jonathan Papelbon received $50 million guaranteed from the Philadelphia Phillies last month. That's a lot of scratch for a closer, especially on in Bell is that is not elite.There are a number of second-tier closer types still available on the free agent market, including Francisco Cordero and Francisco Rodriguez. Frank Francisco and Matt Capps are also available.
Ryan Madson is considered the best available free agent closer and is likely to get more than Bell and a little less than Papelbon. He's being chased by the Blue Jays, Red Sox and Angels.
League's market isn't likely to develop until clubs either decide they aren't willing to commit two or more years and upwards of $8 million per season for a proven ninth-inning option, or once there aren't any of those options remaining.
The right-hander, who is set to make $4 million or so via arbitration and will hit free agency next winter, could generate interest from the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers and perhaps the Boston Red Sox. The Sox, however, would most likely u...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-12-02
The Seattle Mariners announced their minor league staffs for the 2012 season and there are some interesting changes.
We knew Pedro Grifol would take over as skipper at Class-A High Desert while Chris Gwynn was brought in as Player Development Director. There were more adjustments, however.
Daren Brown is back as manager in Triple-A Tacoma and Dwight Bernard returns as pitching coach. Alonzo Powell was hired by the Padres.
Jim Pankovits returns to manage Double-A Jackson and Lance Painter will be the pitching coach. Cory Snyder will serve as hitting coach.
Eddie Menchaca will again manage Class-A Clinton with pitching coach Andrew Lorraine (pitching) and Tommy Cruz (hitting) by his side.
Everett will be led by Rob Mummau, who was the club's Carolina area scout. Yes, the same guy that signed Dustin Ackley and Kyle Seager, to name a few. He's now an area scout in Florida.
Rich Dorman is back in Everett to serve as pitching coach and Andy Bottin will coach the hitters.
Tom Dettore, who is back for his fourth year in the organization, will be Grifol's pitching coach. Roy Howell will be the team's hitting coach. It's Howell's first season in Seattle's organization, but he has several years of experience coaching and managing.
Mike Kinkade will manage the rookie club in Peoria and last year's High Dese...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-12-01
The Seattle Mariners are among a handful of clubs interested in free agent first baseman Prince Fielder. It's a small handful, not several, and no matter what is reported, it will never become several -- as in 10 or more. The M's have a need, have the money and payroll flexibility and the will to use it -- at least that is 100 percent my belief.Some don't see how the M's can fit Fielder into the payroll, others don't see why they'd want to. Both are legitimate concerns and opinions -- one a lot more valid than the other.
Subscribers can read how the M's can fit Fielder into their plans and still have the payroll to continue to build around Fielder by clicking here.
Also in this entry: Quotes from an agent and former exec on Fielder's market, why Fielder could view Seattle as the place to be and what other big bats the M's have eyes for.
I also project the M's 25-man roster, using only the players currently under contract.
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By: Alex Carson on 2011-11-30
If there's one thing that we can look forward to in 2012, something that will help bury the anguish that was 2011, it's that Adam Kennedy won't be back with the Seattle Mariners. That's because the Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly signed Kennedy. On purpose.Kennedy, going into his age 36 season, is swiftly becoming one of those grizzled veterans that won't go away. He's the kind of guy who isn't very good anymore, but his experience somehow gets him on major league rosters year after year.
The last time Kennedy's production was significantly better than a random replacement level minor leaguer was 2008. The last time he was a guy you'd really want on your team was 2005. Yet, here he is, still toiling around the majors, siphoning money from a team's budget.
Clearly, Kennedy is going to the Dodgers with different expectations that he had when he signed with Seattle. He's not starting the season at a set position, holding down the fort for a highly touted prospect. Instead, he knows he'll be bouncing around the infield as a reserve. So long as the money is right, and Kennedy doesn't find himself playing every day due to injury, this may not be so bad for the Dodgers.
Plus, very rarely will Donny Baseball be subject to the same tem...
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By: Adam H. Wong on 2011-11-29
The Kansas City Royals decided to follow in the risk-taking Texas Rangers footsteps by signing right-handed flamethrower Johnathan Broxton to a one-year, $4 million guaranteed contract, pending a physical exam to be conducted on Wednesday. Broxton injured his elbow in early May this year and had surgery this September. The Broxton deal was preceded by two other deals that made quiet ripples in the free agent ocean: the two-year, $9 million contract given to left-handed pitcher Bruce Chen, and then the trade of outfielder Melky Cabrera for left-handed pitcher Jonathan Sanchez from the San Francisco Giants.
Texas signed Joe Nathan to take over the closer's role because they want Neftali Feliz in their starting rotation. Texas already has the lineup, the rotation and the bullpen to contend in 2012. Kansas City signed Broxton because they are banking on the potential of their youth.
Jerry Crasnick reports that Broxton will set up closer Joakim Soria next season. The biggest thing that Broxton has to offer to the Royals is flexibility. There have been talks that the front office might trade Soria, or even move him into the rotation. Either way, Broxton joins the already youthful bullpen, and at 27, he would be the oldest member coming out of the 'pen.
Broxton's K/9 rate was 7.1 in his 14 appearances this year, dropping from 10.5 in 2010 and 13.5 the year previous. Although signing a pitcher after an injury year is a risk, it's still a low-risk move. Broxton wa...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-11-29
As it turns out, we're still learning about the new CBA as it pertains to the draft, and MLB.com shed some more light on the way clubs can handle their picks and pool of money in which they can spend.
In addition to values assigned to picks -- which clubs CAN go over without penalty as long as their team pool is not exceeded -- clubs that fail to sign a pick lose the value of that pick as part of their pool.
For example, let's say with a $10 million pool, for the sake of argument, the Seattle Mariners draft, oh, I don't know, Mark Appel from Stanford at No. 3, and they do not sign him. Their pool now becomes $4.8 million. They cannot use that $5.2 million assigned value for the No. 3 pick on other picks later in the draft.
What they can do, as far as anyone knows at this stage, is sign the player to a deal less than the assigned value and use the "savings" toward other picks.
So what we will see by a lot of clubs is above-value signings in certain spots and what used to be called "slot or below-slot selections on pre-draft agreements in other areas of the draft to "save" pool money.
It's another poor rule, because now the player has all the leverage and signability becomes an even bigger factor than it already is and there will be a lot more of the illegal pre-draft deals pounded out.
The other side of that, however, is if clubs were allowed to punt the pi...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-11-27
The Seattle Mariners have acquired catcher John Jaso from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for right-hander Josh Lueke and either a player to be named later or cash, reports Marc Topkin via Twitter.
This move eliminates the possibility that Adam Moore begins the 2012 season as the backup to Miguel Olivo, barring injury or trade.
Jaso, who will not be arbitration eligible until next season, is a cheap addition, bats left-handed and has good plate skills. He's 28 and does not have much wear and tear on his body, always a good thing for a catcher.
In 2010, Jaso posted a .372 on-base mark, and he has more power than his raw slugging percentages suggest. His '11 number were partly impacted by a dip in BABIP, down nearly 40 points from 2010.
Jaso is a terrific alternative to Ryan Doumit, who costs $3 million guaranteed and can't catch. Jaso can catch enough to be a backup, and is known to call a good game. He has average arm strength and blocking skills.
Olivo can now be spared the overuse, which will keep him as effective as humanly possible.
Lueke had better stuff at the end of the year than he did at the start, including 92-96 mph velocity, but his command was below-average all year and the M's have a slew of young relievers, including Tom Wilhelmsen and Stephen Pryor.
The player to be named isn't likely to be a top prospect, and unless it is this...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-11-27
The new draft rules that bring limits to the amount of money clubs can spend on the draft and international signings. In general, I do not like those new regulations, but the Seattle Mariners may actually benefit from each.The M's have done some serious damage in the draft the past three seasons, and have spent a good amount of money. The M's, however, have done so without "overpaying" a number of picks in each class, with the major exception being James Paxton in 2010. Still, Paxton didn't break the bank and the M's spent a reasonable amount of money on each class since the new regime took over the reins.
Using the 2009, 2010 and 2011 draft classes as the sample, the M's appear to be out-scouting the majority of the league. That's not to say they have been perfect or haven't made mistakes, but the same can be said for any and all clubs without exception.
The Mariners have been getting value after the first few rounds, such as Kyle Seager, Vincent Catricala, Paxton and Stephen Pryor, and this past year's class could boast similar value in Carter Capps.
The M's will still be counting on their scouting department, led by Scouting Director Tom McNamara, and their ability to recognize big-league baseball players in an amateur athlete. The n...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-11-25
The new collective bargaining agreement sucks, plain and simple. I don't care if you believe it's good -- you're wrong. Yes, there are a few positives, including the doing away with the Elias Player Rankings and the manner in which clubs are compensated for losing free agents. And maybe it turns out to be a good thing that the leagues will each contain 15 clubs starting in 2013 and as early as next fall we'll see 10 playoff teams, rather than eight. In the end, however, there is a great net loss, for players, fans and even the owners.
Let's tackle the good and bad of the new CBA.
• Creating balance between the two leagues is a good thing, and having five teams per division levels the playing field in a small manner -- the schedule. It will be as fair as it can be starting in 2013 when the Houston Astros join the American League West. This move could very well help tilt the scales toward equality between the two leagues, too, although with the DH in the junior circuit and not in the NL, the leagues will never be truly equal in terms of overall talent.
• Clubs will be allowed to expand rosters for doubleheaders. It's only by one to 26, but this can only be a good thing in those circumstances and are likely to be utilized with p...
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By: Chris Crawford on 2011-11-23
As you are all aware of by now, the MLBPA and owners have agreed on a Collective Bargaining Agreement, thus avoiding even the threat of a work stoppage. Anyone who is a fan of the NBA and NFL can tell you that this is positive news, but the new deal doesn't come without some serious caveats. The ability to rely on player development took a major hit with the announcement of new rules that prevent major-league contracts to drafted players and severely punishes teams that chose to spend over the new suggested slotting terms. As good as the news was that the Elias Sports Bureau Type-A and Type-B compensation was eliminated; this was a step backwards, not a sign of progress.
And so with these new regulations comes a new fear: Talented high-school athletes that play different sports could decide take their talents to those sports. This was already an issue, as the sport just isn't as popular with youths and urban communities as football or basketball, and Major League Baseball has done a poor job of advertising its product to those demographics.
Some have already brought up that players such as Carl Crawford and Joe Mauer -- who was an All-American quarterback in high school -- would have chosen to play football instead of baseball under thes...
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By: Adam H. Wong on 2011-11-23
The great thing about the off-season is that there's always action. Although there are no games to play, there's always roster movement -- whether it's lateral or vertical -- and it often makes for great water-cooler conversation. The Hot Stove is definitely heating up, and it seems like both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Texas Rangers have spent too much time around the pot.Clint Barmes is the Pirates shortstop of the future -- the limited future of the next two years. Barmes will make $10.5 million during his stay in the City of Bridges. At 32, he is somewhat of a bargain for the franchise. He won't break the bank like deserving shortstops like Jose Reyes or Jimmy Rollins, and he won't demand an inflated veteran free agent salary like Rafael Furcal. In essence, it's a good move for the Pirates. They fill a need with a veteran presence without breaking the bank; the problem is that Barmes' track record doesn't justify $5.25 million a year.
It's apparent that the Pirates are willing to spend cash quickly to get the players they want, made evident by the swift signing of Rod Bajaras over a week ago. With the position that Pittsburgh is in, it's unfortunate that a talented player like Ronny Cedeno gets passed over. Barmes had a great year with the Ho...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-11-21
I just wrote over the weekend that the Seattle Mariners should trade closer Brandon League and then Monday ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney tweets that the M's are among the clubs that have inquired about the availability of Oakland Athletics closer Andrew Bailey.
I tweeted said report and what happened after that I should have seen coming. Lots of "why?" questions, as in, why would the M's want Bailey when it will cost them trade pieces?
First of all, to my knowledge there has been no trade, and not even an offer. There are several reasons to check in on a player's availability.
1. Because the inquiring club would like to have that player
2. Because the inquiring team might need a partner in a 3-way trade scenario
3. Because the inquiring team might need to acquire a piece to make another trade they have brewing a reality.
4. Because the inquiring team has a somewhat similar player and are tracking the asking price
5. Because they are hoping to drive up the asking price for rival clubs
Pay close attention to No. 4. The M's could either be looking for a multi-year Brandon League replacement that is a proven commodity, or attempting to trace the value of such a player so they have a better idea what League could be worth on the trade market.
If it's the latter, the M's could prefer to know one way or the other on League -- whether or not they wil...
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By: PositivePaul on 2011-11-21
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-11-19
Among the decisions the Seattle Mariners will have to make this offseason is whether or not to entertain trade offers for right-hander Brandon League. Let me rephrase that; the M's have to decide whether or not it's in their best interest to seriously look to move League this winter. Of course they should listen to trade offers, they should listen on every player on the roster, even Felix Hernandez.With League, there are a few factors that suggest keeping him is the best move. For one, he's affordable. The M's aren't strapped for payroll flexibility to the point that League has to be traded in order to create the necessary available monies to land the impact pieces GM Jack Zduriencik and his crew need to acquire to take a large step toward contention in 2012.
League made $2.25 million in 2011 and is arbitration eligible for the final time this winter. He'll be tendered and should earn at least $4 million next season, perhaps even $4.5-5 million. For a closer, that's reasonable, but that brings up the key question: Is League a legit closer?
Overall, he was this past season, but it was his first and only season in the role, and his road splits are awful, suggesting he can close at the Safe but in a neutral or hitter's environment he...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-11-18
We've discussed since the end of the season the potential targets for the Seattle Mariners -- who could all be targets for several other clubs, too -- including the likes of Prince Fielder, Joey Votto, Nick Swisher, Jay Bruce, Grady Sizemore, David Wright and Logan Morrison.There's more to the possibilities than those listed above, so let's talk about some of those now. Before we get to them, however, it's worth noting that most tweets and reports suggest the M's are players for Sizemore, Votto is going nowhere, Wright will only be dealt if the New York Mets are blown away and Morrison isn't likely to be moved this winter.
The M's and Sizemore could be a match, but he doesn't necessarily qualify as the kind of impact hitter the M's are seeking. He may, however, qualify as a solid secondary pickup. His health, of course, is the main issue.
Subscribers can check out the other ideas I have heard, had conversations about and debated with scouts and a few front office personnel this past week and a half by clicking here. Oh, also, there's some news on Fielder in here, too, as well as potential news on a Chone Figgins trade and several legitimate trade and free agent targe...
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By: Alex Carson on 2011-11-18
Word on the mean streets of the SoDo district is that the Minnesota Twins have inked catcher Ryan Doumit to a 1 year contract valued at $3 million.
"Hey," you might shout. "The Mariners could have used that guy!” Sure, you'd contend, the M's have Miguel Olivo but could have used Doumit as a dish backup, DH, first baseman and corner outfielder.
While Olivo was the cause of anguish for some fans in 2011, Doumit wouldn't have figured to take much of his squat time away. Doumit isn't a solid defensive catcher and the toll his body has taken isn't worth him remaining there.
Doumit's value is tied to his offensive potential. He produced a .303/.353/.477 triple slash and a .360 wOBA last season in 77 games.
Indeed, a fine shortened 2011 he had. Perhaps the best 77 game stretch of his career. Though, with an inflated BABIP from career norms and knowing that he'll be 32 on opening day, there isn't reason to expect anything explosive from him.
Signing Doumit certainly would not have solved the Mariners offensive woes. It may have been a small step in the right direction, but I'll be the first to say I'm glad I don't have to be faced with the potential of seeing Ryan Doumit flounder around left-center field in a way that would leave me longing for Raul Ibanez's defense.
Doumit could have been a decent and cheap pickup with offensive upside. Don't get too caught up though in the club losing out on handing $3 million to a non-catching catcher who...
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By: Adam H. Wong on 2011-11-16
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The Seattle Mariners' season was a disappointment. It wasn't a disaster, but it was certainly a disappointment. Most of that disappointment stems from the taste of contention experienced early in the season. On July 5th, the Mariners were sitting at an even .500. A month before that, Eric Wedge was quoted as saying that the team may have "a chance to make a run at this." Even at only two-and-a-half games back and 86 games into the season, things were looking up. There was hope, maybe even a chance. There was an opportunity.The historic 17-game-losing streak that followed ended that glimmer of opportunity. Inconsistency was the theme of the 2011 season. The offense was anemic, the pitching's peak and trough of success was frustrating, and some of the manager’s in-game decisions were mind-numbing.
Their abysmal performance on the field forced the fan base to salvage something positive from the season. Luckily, Felix Hernandez
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-11-14
Just as the regular season came to an end, I polled a slew of baseball geeks on the Major League Baseball Awards. The responses all came in before the postseason began, just as is required of the Baseball Writers Association of America, and 133 ballots were received via email. I polled for votes in each league's MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, Executive of the Year, an ALL-MLB Team, and an ALL-MLB Gold Glove team.It's worth noting that not everyone voted for each award -- some didn't feel they were informed enough to make a decision, or flat out couldn't make up their minds on certain awards. Generally, there were 75-105 votes for each award for the results linked below.
The BBWAA (yes, two B's in that) announced their voting for the Rookie of the Year Awards. Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel took the honors in the National League and Jeremy Hellickson won the award in the American League. I can guarantee you that Hellickson shows up nowhere in the top five in the results of my poll.
Get the results for the individual awards by clicking here.
Get the All-MLB Awards by clicking here.
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-11-10
All you need for the Hot Stove action is here:Important Dates and Deadlines
The M's payroll situation
Links to free agents by position
Albert Pujols is perhaps the greatest hitter the game has seen in more than a half century, but the big fish on the free agent market is Prince Fielder. Fielder is coming off another excellent season at the plate, posting a .415 on-base percentage and smacking 38 home runs. He'll be just 28 years old next May and has postseason experience.
On paper, as a hitter, Fielder looks like the perfect free agent, and some club is certainly going to sign him to a long-term deal at well over $100 million.
When assessing what Fielder is worth on the open market one has to take a number of factors into consideration. We know Fielder can hit. We know he's a below-average defensive first baseman, and we know he's a left-handed stick that fits in any lineup. Let's tackle those factors, one-by-one.
Production
Fielder is a legitimate middle-of-the-order b...
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By: Adam H. Wong on 2011-11-08
The Hot Stove League begun its season and the biggest free agent of all is St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols. Prospect Insider's Adam H. Wong wonders aloud what the impact might be should Pujols do the unthinkable. No, not leave St. Louis, but take a rather enormously discounted contract.All you need for the Hot Stove action is here:
Big thanks to Bryan Henken -- @bhenken08 -- for his time and energy in putting together the free agent charts.
Important Dates and Deadlines
The M's payroll situation
Links to free agents by position
Association is a funny thing. Many of us have seen historic moments in baseball; The Bill Buckner error in 1986. The Joe Carter walk-off home run in 1993. The 2001 season. Dave Niehaus. For the few who are privileged enough to participate in said action, they get to live those historic moments. The 2011 World Series gave us a glimpse into history, as one player joined an elite gro...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-11-06
The Hot Stove League is under way and we've taken a look at several players that could be the subject of trade discussions or free agent contracts, including third baseman David Wright, outfielder Nick Swisher, first baseman Logan Morrison, free agent Grady Sizemore, and Reds first baseman Joey Votto.
The M's payroll situation is discussed here.
Subscribers can check out the file on an All-Star outfielder that may be a target of clubs this winter -- including the Mariners -- by clicking here.
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The first new subscriber will also receive a free subscription to ESPN The Magazine and ESPN Insider....
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-11-05
As the offseason continues -- and it's been a fairly busy week since the World Series concluded, clubs have a ton to think about. There were deadlines for contract options, and moving forward there are due dates for all kind of things, including for teams to set their reserve list for the Rule 5 Draft, which takes place in Dallas December 8.
The Seattle Mariners' roster now sits at 35 after the recent moves -- David Aardmsa electing free agency and Jeff Gray being claimed by the Minnesota Twins, and left-hander Anthony Vasquez being outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma.
The M's do have some Rule 5 eligibles that they need to consider adding to the 40-man roster, and there could be a few more roster removals, too.
Let's focus on the potential additions first.
One thing to note is that any of the following could be included in a trade package before the roster deadlines -- or even after the deadline and before the Rule 5 Draft itself.
Carlos Triunfel, SS
Triunfel is certain to be added to the 40-man if he's not involved in a trade. His statis has lost its luster due to the lack of development and injuries, but there's still some upside there and he's close enough to being big-league ready that a club such as Pittsburgh, Houston or Baltimore could take a stab at him if he's left unprotected.
Francisco Martinez, 3B
Martinez will be added, there's no doubt. His situation is very much like that of Carlos Triunfel last year, but...
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By: Adam H. Wong on 2011-11-03
This winter, not every baseball team is going to be able to break the bank when it comes to acquiring free agents. The Baltimore Orioles, for example, spent $8 million on a rent-a-DH in Vladimir Guerrero in 2011, and while he only was able to put up a .290/.317/.416 with a paltry 13 home runs, he gave the team flexibility with an injury-prone Luke Scott still on the roster. The cost of acquiring Guerrero was steep due to the lack of power bats available on the trade and free agent markets. The $8 million for one year, however, was not a bargain. I liken a bargain deal to those clearance DVD bins found in retail stores. You have to dig deep and shuffle through a giant pile to find something somewhat entertaining.
The Seattle Mariners took fliers on veteran arms such as Chris Ray and Jamey Wright, costing the team nearly $2 million combined. They were both somewhat useful and fairly entertaining.
Bargain free agents are essentially keeping the seat warm for the superstars in the making and stars who haven't yet made their way onto the team. Let's take a look at some of the potential free agents that will have a low impact on franchise wallets, but come with some upside.
David Aardsma, RHP
Aardsma opted to beco...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-11-02
Joey Votto might be the second or third best hitter in baseball, and is certainly among the top 10. He won the National League MVP Award in 2010, leading his Cincinnati Reds to the NL Central Division title. He's right there with Albert Pujols, Adrian Gonzalez, Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera among the very best first baseman in the game.He's also a solid fielder, drawing scouting grades ranging from average to above average, and the metrics back that up, particularly the past two seasons. And he's still just 28 years of age, and will be through most of the 2012 season. Naturally, that makes him an ideal addition to just about any club in baseball.
Including the Seattle Mariners.
Check out the profile on Votto and his chances to be moved this winter by clicking here.
Also, subscribers check out the files on New York Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher, New York Mets third baseman David Wright, Marlins slugger Full Story - Comments (31)
By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-11-01
The Seattle Mariners made it official Tuesday, announcing the hiring of Chris Gwynn as the club's new player development director. Pedro Grifol, who previously held the post, will manage the High Desert club in the California league.
I am not aware of any further announcements on that High Desert staff, but as I wrote here, those adjustments may be coming this winter.
Pitching notes
David Aardsma became a free agent Monday after the M's removed him from the 40-man roster. This was not a surprise, since the right-hander had Tommy John surgery this past summer and could miss all of 2012.
Aardsma made $4.5 million last season and was set to his arbitration again. There was obviously no chance the club was going to tender an offer, since the most a player's salary can be cut via the arbitration process is by 20 percent, which means Aardsma would have been assigned a salary of at least $3.6 million -- to not pitch.
Aardsma could re-sign with the M's on a minor league deal with a very low base salary and incentives for appearances, but he can also get that from several other teams.
The M's have plenty of young relief arms for 2012, but it might be nice to add an inexpensive veteran or two. if Charlie Furbush is slated for the rotation, the M's could check the market for a left-hander ...
There are some in the industry that believe GM Jack...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-10-31
If you've followed Prospect Insider for any length of time you probably know that we like to help worthy causes raise funds. We raised over $4,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society two summers ago and helped out Cole, a five-year-old with a serious form of cancer.For the record, Cole, now 6, is doing quite well, though he's not out of the woods yet, so cross your fingers!
This time I'm trying to help a youth baseball player, Brandon Jessee, raise money so he can honor his invitation to compete in the USA Baseball 14U team at their National Tournament in Arizona in June.
The tournaments are played at Peoria, Glendale and Goodyear.
In order to raise these funds, his team sells oranges. Yes, you read that correctly, they sell oranges to those in the Puget Sound area, from Olympia to Everett. It's $27 for a 20 pound case. Yep, 20 pounds! That's $1.35 per pound. At the grocery stores, oranges range from $1.49 per pound -- I checked myself tonight -- all the way to $1.69, depending on where you shop.
I bought a case myself last year; they are high-quality small oranges, so they are perfect for kids, and I used a lot of them by slicing them up and putting t...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-10-31
In the fourth of a series of profiles of potential winter targets for the Seattle Mariners, Grady Sizemore's new-found freedom could provide the M's with an option that may not have otherwise presented itself.Subscribers can check out the file on Grady Sizemore, with a projected lineup included, by clicking here.
To become a new subscriber, click here.
Check out similar analysis on New York Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher, New York Mets third baseman David Wright and Florida Marlins slugger Logan Morrison.
The M's payroll situation is outlined here.
...
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By: Alex Carson on 2011-10-29
One of the worst kept secrets in baseball right now surrounding the CBA discussions is a realignment plan that would see the Houston Astros move from the National League Central to the American League West. It could become a reality as soon as next season or perhaps 2013 if the schedule makers don't want to start from scratch for 2012.Mariners' players probably won't be too upset about playing 10 fewer games to the right of the Mississippi, but the change probably benefits the Rangers and Astros the most. An in-state rivalry and far less travel should be helpful for those two clubs. Plus, four teams to beat out for a division title is an easier task than five.
There could be a disadvantage seen across the rest of the American League, though: Loss of value from the designated hitter.
I'm doing a bit of educated guessing here, so bear with me. But with two 15-team leagues, we'd have to see interleague play every day. This would mean that teams like the M's would play 40 games per year on the road in National League parks under their non-DH rules.
Historical example: When interleague play began in 1997, the Mariners played four road games in NL parks. Edgar Martinez played two games at first base, showed up as a third baseman for one a...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-10-28
The Los Angeles Angels are reportedly set to hire Jerry DiPoto as their new general manager. This is not good news for the Seattle Mariners. I figured the Halos would botch this, but they didn't. DiPoto was one of the very top candidates out there -- from what I can gather, probably in the top 3 if not No. 1.
DiPoto's track record includes significant experience in both the scouting and player development departments, and he was a big league pitcher, to boot.
ESPN Insider's Keith Law chimed in with his thoughts on the newest GM in the American League West:
"DiPoto is a tremendous hire for the Angels -- he brings a complete resume with experience in scouting and player development, a brief but successful tenure as Arizona's interim GM in 2010, and a progressive, curious mindset that has made him one of the most research-oriented people I've come across on the scouting/PD side of the business. He has great presence in a room, and will benefit from the credibility that is automatically conferred on anyone who played in the big leagues. Of all of the names the Angels interviewed, he would have been my choice for the job."
You can make the argument that Logan White is equally as good a candidate, and Damon Oppenheimer, too, at least in my opinion. DiPoto made a mark as interim GM, however, during the second half of 2010 when Josh Byrnes was fired. DiPoto...
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By: Adam H. Wong on 2011-10-26
Winning a championship will do something to this city. Something that is currently hard to imagine. We will see every seat at Safeco Field occupied rather than a sea of vacancy. When conversing about the Seattle Mariners, we will see smiles rather than frowns. We will be able to stay "I knew them when..." When Jose Vidro was our full-time DH, when Chone Figgins wasted years of our payroll, when we got to see The Kid and The Big Unit at the Kingdome -- when they won their first World Series. Winning sets expectations.Things would be interesting for Felix Hernandez coming into 2011. After his Cy Young season, expectations were high. We have to go back more than a decade to get a pitcher who consecutively won the award. Pedro Martinez was 27 in 1999, and when he won the award again in 2000, he put up equally impressive numbers. Hernandez, 25, was dominant during his own award-winning campaign.
At first glance, it may seem like Hernandez's 2011 was less than stellar relative to his 2010. Some fans and media wondered if there was anything wrong with him, as if he wasn’t really good. Deeper examination shows otherwise.
The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Hernandez is dominance -- his ability to completel...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-10-25
We move right along with the in-depth look at any and all potential targets for the Seattle Mariners this winter. Some won't be legitimate candidates at all, some will be, but they all need to be addressed since we don't know the thought process of the M's nor the other clubs that could be involved.
The possibility of Logan Morrison is on the brain today.
Prospect Insider premium subscribers can check out the file on Morrison and the chances the M's are major players on that front by clicking here.
If your are not a subscriber, click here and fix that....
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By: Chris Crawford on 2011-10-23
As you watched the Texas Rangers and St. Louis Cardinals play a riveting first two games of the Fall Classic -- and a blowout in Game 3 -- it may have been difficult to avoid growing green with envy of fans of both clubs, unless you are a fan of one of them. Only the New York Yankees have won more championships than the Cardinals and the Rangers are playing in their second World Series in as many years.
Meanwhile, the Seattle Mariners are coming off their third 90-loss season in four years, and will be picking in the top five for the fifth time in seven years. With the two-time American League Champions playing in the division, all signs point to another long year for the hometown nine. Right?
Not so fast, my friend.
While the odds are certainly against them, there are reasons for Mariners fans to have optimism for the 2012 season. Here are a few reasons why we could all be watching postseason baseball at Safeco Field next fall.
The pitching is really good
Even with the losses of right-hander Doug Fister (traded to Detroit) and Erik Bedard (traded to Boston), the rotation should still be of a caliber that can take a team into the playoffs. There isn't a starting-pitcher in baseball I'd rather have than Felix Hernandez, and Michael Pineda was better than anyone could have hoped. Jason Vargas and Blake Beavan were adequate back-end starters and then some. There's also the possibility that either Danny Hultzen or James Paxton -- or...
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By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-10-21
There will be five clubs that start 2012 with a different general manager than they did this past season. The Chicago Cubs are in the midst of trading for Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer and Jason McLeod, which has opened the door for Ben Cherington to take over the Red Sox and for Josh Byrnes to get a second shot at the helm, this time with the San Diego Padres.The Los Angeles Angels and Baltimore Orioles are interviewing candidates right now, and those talks should conclude sometime next week. I have been asking anyone and everyone in the game about the top candidates, so let's take a closer look.
Jerry DiPoto -- Arizona Diamondbacks
DiPoto, a third-round draft pick of the Cleveland Indians in 1989, pitched for parts of eight seasons with three clubs, hanging up the spikes after the 2000 season. He began his scouting career in 2003 with the Boston Red Sox and after two years took over as the director of pro scouting for the Colorado Rockies in 2005. He left for Arizona after one season, becoming the Diamondbacks' Director of Scouting and Player Personnel under GM Josh Byrnes.
Byrnes was fired in July, 2010, and DiPoto took over as interim GM, completing two major trades that landed the re-loading D-backs right-hander Daniel Hudson, the c...
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By: Adam H. Wong on 2011-10-19
There's something to be said about the breadth of statistics. More than just analytic explorations, statistics offer a glimpse into concrete evidence that isn't immediately evident. They reveal hidden trends; reverse platoon splits, an increase in walks from the beginning of the season to the end, or possibly the inverse. They offer explanations beyond our eyes. I embrace the power of numbers.The problem with statistical analysis is that sometimes proof-texting occurs. Someone takes a seemingly relevant sample, but its size and context distort the statistics.
Small sample sizes do not yield statistically significant results. Dave Cameron recently wrote an article on the subject, and he's completely correct. Pitcher vs. batter splits are interesting, but in no way are they predictive of future results.
Let's take a look at a few of the microsplits that will inevitably be used during the World Series, so we can be well informed and laugh at those who tell us otherwise.
Chris Carpenter
Adrian Beltre -- Beltre will be an interesting case to watch, because his average of .333 looks great for a p...
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By: Alex Carson on 2011-10-18
The American League's Texas Rangers take their second consecutive stab at the World Series, this time facing the National League's St. Louis Cardinals.The Cards, you'll remember, just won it all for the 10th time in their history back in 2006. However, in a sports world where instant gratification and what-have-you-done-for-me-lately attitudes run wild like Dik-diks through the Serengeti, it may feel a lot longer than five years ago that the Red Birds finished on top.
The Rangers are in the midst of their first real "window" in franchise history. Having never even been to an LCS before 2010, this is their second straight opportunity to plan a parade through the streets of Arlington. For a look at how this incarnation of the club has been built, check out Jason A. Churchill's piece from Monday.
Preview Contents:
Offense Snapshot
Pitching Matchups
Mariners Connections
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Full Story - Comments (1) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-10-16  The Texas Rangers are the first American League team to appear in back-to-back World Series since the New York Yankees appeared in four straight in 1998-2001. Only the Philadelphia Phillies (2008-09), the Atlanta Braves (1991-92, 1995-96), Toronto Blue Jays (1992-93) and Oakland Athletics (1988-90) add to that total since the 1978 Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers met for the second straight season -- the third appearance in a row for the Bombers. These Rangers were built by general manager Jon Daniels, team president Nolan Ryan and their staff of scouts and executives. Daniels took over a club that went 79-83 in 2005 and improved by just one game the following year. The club took a hit in 2007, winning just 75 games and finishing last in the American League West, and jumped just four wins forward the following season. Since the middle of the 2006 season, however, Daniels and crew have been assembling what has turned into a modern day juggernaut -- or as much of one as we may see during times of much parity. Daniels acquired Nelson Cruz, this year's ALCS MVP and a consistent performer for the Rangers during their two-year run, before the trade deadline in July of '06. H... Full Story - Comments (20) By: Chris Crawford on 2011-10-14  It isn't often that you see 100 on the radar gun, and it's even rarer when someone who has hit triple-digits -- repeatedly -- gets released before his 25th birthday and signs with almost no fanfare in August. You got both of these things, however, when the Seattle Mariners signed former Cincinnati Reds left-hander Philippe Valiquette on August 22, we learned from Shannon Drayer at 710 ESPN.Valiquette -- a product of Montreal and former youth teammate of ex-Mariners prospect Phillippe Aumont -- sits more in the 95-97 range, but he's struggled to miss bats at the professional level for a pitcher who throws as hard as he does -- 284 strikeouts in 386 innings pitched. The reasons are simple; the secondary stuff is well below-average, and neither the command nor control are up to major-league caliber. So why are we talking about Valiquette? Mainly because the guy can throw a fastball 100 miles per hour and isn't old enough for discounted car insurance yet. But the other reason is the M's will have to add him to the 40-man roster come December or risk losing him in the Rule 5 draft. There's a non-zero chance that a club would take a chance on the young Canadian missing a few bats based on sheer velocity while they try and teach him a 45 grade break... Full Story - Comments (11) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-10-12 Over the next several weeks I will take an in-depth look at any and all potential targets for the Seattle Mariners this winter. Some won't be legitimate candidates at all, some will be, but they all need to be addressed since we don't know the thought process of the M's nor the other clubs that could be involved. We talked about New York Mets third baseman David Wright last week. Today, we'll tackle the idea of New York Yankees outfielder Nick Swisher. We're running on the assumption, it's worth noting, that Ichiro starts in right field and Franklin Gutierrez will be back and ready for the season. Subscribers can check out the file on Nick Swisher by clicking here. If you are not yet a subscriber, click here. ... Full Story - Comments (16) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-10-06  I'll take an in-depth look at any and all potential targets for the Seattle Mariners over the next several weeks. Some won't be legitimate candidates at all, some will be, but they all need to be addressed since we don't know exactly what the M's are thinking, nor do we know the thought process of the other clubs that could be involved. Today, let's talk about David Wright and how he may or may not fit in with the M's and whether or not trading for him is possible and makes sense.David Wright is a well above-average third baseman, showing good lateral range to both sides with a rare ability to track slow rollers on the grass in front of him and to spring back like an outfielder and snare soft liners, shallow fly balls and foul pops. He's probably not quite the defender Evan Longoria, Ryan Zimmerman and Adrian Beltre are, but he's very good without a glaring weakness. Offensively, Wright has had five superb seasons in 7 1/2 years of big league service. He's posted an OPS+ of more than 130 during those five seasons, including 149 in 2007 and 141 in 2008. The past three seasons, however, Wright, who will be 29 this December, has shown signs of decline. Subscribers can check out the rest of the file on David Wright by Full Story - Comments (32) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-10-04  The Seattle Mariners just completed their sixth losing season in eight years, with five of those resulting 90 losses or more. It was also their 11th consecutive year without a postseason berth. Clearly, the Seattle Mariners, a 95-loss club in 2011, have holes to fill as they look toward contention. In order to fill those vacancies they'll have to spend money, whether it's on a free agent or two or acquired a higher-salaried player via trade.Since payroll is a major factor, let's take a look at where the M's stand heading into the offseason. Subscribers can check out the M's payroll roundup by clicking here. If you are not yet a subscriber, click here and become one. ... Full Story - Comments (60) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-10-03  The Arizona Fall League means very little in terms of statistics, performance and certainly not game results. It's a place for young players to work on things, jump start their pro careers, face tougher competition and a place for the simple repetition factor.That doesn't mean it's not fun, however, and it is certainly a place to see a lot of good young players in one place. I won't be making the trip as I have too many other projects going on right now, but I will be checking in with scouts. The Seattle Mariners have seven representatives, four of them pitchers in right-handers Steven Hensley and Forrest Snow and lefties Brian Moran and Danny Hultzen. Hultzen has been throwing down in co-op and instructs, and by all accounts looks pretty good with his entire repertoire. The M's first-round pick and No. 2 overall will start Friday for the Peoria Javelinas in his first start as a professional. He's not likely to go more than two or three ininngs, but that workload should build up a bit in future starts. I've said for three years that I think Hensley has the stuff to pitch in the 6th or 7th inning in the big leagues, and he'll get a shot to show that against some decent competition in front of the brass of several organizations every... Full Story - Comments (11) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-09-30 I originally chose Atlanta to drop the World Series to Boston -- that prediction was made way back in March when nobody knew what teams were going to look like -- but the postseason has begun, so let's start over. American League I like the Texas Rangers over the Tampa Bay Rays in five games, though it's obviously not going to surprise me if the Rays win the series. They have the decided starting pitching edge and play the best defense in the big leagues. The winner of game 1 probably wins this series, in my opinion, and a key factor for Texas could be the MLB equivalent of a defense getting off the field on third down situations. No two-out rallies for the Rays or this may not get to five. I like the Detroit Tigers over the New York Yankees in five games, with Verlander winning the deciding game at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees will score runs, but the Tigers' offense isn't chopped liver and the Bombers rotation is nothing to write home about after CC Sabathia, who could run into the Verlander buzz saw twice in the series. Alex Rodriguez may be the key for the Yankees. If I had to make an ALCS prediction now, I'd pick the Rangers over the Tigers, but that'd be a pick'em series for me and it could come down to which club, if any, gets to line of their rotation best. National League The two National League series could go quick, though I have the Milwaukee Brewers beating the Arizona Diamondbacks in four games. The D-... Full Story - Comments (7) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-09-28 The final day of the regular season means something for four teams, and always has an impact on the draft order. The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays enter Wednesday's finales tied for the wildcard lead in the American League and the same scenario surrounds the St. Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Braves in the National League. Not only are these games big, but big-game pitchers are going for the four teams involved. Jon Lester goes on short rest for Boston while Tampa sends David Price to the mound. Chris Carpenter is on the mound for the Cards and Tim Hudson is trying to pitch the Braves into the postseason. The Sox and Cardinals would appear to have the advantage, since they are playing versus the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros, two of the game's worst clubs. Neither of the two contenders have pitched well this month, however, leaving the games up for grabs. The Rays, however, are only playing the Baby Yankees, as the Bronx Bombers are lying down like little kids at nap time. Dellin Betances is making his first career start in the majors in this one, though I don't blame Joe Girardi at all for throwing Betances. The rest of the team is just playing like it doesn't matter, because, well, for them it doesn't. Draft order note: The tie-breaker rules on the draft order are not previous TWO years record, it's simply the previous season. So the M's will pick No. 3 next June regardless of what occurs Wednesday since the worst that c... Full Story - Comments (6) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-09-21  Left field has been a sinkhole in Seattle for years, and it goes back a lot further than the past handful of seasons that has seen dozens attempt to hold down the position. Ken Griffey, Junior manned center field for 11 seasons and played alongside 37 different left fielders between 1989 and 1999. Seven saw time in left in 2010 and 11 have played there this season -- seven have played more than 10 games there. Looking ahead to 2012, the Seattle Mariners could sign a free agent or make a trade in order to fill left field, but there are also legitimate candidates on the roster if all else fails. Let's take a glance. Mike Carp Carp is the best bat among the group, but is also the worst glove and probably belongs at first base. He's made progress defensively, however, and could still progress enough to become passable. Though it doesn't appear he belongs there regularly, despite the potential for quality offense, Carp may still end up playing plenty of left field in 2012. Trayvon Robinson Robinson still has holes at the plate and may not be truly ready for the show until mid-2012. He runs well, plays defense -- despite the small-sample-size metrics he's posted this year -- and has upside at the plate, especia... Full Story - Comments (56) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-09-19  The Seattle Mariners have not only extended the contract of general manager Jack Zduriencik, they have promoted senior advisor Ted Simmons to special assistant to the general manager, and added catching coordinator Roger Hanson, former New York Mets GM Joe McIlvaine and former Pittsburgh Pirates executive Pete Vuckovich as special assistants.In short, adding these three will only help the club make sound decisions when it comes to player evaluations and market analysis, and adds decades of wisdom to the front office. McIlvaine came over from the Twins and drew a "this is a good guy to get," text from an assistant general manager of an NL club. He's a former right-handed pitcher in the Detroit Tigers organization. Simmons, a former big league catcher, was the GM of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1992 and 1993 and has spent time in player development with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was the bench coach for the Brewers in 2008 -- Zduriencik's final season in Milwaukee -- before serving in the role the next two years in San Diego. He has experience managing, scouting and in player development, and certainly knows catching. Vuckovich knows pitching and spent... Full Story - Comments (6) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-09-15  I've been doing this for nine years now, including the days back at InsidethePark.com. Not once in those nine years was there any real doubt about who the Seattle Mariners prospects of the year should be. There were years when one player simply outperformed another and hence won the award with a ton of debate, but this year is different.This season the top performers were also those believed to be the best prospects, which makes the job of choosing the prospects of the year a little more difficult. Having said that, I feel quite strong about the winners. Chris Crawford and I discussed these awards and built an All-Organization Prospect Team here in the latest PI Podcast. Players that have exhausted their rookie status by way of 130 plate appearances or 50 innings pitched, or have logged 45 or more days of service prior to September 1, are not eligible. Prospect of the Year: Vincent Catricala For me, this was a no-brainer. Catricala has done nothing but hit since being selected in the 10th round of the 2009 draft, and he proved in 62 games at Double-A Jackson that his explosion in the Cal League for the first half of the season. After mas... Full Story - Comments (37) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-09-13  Prospect Insider is taking an in-depth look at the State of the Seattle Mariners, from the 2011 season to the lack of impact bats to how the farm system can and will help in 2012. Earlier PI profiled scouting director Tom McNamara and then took a look at the candidates to get some time in September. We also talked about Michael Saunders, the suits and ownership and Eric Wedge. Today, let's explore general manager Jack Zduriencik.The Seattle Mariners hired Jack Zduriencik after the 2008 season. The club had just gone five seasons without making the playoffs and lost 93-101 games in four of those five seasons under Bill Bavasi. Zduriencik came to Seattle with a plan and despite 187 losses the past two years, the executive is staying the course. "You've got to believe in what you are doing," Zduriencik said. "We have a plan and not... Full Story - Comments (18) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-09-09 While winning is always the No. 1 goal of the big league club on a daily basis at the ballpark, it's not the most critical aspect of the final 19 games. Here is what is, at least for me, aside from the easy answer: Production from the young players This includes Felix Hernandez, Michael Pineda, Blake Beavan, Charlie Furbush, Dustin Ackley, Kyle Seager, Alex Liddi, Trayvon Robinson, Michael Saunders, Justin Smoak, Mike Carp, Josh Lueke, Dan Cortes, Chance Ruffin Tom Wilhelmsen and Casper Wells. Not all of them are going to perform well, but any progress shown and positive results between now and the end of the season is a good sight to see. The experience is valuable, but success is even better. Analysts will tell you that September statistics don't matter, but they are wrong. Sure, you can't take them at face value since so many clubs are using young pitchers and a lot of arms are tired, but they do matter. Watching the games to see how the player gathers those numbers -- good or bad -- is critical, however. Is Smoak hitting well from both sides of the plate? Smoak is 10-for-34 with two extra-base hits since returning from the disabled list, and has shown better bat speed, lending even more belief that his thumbs were hurting his performance before he broke his nose and hit the DL. Smoak simply needs to end the year on a positive note so he can get the bade taste of May-June-July out of his mouth for offseason. Full Story - Comments (24) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-09-08 It's difficult to judge the talents of a field manager in the game of baseball. There is far too much that goes on in the clubhouse and between games that cannot be quantified to grade a skipper fairly. Having said that, we've seen good and bad this year from Eric Wedge. Wednesday night was a good example of one of the above. Newly-acquired left-hander Charlie Furbush, R-rated delivery and all, spun a 7-inning gem versus the red-hot Los Angeles Angels, yielding three hits and needing just 86 pitches to cling to a 1-0 lead as the bottom of the eighth inning began. Despite Furbush's lack of a big league track record as a starter, 86 pitches was an acceptable number to surpass in general terms. And sending him out there for the start of the inning wasn't the mistake made by Wedge. Keeping him in there once there was mass evidence that Furbush was tiring was not a mistake a good manager makes. Furbush had lost 2-3 mph off his fastball, wasn't throwing strikes and had the top of the order to deal with after getting Mike Trout to fly out. After Aybar singled, that should have been it. Furbush was at 91 pitches at that point -- and not only did he face pinch hitter Alberto Callaspo and walk him on four pitches, but he was also allowed to face Maicer Izturis. There are arguments coming in from the side of player development, but that fight holds not water in a 1-0 game, despite the team being out of contention. Testing the mettle of a young p... Full Story - Comments (8) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-09-05  Starting last week, Prospect Insider began taking an in-depth look at the State of the Seattle Mariners, from the 2011 season to the lack of impact bats to how the farm system can and will help in 2012. I'll also tackle the performance of GM Jack Zduriencik, whose contract was just extended Thursday. Tuesday, PI profiled scouting director Tom McNamara. Thursday I took a look at the candidates to get some time in September. Friday, we talked about Michael Saunders and his future in the organization. Today let's dive into the club's ownership group and its officers.For years now Chairman and CEO Howard Lincoln as well as team president and COO Chuck Armstrong have taken a beating from fans and occasionally the media for their decisions, commitment to winning baseball and their apparent involvement in the baseball decisions for the Seattle Mariners. I've written a few negative pieces to that effect myself. By all accounts available to us, the front office, above the general manager, h... Full Story - Comments (34) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-09-02  Starting this week, Prospect Insider is taking an in-depth look at the State of the Seattle Mariners, from the 2011 season to the lack of impact bats to how the farm system can and will help in 2012. I'll also tackle the performance of GM Jack Zduriencik, whose contract was just extended Thursday. Tuesday, PI profiled scouting director Tom McNamara. Thursday I took a look at the candidates to get some time in September. Today, let's talk about Michael Saunders.Like many talented baseball players, Michael Saunders put up numbers at every step of the minors. He hit at short-season Everett, struggled a bit as a 19-year-old in Class-A Wisconsin, but tore up the California League a year later and tasted Double-A West Tennessee the last few weeks of the 2007 season at age 20. He performed in the Southern League the following year despite shoulder problems and got his first taste of Triple-A baseball at age 21. The results were mixed, but he certainly had a clue and was far from overmatched. He lit up the PCL in 2009 -- .310/.378/.544 with 3... Full Story - Comments (30) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-09-01 Starting this week, Prospect Insider is taking an in-depth look at the State of the Seattle Mariners, from the 2011 season to the lack of impact bats to how the farm system can and will help in 2012. I'll also tackle the performance of GM Jack Zduriencik, whose contract was just extended Thursday. Tuesday, PI profiled scouting director Tom McNamara. Today we'll take a look at the candidates to get some time in September. While some of them -- or even all of them -- won't be called upon until after the minor league seasons ends next weekend, there will be a few names called up in September. There probably isn't going to be many, however, as there are already a group of young players in the big leagues that need to continue to play. Sure things Catcher Chris Gimenez and right-hander Shawn Kelley are the only two that appear to be locks for me right now. Gimenez gives the club a third catcher, and Kelley's rehab season will end in the majors. He's looked solid of late in Tacoma and could be part of the bullpen coming out of spring training next year. Definitely nots Due to the lack of open spots, I don't see all of Carlos Peguero, Greg Halman, Alex Liddi, Mike Wilson and Michael Saunders getting the call, and I'd be surprised if more than two were given any consideration. With Justin Smoak due back from the DL, there aren't eve... Full Story - Comments (25) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-08-30  Starting this week, Prospect Insider will be taking an in-depth look at the State of the Seattle Mariners, from the 2011 season to the lack of impact bats to how the farm system can and will help in 2012. I'll also tackle the contract status and performance of GM Jack Zduriencik. To start us off, let's take a look at the club's scouting director and the progress of the franchise's rebuilding effort, thanks to the draft.Three years ago this winter the Seattle Mariners asked Jack Zduriencik, and by extension his choice for Director of Scouting, to come in and rebuild the entire organization. And truly, it needed to be rebuilt from the ground up after a difficult and harshly unsuccessful handful of seasons under the previous guard. Zduriencik chose Tom McNamara as his scouting director, and while the rest is not quite history yet, a fruitful path is being laid out in front of the city of Seattle, and certainly appears to be a road that could very well lead the franchise back to the winner's circle. Over the past several years, the Seattle Mariners have selected Adam Jones, Brandon Morrow, Mark Lowe, Doug Fister and Eric O'Flaherty via the draft, signed them, developed them and got them ready to contribute regularly at the big league level. Full Story - Comments (36) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-08-30 In the big leagues, managers like to see clean victories. Good pitching, sound defense and baserunning and some early offense to support the starter. For the Seattle Mariners, they received all of the above versus the Los Angeles Angels Monday night, a result that serves as the kind of game the club needs more of next season if they wish to have a shot at contending. In baseball, good clubs find consistencies that make a positive impact on victories. It's the Pitching Machine of results-based analysis. Mariners Payroll Last week, ESPN Insider's Jim Bowden wrote a piece on the payroll situations of each club in baseball. The Seattle Mariners, Bowden notes, have $7.65 million coming off the books due to the expiring contracts of infielders Adam Kennedy and Jack Wilson. What Bowden does not mention, however, is that the payroll obligations from 2011 for both Carlos Silva and Milton Bradley also fall off the books, and including reasonable arbitration numbers for Brandon League, David Aardsma and Shawn Kelley, and the estimated near-minimums for the zero-to-three players, the club should have just under $80 million in commitments heading into the winter. They began the season with a payroll of about $95 million, if you include monies that went to other clubs for players no longer with S... Full Story - Comments (9) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-08-26 In June, right-hander Jose Campos was impressive in his first professional start, an outing I saw live and wrote about here. He's sustained that success throughout the short-season schedule, and I saw him one last time Thursday night in Everett. And boy has he improved. In June, Campos was sitting 92-96 mph with his fastball and had problems doing anything with his offspeed stuff. He threw strikes with the plus velocity, but didn't command the pitch well, despite getting good results. Thursday, en route to 12 strikeouts over eight stellar innings, Campos sat comfortably at 90-93 -- mostly 92, but touching 95 -- a velocity he held through his final fastball of the night. He threw 101 pitches -- 61 fastballs -- 67 for strikes. His curveball -- clocked in the 77-81 mph range -- was average to above average throughout, and he even flashed a couple of above-average changeups among several average editions. He appeared to have a feel for both pitches all night and was certainly comfortable throwing them. His changeup, thrown with solid arm speed, was generally in the 82-84 mph range. He threw the fastball on both sides of the plate with heavy armside ride and occasional sink on the gloveside half of the plate. He induced swings and misses with all three pitches and got called strikes on each as well, a critical development. Campos' ceiling remains the same as it did in June... Full Story - Comments (36) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-08-19 The Final in-season top 30 is ready -- this one wasn't easy, as it's impossible to assess value to a player moving from shortstop to catcher when he's yet to play the position in games and when a good portion of those eligible have yet to play pro ball. That's what I am here for, however, and I think this turned out well. The August Top 30 is FREE for all and can be viewed by clicking here. I'll be chatting it up at 7PM PT Friday night, it's FREE for all. Yes, I'm in a giving mood. Click here for the chat. I also wanted to add following notes: The top three The top three are literally interchangeable. Danny Hultzen, James Paxton and Taijuan Walker are each worthy of the top spot, but there are reasons why I went the direction I did. Much of those reasons include risk, probability, yet without ignoring upside as part of the equation. The second toughest job After trying to find a spot for Marcus Littlewood the toughest task this time around was pitting high school and college kids versus pros. The draftees have little pro experience if any at all, but simply trusted the scouts I talk to most as well as my own beliefs in terms of what is more valuable and how much risk is too much despite upside, and things of that nature. To clear that up, these rankings, in a vacuum, suggest that... Full Story - Comments (77) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-08-16 Now that the smoke has cleared and we know the dollars attached to the talents -- and even more about the players -- let's review the 2011 draft class for the Seattle Mariners. Getting 43 of 51 picks signed is enormous, especially considering that the only pick in the top 23 rounds (24 total picks) that did not sign is power-hitting first baseman and third-round selection Kevin Cron, who instead will head to TCU. Danny Hultzen, LHP -- No. 2 overall No, I still would have much preferred the M's tab a higher-upside player such as Bubba Starling, Dylan Bundy or Francisco Lindor at No. 2 overall, but I maintain that the pick isn't a poor choice because Hultzen is so likely to produce in the big leagues, albeit at an abbreviated level somewhere south of star levels. The money Hultzen received -- $6.35 million bonus with $8.5 million guaranteed and a chance to guarantee himself more than $10 million -- doesn't change that assessment, as he received a very similar deal to Dustin Ackley, the No. 2 pick two years ago, plus a small inflation percentage on top. Hultzen is likely to see the majors in a hurry, too, with April of next season not out of the question. Yes, it's possible that Hultzen never pitches in the minors. Considering the upside, risk versus probability factors, the dollars involved and what else the club could have had, it'd be easy to plant a C grade on the selection, but because I believe there is a good chance Star... Full Story - Comments (21) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-08-15 Monday at 8:59 PM PT is the deadline for the Seattle Mariners and the rest of baseball to get their draft picks under contract. The M's have 39 of 51 players already inked to deals, and a few of them are already making strong impressions in pro ball. The biggest three are still unsigned, however, including No. 2 overall pick Danny Hultzen, second rounder Brad Miller, a shortstop from Clemson, and third-round choice Kevin Cron, who has already enrolled at TCU and began living on Campus last week. Hultzen will get done, don't worry about that. And the $13 million rumors? Well, unless it's the biggest botch job a negotiation session has ever seen, that number will not come into play. Trevor Bauer, the No. 3 pick, received $7 million guaranteed -- $3.4 million of that in signing bonuses. I expect Hultzen to get more than that, but not near $13 million. My best guess would be somewhere between $8 million and $9 million, with a chance of $10 if the club goes five years on a big league deal -- and it will be a big league contract. Miller shouldn't cost much more than slot, and the No. 62 pick a year ago, Michigan outfielder Ryan Lamarre, received $587, 700 from the Cincinnati Reds. Pick 61, however, received $800,000, so it's possible Miller gets more than the slot recommended range, it's just not likely to hit seven figures, barring another horrible negotiation process. Cron wants first round money to sign -- I'd pay him, I think he's worth $1.2-1... Full Story - Comments (106) By: Andrew H. Martin on 2011-08-13  The New York Penn League is the east-coast equivalent to the Northwest League and often houses a number of solid prospects, and even some potential stars. This year is no different, so Prospect Insider employed Andrew H. Martin to scout it out and see what the buzz was all about.Garin Cecchini, a high school shortstop, was poised to become a first-round pick last June after a standout amateur career that included a star performance on the under-18 national team. Unfortunately he blew out his ACL and slipped to the fourth round. Boston gave him a $1.3 million dollar signing bonus anyway and moved him to third base, literally banking on him returning from the injury and putting pressure on the kid's bat to carry him to the big leagues. After missing all of 2010, the 20-year-old Cecchini is being eased into professional baseball with Lowell this season. The left-handed hitter's bat is by far his best tool at this point, and the most advanced. He has been hitting well all year, putting up a, .298/.398/.500 triple-slash in 32 games. His hitting coach, Rich Gedman, told me that "he has a very good approach to hitting. He has a middle approach, a middle-away approach. He trusts his hands enough that he doesn't have to pull balls. He stays inside the bal... Full Story - Comments (8) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-08-09 The Seattle Mariners have agreed to terms with third-round pick Carter Capps, according to multiple sources, and as reported by Dan Popko of Cape Cod Times. Heads up to Lonnie Mathis for alerting me of the rumblings so I could wake up and look for confirmation. Capps left the Cape over the weekend. Capps, a right-handed pitcher from Mount Olive College in North Carolina, is another find by the M's in that area, thanks to area scout and Pulaski manager Rob Mummau. Capps, I'm told, will receive "second round dough," which could be as low as $400k and high as about $800k. Mathis heard the number $500k, which sounds about right. Capps is a physical right-hander with four pitches, including both a two-seam fastball and the four-seam variety. He also has a slider of which he likes to vary the velocity and a changeup that needs work. As John Birtwell of ESPN Insider wrote last week, Capps attacks the botton portion of the strike zone. There are still questions on his future role, but he's another above-average arm added to the system.... Full Story - Comments (15) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-08-05 When the Seattle Mariners picked up Wily Mo Pena late last month one thing was for sure -- he'd continue to hit moon shots, and strike out, and walk. He's done that with the Tacoma Rainiers, hitting a long ball in his first plate appearance with the organization -- that went an estimated 438 feet and he didn't even get all of it -- and he blasted two in Albuquerque Thursday (Alex Liddi hit THREE). Pena is likely to see the big leagues sometime this season -- if for nothing more than to marvel at his batting practice sessions, which are pretty epic and worth the price of admission. While I don't see more than a platoon DH role for Pena at the big league level, I'm here to tell you there is more to Pena than meets the eye. He has a reputation of being a pretty good teammate, a solid individual and the source of some serious humor. I give you Exhibit A: Last week when Tacoma Rainiers intern Cam went to pick up Pena at the airport, they had a nice baseball conversation on the way from the airport to the ballpark. The discussion escalated from general pleasantries and the typical inquiries from Cam and became about pitchers falling behind in counts. At some point in that talk of a pitcher getting behind in the count, Pena, a behemoth of a man at 6-foot-3 and 265 pounds, turned to Cam, who was driving, looked him in the eye and with his thick Dominican accent said: "I crush fastball." And that was the end of that discussion. ... Full Story - Comments (83) By: Adam Staloch on 2011-08-01 Game Video on Trayvon Twenty-three year old outfielder Trayvon Robinson will make his debut in the Seattle Mariners organization Monday at Cheney Stadium, and the switch-hitter took some batting practice and shagged a few fly balls before the game. The PI contingent was in attendance and I snagged some video. It's not cage-side, as the Rainiers have a new regulation against media standing against the batting cage, but the video at least gives you an idea of what the player is like physically and somewhat athletically. As Jason A. Churchill tweeted earlier, Robinson is in the starting lineup, playing center field and batting sixth. He'll wear No. 24, though that will be short-lived once he gets the nod to the big leagues. Couple of notes from Churchill before we get to the video: Chance Ruffin, likely to be the player to be named later in the trade with the Detroit Tigers -- a conclusion came to by process of elimination through conversations I have had with sources not employed by any club -- is a fastball-slider reliever who sits 92-95 mph with the heater, which is up a tick or two from his days at Texas where he generally maxed out at 93 and pitched at 89-92. There is also more movement now, including some sink, and he's touched 96. The slider is showing at 82-85 mph and looks... Full Story - Comments (104) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-07-31 The Seattle Mariners completed a buzzer-beating three-team trade with the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday afternoon, sending left-hander Erik Bedard and right-hander Josh Fields to the American League East leaders. In return, the M's received two outfielders in Chih-Hsien Chiang from the Red Sox and Trayvon Robinson from the Dodgers. Subscribers can check out the scouting reports and MLB ETAs on both by clicking here. Become a subscriber by clicking here. The only other place you will find any of my in-depth analysis without becoming a subscriber is on the air with Ian Furness Monday afternoon on 950 KJR. If you want the details, subscribe now.... Full Story - Comments (35) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-07-31 The Seattle Mariners have traded left-hander Erik Bedard to the Boston Red Sox along with right-handed reliever Josh Fields in return for outfield prospects Travyon Robinson from the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chih-Hsien Chiang from the Boston Red Sox. This is now official. Certainly a good deal for Seattle. Scouting reports on the M's haul coming later this evening. In the meantime, follow Prospect Insider on Twitter for updates to this story, and all kinds of banter, including me getting irritated at people for reporting tweets to me and pretending I am claiming to be reporting news.... Full Story - Comments (29) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-07-31 UPDATE: 10:22 AM PT The talks between the Mariners and Cardinals for Erik Bedard "have escalated" according to sources, but no deal is yet considered imminent. With less than three hours to go, something will have to happen quickly. Also, M's still getting calls on relievers and Adam Kennedy. There is a pretty good chance something pops. The M's are not involved in talks with the Rockies for Ian Stewart, I am told, and it appears Brandon League is truly going nowhere this summer. As Saturday flipped to Sunday there were several developments that lead me, and a handful of sources within the league, to believe the Seattle Mariners could make at least one more trade before the 1PM PT deadline Sunday afternoon. "I could see a few," one source said. "They have more pieces clubs would like to have." Those pieces include closer Brandon League, left-hander Erik Bedard, right-handed relievers Chris Ray and Jamey Wright and infielder Adam Kennedy. Lefty Jason Vargas may be completely off the market -- barring an offer GM Jack Zduriencik cannot refuse -- with Doug Fister being dealt Saturday. Subscribers can check out what possibilities there still are with Bedard and why he's still a valuable commodity for contenders -- possibly enough to land a worthy package -- and what would make the M's change their mind on dealing League, by clicking here. Become a s... Full Story - Comments (48) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-07-30 The Seattle Mariners have traded right-handers Doug Fister and David Pauley to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for three players. The return package of left-hander Charlie Furbush, outfielder Casper Wells and third base prospect Francisco Martinez is a solid one, with Wells being the key ingredient but he's a potential big-league ready bat that can play left field. Subscribers can check out the scouting report on the three players coming to Seattle by clicking here. Become a subscriber by clicking here.... Full Story - Comments (81) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-07-28 UPDATE: July 30 @8:22 AM PT With the M's trading RHP Doug Fister to the Detroit Tigers for Charlie Furbush and Casper Wells, it looks like Jason Vargas is off the table for now. We'll have scouting reports on Wells and Furbush later today. UPDATE: July 29 @3:22 PM PT Hints that Bedard is Red Sox No. 1 target and what Boston could offer, plus the Tigers' pursuit of M's pitchers -- what does Detroit have to give up? Click Here. To become a subscriber, Click Here. UPDATE: July 28 @10:14 AM PT The M's are getting a lot of interest in their starting pitchers, including contenders stepping up their intrigue on Bedard. UPDATE: July 28 @1:14 AM PT Word on a potentially-killed 3-way deal, new developments on M's trade plans and sources and I converge on the M's process. Click Here. UPDATE: July 25 @ 05:11PM PT Notes on other potential matches for M's trade bait, plus League's chances to get dealt and a potential outfield target for the Mariners. Click Here. UPDATE: July 24 @ 12:14PM PT The M's are requesting specifics... Full Story - Comments (122) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-07-27 The Seattle Mariners have lost 17 games in a row. True. They have fallen into last place in the 4-team American League West. True. They are now 15 games behind the Texas Rangers in the loss column and have once again set a record-threatening pave of offensive futility. True. As a result, they should now plan on raising payroll into the $130 million-plus range or higher, change their stance on trading Felix Hernandez and should fire Eric Wedge and Jack Zduriencik. False. Felix Hernandez The argument for trading Hernandez makes sense on the surface -- he's worth a ton and his value may never be higher, and the return could very well fill more than one hole in the club's everyday lineup -- but if Hernandez is traded, for example, sometime between today and the start off the 2012 season, all of a sudden an unproven Michael Pineda and two No. 4 starters in Jason Vargas and Doug Fister have to carry the workload and lead the staff. Do the M's win consistently then? Of course not. The time to seriously consider trading Hernandez may very well come in the next 12-36 months, at which time the club's GM, whoever it is at the time, will be charged with one of the most difficult tasks in franchise history. But that time is now now. If the Mariners wish to add impact offensive players, it has to come largely by trade, since hitters don't generally want to come to Seattle with it's weather and travel or play at Safeco. For the first time in more than three ye... Full Story - Comments (57) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-07-26 The Seattle Mariners are planning to -- or at least strongly considering -- converting shortstop prospect Marcus Littlewood to catcher, according to a source of ESPN Insider's Keith Law, and I have been able to confirm. I have no word on when such a transition might take place, but I imagine instructs this fall is when that will begin if the club follows through with the idea. Littlewood has the arm strength, hands, athleticism and overall sturdy, durable build to make a successful conversion, though it's a risky decision for the Mariners, as the chance for injury and theft of athleticism attempting to become a catcher could rob Littlewood of a chance to play shortstop, third base or even the outfield. Basically, it's a move you make permanently if it's a move you make at all. The club could simply be planning on seeing how he looks in workouts over the offseason before making a final determination on where he plays positionally come next spring. As far as what this might do to Littlewood's prospect value, well, if he can catch, naturally, his value improves. It takes pressure off his bat, too, which means he doesn't have to hit as much to be an impact player in the big leagues, but it also likely pushes back his timetable to the big leagues.... Full Story - Comments (21) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-07-23 UPDATE: July 25 @ 05:11PM PT Notes on other potential matches for M's trade bait, plus League's chances to get dealt and a potential outfield target for the Mariners. Click Here. UPDATE: July 24 @ 12:14PM PT The M's are requesting specifics in return for their pitchers, and it's all about hitting, catching. UPDATE: July 23 @ 2:02PM PT Another club linked to M's arms. What can that club offer Seattle? It's that time of year again and so many possibilities cloud any kind of strong predictions -- it's a mess, as usual -- but the Seattle Mariners are again at the center of a ton of potential deals. I'll update here on the rumors page with time stamps whenever I hear something or have additional intel on a report by a reliable source such as ESPN's Buster Olney, Jerry Crasnick or Jayson Stark, or the guys from FOXSports.com, who are really good at collecting notes on potential moves. As we hit the weekend -- a week from the deadline -- there are simply a ton of potential moves with no clear deal ready to be made. Last year we all knew Cliff Lee was getting moved at some point. This year it's feasible, though unlikely, that Seattle Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik stands pat.<... Full Story - Comments (39) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-07-25 If you haven't heard already, or seen the boxscore from Sunday's game, the Seattle Mariners have signed 16th-round pick Jack Marder, a catcher from the University of Oregon. Word is they gave Marder $200,000 -- a freaking steal, if you ask me. He signed a little over a week ago, spent a little time down in Peoria to get ready to play and started Sunday for High Desert, going 2-for-3 with a double. I've been wanting an excuse to write about Mike Dowd, who has been gunning down baserunners for Everett -- a very impressive 65 or 70 grade arm with tremendous accuracy, foot quickness and technique -- though he lacks offensive upside. John Hicks, the Mariners' 4th-round pick, is playing at Class-A Clinton. Marder, a converted infielder, is somewhat inexperienced behind the plate but was a draft-eligible sophomore so he had leverage, making the signing a very good one. He played infield in high school and both first base and the outfield at Oregon in 2010, before getting time at catcher this past spring. He's not consistent, but that will have to come with reps, something he will get plenty of the rest of this summer, though I would not be surprised if they make sure he gets at-bats without wearing him out behind the dish in the desert. Fifth rounder Tyler Marlette is next on the list, but he has a chance to go to school -- Central Florida -- and improve his draft stock up into the top few rounds, so it may take twice what Marder received to get hi... Full Story - Comments (3) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-07-21 The Seattle Mariners have signed Venezuelan right-hander Victor Sanchez, reports Ben Badler, and many of you asked me to comment on the kid. First of all, I haven't seen but 30 seconds of video on him, so nothing you read from here on out is my own opinion. Second, the scouts I did catch up to to ask about Sanchez wanted him badly, and may have undersold the kid's abilities. Sort of. "He's as polished as you can expect a 16-year-old pitcher with that kind of stuff to be," said one scout whose club bowed out long before Sanchez the July 2 deadline due to bonus demands. "There's now-velocity that plays, the delivery is good and he's a good athlete, and that helps him stay consistent on the mound as well as field his position." Another scout, whose club appears to have been in it until the dollars went above $3 million, calls Sanchez's slider "a good pitch that will get inexperienced bats out," but he mentioned that Sanchez drops his arm on the pitch, giving it away and sometimes leaving it up in the zone. He also throws a changeup and brings pitching smarts to the mound. Badler reports that Sanchez also played right field and could hit a little, too, but was only a big prospect because he touched 94 mph from the hill. "I've seen him 92-93," the first scout said. "At this age that's enough to get some attention. But I think he could pitch (in the states) right away, he handles himself very well out there." Without having seen Sanchez and... Full Story - Comments (32) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-07-18 When the mid-season Top 30 was released less than three weeks ago, I felt pretty good about it. I'd seen a significant amount of video on those I hadn't seen live and spent hours crosschecking my evaluations with talent evaluators. At the time, however, the short-season clubs had just 10 days under their belts, the Seattle Mariners had signed just one of their top 10 draft picks and a handful of those considered for the final list were either coming off injury, or had been recently promoted and hadn't been seen much in their new digs. Now it's been nearly a month since the short-season affiliates began their schedule, the promoted few have more than two weeks worth of games in at their new level and a few draft picks have put their names on the dotted line, opening up door for a legitimate re-ranking. Many of this comes from my day trip to Peoria last weekend and a good look at some of the kids in the rookie league, where two scouts from AL clubs were planning on writing up the M's kids as one of the best groups of prospects the league has seen in the past two or three seasons. Subscribers can get the updated list, which includes numerous changes from the mid-season report on June 30, by clicking here. If you are not yet a subscriber, click here and become an Insider.... Full Story - Comments (60) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-07-10  I haven't heard the M's specifically linked to any bat, though there's been plenty of speculation about adding upgrades, despite those upgrades being fringe regulars in their own right. Let's take a look at five trades the Seattle Mariners might be able to make. Remember, I'm not suggesting the trade partner is interested in the M's player we're riffing about, and I'm not suggesting they'd be willing to part with the players listed below as coming back to Seattle. What I am suggesting is that there is some logic to such transactions, and I have bounced these off some high-ranking scouts for cross-reference purposes. Sitting 7 1/2 games back, it appears Seattle will have to sell, if anything, but there is time left for them to change that, and Zduriencik could make some lateral moves. Subscribers can check out the five suggested trades by clicking here. To gain access, including one-time premium access for just $1.50, 3-months of access for $11.00, 6-month subscriptions at $21.00 and annual subscriptions st just $36.00 click here and become a subscriber. ... Full Story - Comments (133) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-07-08  I had a little left over from Wednesday's Prospect Intel and took a trip with Adam Staloch to Triple-A Tacoma to check out the relief arms. We lucked out and saw both Josh Fields and Josh Lueke. More on the two right-handers in a bit.Before we get to the notes, I promised a "what to expect from Kyle Seager," so let's get to that just as he starts Game No.2 of his big league career. Seager gets unfairly compared to Dustin Ackley because both are caucasians, infielders and left-handed hitters. And while there are some legit similarities in their games, they are far more different than they are the same. Seager is a little shorter, slightly sturdier in frame, and his stroke at the plate is more designed for contact. His hands and wrists aren't as strong and quick and he also doesn't run as well as his college teammate. But he does have a better throwing arm and better defensive instincts and will be more than fine playing third base. Judging from what I saw in spring training, I think Seager is a lot like a young Adam Kennedy as a defensive second baseman. He will drive the ball some and isn't completely without some pop; he'll occa... Full Story - Comments (6) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-07-06  The Seattle Mariners farm system did something this week that I did not think was possible: They got more interesting.The club signed sixth-round pick James Zamarripa, a sturdily-built, left-handed hiting outfielder from Rancho Cucamonga, California, and he's been assigned to the Peoria roster in the Arizona Rookie League. But wait, there's more. Felipe Burin, who just missed the cut in the Mid-season Top 30, was brought to the states this week and will debut for Peoria Wednesday night. He's 19, a switch hitter and will man mostly second base, though he will see some time at third base, too. He was tearing up the Venezuelan Summer League, hitting .381/.460/.538 and profiles similarly to Albert Callaspo; a solid hit tool with gap power. He's stronger from the left side than he is from the right -- which is better than the opposite -- and throws well, so playing third is not a problem defensively. Bob Engle recently saw him in the VSL and recommended the club bring him stateside. Update on Nick Franklin Franklin was rehabbing from the bat-to-the-jaw incident when he fell ill, possibly food poisoning, setting him back a few days. He's likely to get back on the field early next week. When I asked Player Development... Full Story - Comments (45) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-07-02  For the first time all season the Seattle Mariners will have someone other than their Opening Day starting rotation take the mound Sunday when right-hander Blake Beavan makes his major league debut.Beavan earned the right by righting the ship in Triple-A Tacoma since a poor start at home versus Memphis on May 20, up until his most recent outing in hitter-friendly Las Vegas versus a good hitting lineup. In those six starts, Beavan allowed just eight earned runs on 38 hits in 39 innings of work, walking nine and punching out 32. Let's talk about what the M's can expect from the right-hander acquired in the trade that sent Cliff Lee to the Texas Rangers. Background Beavan was the Rangers' first-round pick in 2007 -- 17th overall -- after touching the mid-90s as a high school senior. He immediately showed durability, making 23 starts and logging 121 2/3 innings the following season and then surpassing 160 frames the following season. Physical Beavan stands 6-foot-7 and is listed at 240 pounds -- he may be 250, but he's not a poorly condition athlete. He's sturdiest between his thighs and chest but strong from head to toe. For a rather large pitcher, he does get off the mound and field his position well, showin... Full Story - Comments (34) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-06-30  It's mid-season in the minor leagues which means it's time for the Seattle Mariners mid-season Top 30 Prospect Report. This year I have changed things a little bit. Rather than offer a short write-up of each player ranked, we'll have a chat for all of that Thursday night at 7 PM PT. The chat is FREE for everyone and can be accessed by clicking here. Subscribers can click here for the Top 30 Prospect Rankings and click here for a breakdown Top 5s; Top 5 prospects at each level, top 5 pitchers, top 5 corner bats, etc. If you are not yet a subscriber and would like access to the mid-season Top 30 on top of the regular benefits of premium access, click here. We'll cover the question of where the draft picks would rank should they sign in the chat.... Full Story - Comments (29) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-06-25  Since late last season there has been some buzz about right-hander Jose Campos, who reportedly touched 96 mph on the radar gun down in the Venezuelan Summer League. He fed that buzz this spring when he touched 98 in a number of bullpen sessions, though sitting 95-plus is much different than touching 98 in a bullpen session.In his first start with Short-season Everett, he hit 100 mph on the stadium gun, which likely means 97-99. Clearly, Campos has big-time arm strength, but there have been no reports on everything else. Until now. Subscribers can check out the scouting report and video on Campos by clicking here. If you are not yet a subscriber, click here and make it happen.... Full Story - Comments (61) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-06-22 The Seattle Mariners have promoted SS Nick Franklin to Double-A Jackson and 2B Kyle Seager to Triple-A Tacoma Wednesday. Have fun with this one. The M's feel Franklin will respond well to the challenge of the promotion, and Seager was clearly ready for the move. Watch out for Seager as a third base option for the short term later this summer. He can play there, and is as good as Ackley or better at second. UPDATE: I don't know what the club's exact plan is for Franklin and Triunfel in Jackson, but something has to give and it shouldn't be Franklin's future at the shortstop position. He'll surely play second with Seager in Tacoma now, but Triunfel should move off shortstop, at least primarily. While he often displays the range to play the position, there are still far too many throwing errors and fundamental mistakes to keep him at short over Franklin. I'd split Franklin's time 70-30; 70 percent at shortstop. Triunfel, I'd move him to third base, with some time at second as well. ... Full Story - Comments (55) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-06-21 In lieu of a full Prospect Intel this week, I have to cut it short because I'm working on the 2012 Draft and the Mid-season Top 30. So let's get right to it ... Still not hearing a lot of good things on Dennis Raben, despite the fact that he's putting up really good numbers in High Desert. The strikeouts are a concern, and that's going to be a theme in this edition, because ... ... same goes for Nick Franklin, who isn't wowing anyone in the Cal League. I'm not worried about his long-term future at this point, nor do I think there needs to be some sort of position change, but until we start seeing more consistent at bats and better contact rates -- anything north of 20 percent is prohibitive for a middle infielder -- he's going to stay in High Desert. James Jones is lost at the plate, and I haven't heard a good explanation why. I'll see the Mavs in mid-July, so perhaps I will see something or get some video to study the matter. Monday was Opening Night for the Peoria Mariners of the Arizona Rookie League and Phillips Castillo, the top prospect on the roster, went 3-for-5 with two doubles. Martin Peguero, formerly known as Esteilon, his middle name, took the donut in four trips to the plate. Another name to watch in this lineup is Alfredo Morales, a left-handed hitting outfielder whom the club likes a lot more than they originally let on two summers ago. According to scouts, Rich Poythress cannot cover the plate, hit good fastballs... Full Story - Comments (30) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-06-18 NOTE: Click here for the roster for the M's rookie league club in Peoria. I'll make this quick, but it's pretty, it's so pretty. Dustin Ackley went 1-for-4 Friday versus Philadelphia, singling off Roy Oswalt in his first trip to the plate. He made a handful of plays in the field and the M's won 4-1. But there's more. A lot more. His single came after Oswalt, an experienced, above-average starting pitcher, worked the count 0-2. Ackley, whose heart rate probably never gets above 70, calmly poked a single through Oswalt's wickets and into center for the hit. For those that thought he had the jitters, and judging by tweets and texts sent to Root Sports during the game many of you thought that, you're wrong. Ackley doesn't get the jitters. Why not? Because hitting and playing baseball is what he does. He hit a ball fairly hard to center in his second PA for a flyout and lined out to the first baseman the next time up. He'd fly out again in his final at-bat, but it was a play he made in the eighth inning in the field that made Ackley's night. He'd already made a few routine plays, but with one on and nobody out in the eighth and the M's up 4-1 and Aaron Laffey on the hill, Ackley's turn of the double play feed from Chone Figgins to force Carlos Ruiz at second and nail Jimmy Rollins at first was a thing of beauty, and a showing of not only impressive athletici... Full Story - Comments (49) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-06-16  It's the most anticipated prospect call-up for the Seattle Mariners since 2005 when King Felix Hernandez forged his way into the big leagues at age 20, but Dustin Ackley has been recalled and will make his major league debut -- presumably -- Friday versus the Philadelphia Phillies.Ackley had been lighting the PCL in flames since April turned to May and in case you missed my Ackley stats rant on Twitter ... Since May 6: 39 G, .373/.474/.610, 13-2B, 3-3B, 6-HR, 30-BB, 18-K, two errors. One error was Wednesday, the other was back on May 6. 60 hits, 30 walks (only one of those intentional) equals 90 times reaching bases in 39 games. Versus LHP for the season: .299/.415/.545 All of those numbers, however, are minor league statistics and now mean zilch. Ackley has to prove they aren't a fluke by figuring things out in the big leagues. While he's an ideal No. 1 or 2 hitter, I expect Eric Wedge to go the route of a soft landing for awhile and bat Ackley in the No. 7, 8 or 9 hole, but I don't believe sticking him in the 6-hole is out of the question, nor is batting him behind Ichiro. He's going to play second base, and he won't wow anyone defensively, and he's not going to come up and hit .372 with a .600 slugging pe... Full Story - Comments (43) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-06-15 As well as the Seattle Mariners have been pitching their way to a respectable number of victories this season -- more at this point that than most believed -- one thing remains clear: the Mariners need more offense. I contend, however, that they need a lot more offense if they are stay in contention all season. Sure, I would hit up any number of us casinos and bet that Felix Hernandez would turn it up a notch the rest of the way, and I have no reason to believe Erik Bedard will fall off the planet, though I feel much less confident about that with his injury history. Expecting Michael Pineda to keep up this Cy Young pace, however, is asking too much. I'm not suggesting he will fall on his face, but requiring him to be a No. 1 all year is unrealistic. He's going to hit some bumps, moreso than Hernandez, perhaps even Bedard. Pineda is also not likely to make 30-plus starts this season, since that would certainly push him over 190 innings, maybe even over 200, something in early September, so the club may push him back aggressively in the second half or perhaps even shut him down. He's never thrown more than the 139 1/3 frames he threw last season and he's on pace for just under 200 at his current clip. Something will have to give at some point. Calling up Dustin Ackley is not the solution -- it can be part of it, but left field or third base needs a tune, and I'm not s... Full Story - Comments (29) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-06-14 The Everett AquaSox, who start their season this week and open up at home next Wednesday, have announced their roster to start the 2011 season. Pitchers Tony Butler, LHP -- Yes, that Tony Butler. He was signed after Baltimore released him earlier this season. Jason Buursma, RHP Jose Campos, RHP Jeroen De Haas, RHP Nolan DIaz, RHP Joe Dirocco, RHP Tim Griffin, RHP Cameron Hobson, LHP Stephen Landaruzi, RHP Bryan Leigh, RHP Jordan Shipers, LHP Cody Weiss, RHP Bennett Whitmore, LHP Catchers Larry Gonzalez Billy Marcoe Infielders Jetsy Extrano Marcus Littlewood Danny Lopez Ethan Paquette Rudy Van Heydoorn (OF) Outfielders James Wood Mario Yepez ... Full Story - Comments (16) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-06-13 This is kind of like ESPN.com's Jayson Stark and his "Rumblings and Grumblings" column, except I will ramble, instead. Make sense? I want to see Mike Carp, Adam Kennedy, Jack Cust and Justin Smoak in the lineup at the same time, even now with Dustin Ackley still in Triple-A Tacoma. I can't think of a good reason to use Carp and Cust in an either/or scenario when Carp isn't going to be exposed in left field on every play and he can be replaced late in the game on defense by Greg Halman if the M's have a lead ... Mauricio Robles has been activated, if you haven't heard already, and I'd bet on him getting back to Tacoma by the end of the month. He will start out in High Desert, however, so the numbers could be ugly early on because he pitches up in the zone and the league is a joke ... Speaking of High Desert, Dennis Raben hit three bombs Sunday and took over the minor league lead in RBI, garnering him a lot of national attention. I'm still not hearing glowing things about Raben and it appears he's just beating up inferior pitching. He needs to be challenged with a promotion to Jackson soon, as does Vincent Catricala, who has markedly improved his contact rates and will be on the mid-season Top 30 as a result ... I don't know when Dustin Ackley is getting called up. if I knew, I'd say something. Monday (today) makes sense, but Friday after Tacoma gets back from its long road trip also makes sense and Seattle is at home this weekend versus Phila... Full Story - Comments (19) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-06-11 Podcast Alert: Click here for the Draft Recap Episode The dust has cleared as we enter day five since the Seattle Mariners made the No. 2 overall selection in the 2011 First-Year Players Draft. I've made several calls, sent several texts and emails and gathered as much info as I possibly could on all 51 players the club selected this week so I could complete the analysis, and as a result, here's the Draft Report Card. Round 1 (No. 2) Selecting Virginia LHP Danny Hultzen this high appears to be an attempt to get a solid player with high probability into the system, despite the lack of star upside. The M's passed on potential superstar talents in RHP Dylan Bundy, CF Bubba Starling and star-level talents such as SS Francisco Lindor. If the club wants to win championships they need championship players, superstars, at least one or two that play regularly and they simply do not have that in the entire organization right now. They had a shot to add that Monday, but steered clear. One thing to remember is that there is a chance that Starling or Bundy would have been the pick but the club didn't get good indications that the player would sign for what they were willing to spend. And those indications could have been given for many reasons, including driving up the price to get as much money as possible, or scaring off the Mariners so the player gets to a team more... Full Story - Comments (55) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-06-09  The Seattle Mariners selected 51 players in the First-Year Player's Draft this week, and we're here to give you a better idea of how the club did and about those players selected. Danny Hultzen will not go down as a major bust for the M's, barring injury which can't be blamed on the club, and while I, and many talent evaluators, graded a number of other players ahead of the left-hander, he's not the worst pick of the draft for the M's, nor is he the best. For all those connotations, including the best of the class, read on. Subscribers can check out the Best Tools among the M's 2011 Draft Class by clicking here. If you aren't a subscriber, click here and choose an option to become an Insider today. Friday night we'll hand out grades in the Draft Report Card.... Full Story - Comments (25) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-06-08  The Seattle Mariners made 30 selections Tuesday and while we're all still recovering from the shock of pick No. 2, the club has been busy, so let's catch up with them.Subscribers can check out the full scouting reports on second rounder Brad Miller and third-round pick Kevin Cron (hint, potential plus-plus tool), and reports on a number of the club's Day 2 selections, by clicking here. If you are not yet a subscriber, click here and become one. Final grades will come later this week, as well as my choices for best pick, worst pick, quickest to the big leagues, the class' best tools and an overall analysis of the club's draft as well as how they fit among the other clubs in the American League West. ... Full Story - Comments (65) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-06-07 The M's followed up the Danny Hultzen selection by taking Clemson SS Brad Miller in round 2 and prep first baseman Kevin Cron in the third round. Miller isn't a future shortstop but has plus makeup and can hit some. Cron has big raw power but is a bat only as he profiles as a 1B/DH. He is the younger brother of first rounder C.J. Cron.... Full Story - Comments (163) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-06-07  The Seattle Mariners shocked the baseball world Monday, passing on three position players and selecting left-hander Danny Hultzen with the No. 2 overall selection. Most analysts -- and even other clubs -- had the M's on Rice 3B Anthony Rendon and Gardner-Edgerton (Kan.) High School centerfielder Bubba Starling, and I had them on Montverde Academy (Fla.) shortstop Francisco Lindor until a half hour before the pick was made.But what did the M's get in Hultzen? Here's a profile and scouting report with the aide of an NL area scout and a crosschecker from and NL Central club. Subscribers can download the original scouting report in Word form by clicking here and then clicking the file name. The M's draft is far from done, however, and regardless of whether or not anyone buys Hultzen as the No. 2 pick -- I do not -- pick No. 62 comes early Tuesday and there will be legitimate big-league talent in rounds two and three, and perhaps beyond. Let's take a look at the best players available. 1. Josh Bell, LF -- Dallas Jesuit HS (Texas) Bell is considered an extremely difficult sign that could take Top 5-10 money to forego college. 2. Andrew Susac, C -- Oregon State<... Full Story - Comments (51) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-06-06  UPDATE: Why it was Hultzen ... The day has finally come. It's Day 1 of the 2011 MLB Draft, otherwise known as the First-Year Players Draft or, more technically, the Rule 4 draft. The Pittsburgh Pirates and Seattle Mariners will get the events under way as they select the first two of 60 picks on the initial day. To follow the day's rumors, buzz and other notes, subscribers can click here. The latest draft notes through Sunday can be found here. If you are not yet a subscriber, click here to join the rest of the insiders. Starting at 12 Noon PT, ALL READERS can chat about the draft with each other all while keeping tabs on the draft via the Twitter accounts of myself, Keith Law and Chris Crawford of MLB Draft Insider. To join the chat, which will also contain polls, links to news and radio hits and, of course, all of your thoughts and discussions, click here. ... Full Story - Comments (179) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-06-04 Included in this quick update are notes on the M's No. 2 pick -- and that's about it. But you aren't going to want to miss this. NOTE: It's important to note that none of the sources for this information came from the Seattle Mariners or anyone close to the players involved. Subscribers can get the latest by clicking here. The above file will be updated as I hear different things that could make an impact. Check back often. If you are not a subscriber, click here and fix that.... Full Story - Comments (119) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-06-03 This week's edition of Draft Weekly is a brief one, but full of data. Subscribers can check out the latest FULL First-round Mock Draft by clicking here, and my first top 10 draft board (with my best estimate of the M's top 10 and my own personal board) as well, by clicking here. There will only be one more mock and one last draft board before the draft starts Monday, but during the draft's first two rounds, plus the sandwich round, I will provide my "Best Available" lists as the picks are announced. If you are not a subscriber, click here to get access.... Full Story - Comments (66) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-06-01 This week's prospect intel includes the long-promised Next 10, with four additional contenders for the mid-season Top 30 report, notes from the organization on the Dustin Ackley transition to second base, an idea of when James Paxton may be promoted -- and where to -- an update on Mauricio Robles and Jose Valdivia, where Jose Campos and Jordan Shipers will be pitching soon and more. Subscribers can access the notes by clicking here. If you are not a subscriber, click here and become an insider.... Full Story - Comments (54) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-05-30 The talk all year, and especially the past few weeks, has been about when Dustin Ackley will be called up to the big leagues. That move is certain to be made soon, as early as this week -- but probably not later than the series versus the Philadelphia Phillies that runs June 17-19. The Tacoma Rainiers start a road trip on June 4 that runs through the day prior to that Philly series. The timing works out well. But for me, the big deal right now isn't about when Ackley gets the call it's about what role he plays once he's here. We've talked a lot lately about which player is sent out when Ackley comes up -- Jack Wilson? Luis Rodriguez? An outfielder such as Carlos Peguero or Michael Saunders with the club moving Adam Kennedy into the third-base rotation? Maybe none of the above. Sure, any of those names suggested above could be shipped out or moved around, but here's a thought that we haven't discussed here, but I'm hearing the club is actually considering, or at least have considered: Ackley as the new starting left fielder. Yes, it would mean an automatic upgrade at the position without sacrificing defense. It would probably mean Peguero or Saunders get sent down -- Peguero unless the club sees Ackley as an option to back up Franklin Gutierrez in center field. Calling up Ackley and using him in left field doesn't necessarily mean the club will abandon the second base idea, but it may mean they abandon their search for an outfielder via trade... Full Story - Comments (68) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-05-30 Last Monday we talked about some potential trade targets the M's could look into. We mentioned, anong others, Minnesota Twins infielder/outfielder Michael Cuddyer, who has a pretty good track record against left-handed pitching and might have just enough capability at third base and in left field to avoid being a defensive liability. Lets talk about a few more possibilities, and since Carlos Beltran is a longshot, we'll focus on the non-superstar types which cost far less in trade. Shelley Duncan -- Cleveland Duncan is a fringe defender but is not terrible, and hits left-handed pitching. The Indians have a slew of platoon-type bats and may be able to spare one for an arm, even if they remain in contention. Austin Kearns -- Cleveland Kearns had a decent year in 2010 despite not hitting for much power. He's merely adequate with the glove but would still represent an upgrade. Ryan Spilborghs -- Colorado Spilborghs might be the most available right now. He hits left-handers well and with some pop. He's not an asset in the field, but if he's merely a platoon bat he can't hurt too much. Others:Ben Francisco, Philadelphia; Conor Jackson, Oakland. If the M's are to stay in this they'll need more from left field and third base and they aren't likely to get it from Chone Figgins. Figgins may have to become a utility pla... Full Story - Comments (19) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-05-28 I didn't update the Northwest Top 10 during draft weekly Thursday, mostly because I was planning on seeing a few of them this weekend and could use the fresh look. So, here goes, with a bonus two. 1. Andrew Susac, C -- Oregon State Susac is the top catcher in the class, college or prep, especially considering the unknown surrounding Cleveland HS (NM) star Blake Swihart and the signability concerns with UCLA commit Austin Hedges. It'd be a bit of a surprise if Susac lasted beyond the first round and a shocker if he got past the Chicago White Sox at No. 47. 1. Tyler Anderson, LHP -- Oregon Anderson is a potential first-round pick but with a limited upside and is probably only firmly in that conversation due to signability -- he, like most, or nearly all college juniors that are drafted in round 1 will sign on the dotted line for the best offer made around slot. 3. Josh Osich, LHP -- Oregon State Osich has had his ups and downs this season after having elbow surgery and missing all of 2010. He's a fourth-year junior and considered another very signable player that could sneak into the top 40. The Rangers, Braves, Blue Jays and Rays are linked to him pretty strongly. 4. Blake Snell, LHP -- Shorewood HS (Wash.) Snell was a bit disappointing in April, sitting 85-88 for me twice after touching 92 last summer. He's tall and lean and projectable, so he remained on the radar. I saw him Friday and he was up to 9... Full Story - Comments (6) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-05-26  Thursday I spoke to two senior-level talent evaluators that hinted -- but wouldn't say outright, of course -- their thoughts and beliefs surrounding Rice's Anthony Rendon.Subscribers can check out the latest Top 10 Mock, the notes on Rendon and his status in the top 5, and legit targets for the M's at No. 62 by clicking here. If you are not yet a subscriber, click here and gain access.... Full Story - Comments (30) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-05-23 We chatted at 8 pm, tackling inquiries on who the M's might take at Nos. 2 and 62 in the upcoming draft, when Ackley will be called up -- and why not now -- the left field conundrum and whether or not the M's can and should be players at this year's trade deadline. To view a transcript of the chat, click here. ... Full Story - Comments (76) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-05-23 The Seattle Mariners are 22-24 and just a game and a half out of first place in the American League West. This is both good and bad. For one, contending is the goal. But it's a division where the Texas Rangers have been without key players, including the league's reigning MVP, for most of the season, and the other two clubs have as many flaws as do the M's. So, are they for real? That depends on what "for real" means. If it means a .500ish club, the answer is probably yes. Before the season the majority of those out there that cared to venture a prediction guessed somewhere between 68 and 78 wins. A few predicted fewer, and a few predicted more. But very few. But if "for real" means winning the west, the answer isn't the same. Yet. The M's are very likely to look to add... Full Story - Comments (80) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-05-19 Prospect Insider Chat Alert: Monday, May 23 @ 8PM PT -- FREE to ALL. Click here to set a reminder. Each week, it all changes, so stay with us. The rage this past week or so has been centered around Keith Law's first-round mock draft that projects Pittsburgh to pass on both Gerrit Cole and Anthony Rendon, and for Seattle to tab Rendon at No. 2 overall. In my last mock draft -- the second full-round version -- I projected Seattle to snag Florida prep shortstop Francisco Lindor. So, I'm betting there needs to be an explanation. Subscribers can get that explanation as well as the latest mock draft by clicking here. If you are not yet a subscriber, click here and get access!... Full Story - Comments (80) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-05-17 It's May 17 and the Seattle Mariners are 17-23 but just 4 1/2 games back of the division-leading Texas Rangers, despite having two others clubs in front of them. The club is streaky -- seven-game losing streak followed by two wins and then another four-game losing streak. They were 4-11 at that point but have gone 13-12 since, a respectable mark. What now? They have received tremendous starting pitching, and some of it is sustainable, and despite the defense being porous and the bullpen blowing at least five games late, the offense has scored juuuust enough to win more games than they have lost. Is it time to pull the plug on Jack Cust at DH and try the red-hot Mike Carp? Once the super-two status deadline passes is Dustin Ackley the starting second baseman? If so, who loses his roster spot and why? Do the M's make a couple of deals between now and July 31 to stay in the race, and if so, who do they target and how do they land them? You make the move. It's your chance to rosterbate. Be clear, cover all the bases, be realistic and know that others will critique and disagree with your ideas. Any posts that ramble, are not easy to read or follow along with the moves will be deleted. Any responses -- or responses to responses -- that fly out of line will be deleted, too. This is a time to discuss ideas, not to rip on someone else's thoughts. We have 250 other posts per calendar year to do that. Work together, make suggestion... Full Story - Comments (141) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-05-15 This isn't normally my thing, but a rundown of what the M's prospects did Sunday is a fun one, starting with Dustin Ackley's 4-hit day that included three hits and a double. Mike Carp, not a prospect by definition, belted three homers among his four hits, and is now up to .303/.362/.606 with 10 long balls. There may come a time when Carp might actually be useful in a part-time role. He's still just 24. Dan Cortes tossed a flawless ninth inning to close out the win, though it was anything but a high-leverage appearance as the Rainiers won 18-6. Alex Liddi had two hits and two walks and Matt Tuiasosopo singled and drew three walks as Tacoma's lineup took advantage -- and scored against -- all four of New Orleans' pitchers. The Double-A Jackson Generals plated 15 runs of their own, though our buddy Carlos Triunfel went 0-for-4 with two errors. He did draw a walk, however. Kyle Seager doubled and homered and continues to defy the scouting eye. It doesn't look like Seager can do anything more than hit for gap power. But he has four long balls and 14 doubles and his OPS climbed over .850 this weekend. Outfielder Jake Schaffer, 23, is starting to turn a few heads, though more on a "useful player" scale than a potential future regular. He's up to .338 after Sunday's game and has a little pop, but he's a free swinger, albeit from the left side. The prospect of the day, despite Ackley's day, was right-hander Taijuan Walker, who fanned 11... Full Story - Comments (16) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-05-13 I get 25 questions a day asking me about Dustin Ackley. "When will he be called up?" "Why can't he hit left-handers?" "He's hitting .224, what is the deal?" Let's answer those and more in quick fashion. Ackley started off slow, similar to last season, but has turned it up a notch of late -- just as he did in May of 2010. But it's been a better year for the former No. 2 overall pick. He's hitting for more power -- five homers and seven doubles in 35 games -- than he did a year ago when he didn't get his 12th extra-base hit until May 27 and didn't reach five home runs until August 13 after he'd been promoted to Tacoma from Double-A. No, his overall numbers don't look great, but I'm as confident in his future as I have ever been, thanks to a .319/.450/.596 May so far and a .316/.449/.632 line over his past 10 games. In that 10-game stretch he's walked 10 times and fanned five, stolen two bases and tallied six extra-base hits, three of them long balls. And all three of those homers and four of his five for the year have come at home in the cold weather at Cheney Stadium, rather than in the warm-aired bandboxes in Reno, Las Vegas, Tucson and in many other parks in the PCL. Ackley enters play Friday with a .246/.376/.401 line and a split of .243/.420/.405 against left-handed pitching, including six hits in his last 14 at-bats with four walks, four strikeouts and two extra-bases hits, one a homer. In general, Ackley is better today than he w... Full Story - Comments (22) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-05-12 We're less than four weeks away from draft day and I have to tell you, I don't know much about what's going to happen. The last two years each consisted of easy No. 1 overall picks and while this season started with a clear top two or three, things haven't worked out that way. Those are baseball odds for ya. In this edition of Draft Weekly, we'll take a look at the draft stock of several top talents and which targets the M's are focusing on with the No. 2 pick, the No. 62 pick and toss out Mock Draft 2.0.  Jed Bradley, LHP -- Georgia Tech Bradley's stock has fallen a bit due to a lack of an out pitch -- as I wrote today at ESPN -- but I still think he's a better prospect than Virginia's Danny Hultzen, who has the better breaking ball but has a somewhat limited upside. Even during his "struggles" -- and I put that word in quotations because the dude is still not getting hit despite the lack of strikeouts -- Bradley is sitting 91-96 with his fastball and has thrown strikes. After UCLA's... Full Story - Comments (60) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-05-09 The Seattle Mariners have called up Mike Wilson from Triple-A Tacoma, and he will be in uniform and available for Tuesday's game versus the Baltimore Orioles. To make room on the roster, Ryan Langerhans was designated for assignment, which isn't the move I would have made, but there's not going to be tears shed for the loss of Langerhans. He is, however, the better runner and defender, and a similar offensive value to Milton Bradley, but perhaps his left-handedness was the deciding factor as Wilson's arrival is partly due to the fact he could help balance the lineup better. Bradley was also DFA'd Monday, however, as the club recalled Carlos Peguero. Now that's more like it. Wilson was drafted in the second round 10 years ago -- yes, you read that right. Wilson was a 2001 draftee out of Booker T. Washington High School in Oklahoma. He passed up football scholarships to take the money and give baseball a shot. He's put up numbers at most levels, and is tearing up the PCL right now, but he's almost always done it as one of the older players in the circuit. His bat speed is average, but he's tremendously strong, producing well above-average raw power. He has problems with good velocity, and can't handle fastballs in on him. He likes to extend his arm and has power to left-center, all the way round to right-center. At times Wilson sits breaking ball and can generally do a good job hitting them hard, but he will chase balls out of the zone,... Full Story - Comments (67) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-05-04 The Seattle Mariners are loaded with young power arms. Felix Hernandez and Michael Pineda are lighting up the big leagues and down in Class-A Clinton, there are more potential frontline starters and high-leverage relievers, including George Mieses, James Paxton, Forrest Snow, Brandon Maurer and now last year's top pick Taijuan Walker. Walker will start Thursday for Clinton. I spoke to M's player development director Pedro Grifol about Walker Wednesday afternoon and the reason Walker was held back was simply about avoiding having a high school arm pitch from February through August. He threw bullpens in March and was stretched out in April in extended spring training games, with the last three or four going 5-6 innings each and up to 80 pitches or so. Walker is working on a changeup, but didn't need it in XST games, so the challenge of pitching in the Midwest League beckoned the right-hander. Walker was sitting 94-97 mph with the fastball and getting his mid-80s curveball over for strikes. The Lumberkings rotation may get another boost later in May when right-hander Jose (Vicente) Campos joins the roster. He's also down in extended spring training and is just about ready for an assignment. He, too, is sitting mid-90s with a hard breaking ball, probably closer to a slider at this stage. James Paxton, who made his debut last week, was schedule to go again Monday but was tagged in the back of the left shoulder over th... Full Story - Comments (46) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-05-01  The revolutionary FastArm throwing aid -- designed by former Major League pitcher Bob Kaiser -- uses leverage, momentum and centrifugal force to sharpen your throwing mechanics. The popular training aid was recently named "Best of Show" at the 66th annual ABCA Convention held at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. from January 6-9, 2011, and comes with a 30-Day 100 percent Money Back Guarantee. How the FastArm Works When used correctly, the FastArm moves freely and effortlessly and programs your throwing mechanics while preparing your joints for higher speeds and loading. Where muscle contractions are required, the FastArm provides instant feedback. The proper positioning of the end naturally guides your arm to rotate at key positions during the throwing motion. With a little consistent practice, you learn to program your arm to make these transitions with less effort and great consistency. The result is less strain to your arm and a more efficient, powerful throw! Believers in the Product The FastArm is used and endorsed by Texas Rangers pitcher Neftali Feliz. In addition, former big leagu... Full Story - Comments (34) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-04-29 It's been a strange few weeks on the scouting trail as we finish up the month of April, but I do think we've learned a few things.One of those things is that the depth in Pacific Northwest is strong, but it's lighter at the top than originally expected. Shorewood HS lefty Blake Snell and Redmond's Dylan Davis have not taken that big step forward into firm Day 1 consideration and the injury to OSU's Andrew Susac does nothing positive for his draft stock. Around the country, there has been tons of movement and subscribers can check that out by clicking here. If you are not a subscriber, click here to remedy such a problem and view the PNW Top 10, the initial first-round mock draft of the year and notes on top prospects.... Full Story - Comments (18) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-04-28 Despite the solid stat line Wednesday in the 10-1 victory, Seattle Mariners left-hander Erik Bedard was nowhere near the pitcher the club thought they were trading for heading into the 2008 season. I know, the seven innings of one-run ball on five hits without a walk is an attractive result, but Bedard got lucky. No, I'm not saying he pitched poorly and the results are a complete accident, but I am saying he's still far away from the frontline starter he was three years ago, and Wednesday was just the best showing of his second career as a risky, mid-rotation starter. First off, he's a different pitcher, throwing far fewer fastballs and more changeups and cutters. This is because his average fastball is around 89-90 mph right now, down 2-3 mph from three seasons ago. But he's getting significantly fewer swings and misses, the curveball is slower and with an earlier break that lacks some bite -- except for a handful on Wednesday. In other words, Bedard's stuff is several grades off what it was in 2007 and early 2008, and his command is only marginally better. With hitters making more contact against inferior pitches, we're not likely to see as many results like Wednesday's. Yes, it was an improved effort from Bedard, who simply threw more quality strikes, commanding his fastball better than in previous outings and getting a little help from a Detroit Tigers lineup that was extremely aggressive early in counts and seemed out in front on severa... Full Story - Comments (23) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-04-24  Every few weeks or so we'll visit the minors, both in and out of the Seattle Mariners organization and construct a hot sheet of sorts. It won't be a simple ranking of prospects, but a combo of a player's assessed future value and his recent trends. it just won't simply be based on statistical results.The bats in the M's system started off ice cold but this edition consists mostly of hitters. Surprise, surprise. 1. Carlos Triunfel, SS -- Jackson (AA) Triunfel starts Sunday with a .283/.333/.483 line in 15 games but his eight extra-base hits (six doubles and two homers) stick out because he didn't get his eighth extra-base knock last season until May 23 -- exactly one month later than this season. He's also made just one error, and while that doesn't measure range and problems around the bag with the double play, routine mistakes has been the biggest reason why Triunfel has been a question mark at the position. He's still making contact -- just seven strikeouts -- and has four walks, which is somewhat low but it's not Denny Almonte territory, and is a pace for a career-best mark for the 21-year-old Triunfel. 2. Nick Franklin, SS -- High Desert (A+) Franklin's .291/.409/.473 line is impressive because he started so poorly.... Full Story - Comments (26) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-04-22 I spent the day at Cheney Stadium Thursday, getting there before anyone else but the maintenance crew and other team employees, as usual, and had a plan to get down to the field during BP and talk to Dustin Ackley, Dan Cortes and the coaching staff. But my plans changed when an AL Central scout and I began discussing Alex Liddi. G. Gordon Liddi as the scout called him. "I look at these numbers and I'm not sure why he's in the lineup," the scout said. "He's not hitting with runners in scoring position, he's not hitting with the bases empty ... he's not hitting." It's a small sample size, but those numbers reflect what the scouting eye suggests in the first place. Liddi isn't a big-league ballplayer. "He can't play there," the scout said of Liddi's chances to play third base. "He doesn't have good hands and he I wrote the word 'stiff' by his name after the first two games here." Liddi's swing path is long and he lacks the bat speed to make up for it. His other plate skills -- pitch recognition, strike zone judgment, plate coverage -- all grade below average right now. He's not hitting the ball the other way like he did a few years back in High Desert, prompting the scout to suggest that "somebody told him to hit home runs." That flies with his pull-happy approach. He does have a good arm and has been better in the past in all aspects, and he's just 21, so it's not time to completely give up on the kid. His statistics this month can ulti... Full Story - Comments (32) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-04-20 The Seattle Mariners, getting as thin at the Triple-A level as Jay "Bone" Buhner is under his John Deere hat, have signed former Milwaukee Brewers farmhand Angels Salome to a minor league deal, according to numerous reports -- I learned about it via a tweet by Mike Curto who saw a report by Baseball America. Salome, a catcher, is short in stature at 5-foot-7 but is capable defensively and is not without some abilities at the plate. His numbers in the low minors were very good, both in the power department and in terms of hitting for average and getting base, but a few nagging injuries and the advanced pitching in the upper levels of the minors stunted his development. He'll likely replace Jose Yepez on the Rainiers' roster and help Josh Bard fill out the week's schedule behind the plate, but he hasn't caught since 2009. It's not a surprise that Salome would be the choice, as GM Jack Zduriencik was the Scouting Director in Milwaukee when Salome was signed of the Dominican Republic. If he's 100 percent, Salome may even be a better backup option than Chris Gimenez or Bard, but we're probably a ways off from the 24-year-old showing that is a possibility. "Last time I saw him catch he showed a lack of urgency, as if he was hurt, but he didn't hit the DL at all that year. I wouldn't expect him to do much." One other aspect to think about with Salome is the odd nature of his return, or l... Full Story - Comments (8) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-04-19 The Seattle Mariners placed first baseman Justin Smoak on the bereavement list Tuesday and called up outfielder Carlos Peguero to take Smoak's roster spot. Chris Gimenez and Adam Kennedy figure to be the first basemen in Smoak's absence. Peguero isn't likely to stay up long, as Smoak will almost certainly be back in a day or two, but don't expect much from him if he gets any time -- unless the opposing team (Detroit Tuesday and Wednesday) fails to do any homework at all and throws him fastballs catching the middle of the plate. Peguero, a left-handed hitter, gears up for the heater and can hit it -- hard and far -- and if he gets a little lucky and squares up a breaking ball, it will travel great distances, too. But a steady diet of offspeed stuff and staying out of the middle of the plate equals not much going on in terms of production for Peguero, as his overall plate discipline is below average and his pitch recognition is worse than any "prospect" the M's have this side of Greg Halman. Peguero moves well for a guy listed at 230-plus pounds (as high as 245) but belongs in a corner outfield spot. He does have some athleticism and good arm strength. He's going to swing and miss, and he won't hit for average in complete sample sizes but he could connect on an extra-base hit or two if he gets the opportunity. He has cut the swing down a bit, but it's still long, so despite the low strikeout totals in Triple-A, it's the approach -- atta... Full Story - Comments (7) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-04-18 The minor league season is less than two weeks old but scouts are already talking, which means we have notes on the top prospects, both in and out of the Seattle Mariners organization. Subscribers can check out this week's Intel by clicking here. If you are not a subscriber, click here to gain access and become an insider.... Full Story - Comments (30) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-04-15  Game 1 of the new era begins Friday night at the new Cheney Stadium -- if the weather holds up, anyway -- and I took a walk around to get a look. I didn't take any video of the inside of the clubhouse and coach's offices or training room, for obvious reasons. But I took a little of the field as viewed from inside the home dugout and just outside it.It's not great video, but it will give you an idea. But it's a palace, and anyone that can should come take a look this season. And if you're into baseball betting, make a wager on the Tacoma Rainiers being around for several more decades, if not forever, and that the M's maintain their relationship with the R's for many years to come. The suites are awesome, the general admission seating is sweet and the food is ... to be determined, but I do not recommend the Pizza. So far, the Chicken Panini Sandwich (Ryan Divish of The News Tribune) has received the best review. The cheeseburger was tested by the TNT's John McGrath and came back with a 45 grade on the 20-80 scouting scale. But there are dozens of new options -- it will take me half the year to try everything, but I... Full Story - Comments (10) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-04-14  It was April of 1999 when the Tacoma Rainiers brought in Mike Curto to handle the play-by-play duties on the radio. We could stop there and render a "and the rest, as they say, is history," but that wouldn't be original. And unoriginal wouldn't describe Mr. Curto in the slightest.My first memory of listening to Curto goes back to 2001 during the club's run to the Pacific Coast League title series, one that was never played due to the events of 9-11. It wasn't long after that until Curto's voice came through as loud and clear – and as often -- as those of Dave Niehaus and Rick Rizzs of the big-league club, at least through my car stereo and eventually over the internet. Curto has a little bit of a different style. It's direct and somewhat simple, but not without flavor, style and even some panache when the game calls for it. But none are the attribute that makes Curto the unique asset he is on the air. Not many broadcasters change with the times. Generally, even the great ones, the legends, stick with what they knew when they broke into the business. Batting averages, runs batted in and earned run average will forever be utilized over the airwaves of even the better play-by-play men in the business. And while Curto can be heard referring to these te... Full Story - Comments (12) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-04-12  Here we are 10 games into the season heading into Tuesday night's game with the Toronto Blue Jays and I already want the club to make one change.No, it's not replacing Doug Fister with Blake Beavan or sending Tom Wilhelmsen to Triple-A in favor of Dan Cortes or even benching Chone Figgins in favor of Monday night's hero Luis Rodriguez. The Seattle Mariners need to Free Michael Saunders. No, I don't think the club should trade him, I think they need to sit Ryan Langerhans and Milton and let Saunders play every day. Every day. Not five days out of seven or six in a 7-game week -- every single day. Larry Stone of the Seattle Times wrote about this Sunday and suggests that he's earning more time with his play, and after he (and Justin Smoak) had a a strong game again in the series opener versus Toronto, there's no reason to take him out of the lineup for any reason other than injury. The new mechanics, one in which he's not only shortened the swing but completely eliminated the load and timing mechanism and is now more reminiscent to John Olerud, have given him new life. The power is still there thanks to... Full Story - Comments (54) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-04-07  The season is upon us -- the big leagues opened a week ago and around these parts, the real season starts Thursday. For the affiliates in the Seattle Mariners' organization, there's fun on every roster, both in terms of chances to win games and future big-league talent.Let's take a look at each club individually. And no, I will not make statistical projections, it's silly, especially with the rosters of the other clubs in each league unofficial. And there are so many other factors, such as weather, health and for pitchers, the lack of polished gloves behind them that skew the numbers. That is why the traditional numbers mean so little.
Tacoma not only has a couple of prospects -- they also have several that could see time in the big leagues that aren't necessarily considered good prospects, or prospects at all. Greg Halman's second go-round in Tacoma is likely his last shot to make significant improvements toward a career as an everyday player in the major... Full Story - Comments (67) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-04-07 It's about that time, just less than a week after the big leaguers got their season under way, the future begin their trek to stardom.Subscribers can check out my M's MiLB preview with analysis on where the top 10 prospects were assigned -- or not assigned. This will serve as part 1 of 2, with the second piece coming later Thursday. If you're new here, or have yet to become an insider, click here to subscribe. Everyone can check out where the top 50 prospects in Keith Law's Prospect Rankings are to start the 2011 campaign, by clicking here. ... Full Story - Comments (8) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-04-05 The club is apparently still deciding on a couple of the names on the High Desert and Jackson rosters -- possibly whether to make Josh Fields active or not -- but as of Tuesday night below is official. Pitchers Anthony Vasquez Nick Hill (DL) Steven Hensley Andrew Carraway Bobby LaFromboise Brian Moran Scott Patterson Stephen Penney Jarret Grube Josh Fields Moises Hernandez Kenn Kasparek Erasmo Ramirez Donnie Hume (DL) Stephen Kahn (DL) Catchers Jose Yepez Brandon Bantz Infielders Johan Limonta Rich Poythress Scott Savastano Kyle Seager Carlos Triunfel Edilio Colina (DL) Luis Jimenez (DL) Outfielders Joe Dunigan (DL) Brandon Haveman Kuo Hui Lo (DL) James McOwen Nate Tenbrink Eddy Martinez-Esteve (DL) Johermyn Chavez Jake Shaffer Notes: Limonta is listed as an infielder but could play some outfield -- though not well. The rotation should consist of Carraway, Ramirez, Vasquez, Kasparek and Hensley, at least until Hume or Hill returns. It's an aggressive assignment for Ramirez but a good test. He sat 86-89 during the spring but an Indians scout got him at 91 a couple of time. There's little projection in his physical makeup, so he kind of is what he is, but he does throw strikes with three pitches. ... Full Story - Comments (19) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-04-05 Haven't tracked down the one for Double-A Jackson, but having Tacoma, Clinton and High Desert make the Jackson one easy to figure out. But here's the Advanced-A roster. Pitchers Alfredo Venegas (DL) Stephen Pryor (DL) Austin Hudson Tim Boyce Chris Kirkland Nick Czyz James Gillheeney Taylor Stanton Yoervis Medina Chris Source Jonahan Hesketh John Housey Daniel Cooper Jose Jimenez Catchers Trevor Coleman Ralph Henriquez Infielders Dennis Raben (yes, listed as an infielder) Gabriel Noriega Vinnie Catricala Jake Schlander Matt Browning Nick Franklin Shaver Hansen (DL) Mario Martinez (DL) Outfielders Denny Almonte Daniel Carrol James Jones Kalian Sams... Full Story - Comments (13) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-04-05 These will all be released today, but let's get them in one place here. Pitchers Tyler Blandford Matt Bischoff Forrest Snow Seon-Gi Kim Jason Markovitz Jonathan Arias (DL) Brandon Maurer Edlando Seco Tyler Burgoon Willy Kesler Stephen Kohlscheen George Mieses Anthony Fernandez Fray Martinez Catchers Steve Baron Carlton Tanabe Infielders Anthony Phillips Marcus Littlewood Stefen Romero Ramon Morla Mickey Wiswall Tim Morris Carlos Ramirez Outfielder Matt Cerione Kevin Rivers Julio Morban... Full Story - Comments (9) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-04-05 The Tacoma Rainiers have released their official roster, so here it is. Pitchers Blake Beavan Denny Bautista Dan Cortes Manny Delcarmen Luke French Cesar Jimenez Justin Miller Edward Paredes Chaz Roe Royce Ring Chris Seddon Chris Smith Catchers Josh Bard Chris Gimenez Infielders Dustin Ackley Leury Bonilla Jetsy Extrano Sean Kazmar Alex Liddi Matt Tuisosopo Outfielders Mike Carp Greg Halman Carlos Peguero Mike Wilson Notes: Clearly, Extrano and Bonilla are placeholders for Matt Mangini and Luis Rodriguez. Mangini is on the DL and Rodriguez is in the big leagues, likely only until David Aardsma returns from his own trip to the disabled list. I believe Charlie Haeger is on the roster but on the disabled list. ... Full Story - Comments (8) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-04-04  Minor league camp ended over the weekend and players are headed for their destinations. I have a couple of assignments to pass long in this week's Intel, and the rosters will be out shortly.But first, if you missed it live, check out my weekly segment on 950 KJR with Ian Furness and Jason Puckett by clicking here. And be sure to listen to the very end, I think the guys liked my sign-off line. Aaaand, we're off ... Forrest Snow, RHP Snow was named the organization's pitcher of the spring and is looking to return to starting where he spent most of camp. Snow started 12 games at the University of Washington but was used exclusively in relief in his first pro season. The right-hander continues to develop physically, now standing 6-foot-7 and weighing in at about 225 pounds. He's sitting 91-95 as a starter, toughing the higher digits within that range up to 70 pitches and dominating his own teammates and the rest of the minor Cactus Leaguers -- he didn't allow a run all spring. It's not time to anoint Snow a top 10 prospect or anything, butif he's going to sit low 90s and touch the mid-90s and throw strikes in the process, he's going to pitch in the big le... Full Story - Comments (8) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-04-03  I went and checked out another area prospect last week, this time checking in on left-hander Blake Snell of Shorewood High School.There doesn't appear to be a consensus on Snell among the area scouts I have talked to -- some prefer him to Redmond's Dylan Davis, some do not. Subscribers can find out why that is in my scouting report on Snell, as well as check out the video I shot of him by clicking here. If you aren't yet a subscriber, click here and become one. Jason A. Churchill is Executive Editor at Prospect Insider, founded in 2006, and has covered scouting and player development since 2003, writing for publications such as InsidethePark.com, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and The News Tribune. You can follow Jason on Twitter @ProspectInsider, as well as Full Story - Comments (6) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-04-02  We already have a pretty good idea about the bulk of the Tacoma Rainiers roster for 2011, but let's get it out on paper, so to speak, so we can take a look at the most likely possibilities.Some of these are no-brainers and automatics, some are not. Also, we have to remember how the disabled list will impact the initial roster and the rosters down the line as those players return. We'll tackle potential promotions in a post once the rosters are official and we see where the top prospects have been placed, though I don't suspect any major surprises. I still, however, suspect one of the upper-level fringe prospects gets traded sometime early in the season, perhaps a former $3 million player. First Base Mike Carp Luis Jimenez Johan Limonta Second Base Dustin Ackley Third Base Alex Liddi Matt Tuiasosopo Shortstop Sean Kazmar Catcher Josh Bard Chris Gimenez Jose Yepez Outfield Greg Halman Carlos Peguero Mike Wilson Starting Pitcher Charlie Haeger Blake Beavan Luke French Yusmeiro Petit Chaz Roe Relief Pitcher Scott Patterson Cesar Jimenez Manny Delcarmen Dan Cortes Chr... Full Story - Comments (10) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-04-02 I'm not sure how many of these we'll do this year -- it's not our MO here at Prospect Insider -- but it seemed a worthy task after an Opening Night victory on the road. The story of the night was Felix Hernandez, but he wasn't alone. While the right-hander pounded the strike zone, the Seattle Mariners actually forced 184 pitches out of six Oakland Athletics pitchers, drawing seven walks to counter 14 strikeouts. Yes, the A's defense let them down, but the M's did squeeze out nine hits, including a double by Justin Smoak and a long ball by Chone Figgins, probably his only one of the season, so he made it count. Hernandez's command was a bit spotty, at least with the fastball, but he had tremendous movement on everything, mixed in the curveball and changeup and confused the entire Oakland lineup by going back and forth between the two-seamer and four-seamer. Three things I saw that I did not like Justin Smoak expanding the strike zone He swung at at least three pitches out of the zone tonight, two on breaking balls early in the count. Part of his potential success is going to be managing the count when the opposing pitcher could use the offspeed stuff as a weapon and getting more fastballs to hit. Jumping on breaking balls down and in on the first pitch isn't a good plan. Langerhans in the lineup Langerhans has a reverse career split and the A's will start a left-hander Saturday in Brett Anderson and another i... Full Story - Comments (12) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-03-31 We do this every year for fun, so we'll do it again and see how awfully wrong we can be once more. Copy and paste my predictions and change my picks to yours! Here are mine: AL West 1. Oakland 2. Texas 3. Los Angeles 4. Seattle AL Central 1. Detroit 2. Chicago 3. Minnesota 4. Kansas City 5. Cleveland AL East 1. Boston 2. New York 3. Tampa Bay 4. Toronto 5. Baltimore AL Batting Champ Kevin Youkilis, Boston AL Home Run Champ Adam Dunn, Chicago AL ERA Champ Felix Hernandez, Seattle AL Rookie of the Year Kyle Drabek, RHP -- Toronto AL Cy Young Jon Lester AL MVP Miguel Cabrera NL West 1. San Francisco 2. Colorado 3. Los Angeles 4. San Diego 5. Arizona NL Central 1. Cincinnati 2. St. Louis 3. Milwaukee 4. Chicago 5. Houston 6. Pittsburgh NL East 1. Atlanta 2. Philadelphia 3. Florida 4. Washington 5. New York NL Batting Champ Hanley Ramirez, Florida NL Home Run Champ Ryan Howard, Philadelphia NL ERA Champ Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles <... Full Story - Comments (37) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-03-29  I think we all know the Seattle Mariners aren't likely to win 90 games and contend in the American League West -- although none of the other three clubs are runaway favorites that appear capable of winning 95-100 games. So 2011 is, whether the club publicly admits it or not, somewhat of a rebuilding season.Since that is the case, GM Jack Zduriencik has a lot of work to do in order to put together a roster that can win 95 games and challenge the best teams in the circuit. Part of that work will have to be done via free agency, but Zduriencik is a pretty good trader. In that light, let's take a look at the club's top 10 trade assets, minus Ichiro -- because it's just not happening -- and Felix Hernandez, because at the very least it's not happening between now and July 31.
He wasn't the No. 1 prospect but because he's a potential impact starting pitcher and is big-league ready -- or close to it, at least -- he tops this list. It's difficult to imagine Seattle trading Pineda un... Full Story - Comments (13) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-03-26  I skipped the draft weekly last week to focus on the pro guys down in Arizona -- and we still have some video left to publish -- but there was too much going on to skip this week entirely. We'll be back in Tuesday's slot next week, but here's a weekend edition to whet the whistle. By the way, there is video of one the top prospects in the northwest region below.Seattle Mariners at No. 2 I have my own theory about the M's at No. 2, which is if there is a college player there that makes a lot of sense -- i.e. Gerrit Cole, Anthony Rendon -- that is the direction I strongly believe the club will go. The reason I see it that way is based on the more-than-lukewarm seat Jack Zduriencik may be on this season, one that will certainly heat up a year from now. Selecting a prep player doesn't help Zduriencik improve his stock with the M's ownership group and front office suits, because there is a virtually no chance that player helps before 2013 or 2014. But there are scenarios that I could see Cole or Rendon not being the pick. For one, Pittsburgh may very well tab Cole at No. 1 and Rendon -- who began playing third base again earlier this week -- may not grade out well enough to be worth the price and risk (injuries) at No. 2. On my own created su... Full Story - Comments (54) By: Chris Crawford on 2011-03-25  Ground ball singleAs you've probably heard by now, Seattle has officially announced that Brendan Ryan will be the everyday shortstop, with Jack Wilson moving over to second base. The "switch" was not without controversy, as Wilson has no major league experience at the position, and reportedly was hoping to stay at short during the last year of his contract. The move was the right one to make, however, for a couple of important reasons. First, with Wilson having but one year left on his deal, keeping Ryan at shortstop is the best thing for the long-term success of the club. With the former Cardinal tied to the organization through at least 2012, the club is better off gaining as much value from Ryan as possible, and they gain that value by having him play his best position. It also gives Wilson the opportunity to show some versatility, which will benefit the club in increasing his trade value, limited as it may be. Most importantly, when Dustin Ackley is ready to be called up from Tacoma and play regularly, it may make more sense since Wilson could potentially attract trade interest, opening a spot for Ackley without the concern of a crowded position. Double One of the prospects that I Full Story - Comments (11) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-03-24 We've got more video and tonight's set includes a short glimpse at Guillermo Pimentel and Hassiel Jimenez and several pitches from right-hander Tyler Burgoon. Below (Click 'Full Story') is a spliced video of a few Texas Rangers prospects from this past weekend, including first-round picks Kellin Deglan and Jake Skole and top shortstop prospect Jurickson Profar, as well as Mariners' outfield prospect Dennis Raben. Subscribers can view the vids of Pimentel, Jimenez and Burgoon by clicking here. If you are not yet a subscriber, here are your options. Raben is back and looking as if he may last a full season this time. He hit well in his abbreviated time last year and has a shot to break camp in Double-A Jackson this season, but could start back in High Desert, too. The Rangers, in order they appear: Catcher Kellin Deglan, right-hander Eric Hurley, outfielder Jake Skole and Jurickson Profar, who may be the top teen shortstop in pro ball. Full Story - Comments (17) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-03-23 A source tells me this week that the Seattle Mariners are the early but heavy favorites to ultimately sign Dominican outfield prospect Ilian Hernandez when the July signing period begins. I don't have a ton of reliable information on Hernandez as a player, but was told that he certainly looks the part. Hernandez is expected to command among the bigger bonuses of the summer. ... Full Story - Comments (25) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-03-21  PEORIA, ARIZONA -- It was Class-A day at the Peoria Sports Complex with the Texas Rangers visiting the grounds. The High Desert group consisted of some aggressive assignments (just for the day, not necessarily for the new season), including international signee Esteilon Peguero.Peguero showed right away that he's not a shortstop, aside from lacking the foot speed and athleticism to even play second base. He's awfully raw and his swing is going to need a complete revamping if he's to develop average or better offensive production. We'll have a short video of Peguero coming this week. Others we'll have video of include Hassiel Jimenez behind the plate, right-hander George Mieses (plus radar readings), third baseman Ramon Morla, left fielder Guillermo Pimentel, right-hander Tyler Burgoon, outfielder Dennis Raben and a few of Rangers prospects, including Kellin Deglan, Jake Skole, and Eric Hurley. The three things that stood out most for me this week: 1. James Paxton, LHP He's clearly been throwing during his down time, but to see him hit the mid-90s and throw all of his pitches without bouncing the offspeed stuff to the plate or throw any fastballs to the backstop was a good sign. 2. Carlos Triunfel,... Full Story - Comments (35) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-03-20 PEORIA, ARIZONA -- Saturday at the minor league complex was Day 1 of the MiLB Cactus League season. The San Diego Padres were the opponent, with the Double-A and Triple-A clubs playing their games on the home side of PSC.Big leaguers Doug Fister, Josh Bard, Josh Wilson and Dustin Ackley got some work in the Triple-A game, with prospects filling out the rest of the lineup. The Padres even had some names get a look at Fister, including first baseman Anthony Rizzo, centerfielder Cedric Hunter and third baseman James Darnell. But the buzz of the day for me was getting a look at James Paxton throw a bullpen session. Subscribers can click here for radar readings of his four-pitch arsenal and video of the session. If you are not yet a subscriber, click here to choose your membership. Also included in this spring training report: Video of Nick Franklin from both sides of the plate and scouting notes on Philips Castillo, Guillermo Pimentel, Christian Carmichael and a 48th-round pick.... Full Story - Comments (8) By: Chris Crawford on 2011-03-19 PEORIA, ARIZONA -- Last year, Prospect Insider gave you the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of the 2010 Mariners season -- with an emphasis on the bad and ugly due to unforeseen awfulness.This year, we're going to give you something similar, but we've pumped up the creativity volume. We call it "The Cycle," and it will take you on a magical journey through the comings and goings of the baseball season -- taking a look at the happenings of everything from the big league club down to players the Mariners could be targeting in the 2011 draft. Two-out Walk Any Mariners fan who has had the "pleasure" to watch the team since 2004 knows that patience hasn't exactly been Seattle's forte, at least at the plate. Seattle was dead last in on-base percentage last season, and over the last few drafts and international signing periods, the M's took what could only be called a lackluster approach to acquiring players that were willing to work the count. These last few drafts, however, have been a different story, and over the last couple of days the game plan we've seen out of a few minor-leaguers has been impressive. Kyle Seager's ability to get on base was well noted in High Desert last season, but seeing him in person gives you a completel... Full Story - Comments (2) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-03-18  PEORIA, ARIZONA -- Thursday we skipped the team practices and worked the intrasquad games, instead, getting a look at several interesting prospects. Subscribers can check out the report that includes word on three young arms that reached the upper-90s and two young position players that rank among the top talents in the system -- and a couple videos -- from Thursday by clicking here. If you are not yet a subscriber, click here and change that.... Full Story - Comments (17) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-03-17  PEORIA, ARIZONA -- As the Seattle Mariners are nearing the start of their campaign in attempt to buck the MLB odds, the kids in the system -- the future of the ballclub -- are working off the rust.Upon arrival at the complex Wednesday morning, I was able to gather some intel that will be helpful going forward: Grouping assignments, as well a good chunk of batting practice and an intrasquad game. for the groupings, tt doesn't mean these levels are where the player starts the 2011 season, but sometimes it is a sign, and other times it's a strong indication of nothing at all. On to the info! (Note: We're really only mentioning prospects and other notables, rather than entire rosters, so names like Johan Limonta will not be listed) Group 1 - Tacoma/Jackson Carlos Triunfel, SS Triunfel was one of six batting practice sessions I focused on today, and there have been some adjustments made in his stance and swing. He's starting with his front foot pointed toward the pitcher; a year ago this month, he was open, with that left foot facing the hole at shortstop, and his hands are lower and a little closer to his body. This appears to a... Full Story - Comments (11) By: Rick Randall on 2011-03-13  Each week here at Prospect Insider we will take a look around the minor and major leagues at some intriguing prospects and their performances from the past week of action. This first installment takes a look at some of the prospects making noise in Spring Training for their clubs.Freddie Freeman, 1B -- Atlanta Braves Reportedly showed up to camp with 20 added pounds of muscle and a very easy road to an everyday job for the Braves, but he hasn't been taking it easy on the competition and resting on those laurels. He is stinging the ball and showing an approach that is far more advanced than his age would suggest. Some scouts initially questioned the power for Freeman, but with his 6-foot-5 frame starting to fill out quickly it looks like the power could be there right out of the gate for the 21-year old. A.J. Pollock, CF -- Arizona Diamondbacks Pollock was a first-round pick in 2009 and had moderate results and a good approach that first season in the Midwest League that had him fast tracking, but he suffered a pretty severe and freak elbow injury last spring that required surgery, and ended up missing all of the 2010 season. He's come to camp for the Diamondbacks to show off his skills but also to show he has recovered from tha... Full Story - Comments (11) By: Chris Crawford on 2011-03-11 Last year, Prospect Insider gave you the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of the 2010 Mariners season -- with an emphasis on the bad and ugly due to unforeseen awfulness.This year, we're going to give you something similar, but we've pumped up the creativity volume. We call it "The Cycle," and it will take you on a magical journey through the comings and goings of the baseball season -- taking a look at the happenings of everything from the big league club down to players the Mariners could be targeting in the 2011 draft. Bases Loaded Walk Barring an injury to the current middle infield options, Dustin Ackley isn't likely to make his major-league debut until the summer months -- or at least the spring -- but the early results this month are encouraging. Ackley has walked five times in his 17 plate appearances, helping him achieve a .471 on-base percentage, second only to Jack Wilson for any hitter in camp with more than 10 plate appearances. The concern with Ackley has never lied with his ability to get on base, but rather on the defensive side and power abilities. The facts still show that the top prospect in the system is getting on base 47 percent of the time against some of the best competition he's seen. If Ackley can do this for t... Full Story - Comments (16) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-03-09  While Anthony Rendon's bat is on fire, he's still not playing third base, which will become a concern should such a scenario linger into April. But other than that, not a lot has changed among the top prospects in the country, college or prep.For the buzz, a mock top 10 and new Northwest Top 10 and talk about who the No. 1 pick should be, subscribers can click here to jump to the weekly draft report. If you are not yet a subscriber, click here to change that.... Full Story - Comments (10) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-03-08  Michael Saunders has just 456 plate appearances in the big leagues, but he may be running out of time to convince the Seattle Mariners that he is part of their future. He's struggling this spring, and not just statistically. But he's blessed with above-average tools across the board, so why hasn't he put together longer stretched of production?Five words explains that: He still gets himself out. Saunders has holes in his swing, has problems covering the plate effectively and his pitch recognition is on and off, depending on the situation and perhaps the pitcher on the mound. He's been working on firming up his front side and keeping his back side still, which in combination could help him hit the ball the other way some, an aspect of his game that has disappeared the past year or so. His swing is still inconsistent in terms of length; when Saunders is quick to th... Full Story - Comments (27) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-03-04 Churchill on Ackley, Pineda and the service time considerations  The Mariners have officially announced the signing of James Paxton, so we can now talk about his future with the club and where he fits among the club's top prospects.After going back and forth and considering the time off and everything else involved, Paxton fits in as the No. 7 prospect in the organization for Prospect Insider. That's a spot behind shortstop Marcus Littlewood and just ahead of left-hander Mauricio Robles. Paxton, at his best, sits in the 90-94 mph range with a sinking fastball with downward plane, thanks to his 6-foot-4 frame and despite a three-quarter arm slot. His best breaking ball is a true slider that sweeps away from left-handers; it's shown good tilt and late bite at times, but was not consistent last spring, and he had trouble sustaining the good velocity -- something that is most likely due to all the time off. He also throws a slurvy curveball, a pitch that is sometimes good enough to consider using as his exclusive breaking ball, and other times appears as a show-me offering. His delivery is smooth and somewhat deliberate, but his arm path is long,... Full Story - Comments (51) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-03-04 There's been a lot of talk over the winter, and now early during spring training, about if and when Dustin Ackley and Michael Pineda, could and should make their big league debuts. The easy answer is "2011," but to be more specific -- it's not the same answer for both prospects. Both could make the club right out of spring training if it were based on whether or not they are among the best 25 players on the 40-man roster. You can make the argument that Pineda is the second best starting pitcher in the entire organization and it's difficult to believe that Ackley, today, isn't one of the best nine hitters the club has at its disposal. But there's a chance that neither make the initial 2011 roster. Ackley could use more reps at second base and versus left-handed pitching, but scouts are saying he's ready enough at the plate and looks a step better in the field this month than in August. Pineda throws strikes with his fastball and hits his spots with regularity. But his split-change still needs work -- and his slider, too -- and he has had problems keeping his delivery in tact deep into games. But there is the issue of service time, and it does matter. It just matters more for Ackley than it does for Pineda. Ackley, as a Scott Boras client, is more unlikely to sign a long-term extension, therefore making the service time issue an important one for the player and his tenure with the Seattle Mariners. Boras clients are genera... Full Story - Comments (8) By: Chris Crawford on 2011-03-03 Last year, Prospect Insider gave you the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of the 2010 Mariners season -- with an emphasis on the bad and ugly due to unforeseen awfulness.This year, we're going to give you something similar, but we've pumped up the creativity volume. We call it "The Cycle," and it will take you on a magical journey through the comings and goings of the baseball season -- taking a look at the happenings of everything from the big league club down to players the Mariners could be targeting in the 2011 draft. Now that the introduction is out of the way, let's get to the good stuff. Single Michael Pineda had a successful first outing, going two innings without allowing a base-runner and striking out one in the Mariners 5-3 loss to Arizona. Reports from Peoria are that Pineda's fastball was in the 94-98 mph range, and the control -- especially for his first outing of the year -- was impressive. Spring training stats are to be taken with a grain of salt and no matter how well Pineda does, Seattle's most likely course of action will be to have the right-hander start the year in Tacoma. Seeing your best pitching prospect hitting 98 mph on the gun in early March, however, is something to be appreciative of, to say the leas... Full Story - Comments (12) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-03-02 Each week here at Prospect Insider we will take a look around the 2011 draft class, which could prove to be one of the better classes of all time before the spring is over. We'll occasionally focus on one or two players, or a specific region, skill or position. Included in that will be full scouting reports and analysis of the possibilities for the Seattle Mariners at No. 2, and a focus on the Northwest Area, which boasts several potential first-day selections. To read our full 2011 Draft Preview which includes an Area Top 10, click here.Catching There is always a shortage of catching in the draft, just like there is a shortage of it in pro ball already. But two backstops have come up in conversation this past week. One a potential first-round pick and the other a potential sleeper. Oregon State's Andrew Susac, according to an area scout, has shored up his footwork, throwing technique and receiving skills and is handling the position like he could step in very soon and do the same at the big league level. Susac ranked at No. 18 on E... Full Story - Comments (13) By: Chris Crawford on 2011-02-27 Prospect Insider has learned that the Mariners may have come to agreement with James Paxton, via Alex Meyer on Twitter. Meyer, a junior, is a first-round talent in this year's draft class. We would have placed Paxton No. 9 on the handbook, but that is based very much on Paxton regaining his form within a year or so, and that's a guess at this point. As for 2011, Paxton could stay behind in extended spring training to catch up, or he could start the season in Class-A with a chance to move up quickly. Command and consistent secondary stuff are typically the areas of rust after long layoffs.... Full Story - Comments (51) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-02-27  Free for all to see, the Top 15 prospects are revealed by clicking here.For scouting reports, tools grades and peak performance projections, you can get the 2011 Prospect Insider Digital Handbook by clicking here. You'll notice in the Top 15 that each player has received a grade in columns labeled "MLBPR" and "Top 100." If there is a "Yes" in the Top 100 column, the player appeared in Keith Law's Top 100 Rankings. MLBPR stands for MLB Power Ranking. What we did this winter was take Law's Top 10 by organization and rank PI's Top 10 for the M's according to the players' Top 100 Ranking, or by pitting them against each other in conversations with four talent evaluators, including an assistant general manager. This ranking tells you where that player ranks among the rest of the players ranked at that position within their own organizati... Full Story - Comments (7) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-02-24 The 2011 Draft is filled with talent, questions, and even fewer answers than a year ago despite being the deepest class in at least three years, and probably the best since 2005. But this class is like no other it more than one way, starting with the rules changes made by the good 'ole NCAA.The New Bat Regulations Since the late 1990s the NCAA has been looking for a way to temper the impact of the aluminum bat in college baseball, going as far as limiting the weight-length differential and the size of the sweet spot. The changes didn't work, largely due to the reason why the aluminum bat produces what coaches have often referred to as the "trampoline effect" is because aluminum compresses when it meets the ball, serving as a springboard. The offensive output wasn't just because the players were swinging lighter bats much quicker. So this winter, a new testing system was put in place called the BBCOR, which stands for "ball-bat coefficient of restitution." The new system gives values to what happens to the ball and bat when the two meet. These measurements were taken into strong consideration when the new bats were regulated and then manufactured. Now, bats that pass the NCAA qualifications test have minimal trampoline effect a... Full Story - Comments (29) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-02-23 Jump to Chat Replay. - Discuss (6) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-02-23  We'll reveal the entire top 30 as the week unfolds, FREE for all to see. If you want the scouting reports, peak performance projections and 2011 assignments, etc., click here to find out how to get The Handbook.Today, we reveal the back end of the top 30. When clicking on the link below, you can view prospects No. 16-30 in table form and it will open in a new window so you can view and comment on this post at the same time. Click for prospects 16-30. And don't forget tonight's chat at 6pm. Click here to set a reminder. We'll be looking to break a site record for questions answered, so jump in and get your interests addressed.... Full Story - Comments (2) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-02-22 Forever subscribers have been receiving their 2011 Prospect Insider Digital Handbooks since Friday evening, but here's a chance for anyone else to get theirs.And once you get your digital copy, remember there are bookmarks that will take you to any part of the guide you'd like to check out. There's no need to scroll by hand through parts you've already read or want to skip over. To use the bookmarks, open the PDF and look for the blue ribbon on the far left side of your Reader. Clicking that opens the bookmarks as a set of clickable table of contents. If you are a monthly or annual subscriber, click here to get your handbook for $3.49. If you are not a subscriber, never fear, it costs you little more. For non-subscribers, click here to get your handbook for $4.99. If you'd like to become a forever subscriber and get a FREE digital handbook EVERY YEAR, as well as a FREE mid-season Prospect Report, click here. Every cent will be donated to Cole and his family. Once you're payment is complete, please Full Story - Comments (39) By: Joe Kaiser on 2011-02-18 PLEASE click here to help Cole and get a Forever Subscription to Prospect Insider.  Spring is here. Pitchers and catchers have reported. And, from what my family tells me, Seattle is more than due for that one week of beautiful, clear, crisp February weather that always seems to tease the Puget Sound region.Sprinkle in the fact that the brand new Cheney Stadium is set to be unveiled in six weeks -- how crazy cool is that!? -- and there should be a lot to be excited about if you're a baseball fan in and around Seattle. So why, then, am I struggling to get excited about the 2011 Mariners? It's a question I've been asking myself a lot over the past few weeks and months. I mean, as much as I'm into other sports and other things, baseball is and always will be my No. 1. I still can't watch Edgar's double without a Kleenex or think about Junior being carried off the field after the season finale in 2009 without every hair on my arms standing up on end. And with great looking new talents like Justin Smoak, Dustin Ackley and Michael Pineda set to join Felix Hernandez as the faces of the organization for many years to come, there is a lot to be excited about. So w... Full Story - Comments (33) By: Churchill/Randall on 2011-02-16 PLEASE click here to help Cole and get a Forever Subscription to Prospect Insider.  On eve of the eve of the release of the 2011 Prospect Insider Handbook, we finish up our three-part series assessing the farm systems of the other three clubs in the American League West. In case you missed them, check out Rick Randall's take on the Angels here and the Athletics here. Now, onto the Texas Rangers, who began the 2010 season with the No. 1 farm system in all of baseball. If you're into MLB betting, don't count out the Rangers anytime soon.The Rangers system is still very solid, built more on depth now than a year ago when Neftali Feliz and Martin Perez were both potential frontline starters, Wilmer Font wasn't far behind and the club had two long-term first base prospects within a year of the big leagues. Now, Feliz is the team's closer, Perez is coming off a sub par season that has raised some eyebrows and Font is recovering from... Full Story - Comments (10) By: Chris Crawford on 2011-02-15 PLEASE click here to help Cole. There's nothing quite like the first week of spring-training. After three long months of off-season talk -- and in the case of the Seattle off-season, talk is where it started and stopped --we can finally turn on the local news and see the boys of summer playing catch, throwing off the mound or taking batting practice. Everyone is in the "best shape of their life" or "tweaked their delivery/changed their swing after watching hours of tape." The new managers are all surprised by how much talent is on their new club, and even if you're a Royal or Pirate fan, something deep down in the gut of your stomach is saying that this is the year. So and so and what's his face are going to have the best seasons of their careers and the breaks are finally going to go the squads way and the smells of nostalgia and optimism fill your man-cave. Reality be damned. Let's take a look at some of the more interesting things that have happened over the first few days in Peoria. Griffey hired as consultant In a move that surprised absolutely no one, the M's named Ken Griffey, Jr. as a special consultant to the club. There's no real defined role for what Griffey's job entails, but it appears that he'll be working with the farm system and helping in Peoria as well. This is obviously a public relations move and a half, but that doesn't mean Griff... Full Story - Comments (11) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-02-14 If you were one of billions that caught Elise Woodward's show on Friday night between 8:40 PM and 9:25 PM, you heard me open the first segment by asking all of the listeners to join Prospect Insider in helping about a 5-year old boy named Cole. Cole lives in the Bay Area and he and his parents are close friends and neighbors of one Joe Kaiser and his family. Kaiser, founder and publisher at InsidethePark.com years ago in this here blogosphere, has done wonders for Prospect Insider and yours truly, both on and off the pages of this site. Cole has what is called stage 4 neuroblastoma, a form of cancer. Cole began chemotherapy this past Friday, part of medical treatments that will likely cost the family more than $30,000 per year. Thirty thousand dollars. Click here to read Cole's story, as written by his family. Well, we can't let this go without doing our best to help. So head on over to Cole's website and make a donation. Even 5-10 bucks helps, and you can even choose to make such smaller donations, automated on a monthly basis. For those that would like to donate $50 or more, I will put you on the Forever Subscriber list and you will get the 2011 Prospect Insider Handbook and the Mid-season Prospect Report for FREE. To make such a donati... Full Story - Comments (11) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-02-13 Prospect Insider has learned that the Seattle Mariners may be closing a deal with right-hander Chad Durbin as early as Sunday night. Durbin could come in and either serve as a setup type relief arm or work for a spot in the back of the rotation. Durbin has been holding out for a raise from the $2-plus million he made a year ago, but so far there have been no takers. The 33-year-old right-hander made 64 appearances a year ago posting solid, yet unspectacular numbers, but can miss bats and does have experience in the rotation, including 75 big-league starts.... Full Story - Comments (13) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-02-13  So, the long offseason is over. The grass is green, at least down in the desert, and hundreds of ballplayers are en route to spring training where all 30 clubs in Major League Baseball have hope. It's true, there's hope for even the Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals and Seattle Mariners to do something special. Maybe special for these types of organizations is winning 80 games because their young players stepped up and are closer to stardom than conventional wisdom suggests they should be. Maybe it's shocking the world and going from worst to first, so to speak. Either way, spring training is upon us, which means it's officially baseball season again. In Seattle, it's been 133 days since the Mariners played their last game, a 4-3 loss to Oakland to complete a sweep for the Athletics. The M's ended the season on a 5-game losing streak, the seventh losing streak of more than four games for the season. But last year's Mariners are not this year's team. The Opening Day Rosters will be vastly different from one another, no matter who wins the few battles that will take place in March. There will be no Casey Kotchman, no Rob Johnson, no Jose Lopez, and no Don Wakamatsu. Who's taking their places? Let's take a look at the candidates, unit... Full Story - Comments (14) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-02-12 There is one day between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 -- the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after. The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. Radio Hit I sat in with Brian Abker at KJR Friday night talking M's, you can catch that on podcast right here. (If you click the link, you can even listen while reading the rest of this post!) In case you missed it I wrote yesterday about the Seattle Mariners, and other clubs, and the idea of trading for left-hander Francisco Liriano of the Minne... Full Story - Comments (7) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-02-11 If you haven't heard by now, the hot topic in baseball right now is the word that the Minnesota Twins could consider trading left-hander Francisco Liriano.Apparently, they Twins feel they may have enough starting pitching depth to use Liriano to fill in other areas and still compete in the American League Central. First of all, that isn't true, unless the Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox completely fall apart at the seams. Second, I don't see why the Twins would move Liriano now. Even if the Twins could compete without Liriano (and plus at least part of the return they'd receive) they are better off with him in 2011 than without, and Liriano isn't a free agent until after the 2012 season -- which makes him darned near as valuable as Zack Greinke. The time to trade Liriano may not be now, but rather this summer if the Twins fall out of the race, or next winter. Liriano's track record includes Tommy John surgery, so it's difficult to ignore the possibility of an elbow problem going forward, especially considering how long it took him to get his stuff back. But he's tremendously valuable -- certainly more valuable than Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com seems to believe. Full Story - Comments (4) By: Chris Crawford on 2011-02-11 There are two days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 -- the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after. The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. M's add Delcarmen The M's came to an agreement with Manny Delcarmen Thursday, giving him a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. Delcarmen, who pitched in Colorado and Boston last year, posted a 4.99 era with 39 strikeouts in 52 innings. The right-hander's biggest issue has been control, and last year it completely fell apart, walking 5.5 batters per nine innings. He has always thrown hard, though his average fastball has diminished from 95.5 miles per hour in 2008 to 93.3 in 2010 --... Full Story - Comments (8) By: Chris Crawford on 2011-02-10 There are three days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 -- the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after. The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. Sharing the links Larry Larue takes a look at how the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers are handling their tough off-season decisions, and comes to the conclusion that it's not so bad being a Mariner fan right now. Tacoma Rainiers play-by-play man Mike Curto takes a look at the most likely M... Full Story - Comments (33) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-02-09 There are four days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 -- the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after. The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. More on the lineup Many of you have suggested over the years that the M's bat Ichiro third in the lineup so his hits can drive in more runs. While I see the logic, sort of, I have never understood the war cry. Here's why. Ichiro is a pure singles hitter. Last season, which is very similar in so many ways to Ichiro's typical season in terms of situations, opportunities and rate stats, 82 percent of Ichiro's hits were singles, and only 70 percent of those singles left the infield. On 53 occasions that... Full Story - Comments (15) By: Rick Randall on 2011-02-08 There are five days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 -- the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after. The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. The bullpen Chris tackled the topic of the lineup yesterday in his piece, and the other big question mark for the M's this season is going to be in who breaks camp as the six or seven big league bullpen arms. We can be sure that Brandon League will be there, but after that, questions abound. Aardsma and Kelley may not be fully healthy by Opening Day, the club may not be comfortable with the young guys like Dan Cortes, Josh Lueke, Tom Wilhelmsen, Edward Paredes, Cesar Jiminez, etc. -- especially in gross like tha... Full Story - Comments (29) By: Churchill/Crawford on 2011-02-07  We're reacting to the possibilities as a result of the news that a superstar player and a National League club are having difficulties finding common ground on a long-term contract extension, and that the deadline set by the player is closing in fast. Remember, we're simply diving into potential, possibilities, both wild and realistic, and uncovering many stones that could be unveiled should this situation reach its highest points. In no way are we suggesting we've mentioned all of the possibilities, or that any of the approaches mentioned below are either legitimate, bona fide or concrete.Having said that, the angles taken below include practical thought. Well, most of them, anyway. And, yes, Pujols has the right to veto any trade as a 10-5 player, and has said he'd invoke those rights to block any deal. But whether that is actually true or not remains to be seen. Often agents let such news leak to strengthen their position and weaken the club's, and in this case it might work. But if the Cardinals still have Pujols in June and it appears there will be no long-term deal, all involved parties will have to reconsider. The St. Louis Cardinals have been trying to sign superstar first baseman Albert Pujols to a long-term contract extension that will k... Full Story - Comments (21) By: Chris Crawford on 2011-02-07 There are six days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 -- the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. The lineup Opening day is still close to two months away, but speculation is the baseball fans ultimate tool, so taking a look at how the lineup could play out is always fun. I'm not gonna do a full lineup rundown, because that's saved for bad commentators (I know, that was a cheap shot, I apologize). But we can break it down objectively. Obviously, Ichiro is going to lead off, and since Chone Figgins still is probably the best option to hit next, he probably will. After that, the lineup gets interesting --... Full Story - Comments (2) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-02-06 There are seven days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 -- the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. Links Larry LaRue of the Tacoma News Tribune has a bio report on Jack Wilson, and one on catcher Miguel Olivo. Here is Ichiro's from last week, and Full Story - Comments (10) By: Rick Randall on 2011-02-05  In projecting the expected future level of success of the Seattle Mariners, one of the most important pieces of the puzzle lies in examining the strengths and weaknesses of their key rivals -- the rest of the American League West. Prior to the 2011 season getting started, Prospect Insider is going to take a look at the organizational strength of each of the teams in the division and do our best to forecast what the future looks like for each club. We kicked things off in December by reviewing the Angels system here, and part two of this series of posts focuses on the Oakland Athletics. Heading into 2011, the A's have a very young ML team, especially on the mound, where their pitching staff had the youngest average age - an even 26 years old - in the majors last season. And that youngest staff in the majors pitched to the fifth best ERA in the majors at 3.58, which lead the AL. That success was with lefty Brett Anderson, who is their best starter when healthy, missing a couple of months with an elbow injury. After Anderson, the rotation is set with Trevor Cahill, Gio Gonzalez, Dallas Braden and most likely Brandon McCarthy. That group is very solid... Full Story - Comments (11) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-02-05 There are 8 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 -- the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. Gross added to OF mix The Mariners announced via press release Friday that they have signed Gabe Gross to a minor league deal, adding the 31-year-old to the competition for the final spot on the roster that could come down to Ryan Langerhans, Jody Gerut and Gross. Gross, a left-handed hitter, is a former first-round pick but hasn't been good in any capacity since 2008 when he posted a .356 OBP versus right-handed pitching. His swing is still sound but he's lost some bat speed and carries limited value o... Full Story - Comments (10) By: Chris Crawford on 2011-02-04 There are 9 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 -- the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. Around the blog-o-sphere Larry Stone has an excellent read comparing the parity in the NFL with baseball. Parity is such a controversial word with sports fans, so taking a look at just how much of it exists in baseball was very interesting. Shannon Drayer wrote about the maturity and growth of Felix Hernandez and the... Full Story - Comments (24) By: Chris Crawford on 2011-02-03 There are 10 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 -- the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. Sweet Lou in SF He hasn't had anything to do with Seattle in a very long time, but it was still interesting to see that former Mariner manager Lou Piniella accepted a front office job with San Francisco this afternoon. The 67 year old Piniella resigned from the Cubs in August to spend more time with his family in Florida. It appears his responsibilities will be mostly be working with Giants GM Brian Sabean, and he won't be asked to do much outside of his home in Tampa. It has nothing to do with the M's season -- he... Full Story - Comments (5) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-02-02 There are 11 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 -- the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. Around the internet Jerry Brewer of the Seattle Times penned a nice piece Sunday on the M's rebuilding process being a double-edged sword. It brings up a good question that we're sure to tackle all year long: How many losses is acceptable in 2011? 85? 90? 100? Forget about what you want or what you think will happen, how many wins will keep you on the fan roster? It might be a loaded question and one tha... Full Story - Comments (26) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-02-01 Five years ago this June, nine clubs, including the Seattle Mariners, passed on University of Washington right-hander Tim Lincecum in the First-Year Players Draft. Lincecum lasted until the San Francisco Giants tabbed him at No. 10, and has since won two Cy Young Awards in the four full years he's been a big leaguer, as well as leading the Giants to the World Series title last October. And the rest, as they say, is history. But I'm here to suggest that perhaps it's not. Subscribers can check out the rest of the premium feature by clicking here. If you are not yet a subscriber, click here and become one.... Full Story - Comments (16) By: Chris Crawford on 2011-02-01 There are 12 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 -- the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. Paxton Update Larry Stone has an update on the progress -- or lack thereof -- on the M's attempt to sign James Paxton. Paxton, a left-hander out of Kentucky, was considered a major coup when he was selected in the 4th round of the 2010 draft, but for the second straight year, agent Scott Boras has played hard-ball with negotiations and at this point it seems unlikely he signs before spri... Full Story - Comments (27) By: Chris Crawford on 2011-01-31 There are 13 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 -- the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. The backup catcher battle Assuming Miguel Olivo is going to get the super-majority of the starts, one potential "battle" that hasn't been talked about much is the competition for who will back Olivo up. The race would seem to be between Adam Moore and Josh Bard, and most feel that Moore has the inside track. Both Bard and Moore spent time in Seattle last year, with neither putting up big numbers (.513 OPS for Moore, .634 for Bard). The real reason this is an interesting battle is to find out how the M's are g... Full Story - Comments (12) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-01-30 There are 14 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 -- the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. Handbook Sneak Preview I thought I'd take this time to toss out a bit of a sneak preview of the handbook -- but I won't give away the details. First off, none of the top 10s (or 20s or 30s) put out there on the Mariners' top prospects resemble PI's point of view -- with the obvious exception of the top 3. But I can tell you that James Jones, who was No. 4 in the system for Keith Law, will not be No. 4 for PI. I'm not saying Law is wrong -- but I absolutely disagree that Jones is the fourth best prospec... Full Story - Comments (18) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-01-29 There are 15 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 -- the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. Figgins on the move? Clearly the Mariners would like to move Chone Figgins and most of the $26 million over the next three years, and we discussed that a bit yesterday in the comments. Joe Stiglich of the Oakland Tribune reported it first, which flipped the switch on the speculation board. Stiglich reported that the idea was for Oak... Full Story - Comments (5) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-01-28 The Seattle Mariners have had discussions with the Oakland Athletics regarding third baseman Chone Figgins, according to the Oakland Tribune's Joe Stiglich. Stiglich suggests that the A's could send back Kevin Kouzmanoff and a pitcher -- but we have to imagine cash would be involved.... Full Story - Comments (24) By: Chris Crawford on 2011-01-28 There are 16 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 - the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. Law's Top 100 Prospects Keith Law's eagerly anticipated annual Top 100 was released at ESPN today, and the M's have four representatives on the list. Since it is Insider access only, I won't give you all of the names, but since it's become common knowledge because of wonderful things like Twitter, I will mention that the big surprise was the inclusion of James Jones at No. 100 overall. T... Full Story - Comments (5) By: Rick Randall on 2011-01-27 There are 17 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 - the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. Organization Rankings Keith Law released his annual MLB organizational rankings, pitting the 30 teams against one another on a prospect scale. The Mariners come in on Keith's list at number 10, right in the neighborhood that PI would rank them. To the surprise of at least one of us at Prospect Insider (me), that is second in the AL West ... behind the Los Angeles Angels. You may recall that I was not so kind to the An... Full Story - Comments (16) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-01-26 There are 19 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 - the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. Top Prospects While the best of the rankings, if I do so say so myself, will occur both this week when Keith Law's are unveiled Wednesday and Thursday and next month when the Prospect Insider Handbook is released, the lists keep coming. This time in the form of MLB.com's Top 50, in which three Seattle Mariners prospects reside. Jonathan Mayo ranks Dustin Ackley at No. 5 behind Angels centerfielder Mike Trout, Tampa right-hander Jeremy Hellickson, Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper and Phillies outfielder Domo... Full Story - Comments (44) By: Chris Crawford on 2011-01-25 Check out Rick Randall's countdown piece by clicking here. Three and a half weeks til pitchers and catchers report, if last week wasn't the time to get excited, this week definitely is. That is, of course, unless you're a fan of a certain team in southern California. {See WAR chat below} Oakland Athletics The signing of Andy Laroche won't get many headlines, but it could pay some nice dividends for the A's. Laroche -- a former Dodger prospect acquired in the Jason Bay trade -- was terrible in limited action last season, but was a 2.6 WAR player in 2009 and still can provide solid defense at third base. Laroche is no gimme -- and will have to beat out Kevin Kouzmanoff for playing time -- but don't be surprised if he makes an impact for Oakland in 2011. Los Angeles Angels Imagine being a surfer, waiting for a wave to appear. There's a few ripples, but nothing big enough for the surfer to attempt. Then,out of desperation, the surfer shoots a 747 plane out of a giant cannon into the ocean, causing a tsunami and killing the surfer. That's kinda what the Angels just did with the Vernon Wells trade, they killed their surfer. To be fair, Wells is coming off of a productive season, putting up a wOBA of of .362 helping him be a 4.0 WAR player. But he's 32, can't hit left-handed pitching, and even with the solid season was still overpaid based on his contract. Not to... Full Story - Comments (12) By: Rick Randall on 2011-01-25 There are 19 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 - the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. BBWAA Awards Dinner The 88th annual Baseball Writers' Association of America dinner was held over the weekend in the Hilton New York, and there was a little Seattle Mariners flavor on the menu. Felix Hernandez was acknowledged for his American League Cy Young Award win, and took the opportunity to show again that he is quickly growing into the leader of this Mariners team. One of the least offensively supported pitchers in recent history, Felix made a point to thank his teammates saying, "My teammates were great this year,... Full Story - Comments (5) By: Chris Crawford on 2011-01-24 There are 20 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 - the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. Again on Vernon Wells Watching the development of the trade that brought Vernon Wells over to the Angels for Mike Napoli and Juan Rivera was fascinating. First we learned that Napoli was headed to the Blue Jays -- with no idea that Wells had anything to do with the compensation -- and the questions were whether or not Jeff Mathis could hit enough to be an everyday catcher (he can't but that's besides the point now). Next came the news that Wells was going to be involved, and the thoughts changed to just how much money Los... Full Story - Comments (20) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-01-23 There are 21 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 - the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. More Milton Bradley I received a tip Saturday on the Bradley situation so I started checking in with contacts -- and even contacting some reporters I've never dealt with before -- and the buzz is that the woman he allegedly threatened may have been his wife. I wasn't sure Bradley was married -- and am still not -- because all I can think of is Bradley being accused of choking his pregnant wife five years ago or so, and then divorce became the next step. The tipster, a prominent member of an AL Central club... Full Story - Comments (9) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-01-22 There are 22 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 - the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. That's when the club starts their trek toward the 2012 World Series -- place your wagers at BetUs sports betting. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. Wells and his contract? Championship OK, so I stole that line from Chris Crawford, but boy does it work here. The M's American League West rivals in Anaheim thought it was a good idea to go get Vernon Wells and most, if not all, of his $86 million contract that runs through 2014. The Halos sent Mike Napoli and Juan Rivera (worth $10-11 million combined) to Toronto in exchange, b... Full Story - Comments (10) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-01-21 UPDATE: PI has learned from one club that the concerns on Peguero are likely health related, and that it's his elbow -- not his shoulder -- that has the Mariners worried, prompting the reduction in bonus money. The Seattle Mariners have cut Esteilon Peguero's bonus from $2.9 million to $1.1 million, reports Ben Badler, a move that usually means the player has some sort of a health concern that was not apparent at the time of the original agreement, or that there is an age issue. Badler writes that Peguero's age is still listed as November, 1993 and that other clubs indicated that Peguero had a shoulder problem. But a source close to Peguero told Badler that there is no issue with the shoulder, so we're right back at square one. Reducing the bonus of an international prospect is not unheard of; Wagner Mateo (eye) and Jesus Montero (unknown) are two prime examples. One international scout told Prospect Insider Friday morning that another reason a player could get his bonus changed is if he were to get into some sort of trouble, legal or otherwise. This news alone won't change the 17-year-old's standing amongst the rest of his prospect brethren in the M's organization, but if there is further evidence of an injury or age concerns, we may be making last-second adjustments to the Top 30.... Full Story - Comments (14) By: Chris Crawford on 2011-01-21 There are 23 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 - the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. Position Change Something we haven't talked much about -- partially because it was fairly obvious -- was the announcement that Chone Figgins is in fact moving to third base. It's been mentioned a time or twenty that the move certainly improves Seattle at second, but just how good will Figgins be at third? Well, if he's able to duplicate 2008 or 2009, really good. Those two seasons, Figgins had a combined UZR of 27.2, including an unreal 16.6 in 2009. The two seasons before that, however, Figgins UZR at the positio... Full Story - Comments (3) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-01-20 The Mariners added outfielder Jody Gerut and left-hander Nate Robertson on minor league deals today, extending both invites to spring training. Gerut, a left-handed hitter, has bounced around quite a bit and had a few OK seasons, but at 33, has never been more than a reserve, and has often times been nothing more than a fifth outfielder, let alone a legit option in the American League as a No. 4 candidate. He only appeared in 32 games a year ago due to a heel injury, and didn't do much in 2009, either. But he went .296/.351/.494 in 100 games with the Padres in 2008 -- a performance he's lived off ever since. Gerut is a solid athlete and can help in center on occasion, but isn't exceptionally good defensively anywhere. With his bat carrying similar weight, his only use to the Mariners is in relief of a starter -- and no, Gerut should not make the team to "challenge" Michael Saunders. If Gerut makes the club and plays regularly early and it's not because of a long-term injury, Eric Wedge is an idiot. But I don't believe there is much chance that occurs, so Gerut may simply be battling Ryan Langerhans for the extra outfielder spot. Thing is, the roster is so bad, Gerut may fit somewhere. Robertson is probably not a better option than Luke French or Doug Fister at the beck-end of the rotation, though he's probably better than he showed last season in 101 1/3 innings, all but one of those frames for Florida. He has to be 100 percent healthy to h... Full Story - Comments (4) By: Rick Randall on 2011-01-20 There are 24 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 - the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. Left Field With a lot of questions floating around about Michael Saunders' ability/ceiling and his hold on LF - especially in light of the Milton Bradley situation -- we thought it would be a good time to get down to some raw stats. Jason posted a great comment in yesterday's "Days" piece with Saunders' LH splits and what a realistic platoon split for the typical player is. Delving further into the statistical side of things, here is a look at what all American League LF hit last season: .273/.338/.430. Proving as the 3... Full Story - Comments (22) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-01-19 There are 25 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 -- the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after. The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season, lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. Arbitration If you haven't heard, the M's agreed to deals with right-handers David Aardsma ($4 million), Brandon League ($2.25 million) and left-hander Jason Vargas ($2.45 million), avoiding arbitration with all three. As @LarryStone points out on Twitter Tuesday, Seattle hasn't gone to arbitration with a player since 2003 -- Freddy Garcia. Aardsma got about what I expected, though I did think League would get a bit more, and Vargas a bit less, but for payroll purposes, it all washed out about as I expect... Full Story - Comments (23) By: Chris Crawford on 2011-01-18 To check out Rick Randall's countdown to spring training piece click here We are now well over halfway through January, and we are starting to see the "best of the rest" free-agents off the market now as well. That's not to say that the market is now barren, but outside of maybe a Carl Pavano, there's nothing out there that will make or break the division. [See WAR chart below] Note The last couple of pieces did not include the teams unsigned free-agents in the lost WAR. At this point, we can now consider those players less likely to come back, so that should explain the difference in a few teams numbers Oakland Athletics With the recent additions of Grant Balfour and Brian Fuentes, the Oakland A's may have the best pitching staff from 1-12 of anyone, including Boston. Fuentes is one of the best LH relievers in the game, and Balfour misses bats and will enjoy the friendly confines of Oakland much more than Tampa Bay. I personally wouldn't have guaranteed Balfour a second year, but he makes the team better in 2011. Oakland and Texas could have an interesting battle for the division crown -- if the A's can score some runs. Los Angeles Angels The Angels have been given a hard time about this off-season, but don't forget that they made one of the biggest moves for 2011 last July, when they traded for Dan Haren. The right-hander has been worth 17 wins from... Full Story - Comments (9) By: Rick Randall on 2011-01-18 There are 26 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 -- the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after. The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season, lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. Non-Roster Invitees There are a couple of interesting non-roster arms on their way to Peoria in the next few weeks that M's fans should keep an eye on, and although the M's have officially extended Spring Training Invites to these 15 players so far, they still haven't begun to really reach outside the organization with their invitations. As such, there could be even more interesting names by the time February 13 rolls around, but as of... Full Story - Comments (3) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-01-17 There are 27 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 13 -- the rest of the squad will report no later than February 18 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after. The M's first spring game is the annual charity game versus the San Diego on the 27th with their first Cactus League matchup the following day against the same Padres. Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp. In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2011 season, lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready. Previewing the M's We'll have our own previews in February and March but The News Tribune's Larry LaRue started scouting the Mariners, so to speak, first on 3B Chone Figgins, then on LHP Jason Vargas here, CF Franklin Gutierrez Full Story - Comments (10) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-01-15 As the Seattle Mariners pass on Jeff Francis and watch Chris Capuano pick the New York Mets, don't fret, neither are worth a multi-year commitment and it shouldn't be difficult, barring injuries, for the club to cover 1000-plus innings before handing things over to the bullpen in 2011. With the possible exception of a a few minor league contracts doled out and a slew of non-roster invitees, chances are the you can find your 2011 Seattle Mariners right here. As of today, Ichiro and Chone Figgins will almost certainly lead off for the M's playing opposite corner in the field, with Jack Cust, Franklin Gutierrez, Milton Bradley and Justin Smoak providing the hope of run production. Brendan Ryan, Jack Wilson and perhaps Adam Kennedy will handle the second base and shortstop duties, while Michael Saunders shares time in left and veteran Miguel Olivo and second-year man Adam Moore handle the catching. There are, however, a couple of cracks of light where changes could be made. The M's signed Josh Bard to a minor league deal and could conceivably include Moore in a trade. Bradley could get his walking papers at any moment, though it appears it will wait until at least spring training. The pitching staff is unsettled and could be the most likely unit to change between now and Opening Day. Jeremy Bonderman, Kevin Millwood, Dave Bush and Doug Davis are among the potential... Full Story - Comments (35) By: Chris Crawford on 2011-01-11 Hopefully everyone is enjoying the beginning to the new year. There hasn't been a ton of movement to report, but there was a transaction that might have solidified a team as the favorite -- and no -- it wasn't Adam Kennedy. [See WAR chart below] Oakland A's The last update stated that the Athletic off-season felt incomplete. Three weeks later, still incomplete. Yes, the offense will be better with the trades for Josh Willingham and David DeJesus and the signing of Hideki Matsui will improve the offense, and the pitching will again be formidable. I just expected a bigger splash by the Bay. Los Angeles Angels While Oakland failed to make a splash, the Angels have failed to even make a ripple. Unless you're related to Scott Downs, there's been very little to be excited about in Orange County. Three weeks ago it was too early to call the Angels off-season a failure. It's not too early anymore. Texas Rangers Well look who decided to wake up and join the party. They signed Adrian Beltre, they were a finalist for Matt Garza and they are heavily involved with Jim Thome. You can argue -- and you probably should argue -- that a six year commitment to Beltre might have been too much, but there's no denying he makes the 2011 product better. If tehy are able to land Thome, the DH position is upgraded as well, though how much better than the production Vladimir Guerrero provided is debatable. There is a firm favorite for the 2011... Full Story - Comments (16) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-01-10 UPDATE 2:22 PM The M's have signed Adam Kennedy to a minor-league deal with an invite to Spring Training. Pretty nice insurance pick-up. As you all probably heard last week, Brendan Ryan has agreed to a two-year, $2.75 million deal with the M's, avoiding arbitration for both seasons. He will make $1 million this upcoming seasons and $1.75 million in 2012 and has performance bonuses for each year based on plate appearances. Basically, that means if he's the starter at either second or third, he makes more money. Seems fair to me. It's a good deal for both sides; the Mariners get some security in case of injury or lack of development, and Ryan could actually turn out to be a bargain if he finds his stroke again. Locking up Ryan is simply a case of covering the bases, figuratively, of course, but there's a good chance he's the starting shortstop heading into 2012, and could lead the club right into the Nick Franklin era. Last week the Mariners made it official that Chone Figgins would return to third base, and the most popular question in my inbox surrounded the timing of the announcement. Why now, why not in November or at the winter meetings? The answer is simple: The M's wanted to keep their options open in case a third baseman fell into their laps. But what the announcement also means is that Figgins is not going to be traded this offseason, if that was ever a possibility in the first place. For those that w... Full Story - Comments (37) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2011-01-04 Movement has been slow the past couple of weeks, so, naturally, we haven't had a lot to talk about. But there's always a lot to think about in the world of baseball, including what may or may not be in the offing. Here's what we've bee thinking of late, and the result of those thoughts as we cast out some inquiries on the M's and their future. Winter Leagues The winter leagues mean so little for young players in terms of numbers -- very much like spring training -- but it does give scouts an extra look at the talent. The Seattle Mariners sent numerous young players to the offseason circuits to get some extra experience, and here's what some evaluators had to say about them. Right-hander Dan Cortes has been Jekyl and Hyde, walking 21 batters and punching out 13 in 19 1/3 innings, but posting a 2.79 ERA. "He's one of those stuff guys who sometimes just can't hit the earth with an anville if they were leaning out of the space shuttle," said one scout. "The good thing is he's in the right role (as a reliever) but he's not ready for the big leagues." Newcomer Denny Bautista, said another scout, has the same issues with command. "With Bautista it's simple; his release point is everywhere, and it even appears to drop down when he gets frustrated, which can't be helpful when you are trying to throw strikes. If he could find a way to pound the zone, he's more than a useful arm, he might be a setup guy. Not sure if he will ever figure it... Full Story - Comments (56) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-12-31 It's a new year, and just like many-a-year's past, that's a good thing for fans of the Seattle Mariners. We talk constantly here about the hope, the legitimacy of that hope and the likelihood of the big-league club finally turning the page on what my friend Dave Clark has long called a "culture of losing." More on that as the year goes on, but one of the best things about New Year's is that very thing -- hope. If we didn't have any hope, we'd all be miserable fans forever, and may not be fans at all. But this organization has not made any significant, sustainable strides in terms of management, talent acquisition and performance since early last decade, and it's downright depressing. A loyal reader and a good baseball mind in his own right sent me an email earlier this week making a very simple yet crucial point. Since 2002, the year after the magical ride to 116 wins, the Seattle Mariners' attendance has dropped nearly 50 percent -- from just over 3.5 million (for the second straight season) to 2.085 million this past year. More of the same has been the problem at Safeco for years now, and if that continues to be the case, that attendance will continue to bottom out. This is how teams get into the kind of trouble that half the NHL's franchises are in, and the same issues the San Diego Clippers had in the NBA in the early 1980s. Many of those organizations end up changing cities at some point. I'm not suggesting the M's are anywhere near that kind... Full Story - Comments (22) By: Rick Randall on 2010-12-29  In projecting the expected future level of success of the Seattle Mariners, one of the most important pieces of the puzzle lies in examining the strengths and weaknesses of their key rivals -- the rest of the American League West. Prior to the 2011 season getting started, Prospect Insider is going to take a look at the organizational strength of each of the teams in the division and do our best to forecast what the future looks like for each club. We will start this series of posts here with a look with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Heading into 2011, Anaheim has a prospect who many feel is the best in all of baseball in outfielder Mike Trout. Trout, just 19 and still a season or two away from breaking into the big leagues -- profiles as a plus bat with five-tool potential. His advanced approach matches his physical tools where he grades as an 80 runner with bat speed that could produce 25-30 home runs per season. But, the fact of the matter is that after Trout, the Halos' system falls off considerably. So much so, that you could argue that the Angels No. 2 prospect may well be hard throwing reliever Jordan Walden. He's likely no worse than No. 4 or 5. Don't get me wrong, Walden looks like a very good relief prospect, perhaps a future closer, bu... Full Story - Comments (33) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-12-28 I tweeted early Monday that the M's have had talks with free agent left-hander Chris Capuano, who, coincidentally, broke off talks with the Milwaukee Brewers over the weekend. Seattle could certainly use more pitching, and Capuano's stuff is still above average -- when 100 percent healthy -- but the question I keep seeing is "what is the point in spending money on a one-year starting pitcher?" Before getting to that, the reason why some are asking that is because the M's are certainly hitting a rebuilding season in 2011, and those asking the aforementioned question are wondering why it matters how good the M's pitching staff is in 2011 if the additions aren't under contract for 2012 and/or beyond, when the club may actually be able to compete. Here's why: 1. You have to cover your bullpen You can't throw out Luke French, Doug Fister and Jason Vargas and expect to get through six and seven innings regularly, which more than taxes the relief corps, which, in turn, could hurt the potential trade value of Brandon League and David Aardsma, if they are with the club to start the season. 2. 75 is better than 61 Winning 75 games is respectable, 61 is not. So the better your club is, the better chance you can convince free agents, perhaps even the one-year starting pitcher(s) the club adds this winter, that Seattle might just be a solid place... Full Story - Comments (32) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-12-26 UPDATE: Wanted to add this to supplement the 2012 Free Agent mentions below. It's a a partial list of potential trade targets around the league. By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-12-22 By clicking here you can now view the "replay" of Wednesday night's chat. - Discuss (23) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-12-22 Only 10 days left in the 2010 calendar year, which means we're only about two weeks from pitchers and catchers reporting in Peoria. Not a lot of changes from the week before, and the market is starting to dry up. Let's take a at what teams have -- or haven't -- added this off-season. [see WAR table below] Oakland Athletics Josh Willingham was a nice addition, but it still feels like the A's off-season is incomplete. With the additions of Hideki Matsui and David DeJesus, the lineup is much better and the pitching remains strong. It feels like Oakland was hoping to make a bigger move than this, however. Still a lot of time left, but right now the A's off-season remains somewhat unsettled. Texas Rangers No Cliff Lee, no Zack Greinke, no division? The Rangers still, probably, have the most talented team in the AL West, but unless they make another move they're putting an awful lot of pressure on young arms. It's also a little surprising we haven't heard them mentioned more in the 1B/DH market. Is Texas really that confident in Mitch Moreland? They probably shouldn't be. Los Angeles Angels (Cricket, cricket, tumbleweed rolling, innocence lost) There is word that the Halos have offered Adrian Beltre at least $70 million to come man third base for them, but this off-season has been borderline lethargic in the City of Angels. The more I look at the Scott Downs contract, the more I hate it -- especially when you con... Full Story - Comments (0) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-12-19 Check out Sunday night's podcast where Chris Crawford and Jason A. Churchill discuss the M's starting rotation, the possibility of trading King Felix, the acquisition of infielder Brendan Ryan and the possibility of the M's dealing David Aardsma. If you'd like to subscribe to the podcast's RSS feed, click here.... Full Story - Comments (24) By: Rick Randall on 2010-12-15 Check out Chris Crawford's weekly glance at the additions and subtractions in the American League West this winter. A funny thing happened this week while the Seattle Mariners were on their way to American League West obscurity. No, the deft acquisitions of Miguel Olivo, Jack Cust and Brendan Ryan didn't vault the M's into the rarified Pacific Northwest air of "perennial contender." No, there isn't a mastermind trade deal in the works for Seattle to land that 30-homer bat –- at least of which we know. As we found out Monday night, the hometown nine weren't the "mystery team" in the Cliff Lee chase. So what happened? How are the Mariners markedly better off now than they were just over a week ago? The pack sunk down to their level, that's how. This movement in the M's direction started with Carl Crawford signing his surprise mega-deal in Boston -- not in Anaheim, as most prognosticators had him pegged to do. The ripple effect from that non-signing could see both Adrian Beltre and Rafael Soriano sign elsewhere, as there are more rumblings that Arte Moreno and Scott Boras – Beltre's rep -- aren't on one another's Christmas lists. So how does that make the M's situation better? First off, the big attraction for the Angels was supposed to be fueled by the signing of Crawford. The thought was that a long-term deal with the talented 29-year old -- who ha... Full Story - Comments (72) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-12-14 The winter meetings are over -- and while the off-season is far from over -- the rosters in the American League West are starting to take shape. Here's a closer look at what's coming, leaving and still in limbo for the division. NOTE The numbers in parenthesis are the Wins Above Replacement (WAR) that those players accrued over the 2010 season. When the PECOTA projections are released for 2011, we'll go ahead and use those numbers instead. Oakland Athletics: Coming: David DeJesus (2.6), Hideki Matsui (1.9), Brandon McCarthy (0.0, 1.3 wins in 2009) TOTAL: 4.5 wins Going: Vin Mazzaro (0.0), Rajai Davis (1.2), Jack Cust (2.4) TOTAL: 3.6 wins Limbo: Ben Sheets (0.6), Justin Duchscherer (0.2), Eric Chavez (-0.4) TOTAL 0.4 wins Summary: The addition of Matsui probably wasn't the big splash they were hoping for, but they're trying. If the Angels decide that Adrian Beltre isn't in the cards, he may not have a choice but to turn his attention back to the Athletics. For now, they've improved, but Oakland has to be frustrated by the lack of a big name. Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim Coming: Scott Downs (1.2), Hisanori Takahashi (1.6) TOTAL: 2.8 wins Going: Hideki Matsui (1.9) TOTAL: 1.9 wins Limbo: Scot Shields(-0.4) TOTAL: 1.5 wins Summary: For a team that's been "in" on ev... Full Story - Comments (33) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-12-14 Just a quick note and gift offer to readers -- the next Subscribe here! I have run out of Insider/Mag subscriptions for now. ... Full Story - Comments (8) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-12-12 More than 700 votes says M's fans believe the 2011 Seattle Mariners would win between 70-75 games if the season started today. It's my belief that 70-75 is optimistic, considering the Nos. 2-5 starters would be Jason Vargas, Doug Fister, Erik Bedard and Michael Pineda right now, but it wouldn't take a ton to give them 8-10 more victories than a year ago, maybe more, and perhaps they are there already now. 62 or fewer: 43 votes 63-69: 127 70-75: 367 76-80: 172 81-85: 37 86 or more: 27... Full Story - Comments (60) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-12-12 The M's have made their move for a SS, acquiring former Cardinal Brendan Ryan for RHP prospect Maikel Cleto. Ryan is basically a healthy version of Jack Wilson, able to provide plus-defense with little to no offensive value. The right-handed hitting Ryan won't provide much in terms of power or on-base skills, but he was one of the better fielding middle-infielders in the game. Cleto, on the other hand, was purely an arm speed guy who's secondary stuff needs a boatload of refinement. If he is able to make his slider an average-offering, Cleto might be able to become a decent reliever. Very little has happened that shows that's possible. It's not a bad move, but it's not one with a whole lot of upside. What you see from Ryan is what you get, and if you aren't getting extra-base hits in St. Louis, you certainly aren't getting them in Seattle. It's an improvement over the position because Jack Wilson can't/won't stay healthy, but it's not a gigantic difference. Since the cost was low, though, it was an acceptable move.... Full Story - Comments (45) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-12-10 We saw the Boston Red Sox add Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford over the past five days, spending $148 million in the process, while the Texas Rangers are still doing a little dance with the New York Yankees and left-hander Cliff Lee, whose offers from the two frontrunners range from five to seven years for between $128 and $154 million. If you were to partake in online betting at BetUS.com, it might be time to decide between the two ALCS participants. But the rest of the league isn't waiting for that shoe to drop. The Washington Nationals signed Jayson Werth to a 7-year, $126 million deal -- the same exact terms Barry Zito received from the San Francisco Giants last decade. The Florida Marlins officially added right-hander Javier Vazquez, the Chicago Cubs signed Carlos Pena, made progress toward signing Brandon Webb and are heavily involved in talks to acquire Matt Garza from the Tampa Bay Rays. And there was the Seattle Mariners. The M's signed DH Jack Cust to a one-year deal worth $2.5 million plus incentives, and then inexplicably inked catcher Miguel Olivo to a two-year deal worth $7 million guaranteed. They also selected right-hander Jose Flores, 21, in the Rule 5 Draft, hoping he'll jump four levels of pro ball and eventually reach his ceiling ... as a setup man. Sigh. Yes, it can be frustrating being a fan of a losing team that appears to be going nowhere fast. But as Prospect Insider, and... Full Story - Comments (88) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-12-09 UPDATE 12:51 PM: John Hickey is reporting that the M's have offered OF Laynce Nix a contract. Nix is an above-average fielder with some pop, basically a better Ryan Langerhans. Would be a nice addition to the club, depending of course on terms. UPDATE 12:38 PM: The M's plans at catcher with Olivo UPDATE 11:18 AM: Jon Morosi is reporting that Miguel Olivo has agreed to terms with Seattle on a 2 year, $7 million dollar contract with an option for 2013. For those curious about why Olivo and not Gregg Zaun -- Zaun apparently has no desire to sign with a rebuilding team -- unless he gets two years gauaranteed -- and thus was never an option. UDPATE 10:37 AM: The M's lost just one player int he Rule 5 Draft and it was in the minor league phase. Outfielder Jose Rivero was tabbed by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Triple-A phase. Rivero is considered an organizational player and not a big-league prospect. Two former Mariners farmhands were taken in the MiLB portion -- catcher Travis Scott, who started last spring with the M's but was released, and right-hander Nathan Adcock, who was traded to Pittsburgh with Jeff Clement, Brett Lorin and Aaron Pribanic in return for Ian Snell and Jack Wilson. Full Story - Comments (72) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-12-08 UPDATE 10:28 PM Shannon Drayer reported earlier this evening that "talks are ongoing" and that the Olivo deal is not done or official by any means. I know a lot of fans are wondering why the heck Seattle would sign Olivo, and I agree with the sentiment. He's not plus defensively, though he's more advanced than Adam Moore, and while he has above-average raw power, he's hit one home run to the right side of center field in two years, which means unless he's pulling his homers right down the line, Safeco is going to kill him. The rumored salary is the problem for me, however, and the two-year commitment, if that is indeed the case. Otherwise, it's one of those deals that isn't ideal, but makes some sense. We're not likely to find out for another 18-24 hours at the soonest, and the M's have a lot of other eggs frying, so stay tuned. - Jason A. Churchill If you want to get the latest premium updates, don't hesitate to subscribe here. UPDATE 5:15 PM Troy Renck is reporting that Miguel Olivo is likely to sign soon -- with the M's as the most likely target and the cost being $7.5 million over two years. Here's to hoping he's wrong in terms of both the cash and the years. I don't hate Olivo as much as most o... Full Story - Comments (55) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-12-07 Rick Randall on why the M's should get Greinke UPDATE 4:51 PM: Shannon Drayer is reporting via twitter than the Mariners could be targeting Luis Valbuena to play second base. Most will remember that Valbuena was a part of the three-team trade that sent J.J. Putz to the Mets and Franklin Gutierrez to Seattle. The left-handed hitting Valbuena was awful last year putting up a OPS .531, but is an above-average defender and just recently turned 25. He doesn't provide a lot of upside, but he would be an upgrade over Josh Wilson, so there's that. - Chris Crawford Valbuena's development stalled when he was rushed to the big leagues by Cleveland, but if he can be had for cheap, Seattle should snag him, because there is still some upside there. He has a good approach at the plate, has the skills and physical tools to be a good defender at second and can spell the starter at shortstop. At the plate, he does have some strength and his swing and bat speed combine with good hand-eye coordination to create the potential for average power (peaking at 12-15 homers, 30 doubles, .400+ slugging percentages) to go with the decent batting average and on-base percentages. He's had problems with his game plan at the plate, allowing the pitcher to get ahead consistently and then trying to hit his... Full Story - Comments (36) By: Rick Randall on 2010-12-07 As subscribers read in detail today in the rumor section of PI, there is a feeling around the league that the M's could get involved if Zack Greinke is ultimately moved this offseason. It's no secret that Greinke is unhappy in KC and is being shopped right now. That – combined with rumblings that a few of the usual suspects are out of the running – could drive the Royals asking price down. Many around baseball currently see Toronto as frontrunners for his services, but apparently the Jays are balking at including their top pitching prospect, Kyle Drabek, in a deal. Well, I say strike now and blow them out of the water then. If the M's can get involved, either on their own or creatively with a 3rd team involved, with a deal centered around Michael Pineda –- who is higher on most people's lists than Drabek –- and any other combo of prospects not named Ackley, I am all for the move. And for me, yes, that includes Nick Franklin. Why? Because Greinke now is a lot like Cliff Lee last season in that his presence would immediately change the window for the M’s. He is NOT like Cliff Lee, however, because the M’s would have that precious 2nd year in said window. 2012 may be very close to the end of the road for Ichiro and it could be the end of the peak of a few of the other core players, namely Franklin Gutierrez and Chone Figgins. In order for the Mariners to maximize their chances in... Full Story - Comments (41) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-12-06 UPDATE 7:10 PM: Mini Scouting Report: Esteilon Peguero, SS UPDATE 3:08 PM: Two left-handed bench bats interest M's. UPDATE 2:30 PM: Fielder trade could effect M's. Also, Churchill will have a mini-scouting report on SS Esteilon Peguero later tonight, whom the M's have signed to a $2.9 million dollar deal Monday, per Ben Badler of Baseball America. UPDATE 2:00 PM: Thoughts on Diaz. UPDATE 1:00 PM: More on the SS thing. UPDATE 10:59 AM: Seattle wasn't interested in Reynolds. UPDATE 9:04 AM: The M's and shortstops. UPDATE 8:47 AM: Executive poll says big things from M's. Last year's winter meetings saw the M's make a trade for one of the best starters in baseball and the signing of Chone Figgins, and the amount of rumors that accompanied these moves was nothing short of spectacular. What... Full Story - Comments (34) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-12-04 If you haven't heard by now, the Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres have agreed to a trade that would send first baseman Adrian Gonzalez to the American League East in return for three prospects and a player to be named later. The deal is pending one, maybe two things: Gonzalez passing a physical, which shouldn't be a problem despite the 29-year-old having had shoulder surgery earlier this fall, and perhaps the Red Sox negotiating window to get Gonzalez inked to a long-term deal. Couple thoughts on that; The player to be named later may change if the Red Sox get a deal completed, though the agent that suggested that to me also mentions that clubs agreeing to that open themselves up to be duped, so the Padres may not want to touch that kind of scenario. The window closes Sunday at 2 PM eastern, so we'll all know by then, and the player to be named could be Jacoby Ellsbury. Ellsbury has had some injury issues that San Diego may want to make sure are behind him before accepting him in the trade. The prospcts Boston would send west are right-hander Casey Kelly, first baseman Anthony Rizzo and outfielder Reymond Fuentes. Two words: Boston wins. Many see this deal as even or close to it, but I do not. For as many scouts that like Kelly as a potential No. 1, there are two that aren;t sure he's more than Brett Myers minus the domestic violence. Rizzo is not likely to be a star, but by most accounts is headed for everyday work in the... Full Story - Comments (19) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-12-03 UPDATE: 10:08 AM -- Rumorville has been updated with all sorts of information including relief and catcher targets, and some trade ideas. It's available for subscribers right here. If you aren't a subscriber, you can/should change that by clicking right here. ... Full Story - Comments (56) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-12-02 Per 710 ESPN Seattle, the M's have brought back Erik Bedard on a one-year, non guaranteed contract, and have traded Jose Lopez to Colorado for Chaz Roe. This shouldn't shock anyone, the team knows what Bedard is capable of when healthy and Bedard knows what he can do in Safeco Field to re-establish value, and Lopez was going to be non-tendered. Should we expect a single inning from Bedard? No, and even if he's able to come back who knows how effective he can be. But there's absolutely nothing wrong with bringing back a pitcher with his stuff when the cost is literally nothing. Roe, a 6-foot-5 right-hander, was a sandwich round pick by the Rockies in 2005 -- he just turned 24 -- and offers a low-90s fastball that has touched 95 in years past, a curveball and a changeup. None of the three are thrown with command, but his control has improved since 2007. He lives off fastball movement, some sink, thanks to good downward plane, some tailing action, and the flashing of a good overhand curveball that can be an out pitch at times. He's had problems missing bats and has become more of an efficient starting pitcher, but it would be interesting to see how he fared in a relief role where he could sit in the 93-96 mph range and focus on one secondary pitch. Wouldn't give up on him as a starter just yet, however. Considering Lopez was going to be non-tendered anyway, this is a solid trade. - Jason A. Churchi... By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-12-01 Download this week's podcast right here. Chris and I talked about the middle infield options, including why it makes sense for the Mariners to sign Orlando Hudson, what it might take to land Jason Bartlett from the Tampa Bay Rays (is David Aardsma enough?) or even Jose Reyes from the Mets. We also make our Apple Cup predictions. ... Full Story - Comments (13) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-12-01 We all saw this coming, but it's nearly official, as Mike Salk reports that the Seattle Mariners will not tender a contract to infielder Jose Lopez, making the 27-year-old a free agent. Lopez's departure clears the path for the club to consider its options, which include acquiring a stop-gap second baseman and moving Chone Figgins back to third base, or adding a third baseman such as Mark Reynolds via the trade route. There is a third option, though it is the least likely. Dustin Ackley's bat is big-league ready and his glove at second, while far from spectacular, isn't all that far from being satisfactory. At the very least, barring injury, Ackley is likely to see Safeco next June. It's not out of the question, however, that he really gives the M's no choice in spring training, though service time is a consideration here, as it should be. The M's, from what I have heard, are not connected to Orlando Hudson, but could look into a player such as Wily Aybar or Jerry Hairston, Jr., who would both likely warrant one-year deals. Lopez will attract interest, primarily from NL clubs, and the Rockies are one that I have heard connected to Lopez's potential availability since before the season ended. The Pirates may be a fit as well, as the Bucs would like Pedro Alvarez to ultimately be their first baseman and non-tendered, then outrighted Andy LaRoche. LaRoche is a free agent the M's may ta... Full Story - Comments (49) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-11-30 This was a pretty popular piece last year -- so I figured I'd bring back a look at how the division is shaping up for next season based on what has come in, and what could be leaving. The numbers in parenthesis are that players 2010 Wins Above Replacement, per the good people at fangraphs. Note: Not included are many, many minor league free agents -- because they just aren't that important. Also not-included for anyone but Seattle is potential non-tenders. As we see more players non-tendered on the transaction sheet we'll add them to the list. Oakland Athletics: Coming: David DeJesus (2.6), Edwin Encarnacion (1.8) TOTAL: 4.4 wins Going: Vin Mazzaro (0.0), Rajai Davis(1.2) TOTAL: 1.2 wins Limbo: Ben Sheets (0.6), Justin Duchscherer (0.2), Eric Chavez (-0.4) TOTAL 0.4 wins Summary: The A's winter could be interesting. The only free agents of value were three guys that have the health records of a 97 year old woman -- and they return one of the youngest teams in baseball. The DeJesus trade should help the offense, and Davis is a one tool player who doesn't walk -- an Oakland A no-no. There have been rumors that they are willing to spend money on an Adrian Beltre type, so this is a team to watch in the off-season, as they've already been one of the more active teams to start. Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim Coming: Nothing yet. ... Full Story - Comments (29) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-11-29 Many have inquired about the Rule 5 Draft and whether any of the available players make sense for the Seattle Mariners, who have the No. 2 overall pick. My general response is "not really." But because 100-loss clubs can't pass on even the smallest of upgrades, let's take a closer look. Pitchers RHP Wynn Pelzer, LHP Doug Arguello, RHP Danuel Turpin, RHP Fu-Te Ni, RHP Brett Sinkbeil, RHP Dallas Buck, RHP Austin Bibens-Dirkx, LHP Clay Zavada, RHP Adam Miller and LHP Nick Schmidt are arms I'd consider. All are likely relievers only except Arguello and Sinkbeil, and Ni and Zavada have big-league experience. Arguello lacks stuff -- in other words, he's a No. 5 starter -- but he throws strikes and is a left-handed. Schmidt has been starting but if he's chosen in the draft he's likely going to pitch out of the bullpen where most scouts saw him landing since he was an amateur. Bibens-Dirkz has reinvented himself and is being considered by at least three clubs including an AL West rival. He still drops down on occasion, but sits in the 89-92 mph range from a 3/4 slot. The M's are without a lot of lefty options out of the bullpen, so Zavada could be an easy fit. Adam Miller, once a top prospect, can't stay healthy, but that may be an easy way to hide him -- on the disabled list. But he's not what he once was as the injuries have taken a toll on him. None of these arms are clear cut upgrades to what is already in the system, but they... Full Story - Comments (27) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-11-28 The Seattle Mariners have yet to make a notable move this winter, but it's not yet December and 20-plus other clubs are waiting to make their marks, too. And despite the slim chances that the M's get involved with big-name free agents, don't mistake that for inactivity this winter. The Mariners have their paws in on just about any decent player that could be trade available, and are calling on free agents, including the relief market -- Jesse Crain, Octavio Dotel, Jon Rauch, Pedro Feliciano, Chad Durbin, Hisanori Takahashi and Kojia Uehara have all been connected to the M's to some interest level. Starting pitchers the M's could take a look at include Jeremy Bonderman, Jeff Francis, Kevin Millwood, Bruce Chen, Aaron Harang, Brandon Webb, Vicente Padilla, and potential trade targets Homer Bailey, Jonathan Sanchez, Chris Volstad and Shawn Marcum. But, yes, I know, the bigger question surrounds the Mariners' offense. I have no idea whether the Mariners have any sort of interest in DH bats Hideki Matsui, Jim Thome, Lance Berkman, though it's safe to say that at least one of them has been discussed, if not all three. Matsui and Berkman aren't likely, however, as the former is expected to ask for $6 million OR a two-year deal that guarantees around $10 million and Berkman wants to return to Texas or to the National League. Thome is said to much prefer a club that he feels will contend in 2011, which eliminates the M's from contention, since there... Full Story - Comments (39) By: Rick Randall on 2010-11-24 The Seattle Mariners have been busy with some minor league signings that could affect the 25-man roster over the past few days. First by inking right-handed reliever Justin Miller and infielder Sean Kazmar last week, then they re-signed lefty Chris Seddon, right-hander Yusmeiro Petit and outfielder Mike Wilson yesterday, and finally they added four more today. Miller has been in the NL for most of the last four seasons and put up a 3.76 ERA and 1.31 WHIP over 189 1/3 relief innings. Kazmar had 46 plate appearances for the 2008 Padres and has primarily played 2B/SS in the minors. He's considered adequate at both spots. We all know about the re-signings, here are the new guys to the organization: INF Luis Rodriguez, RHP Charlie Haeger, LHP Fabio Castro and RHP Chris Smith. Each has big-league experience. None of these nine signings are big grabs, but there are possible 25-man implications down the road. Rodriguez, in particular, could be a factor as he is a switch-hitting infielder that can play second, third and shortstop. He's 30 years old, isn't dazzling with the glove and he's even less so with the bat (and doesn't have speed), but as a reserve middle infielder with 363 games of MLB experience, he is useful to some extent. Haeger is the 27 year-old knuckleballer that struck out 12 Marlins in an April start last season and was a darling for a day in Dodgerland, then bounced back to reality and ended the season with an 8.40 ERA... Full Story - Comments (22) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-11-23 Recent reports that the Seattle Mariners may, could or should deal for Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton are moot for more than one reason. We learned Monday that Upton's 4-team no-trade list includes the Seattle Mariners, and since the 23-year-old is already signed through 2015, there's not much a club could do to convince him to waive it. The other reason is ... Subscribers can check out the rest of the notebook that includes notes on the club's search for a DH, pitching and catching as well as a quick-look scouting report on right-hander Brandon McCarthy from his time in the Dominican (so far) and the same take on Dustin Ackley. Click Here to read on The notebook also contains proposed trade packages for potential targets such as Colby Rasmus, and an NL Central starting pitcher. If you are not yet a subscriber, click here and become one. ... Full Story - Comments (96) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-11-22 Among the many reports coming out across the country late Sunday and early Monday regards the Mariners and their interest in right-hander Brandon McCarthy. McCarthy was once one of my favorite pitching prospects back when he was in the White Sox organization. He's since been dealt for John Danks, and is now a free agent. There are at least eight teams showing some level of interest in McCarthy, 27, so it's not like the M's can simply throw a minimum-salary contract at him and he's theirs, and there are concerns to think about. McCarthy never put it together in Texas, or in the minors with the Rangers, but there were flashes of No. 3 stuff. He's not throwing 95 anymore, and his delivery, while probably better than in 2005, still needs some work. He recently has dealt with a stress fracture in his throwing shoulder, but is putting up solid numbers in the Dominican League this month and one scout has seen him twice. "He doesn't look too bad," he said. "He's not the guy he was five years ago ... the arm speed is consistent now but the arm action is not and he telepaths his offspeed stuff. He's throwing a lot of fastballs down here, so we're really just going on command, movement and velocity of his 1." No, McCarthy is not likely to ever become a frontline arm, but he is the type of inexpensive low-risk, medium-reward type pitching options the M's are likely to take a look at this winter. Others could include Rich Harden, Brad Penny, Jere... Full Story - Comments (14) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-11-19 The podcast is now in archive here, and available for just under a million dollars, or free, on ITUNES! Listen and enjoy, or you can't come to my birthday party. - Discuss (45) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-11-19 I just don't see it. I could stop there, but that would be too easy. There are reasons why I do not believe it will happen. There are reasons why I do not believe it can happen. And there are reasons why I do not believe it should happen. Will Kevin Towers is dangling Justin Upton because he wants to speed up the process in Phoenix. He wants to acquire the starting pitching that makes his Diamondbacks contenders immediately. He's not going to settle for one pitching prospect, and infield prospect that the club doesn't necessarily need right now -- who may not be able to help right away anyway -- and filler. Therefore, the Mariners, in order to land Upton, have to make Michael Pineda, Justin Smoak, Dustin Ackley, Nick Franklin and Franklin Gutierrez all available, and hope the Diamondbacks will agree to substitute the position players for the pitching they so desire, despite the fact that other clubs, such as the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals, have the kind of young pitching Arizona will covet. It's far less than a pipe dream. Can Too many clubs can match and exceed what the Mariners have to offer, and are in a better position to do so. At least 16 clubs showed interest in Upton this week, and that could grow if the talks get past the preliminary stages. The M's can get Upton, but only if Towers changes his entire philosophy on team building, because they don't have the pitchin... Full Story - Comments (35) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-11-17 UPDATE 11.18.10 10:35 PM -- M's chances at Justin Upton UPDATE 11.17.10 12:31 PM -- Benoit signing helps M's. The hot stove is already red hot, and subscribers can get the latest word by clicking here. If you aren't yet a subscriber, this is the time to fix that as we will cover the GM and Winter Meetings the same way we did a year ago when we were the first to alert you of the Cliff Lee trade and all of the details. Click here to become a PI Premium Subscriber.... Full Story - Comments (73) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-11-14 Only a spare few free agents have signed -- Ted Lilly, Jhonny Peralta and Brandon Inge, while Japanese import Hisashi Iwakuma's rights are owned by the Oakland Athletics. But it's about that time to take an educated guess on where the top free agents may land this winter, so Chris Crawford, Rick Randall -- our newest addition to the Prospect Insider staff -- joined me in taking our best shot. For reference purposes we used Keith Law's Top 50 as a guide to which players we'd predict out, and this is what we came up with this year. Also, follow us on Twitter: @ProspectInsider, @ChrisCrawfordPI, @RandallBallPI, and check out the official Facebook page for Prospect Insider here! ... Full Story - Comments (57) By: Rick Randall on 2010-11-18  As many had predicted, and as our own Jason A. Churchill foreshadowed with his Tweet this morning, Seattle Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez was voted the American League Cy Young Award Thursday. The Baseball Writers Association of America stepped forward, historically. Following a phenomenal season which saw King Felix rank No. 1or 2 in the AL in 14 separate categories yet only go 13-12 on the season, the only real question surrounding the award was whether or not the voters would be able to see past the Win-Loss totals and truly give the award to the best pitcher in the league. They did. He was filthy all season, plain and simple; a 2.27 ERA for the year, 1.53 ERA in the 2nd half, 0.84 ERA in his wins and a 1.92 in his 9 no decisions. Opponents put up a very Mariner-esque .585 OPS and managed just 54 XBH in basically two seasons worth of plate appearances against the King. Yeah, he's good. Felix garnered 21 of the 28 first place votes and was in the top 3 on 26 of 28 ballots. Inexplicably, he was voted fourth on one ballot and fifth on another. We all know that Felix was phenomenal this season, but think about this: he really saved... Full Story - Comments (4) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-11-12 Catch Friday's Podcast by clicking here or searching "Prospect Insider" on Itunes. - Discuss (8) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-11-11 As tough as it is to write about baseball right now, we figured that now was as good a time as ever to have a distraction from the tragic events of last night. The Arizona Fall League has become a hot-bed of prospects, and 2010 is no exception. With potential stars like Bryce Harper, Mike Montgomery and Dustin Ackley -- just to name a few -- the Phoenix area was the place to be to see high-end talent. The seven players Seattle sent -- outside of Ackley -- wouldn't be in anyone's top five in the system, but the players sent all have the ability to contribute to the system -- and a couple players have a chance to contribute as soon as 2011. Here's a breakdown from what I saw in my five days in Arizona. Dustin Ackley Here's the negatives about Dustin Ackley's AFL: He is facing mediocre pitching, he hasn't been able to get his on-base percentage over .600 and he doesn't have a great nickname yet. Seriously, you can't ask for much more than what the second-baseman has done over the past 16 games. He can hit. But can he field? That's the question I was asked over and over again via twitter or email while in Arizona, and the answer is -- still a work in progress. Ackley's ability around the bag continues to impress, but the range and technique still leave a lot to be desired. Right now the 22 year old Ackley is a guy who's going to make the plays that are in front of him, but asking for much more than that is going to be difficult. W... Full Story - Comments (30) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-11-10 Not a lot that I can think of saying right now. He's the reason I became a baseball fan. I'm heart broken. Please feel free to post your memories of Niehaus here. RIP, Dave. You will always be the voice of the Mariners. - Discuss (20) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-11-09 Ichiro Suzuki, Franklin Gutierrez and Justin Smoak. Those are the only three guys that you can write down, in pencil at least, to be assured of starting jobs on the 25-man roster right now, and there's some question as to how locked in Smoak is for Opening Day. There are serious concerns everywhere else, however, including veteran Chone Figgins -- who will play everyday if he's here, but we can't say for sure where he's going to play or if he's going to be in Seattle. It's going to be a year of turnover, with -- stop me if you've heard this before -- far too many questions instead of answers going into 2011. One of the positions in flux is left field, and one of those players in a similar state is Michael Saunders. In 2009, Saunders was completely over-matched in his limited time, posting a .537 OPS and a wOBA of only .244. This past season, on the other hand, was a decidedly mixed -- and extremely inconsistent -- bag. The left hander's OPS increased by a 125 points and the wOBA by 50, but .662 and .296 are no where near good enough to be a starting outfielder. The soon-to-be 24 year old Saunders, though, was sadly one of the best power hitters on the team, notching 23 extra-base hits in 327 at-bats, and showed glimpses of why he was one of the top three prospects heading into the season by slugging .492 in June and posting a .380 OBP the following month. And so, Saunders is caught right in the middle -- too much talent and potential to be s... Full Story - Comments (35) By: PI Staff on 2010-11-08 The Seattle Mariners aren't likely to have enough payroll flexibility this winter to pick up four or five impact players and thrust themselves into the same contention category as the Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Angels or even the Oakland Athletics. So they'll have to acquire said talent -- or at least as much as they can before the start of the 2011 schedule -- via the trade route. Jack Zduriencik's track record in trades has been pretty solid -- Adam P. Boyd tackled that here and here -- and includes two separate Cliff Lee transactions that each came out in favor of the M's. What's in store for the M's this offseason? After last year, would anything shock you? Chris Crawford and Jason A. Churchill take a look at just a few of the possibilities, despite them all fitting somewhere between long shot and not very likely. Zack Greinke, RHP -- Kansas City Royals Greinke is only going to be dealt if a club empties their chamber -- and an extra clip or two -- in a trade package for the 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner, and the Mariners probably have less than zero chance of making such a deal. Even if Michael Pineda and Dustin Ackley were packaged together, there's a good chance Royals GM Dayton Moore holds out for more, which probably means he's not getting traded at... Full Story - Comments (77) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-11-06 For almost 10 years the Seattle Mariners were able to pencil in the best designated hitter in history into their lineup for 150 games, and could count on as good a production as just about any hitter in baseball. Since you-know-who retired, the M's have struggled to receive any kind of production from the position. From Carl "Jurassic Park" Everett to Jose Vidro to Milton Bradley, Seattle just hasn't had much luck filling a position that shouldn't be that difficult to fill. With free-agents able to start negotiating with other teams Sunday, now's a good time to look at a few of the candidates who might be available -- and whether or not they make sense. Adam Dunn Anyone who spends more than 10 minutes talking to me knows that I love Adam Dunn. The guy walks and hits home runs, what is there not to like (assuming he's nowhere near the field)? Unfortunately, Dunn apparently has no desire in being a DH, and is likely to want the kind of money that doesn't make sense, not for a guy who can't play any position remotely well. I'd jump for joy if Dunn's demands lowered and he was signed in Seattle, but it's simply not happening. He'll get at least three years guaranteed at a bare minimum $10 million per, or a two-year deal with a vesting or mutual option at as much as $12-13 million per. Both are probably too rich for Seattle's blood. Jim Thome He's not going to the West Coast to play on a bad team, so there's not much use ta... Full Story - Comments (29) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-11-05 Here at Prospect Insider, we often use the 20-80 scouting scale to assist in the description of a prospect's talents, present and potential future. With just days remaining until the Seattle Mariners begin their makeover this winter, lets take a look at how the big leaguers grade out in terms of what they bring to the table on a regular basis. I spoke with about eight scouts, assistants and special consultants about the M's roster, as well as one former advanced scout now working as an evaluator for one of the bigger sports agencies in the industry. Common sense, my own evaluation and the collaborative grades of the above scout types went into the final grades. Subscribers can check out the scouting grades by clicking here. If you are not yet a subscriber, click here to change that.... Full Story - Comments (9) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-11-04  In 2009, the Seattle Mariners' bullpen was one of the main reasons the team overachieved at such a high level, helping them win one-run games at an almost impossible level to sustain. The acquisition of David Aardsma proved to be one of the best in baseball (Fabian Williamson, seriously?) with the right-hander saving 38 games and striking out more than a batter per inning. Mark Lowe was finally able to stay healthy and was able to provide stability in the 8th inning, and Sean White was able to put up solid but ultimately unsustainable numbers.Bullpens aren't why teams win 85-plus games, but Mariners fans can give you a first hand take on what a bad bullpen can do to a good team. So when the club acquired Brandon League from the Blue Jays there were reasons to stay excited about the 2010 relief corps. Acquiring the right-hander allowed Lowe to move to a 7th-inning role, and should have signified the end of having to use White in high-leverage situations. And in the expected improvement of youngster Shawn Kelley, there were four hard-throwing right-handers available to finish games, it's fair to say the 'pen was low on the 2010 totem pole of concerns. But 2010 was a lost season, and while the bullpen wasn't the reason why the te... Full Story - Comments (30) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-11-03  It wasn't that long ago -- a year ago or so, to be more specific -- when there was talk of the Seattle Mariners sending Felix Hernandez out of town in order to haul in as much young talent as possible to rebuild the organization. It made sense to consider.Boston reportedly offered five young players that could have included right-handers Clay Buchholz, Daniel Bard and Justin Masterson, as well as lefty Felix Doubront, and either shortstop Yamaico Navarro, outfielder Josh Reddick or left-hander and UW product Nick Hagadone. It was also reported that the San Diego Padres then got involved, and the name Adrian Gonzalez came up in discussion with the Red Sox. In the three-way trade scenario that developed, Gonzalez would have ended up in Seattle with Hernandez heading to Boston. When The King signed his 5-year, $78 million contract extension last January, the trade rumors went away, and for good reason. Hernandez is now under club control through the 2014 season, rather than only through 2011. One year into that contract, however, the M's appear to be at least two years from contention -- and they may be the kind, conservative assessment – and Hernandez does become somewhat pricey starting in 2012, as he will make $58 million over the final three... Full Story - Comments (8) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-11-02 One of the first moves made last off-season by the Seattle Mariners was to sign Chone Figgins to a four-year, $36 million contract with a vesting option for 2014. Figgins, on the wrong side of 30, was coming off arguably the best year of his career with outstanding defense at third-base and plus on-base skills leading to a WAR above six. The M's thought Figgins would solidify the top of the order and provide a defensive upgrade at second-base over Jose Lopez. We all know how well that worked out. And so, one of the question this off-season is whether or not Figgins will be a part of the plans for the future. In order to answer that, the first thing we have to explore is what kind of value Figgins provides. It was pretty easily the switch-hitter's worst year, as he posted career lows in on-base percentage, slugging, batting average and in every defensive metric. His walk percentage dipped from 13.9 percent to 10.5 percent, and Figgins had the highest ground-ball and lowest line-drive percentages of his careers (20.3 and 46.9, respectively). When you're walk rates are down three percent -- and you're putting the ball on the ground nearly half the time -- it generally leads to failure. In the field, Figgins not only didn't provide an upgrade over Lopez, he didn't provide an upgrade over anyone at the keystone other than Skip Schumaker, who is spending his first season at the position in his entire life. With all of the negatives concerning Figgins... Full Story - Comments (19) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-11-01 The Seattle Mariners very next regular shortstop may very well be prospect Nick Franklin. Franklin is coming off a superb season -- his first full season as a professional -- and has the club planning around his presence in the coming years. But there's no guarantee that Franklin will be big-league ready by the start of 2012, so the club must start thinking about the position for at least that season. And since Jack Wilson can't stay healthy -- and isn't very good when he does -- and reserve Josh Wilson is a replacement level talent, that search may need to start this winter. It's not a position clubs tend to mess with too much, meaning, if they get a chance to acquire a quality shortstop, they will, regardless of the presence of a prospect within a few years of the majors. So it's almost as if the Mariners will pretend Franklin does not exist. After all, would it be so bad if the M's were able to acquire a young-ish starting shortstop under club control for three or four seasons? Of course not, it's all about gathering assets, and one great season in the minors does not make a big-league caliber player. Let's take a look at the candidates Jack Wilson Wilson is owed $5 million for 2011, but played just 61 games in 2009 due to injuries -- and, let's be honest, gross ineffectiveness in the batter's box. He's now 33 and clearly not any kind of long-term answer for Seattle. The Mariners could simply stand pat, play Wilson since they're paying... Full Story - Comments (26) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-10-31 I often converse with a Kansas City Royals fan who believes Joe Posnanski knows everything. Posnanski is among the very best sports writers in the country, though I do not believe even he thinks he knows everything. It's part of why he's so respected around the country. In any given discussion, this Royals fan and I will get to a point where we aren't sure of the answer to a question the other poses, and the next line is always, "just ask Posnanski." It's sort of a running joke, because much of the sports media is stuck in the old days when it comes to player evaluation and performance analysis. But Posnanski is not one of those. Back to that later. The Elias Sports Bureau has been a terrific statistical source of information for Major League Baseball for more than 100 years. It's an official statistician of MLB to this day, and has been in some capacity since 1919, and today it's most well-known contribution is its annual Player Rankings. The rankings are based on Elias' own formula and are used to regulate free agency by placing each player into one of three categories – A, B or C. The formula uses the most recent two seasons to get its results. What we get in the end is the Player Rankings that determine a player's free agent value, which sounds both reasonable and ridiculous at the same time. It used to be a source for clubs to place value on players, but it's turned into a joke and it needs to be dissolved. The rankings tell clubs which player... Full Story - Comments (20) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-10-28 UPDATE: You can now listen to the podcast right here. You can also get the podcast on Itunes. Enjoy. Catch Jason A. Churchill and Chris Crawford at 6 PM Pacific right here on Prospect Insider Radio. We'll be talking about the Handbook, prospect rankings, the Arizona Fall League, M's ownership and the rest of the winter possibilities. If you have questions, feel free to chime in at 347-945-5817. Otherwise, we'll try and roll through as much stuff as we can. If you want to hear about another subject, calling is your best bet as we won't be able to check the blog prior to the show starting. if you will miss the show and want to download it later, go to itunes and search "Jason A. Churchill" and download the episode.... Full Story - Comments (6) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-10-23 Yep, I'm back at it after a long break to get married, spend some time on vacation with the new Misses and hit up Manhattan for some meetings at ESPN. Thanks for the patience, the well-wishes and the continued interest and contributions you all make regularly here at Prospect Insider. Thanks to Chris Crawford and Paul Marsh for holding down the fort, but it's nap time, fellas. I'll wake you in December for the winter meetings.(click here to jump back to Chris' GBU from earlier today.) Before I link the jump to the postseason premium notebook for subscribers only, I wanted to update everyone on the state of the site. If you haven't heard, PI is getting another face lift. That will happen soon after I take care of a related matter, but will likely be live before the new year. Here are some of the issues that will dealt with: 1. RSS feed will be complete. 2. Comments will be RSS compatible. 3. Navigation will become simpler for the user. 4. The menu bar will be much more relevant and contain far more data, including a deeper player database 5. Within feature posts, player names will always be linked to the PI bio page of that player. 6. The subscription process will be automated, which means so much, including a much easier and quicker process for the reader, and far less work for PI's staff in setting access levels, etc. 7. The a... Full Story - Comments (37) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-10-23 The short-season leagues are tough to get too excited about for the average fan, but there is plenty of talent -- albeit raw talent -- to see. Here's a look at the good, bad and ugly from the 2010 Mariner affiliates: short-season style. The Good Lots of good stuff to talk about, especially from the 2010 draft class. Mickey Wiswall showed power from the left-side of the plate and wasn't totally lost at third base (still not his likely position). Stephen Pryor wasn't in Everett for long, but his 26 strikeouts in 18 innings compared with only 7 hits and a 0.49 era was all that was needed to be seen. There were good things to see in Pulaski as well. George Mieses impressed scouts with his sink and control for his age, and though the K's were low, the arm is live. Ramon Morla was the real star in Virginia though, putting up a .610 showing plus powers and unreal wrists. I saw both Mieses and Morla in person this year, and there's reason for excitement in both. A long way to go for sure, but some real raw potential. And in the AZL, you have to mention the season Ji-Man Choi put together. Choi's numbers show only two home runs on the season, but he had 19 extra-base hits in 178 at-bats, and the doubles will turn into bombs as he develops. There is a debate over whether Choi is going to be a catcher or first-basemen, but the bat plays wherever he ends up. Add that with the 10... Full Story - Comments (21) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-10-16 What Ichiro Suzuki has done for the Seattle Mariner organization in the last ten years has been well documented, and justfiably so. The numbers he has put up in his 10 years have been downright gawdy, and he will be a certain first ballot hall-of-famer. But all good things must come to an end, and it's time to discuss whether or not Ichiro should be in Seattle next season. Note: We know that the chance the M's actually make such a move is pretty much zero, considering the financial asset he is for the club when it comes to merchandise sales, selling tickets and being the sole reason Japanese corporations pay big money for in-stadium advertisement. The exposure the clubs gets in Japan wouldn't go away if Ichiro were dealt, but it would likely take a big hit. Last year, Ichiro put up decent -- but not overwhelming -- offensive numbers, posting a .754 OPS and slugging under .400 for the second time in three years. He did steal 41 bases, and had his best UZR since 2006, showing that his legs haven't betrayed him yet. Despite the low slugging percentage and only walking 45 times, Ichiro still was close to a five WAR player which was twice as much as the next highest Mariner (Franklin Gutierrez, 2.3) Ichiro, even at his advanced age, is still a very useful player -- there isn't really much of a debate about his ability. The question comes in terms of value. Ichiro will celebrate his 37th birthday next Friday, and even with the deferments i... Full Story - Comments (106) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-10-15 Jon Heyman and a plethora of local writers are reporting that Eric Wedge has been hired to be the new manager of the Seattle Mariners. Wedge has a .495 winning percentage for his career, reaching the ALCS in 2007 and coming within a game of reaching the world series. This is an interesting hire. Wedge had worn out his welcome with the majority of management, but still had a considerable number of fans when he was let go. The former catcher is only 42 years old, and will please the fans who like in your face, foot in the you-know-what kinda manager, but will displease but has been heavily criticized for overuse of the bullpen and picking favorites. I'm not an Eric Wedge fan. I think this is an old school hire in a new school time, but he has had success before and you can hope he learned from previous mistakes. Also, there's that whole Milton Bradley thing. What do you guys think? For the record, I like the hire. Considering the other names they were considering, Wedge was probably as good as there was available outside Valentine, who was never going to be hired here since he wants personnel power, tons of money, a better chance to win right away and is a sure bet to have clashed with Jack Zduriencik. Criticizing a manager for bad use of a bad bullpen is irresponsible. No manager, even those that win every year, is good at handling the relief corps when the unit is not good to begin with. Wedge has been criticized for that, but it... Full Story - Comments (14) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-10-12 The Arizona Fall League gets going today for the Seattle Mariner affiliate Peoria Javelinas. Dustin Ackley (who homered in his first at-bat), Nate Tenbrink, Matt Mangini, Josh Lueke, Maikel Cleto, Tom Wilhelmsen and Josh Fields will be representing Seattle in the games -- which run from now through November 18th. Wilhelmsen replaced Dan Cortes on the roster, but Cortes will be pitching in Venezuela this winter. Jason won't be making it to the to the games this year, but I will be making a trip late November, and of course, we have all of our connections on speed dial to break anything and everything that happens. Until the action starts heating up -- here's five things to keep an eye on over the next months. 1. Ackley's defense Scouts still don't love the way it looks, but the results have been good enough. We'll see if that changes in Arizona. 2. Consistency from the relievers It's not about results, but delivery/mechanics, command, etc, means a lot, because that is generally the reason they are there. Fields needs the work, plain and simple. 3. Cleto's role He's slated to start games in the AFL, but it may be nearing time to toss him in the bullpen. For now, his secondary stuff needs the reps, and he needs to repeat his delivery to help out those off-speed offerings. Results don't mean much here, either. 4. Can Tenbrink hit the decent pitching in the AFL? Scouts like the swing, the h... Full Story - Comments (32) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-10-10 It's been quite a while since the Tacoma Rainiers took the field for the AAA championship, but this is Prospect Insider, and the minor-league season is never too far out of our minds. Time to take a look at some of the good, bad, and ugly of this minor-league season -- leaving the short-season players out for this edition. The Good If you remember last week, the question was how much time do you have to talk about the ugly for the Seattle Mariners. This week though, there's going to be some awesome performances left out for the same reason -- there's just so much to be happy about. Last week it started with Felix Hernandez, this week it begins with his probable rotation partner in 2011, Michael Pineda. Pineda was outstanding all season, showing about as much improvement in his secondary pitches as humanly possible while still showing plus velocity and the ability to keep said velocity through the fifth inning and beyond. Hernandez and Pineda should be a special combination for many years to come. If you played in High Desert this year and didn't have the last name Almonte on your back -- you probably belonged on the good list, but Rich Poythress, Kyle Seager, Johermyn Chavez were the icing on the cake. There's no debating that the park helps considerably, but you can only penalize a player so much when they put up those kind of numbers. Seager's season in particular stands out, putting up as good of numbers in baseball after a so-so April. This... Full Story - Comments (22) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-10-07 Jason A. Churchill has learned that the Seattle Mariners are targeting at least one and likely two or more new special assistants to join Jack Zduriencik's front office. The names will remain off the board for now as at least one of the targets is working for a team in the postseason. Adding more chief scouts, which essentially the role of a special assistant in many organizations, does not necessarily mean that the current group that include John Boles, Tony Blengino and Ken Madeja will be ousted, and it appears this will have no impact on the status of assistant GM Jeff Kingston, who is thought of as a future GM. Churchill hasn't heard word on a new pro scouting director to replace Carmen Fusco except that the process has begun and names are being added to the list. The one candidate for a special assistant/chief scout type purposes that PI has learned is in the clubs cross hairs has a terrific track record, specifically when it comes to pitching and the intangible side of things. The "gut feel" side of scouting is what makes up the difference between a scout that can recognize physical tools and one that can sees those tools and has a good idea whether that player is a big-league player or not. This is especially significant at the major league level and can often save clubs from dipping deeper into the free agent pool than necessary. On the managerial end, it sounds as if the club has a few big-time favorites right now and could make a decision immedi... Full Story - Comments (20) By: Paul Marsh on 2010-10-06 In looking at 2011 and how the roster may start to take shape, one of the first things we can and should do is look at what vacancies may open up. In this exercise, we can eliminate who is under contract for 2011 and beyond, since we're merely looking at the flexibility first and not looking at trading players under contract. Here is a quick list of players whose 2011 status isn't guaranteed under a current contract, excluding players who aren't arbitration eligible yet. Free agents: Josh Bard, C; Chris Woodward, INF, Jamey Wright, RHP. Eligible for arbitration: David Aardsma, RHP; Casey Kotchman, 1B; Brandon League, RHP; Ryan Langerhans, OF; Ryan Rowland-Smith, LHP; Sean White, RHP; Jason Vargas, LHP; Josh Wilson, INF. Club options: Erik Bedard, LHP ($8 million); Russell Branyan, DH (mutual - $5 million); Jose Lopez, INF ($4.5 million); Ian Snell, RHP ($6.75 million) The M's can cut bait with any and all of these players. It's pretty safe to assume that none of the club options for the players listed will be picked up -- although the team does seem to have an irrational love for Jose Lopez. While a good portion of the M's blogosphere seems convinced the M's are done with Jose, I'm still not 100% convinced. I'm leaning towards YES, heavily even, but there's still enough doubt that I'm not willing to commit to it being a certainty. While personally,... Full Story - Comments (12) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-10-03 The season is (mercifully) over, so it's time to take a final look at what we can look forward to, what needs improvement, and what just made you watch your 2001 Mariner highlight tapes instead of this crap. The Good It starts with Felix Hernandez, it probably could end with Felix Hernandez. Watching Hernandez throw this season was like finding a $100 dollar bill as your prize in a box of stale cracker-jacks with glass-shard instead of caramel topping. He was the best pitcher in the American League, and he's here for a while. Enjoy it. The Cliff Lee trades may not have had the post-season ramifications that so many of us (unrealistically) had hoped for -- but the process was something future general-managers should be tough in school. What GM Jack Zduriencik did in flipping a reliever, a 4th OF and what might be a mid-rotation starter for half a year of Lee, a long-term power-hitting corner infielder, a future closer and two projects, was genius. Zduriencik isn't perfect -- we've seen the results of a few other trades that echo that sentiment is false -- but he's a really good GM, and he's made the future so much brighter than it was. Don't let people tell you other wise. The Bad The Brandon Morrow for Brandon League trade obviously didn't work out very well. Morrow flourished in Toronto, League was an above-average set-up man at best. The rest of the bullpen was mediocre at best, including David Aardsma. Ryan Rowland-Smith was suppose... Full Story - Comments (25) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-10-01 With the year all but wrapped up in a nice little (disgusting) package -- it seems now is the time to get the discussions going on the many different moves Seattle is going to have to make this late-fall/winter. Up first, who's going to manager this team. Here's a list of candidates that could/should be considered. Daren Brown: Brown was handed a sinking ship when he took over for Don Wakamatsu on August 9th -- and while there were early signs that Brown might be an answer for the 2011 season -- the end of the year brought about just as many questions as it did answers. No one was expecting the 43-year old to take the team to the playoffs, but improvement had to be one of the things Jack Zduriencik is looking for, and the overall record speaks to very little. Brown has an advantage in having worked with so many of the current players, and the overall consensus is he is well liked in the clubhouse and by management. Whether or not that's good enough to keep the job is another thing entirely. Ted Simmons Simmons -- currently the bench coach of the San Diego Padres -- has emerged as the hot candidate for 2011 managerial search, and justifiably so. Simmons, a former catcher for the Braves, Cardinals and Brewers, also has a front-office background having served as a general manager for a year in Pittsburgh and director of player development for two clubs. The 61 year-old Simmons may have his pick of jobs this off-season, but would be a solid additio... Full Story - Comments (41) By: Adam P. Boyd on 2010-09-25  The conclusion of a two-part series evaluating how General Manager Jack Zduriencik has done in acquiring talent for the Seattle Mariners focuses on his second season -- from the 2009 off-season til now. Zdduriencik made 10 trades in his first season, and number 11 was a whopper.Trade 11 -- December 16th, 2009 Seattle Mariners receive : SP Cliff Lee (+4.0 WAR) Philadelphia Phillies receive : SP Phillipe Aumont, SP J.C. Ramirez, and CF Tyson Gillies Just like year one, Jack opened year two with a bang -- acquiring one of the top starting pitchers in the league -- and doing it without sacrificing any of the systems top prospects. In fact, Zduriencik was able to acquire Lee for less than the Phillies had paid for him around a half a year earlier. While Lee's stint with Seattle was short -- and did not produce the team success that many had hoped for -- the left-hander was superb after returning from an injury early in the season. Zduriencik was then able to flip Lee in a later trade for even more impressive results (more on that later). As for what was given up -- Gillies came off a successful season in High A but followed that up with a .619 OPS in over 105 at-bats for Philadelphia's AA affiliate Reading, and was injured fo... Full Story - Comments (59) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-09-23 One of the last non-special edition of the GBU. Hopefully you guys are enjoying this. As in the articles, not the Seattle Mariners. If you're taking pleasure in the M's season right right now -- you are one sick son of a.... The Good When you set records that don't involve futility, you're going to get a mention in the good. Ichiro Suzuki has now had more consecutive 200 hit seasons than any player, surpassing Willie Keeler and of course, himself. This isn't the site to go to if you want to revel in Ichiro's glory, but credit is given when credit is due. It is accomplishments like this that will have Ichiro wearing a Seattle cap into the Hall Of Fame in seven to ten years. It was brought up in an earlier post, but it doesn't hurt to give more attention to how well the minor-league affiliates played this season. The real bonus of all of the different levels was how they won, not why. These weren't a bunch of quadruple-A players hanging out in Tacoma, nor twenty-four year old non-talents putting up huge numbers in Clinton. These were as close to legitimate minor-league successes as you will find --and in a year where the Seattle Mariners were so unwatchable -- a little added congratulations is a-ok. The Bad In spite of the recent success of Joe Mauer and Buster Posey -- and that there seems like a plethora of offensive-minded young catchers on the way -- the... Full Story - Comments (13) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-09-20 We've seen the national awards, we've seen the organization hand out it's own. But we're different. We don't care who the player and pitcher of the year are. We only care about the progress of the top prospects. Rich Poythress, the Seattle Mariners' choice for minor league player of the year, will not win our award, despite a really strong statistical season. In fact, he didn't even finish in the top 3 on either of our ballots. Michael Pineda did enough in both overall performance and development to win the award across the board, however, so let's start there. Pitching Prospect of the Year Michael Pineda, RHP Pineda nearly pulled a Pam Beesley. He came out of the gates really fast, was really strong in the middle, terrific in his first several outings in Triple-A, but tired at the end of the season like Michael Scott on a fettuccine diet. Still, he's easily the pick for pitching prospect of the year, and here's why: His final fastball of the 2009 season was thrown at 91 miles per hour, though he did touch 94 late in the year. His first fastball this season was 94, and his last was also 94. There were dozens of 95-97s in the middle, and even a few 98s. His slider went from useful in May to occasionally an out pitch in July and early August. His changeup is still a work-in-progress, but he's also added a cutter and the new grip on his... Full Story - Comments (41) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-09-18 Even the most astute students of minor league stats probably wouldn't know who won the various championships from Triple-A to the short-season leagues over the past 10 years. The win-loss records just aren't treated the same as those of the big league clubs, and with good reason. Too many variables -- along with the lack of prestige -- happen during the season for the trophies to matter all that much. But it does mean something. If it meant nothing, then the Tacoma Rainiers would have had a lot more defections than just Dan Cortes and Justin Smoak after their Pacific Coast League title over the Memphis Redbirds on Friday night. In fact, you would have seen a lot more call-ups long before they even played Sacramento to open the PCL playoffs. There would be no reason to keep these players down if there wasn't some sort of value to the experience of minor league playoff baseball. "Oh, absolutely there's something to it." An American-League scout told me. "We have a a tendency to overvalue the intangible things like team chemistry, but learning how to win is something we do value. It's not going to be the key to their development -- and we'll call up any player if he fills a specific need -- but there's definitely value in learning to win, certainly." Or as a former big-league infielder and current special assistant to an NL club told us, "if young players don't learn what it's like to win somewhere along the way, it's tough to expect them to expect to... Full Story - Comments (9) By: Adam P. Boyd on 2010-09-15 When discussing what Jack Zduriencik has done to rebuild the Seattle Mariners since taking over in October of 2008, people often cite the development of the minor league system –- something that Zduriencik himself has less to do with than Tom McNamara, the club's amateur scouting director. When analyzing the former Milwaukee Brewers director of scouting, it is important to remember that aside from signing free agents the most impact the M's general manager has made in terms of changing over the roster has been through trades. And since it has almost been two years since his hire, we though it was time to take a look back and see how he has done in this regard. Trade 1: December 11, 2008 Seattle Mariners Receive: CF Franklin Gutierrez (+8.6 WAR), OF Endy Chavez (+.7 WAR), RP Aaron Heilman, SP Maikel Cleto, 1B Mike Carp (+.2 WAR) , CF Ezequiel Carrera, and SP Jason Vargas (+2.5 WAR) Cleveland Indians Receive: 2B Luis Valbuena (-1.0 WAR), RP Joe Smith New York Mets Receive: RP JJ Putz (+.1 WAR), CF Jeremy Reed (-.4 WAR), RP Sean Green (-.2 WAR) Zduriencik opened with a bang, acquiring seven players, sending out four, and helping to reshape the roster immediately. Since the minor league players have not... Full Story - Comments (23) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-09-12  Only a couple of games remain on the schedule for the minor leagues, but far too many are left for the Seattle Mariners.The Good: How close the M's are to having the No. 2 pick in the draft As far as on the field, time to give a little bit of credit to David Aardsma. May and June were just short of pathetic, but August and September have been pretty solid. Since the trade-deadline, Aardsma has given up two runs and has started missing bats again (more than a strikeout per inning). The right-hander will not be the bargain he was in 2009 or '10 -- so the chances he's in Seattle for next year are slim. But at least the trade value should have increased with how well he has pitched of late. Nick Franklinprobably wouldn't have gotten the promotion to West Tennessee if not for the injury to Carlos Triunfel, but let's keep a couple things... Full Story - Comments (45) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-09-06  I spent the better part of my last two trips to Triple-A Tacoma watching Justin Smoak. Why? Because his showing in the majors this season was atrocious, both in Texas and after the trade to Seattle, and few of his skills were displayed with any consistency.Smoak has above-average pitch recognition, solid plate coverage and can go the other way from both sides of the plate. But he was struggling mightily versus off-speed stuff. It appeared that he was having such problems because he was protecting against the fastball as a left-handed batter. Why was he protecting against the heater? Yeah, it makes little sense, but when you find yourself behind the fastball, every pitch is difficult to hit. But the positions early in his swing were giving him problems. To combat this issue, Smoak is working on keeping his hands a little further away from his body to shorten the swing path, allowing him to get to the fastballs better and give him the confidence to make the right adjustment to breaking balls and changeups. It's not a coincidence that in the past 25 games Smoak is hitting .334/.429/.549 with 21 strikeouts and 21 bases on balls, including a .359/.432/.538 line the past 10 games. He's 11 for his last 29 as a lefty, too, with two homers and t... Full Story - Comments (40) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-09-04  Having caught Double-A West Tennessee in May, it was difficult to have had more than a general idea of what to expect from the club's top two prospects -- Dustin Ackley and Michael Pineda. But it was also difficult not to have some expectations -- too many scouts had too many good things to say about both players to not come away impressed.Right? But what was the upside of each of the two? The second question was answered with impressive -- but not definitive -- results. Pineda's velocity stayed consistent through his six innings, with good command of his fastball. He threw his breaking ball for strikes, but the slider was short and his changeup was basically non-existent. Ackley showed plus pitch recognition and that signature line-drive stroke, but defensively was somewhere between 'work-in-progress' and mediocre. It was definitely enough to agree with the consensus -- they were the two best prospects in the organization, but both had a lot of work to do before they were going to be able to help the Seattle Mariners any time soon. Three months later in Triple-A Tacoma it would have been reasonable to expect a small level of improvement. But that would have been wrong. Dustin Ackley In Double-A, it was clear t... Full Story - Comments (23) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-08-30 Chris Crawford and I have been looking into potential September call-ups for the last several weeks and I have been bouncing suggestions of players to a couple of scouts and an assistant GM. One thing I added when talking to the talent evaluators is the 40-man roster situation, which tends to mean more than it should for clubs during this process. I sent this piece to one of the three on Sunday to get his take, and he said after reading it, he felt like he could predict which 4-7 players would be called up, and said "I'd bet a half-rack on it." Can you decipher the same? Subscribers can find the wrap-up here. If you are not yet a subscriber, here is where you fix that. Reminder: All annual subscribers receive the Prospect Handbook for FREE every winter, as well as the the mid-season Top 30 and will have access to all the trade deadline and draft rumors, and, of course, the December winter meetings where Prospect Insider was the first to alert the world of what the M's were giving up for Cliff Lee.... Full Story - Comments (44) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-08-31 We'll be chatting tonight at 8PM! Join us here! - Discuss (6) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-08-29 Is it time for the Arizona Fall League yet? This season has helped re-define the phrase 'Dog Days of Summer'. Thank goodness for Felix and.... -- lemme get back to you on that. The Good Brandon League still isn't missing bats the way a pitcher with his ability should, but his second-half has proven to be much more successful then his first -- posting a 0.42 ERA and cutting his walks in half. Using ERA as a judge for a relief pitcher is stupid -- I know, but the lack of walks show he's been able to command his fastball and throw his secondary stuff -- which has lead to the lowest line-drive percentage of his career and has increased his ground-ball percentage by eight percent over 2009. If League shows more confidence in his sinker and becomes less obvious with his patterns, the right-hander could become a dominating reliever -- which would increase his trade value emphatically. In Clinton -- James Jones got off to a very poor start, but the young lefty from Long Island has been gangbusters since the All-Star Break. Jones has increased his OPS by over .200 points in the second-half, including nearly a seventy point increase in on-base percentage (.319 to .387). There's a very large chance Jones is nothing more than 4th outfielder, but his second half is reason enough for optimism. The Bad Remember the solid numbers Josh Wilson was putting up in the early months? Me either. Wilson's OPS is now below the .650 mark, and the infielder hasn... Full Story - Comments (11) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-08-24  We haven't talked enough about Seattle Mariners shortstop prospect Nick Franklin this season. Partly because of the progress of right-hander Michael Pineda and partly because Dustin Ackley is a polished off "A" version of Franklin at the plate, and might be able to handle the transition to second base.But there's a third reason that a 19-year-old kid tearing up the Midwest League isn't getting raved about left and right here at Prospect Insider, and it's because we're trying to temper the enthusiasm. Why are we doing so? Because the exciting numbers Franklin is putting up in Clinton mean less than most observers would assume. His 20 home runs mean less for his future than if, say, James Jones had the same number of long balls. Franklin's 23 steals doesn't tell us anything other than he's not a slug on the bases, and his rate stats are a simple reflection of the polish he brings to pro ball, rather than a promise of what else may be in the offing. But those 20 homers also mean he's not your average prep draftee, and, frankly, it's time to get excited about Nick Franklin. He's a very good player, and has ousted Carlos Triunfel as Prospect Insider's No. 3 prospect in the farm system behind Ackley and Pineda, and is nipping at Pineda's he... Full Story - Comments (73) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-08-23 A little more than a week til September call-ups, aka what awful teams look forward to in the last month of seasons. The Good After getting an email from Jason that said Felix Hernandez pitched as well as he'd seen him pitch on Friday -- I was anticipating being disappointed. I was not. The King's breaking ball was as good as anyone's in baseball, and it has been pretty much all season. Yes, what Cliff Lee did command wise as a Seattle Mariner was outstanding and it over shadowed Felix early on in the year, and perhaps it should have. But what Felix is doing, on an abhorrent team at the age of 24 is special. I don't care how many times I've put Felix in the good -- he deserves it. Only Roy Halladay is better and Hernandez has a better contract. Appreciate it. The Bad Although Franklin Gutierrez had a much better August then his train-wreck of a July, it's still been a pretty disappointing year for the center-fielder. It's been even more disheartening when you consider that he got off to such a promising start. Consider that in the month of May, Gutierrez walked 20 times in 91 at bats. Since May, he has walked 16 times in 267. Gross. Franklin Gutierrez is going to have take a long hard look at what made him successful the first two months of the season if he ever wants to be an above-average offensive player. The Ugly What in the world is going on with the umpiring the last two years? Yesterdays missed call when Jorge Posada "... Full Story - Comments (15) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-08-19 I stayed up late two nights in a row to get this done. Not because it was the hot topic the past two or three days but because the Venezuela and Dominican summer leagues are over and this is a long-time coming.  The following list of top Latin American Prospects includes those that started or played a large enough portion of their season in the summer leagues outside the states. The Arizona Rookie League and Appalachian League Pulaski club rosters are not eligible. And yes, I went to 11, not 10. Not because there were 11 worthy -- there may have been six worthy names, there may have been 18 -- but because it was different. 1. Brandol Perez, LHP Perez is the M's top Lat Am prospect, led by a fastball-slider-curveball repertoire with a hard changeup on its way. The organization has him focusing more on the curveball now, both for the good of his arm and for the further development of what projects as the better of the two breaking balls. He's touched 88 mph but sits 83-86 and just turned 17 earlier this month. The Dominican native made five starts in 2010, including four over the final three weeks of the season when he fanned 28 batters in 21 innings of work. He did not allow an earned run during the same span. His fastball is generally straight but he gets good plane considering his hig... Full Story - Comments (45) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-08-17  We're just about through the entire minor league schedule and the one question asked of me in years past now has a different answer.That answer contains legitimate options, rather than the usual "not really, and it's common for clubs to get their relievers on the trade and free agent market, or to take failed starters and flip them into the bullpen." The Seattle Mariners have four right-handers with legitimate late-inning stuff, thanks to a trade, a role change and the draft. So yes, the club has relief prospects now. It's a bit odd to have more than one or two, but in Josh Lueke, Dan Cortes, Stephen Pryor and Josh Fields, that's what they have. Lueke and Cortes probably see the big leagues in September, and they have already received a nickname from Prospect Insider, one that is aimed at their wicked stuff, not their off field experiences. [both have had run-ins with the law] Meet Sick and Twisted. Sick is whoever pitches the eighth and sets up the closer. Twisted is whichever of the two end up closing it out. Right now, that's Cortes in the eighth -- Sick -- Lueke in the ninth -- Twisted. Pryor is a year-plus away, Fields has a lot of work to do to get back on track, but the stuff is still there. If David Aardsma and/or... Full Story - Comments (28) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-08-16 UPDATE @ 3:09 PM: The M's got Littlewood's name on the dotted line for under $1 million -- $900k. Great job by M's brass calling the bluff of camp Littlewood. He would have been worth more, however. No additional news on Stanek just yet, but one source disagrees that Paxton won't sign soon. "If they get their top few out of the way early, they could find common ground with Boras (on Paxton)." UPDATE @ 3:08 PM: Latest out of camp Littlewood via one source is that there is already a tentative agreement in place, even though it may have been altered from what was also tentatively agreed upon before Cowart and Coyle's deals were announced. Stanek is likely to sign, too, according to two sources, one a loyal (i'm guessing) -- and connected (not guessing) -- PI reader. The M's appear willing to pay for what the talent is worth rather than the slotted numbers for each draft pick suggest. Jon Keller, the M's 11th round pick, is loving what Jordan Shipers got as a 16th rounder, but it's unlikely the Mariners offer him a similar bonus. He's a Nebraska commit. Tyler Linehan, a 14th-round pick, is likely headed to Fresno State. - Jason A. Churchill UPDATE @ 1:58 PM: The Mariners have signed 25th round pick Ernesto Zaragoza, a RHP out of Kaiser HS in California. UPDATE @ 1:45 PM: With Sean Coyle's announced signing for $1.3 million, it helps set the market for Littlewood. The $1.5... Full Story - Comments (67) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-08-15  Having lived in the Olympia area for all but the last year and a half of my life -- I've come to regret that I didn't spend more time going to the Tacoma Rainiers games. Though only a 30 to 45 minute drive (I didn't miss I-5 traffic), my interest in minor league baseball was iffy at best due to naive beliefs that every prospect ended up like lefty Ryan Anderson -- a nothing.I got a chance at redemption last night -- and while the game itself was a Rainiers loss -- there were plenty of things to see that could make Seattle winners in the future, some soon. Blake Beavan's line was good, seven innings and one run with five k's -- but the results come with an asterisk. Round Rock's best hitter was Chris Shelton. I don't think I need to go more in depth then that. The fastball early on showed very little movement and was was easily picked up by the Round Rock "hitters", but the right-hander did get stronger as the game went on and maintained velocity (89-91)throughout his seven innings. Beavan's best pitch was his change-up, which he was able to bury out of the strike zone and miss bats with. More than likely a No. 4 starter, but at his age that could change if his slurve improves. The stars of the show were Josh Lueke and Dan Cortes, however. Lueke threw th... Full Story - Comments (35) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-08-13 Over at ESPN MLB Rumor Central, where daily we take regular news -- injuries, call-ups, trade rumors, actual deals, ideas, contract negotiations, etc. -- and spin it forward, I've been following the worst three or four clubs in baseball by win-loss percentage and updating it as "The Race for Rendon." Rendon, of course, is Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon, who is the likely No. 1 pick next June as long as his ankle injury doesn't play a role -- it's not expected to stop him from starting the season fully healthy in February. Heading into the Cleveland series, Seattle sits 4 1/2 games back of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who overtook the Baltimore Orioles for the worst record just this week. With the way the O's are playing under new skipper Buck Showalter, it wouldn't be a big surprise to think Seattle could end up with the No. 2 pick. To get to No. 1, however, will be much more difficult, despite the fact that Seattle's remaining schedule is .38 points tougher via win percentage than is Pitt's. The M's are five better than the Pirates in the win column and would lose any tie-breakers because they had a better record a year ago. Plus, the Bucs, right now, are playing so poorly when it comes to pitching, untimely miscues and lack of a stopper -- like Felix Hernandez -- that fans are mu... Full Story - Comments (48) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-08-10  I had a piece in the works on Michael Pineda's workload that I thought would raise some eyebrows and perhaps draw some ire but between game time Monday and this morning I received four texts from talent evaluators asking me why I hadn't written about all the reasons Daren Brown would make a good manager for the Seattle Mariners and how he'd make a solid choice as the permanent fixture at the helm of the club.There are a few reasons why I hadn't written that yet, none more obvious than the fact that I had not thought about Brown's resume enough. But think about what the 2011 Mariners may very well be about -- rebuilding -- and what Brown has been doing for the last 13 seasons, 10 with the M's organization. Brown, a former pitcher and pitching coach in an independent league, has spent his career developing young talent. He's won some along the way, too, but minor league managers can't be -- and aren't -- judged solely on wins and losses. I responded to each of the four text messages asking why they were so confident in Brown and here are the highlights of the replies I received. "The guy knows how to mesh personalities together, how to get young players to focus on what they need to be focused on. That is not an easy task," said one fr... Full Story - Comments (47) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-08-09 As everyone is probably well aware -- Don Wakamatsu, Rick Adair and Ty Van Burkleo were fired today -- replaced with Daren Brown, Roger Hanson, Pedro Grifol and Carl Willis. As one of about eleven Don Wakamatsu fans -- I don't like the move, but it is what it is. The team will have to find their fifth manager since 2004, and I have to assume many of the candidates they had back in 2008 (Pedro Guerrero, Joey Cora, others) will be in the mix. So will Bobby Valentine, Willie Randolph, Eric Wedge, and I'm sure a few surprise candidates as well. Who are some candidates that you'd like to see the M's bring in for interviews?... Full Story - Comments (69) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-08-06 Yesterday's loss brought the Mariners exactly to the 2/3 point of the season. This really has been one of the fastest seasons I can remember. And to that I say -- thank goodness. The Good Jason Vargas has been left out of this section in the past for one reason and one reason only -- a belief that he isn't that good. Since he's now put up those numbers through the trade deadline -- it's time to give the left-hander his due credit. Vargas isn't missing bats like he was at the beginning of the year, but he's done a better job of getting ground-balls and his command has been much better then expected. I don't think anyone believes that Jason Vargas can put up the same type of numbers next year -- but the Long Beach State product has earned a spot in the 2011 rotation, that's for certain. The Bad While the Mariners didn't give up very much to acquire Russell Branyan, he hasn't exactly done his part to make it a winning trade. Branyan has an OPS of .708 in his twenty games in Seattle -- and has struck out in nearly half of his at-bats (30 of 71). Branyan's option would call for the left-hander to make $5 million -- and there probably isn't a cheaper option to DH for 2011 that could produce as well as Branyan has in Seattle, but some production in the months of August and September would make me feel a lot better about paying Branyan that much. The Ugly The talk of firing Don Wakamatsu is about as ugly as it gets. The Mariners are... Full Story - Comments (113) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-08-04  We've talked so much about Michael Pineda this season that the development of the rest of the arms in the system are going somewhat unnoticed ... so I thought I'd change all that.While the system lacks any premium pitching after Pineda, there are some upside arms in the system such as sandwich-round pick Taijuan Walker, Venezuelan Summer League star Vicente Campos, Dominican left-hander Brandol Perez, Seon Gi Kim, South African right-hander Dylan Unsworth, George Mieses, and relievers Stephen Pryor, Josh Fields and Josh Lueke. [Unsworth, Perez and Campos will be covered in depth in the upcoming Top 10 Latin American Prospects] But I spoke to a couple members of the player development staff and the three names that produced the most enthusiasm were right-handers Dan Cortes and Steven Hensley and southpaw Mauricio Robles. Cortes has been permanently moved to the bullpen where he belongs and has already touched 98 mph with his fastball. His curveball has been a bit sharper as well, though he still has some command and control issues to shore up. "From day one," Jamie Navarro said, "that kid is going to be a closer. His fastball can sit 96-97, and the curvebal... Full Story - Comments (27) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-08-02 TACOMA -- Three years ago Michael Pineda was a 6-foot-5, 190-pound right-hander employing a four-seam fastball with fringe-average velocity, a slider that was thrown too hard too often and a changeup that registered a plus at times, and was his go-to-pitch with two strikes, despite its success being largely due to the inexperienced bats he faced in Class-A ball. Today, none of the above is true, except Pineda happens to remain right-handed. Instead, he now stands 6-foot-7 and weighs in at more than 215 pounds -- a good 25-pound add to his lanky frame -- and sits in the mid-90s with his fastball. His slider has slowed down, relative to his fastball velocity, and his changeup has fallen behind a bit. But, despite all the ugly things going on in the big leagues -- and it is ugly, perhaps as ugly as ugly gets -- there isn't much about which to complain when it comes to Mr. Pineda. "The changeup is like a splitter," said Tacoma Rainiers pitching coach and former 12-year MLB veteran right-hander Jaime Navarro. "It's 86-87, sometimes 88 or 89." That's true split-finger velocity, but Pineda throws the pitch with a circle-change grip -- it works well at 86-87 and when he gets the splitter-like sink on the pitch, it works at 89, too. "When the fastball is 98," Navarro continued, "89 is a changeup." Pineda's taken a gigantic step forward this season, led by the jump in velocity, last clocked in the 91-94 mph range late in 2009. Where did... Full Story - Comments (62) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-07-31 UPDATE 12:39 PM -- Are the M's on the verge of moving one of their bigger off-season acquisitions? The rumor mill is open -- and updated at 12:36 PM PT on 7/31/2010 for subscribers! Seattle and Pulaski have only been associated with each other for two and a half seasons -- but there has been a decent pattern of what kind of prospects the Mariners choose to send down to the Appalachian League. Outside of Steven Baron, the majority of players that end up in Pulaski are players fresh from the VSL, or college players who Seattle isn't comfortable with in Clinton or Everett. The majority of high school kids are going to end up in Peoria, and with good reason -- more accountability and easier to follow the progress. Because of this, we haven't seen very many "top" prospects end up in Virginia -- but that doesn't mean that there aren't players to watch. I recently had the opportunity to make my way to Danville, Virginia (yes, it's the utopia that you'd imagine) to see Pulaski take on the Braves' Appy League organization -- and two guys really stood out in my viewing. George Mieses, RHP Mieses is listed at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, but is probably an inch shorter and ten pounds heavier than that. The right-hander started to gain a following after putting together a 2.19 ERA with a 79-20 K/BB in the Dominican League. So far in 2010, Mieses has put up solid numbers -- posting a 3.11 ER... Full Story - Comments (63) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-07-28 While left-hander Luke French isn't technically a prospect, he's spent most of this season in Triple-A Tacoma and with his recent promotion to replace Ryan Rowland-Smith in the starting rotation, French becomes a potential candidate for the Opening Day Roster next spring. I have seen French three times this season, though not in a month or so, but the key to his success has been his offspeed stuff. When he throws his curve for strikes and is able to finish and locate his changeup, he has a chance to go through the lineup three times, despite spotty fastball command at times. He's still sitting in the upper 80s with that four-seamer, and could use a fourth pitch to keep hitters off the fastball early in counts -- something like a cutter or sinking two-seamer. If Jason Vargas and Doug Fister are both in the rotation in 2011, French should not be, but he's just as capable of breaking through as either incumbent has done in 2010. Carlos Triunfel, SS I spoke to M's player development director Pedro Grifol this week and asked about Carlos Triunfel. I inquired about the potential for more power and a possible position switch, and got two very intriguing responses. "We don't talk about that," Grifol said of perhaps tinkering with Triunfel's swing to get more home-run power out of him. "We're trying to teach these kids to be hitters ... the power will come down the road, and he does have power." I've witnessed the plus bat spe... Full Story - Comments (65) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-07-27 The rumor mill is open -- and updated at 3:18 PM PT on 7/27/2010 for subscribers! If you aren't a subscriber, you can change that by signing up here! We figured that instead of watching the Mariners get pummeled, you can enjoy the latest installment of the good, bad and ugly (The M's are still being shunned). The Good I get asked about Kyle Seager more than any other prospect not in Tacoma, and with good reason. Seager is putting up some interesting numbers in High Desert, and July has been unreal. The left-hander's slugging percentage was in the low .400's coming into the month, but a .620 July has raised that to a much more respectable .471. Seager has plus pitch-recognition and is willing to take walks, as evidence by his .413 on-base percentage. Seager is still more likely to be a utility infielder due to the lack of pop and so-so defense, but the UNC product has turned heads in the Cal League and might earn a promotion to West Tennessee in the coming months. The Bad As good as Seager has been in July, Carlos Peguero has been the equivalent in awfulness. For the month, the outfielder has up a putrid .513 OPS with a .284 slugging percentage. In fact, the left-hander hasn't put up an OPS above .770 in any month outside of his ridiculous April. I am not one of the many who believe Carlos Peguero can'... Full Story - Comments (35) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-07-22 The rumor mill is open -- and updated at 3:18 PM PT on 7/27/2010 for subscribers! If you aren't a subscriber, you can change that by signing up here! As the Mariners struggle to score against, well, anyone -- this edition of the GBU will be strictly minor-league related. The only thing worth mentioning is really Felix, and I don't like repeating myself. And I don't like repeating myself (see what I did there?) The Good Josh Lueke and Matt Lawson are doing everything in their power to show they aren't just roster-fillers. Lueke's two appearances in West Tennessee have resulted in six strikeouts over three and a third innings with no walks and only two hits allowed -- while Lawson has put up a 1.024 OPS in his first 27 at bats. Blake Beavan struggled in his first start -- but that was against a pretty decent Huntsville lineup and he did strike out three in his four innings. The sample size is ridiculously small for all three, but the results have been down-right impressive. The Bad I hate to mention a High Desert pitcher in the 'bad' section -- but Maikel Cleto deserves a mention, if only because there hasn't been the progression that would have been necessary to move him up as a prospect. Cleto's overall numbers aren't that bad for pitching in the Cal League, but his numbers have gotten worse mont... Full Story - Comments (151) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-07-19 UPDATE: The rumor mill is open -- and updated for 7/21/2010 for subscribers! We haven't talked as much about Carlos Triunfel this season, partly because Dustin Ackley, Nick Franklin and Michael Pineda have put up bigger numbers and/or have been promoted, which has dominated the system's headlines. But Triunfel is still very much a prospect, and I've been sending out feelers to check in on the 20-year-old's progress. The numbers aren't pretty -- they aren't ugly, either at .277/.310/.369 in Double-A West Tennessee -- and since his bat will have to lead the way, it's easy to question the upside potential in Triunfel's future. "It's a legitimate question, and one I hear a lot from fans and the press," said one club's player development director. "Stats can mislead in both (directions, positive and negative) which is why you have to see the player to get a feel for what's going on. A kid like Carlos Triunfel is even more difficult to assess without seeing him because he's so young for the league." OK, so tell us whatcha think. "There is a lot to like," he said. "He's got tremendous bat speed and has a little Vlad Guerrero in him -- he can hit pitches out of the zone very, very hard. He's made progress in the field but can rush things with throws and overall probably projects better a third. "I like him, I'll take him." The concern, for me, is the power, bu... Full Story - Comments (55) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-07-17 UPDATE: The rumor mill is open for subscribers! In less than two years general manager Jack Zduriencik has acquired, via draft and trade, a good portion of what is now a better farm system and overall collection of young talent in Seattle.
It was a near-barren cupboard dependent on high-risk athletes and never-really-were veterans two summers ago, but that has changed, especially with the Mariners' outfield. In are Franklin Gutierrez and Michael Saunders, who could hold serve in center and left for years to come thanks to the December, 2008 trade tha... Full Story - Comments (40) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-07-15 The Seattle Mariners have reportedly made it official with Dominican outfielder Philips Castillo on a deal worth $2.2 million, and inked two other prospects as well, according to Ben Badler. The club also signed Yordyn Calderon, a third baseman from Venezuela and Columbian right-hander Jose Torres, as expected. We talked about what Castillo brings to the table right here. Badler's report says Torres received $851,000 and Calderon signed for $477,500. ... Full Story - Comments (44) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-07-14 First reported by Brock and Salk via Facebook, the Seattle Mariners have used the all-star break to promote 2B Dustin Ackley, RHP Anthony Varvaro and LHP Edward Paredes to Triple-A Tacoma. We told you last month Ackley's time was coming, and he'll make his debut for the Rainiers Thursday in Reno and will make his Cheney Stadium debut next Friday versus Sacramento. The question I have already received several of is whether this is good for Ackley.
The answer is yes. If it were almost any other player in his situation I would say probably not, since... Full Story - Comments (35) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-07-13 I went to Anaheim simply hoping to see players I hadn't seen before, poke at the brains of a few scouts in attendance and build a reference point for some of the top prospects in baseball that I'd otherwise not see in my treks to the minor leagues on the west coast. Mission accomplished. I saw more plus arms than I'd ever seen in one ballpark this side of the big-league all-star game, and despite the US Team dominating on the scoreboard, we may have seen future MVPs and Cy Young Award winners Sunday. Here are the things that stuck out for me most.
Like I said on the Full Story - Comments (21) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-07-12 Thanks for all the questions -- you can now listen to the replay by Clicking here. - Discuss (33) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-07-09 It was something that everyone knew was going to happen -- and yet it still came and hit like a ton of bricks. The trade of Cliff Lee was far from a surprise -- though I don’t think anyone expected to see him traded ‘twice’ in the span of two hours. For a few months -- people had heard that the elite prospects weren’t going to be moved in a trade for Lee. Minnesota wasn’t going to move Aaron Hicks -- and all reports seem to say that Hicks was definitely in play til the end. The Yankees were not going to move Jesus Montero for only two months of the left-hander -- and he was everything but here. And Jason and I were positive Justin Smoak wasn’t coming to Seattle -- as early as the podcast we did two weeks ago. The Mariners took a player who wasn’t going to stay -- and gave up very little for -- and turned it into gold. Let’s take a look at the good, the less-good and the ugly of the Cliff Lee trade. The Good The positive is obviously the players acquired, and that starts with Justin Smoak and to a lesser extent Blake Beavan. Smoak is a switch-hitting first base-men who was the Rangers first-round pick in 2008. Smoak’s swing is smooth and effortless that he easily repeats from both sides of the plate with little wasted motion. He is able to center the ball very well -- and his power is to all fields. Smoak shows good plate discipline from both sides of the plate and has shown above average pitch recognition in the show. Smoak has struggled, however,... Full Story - Comments (90) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-07-05 UPDATE @3:45 PM PT Friday : Crazy day, huh? We'll have a write up for the prospects soon. Quick analysis -- well done. The Mariners got a middle-of-the-order bat for the next few years (potentially), Beaven has the ability to be a third starter, a utility infielder and a guy who could compete for late-inning situations. Nothing to dislike, even a little bit. UPDATE @2:22 PM PT Friday : Being reported that the other prospects are RHP Blake Beavan, RHP Josh Lueke and 2B Matt Lawson. More on these guys soon. UPDATE @2:07 PM PT Friday : Rosenthal and Sherman reporting deal done. This day is bizarre. I don't smoke and I need a cigarette -- as soon as I found out the other three I will let you guys know. UPDATE @2:00 PM PT Friday : Reports are that Lee may have been dealt to the Rangers along with Mark Lowe for Justin Smoak and three others. I'm going to wait for confirmation before I get too excited -- but it could be spectacular. Stay tuned. UPDATE @1:46 PM PT Friday : You step outside for a little while and this happens. Deal is currently off -- negotiations continue with the Rangers and Reds being mentioned the most -- we'll keep you posted. Weird. UPDATE @10:46 AM PT Friday : A source has told PI that the third piece is likely Zach McAllister. Ken Rosenthal is reporting it as well. Wow. UPDATE @10:30 AM PT Friday : ESPN Jayson Stark reports that the third player has yet to be agreed upo... Full Story - Comments (308) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-07-05 Mid-season came and went in the minors more than a week ago, which means the Prospect Insider Mid-season Top 30 is here. Subscribers can view the 2010 Mid-season Top 30 by clicking here. If you are not a subscriber, click here and fix that. The Top 30 does not include the unsigned draftees, but it does do-tell where they'd fit if they were signed, as well as where Dominican OF Philips Castillo would fit if he passes his steroids test and is signed by the M's this month. Also, we'll be chatting about the farm system Tuesday night at 7pm PT. Free for all -- no, not a free-for-all, it's FREE for all. Click here to chat. ... Full Story - Comments (28) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-07-03 As the Seattle Mariners announced their first three picks during the 2009 MLB Draft, a bevy of emotions came from the fanbase, and some analysts alike. Dustin Ackley was going to be the No. 2 overall selection, and it was almost unanimously applauded. Steven Baron was rumored to be the selection at 33 for a few weeks -- and the move was almost as collectively panned. Somewhere in the middle was the club's in-between pick -- shortstop Nick Franklin, a prep infielder from Lake Brantley High School in Florida. The pick surprised most, as some believed the M's left better talents on the board. So far, there's not much evidence that such a thing occurred. Since that selection and his subsequent signing, Franklin has put up some gaudy numbers -- particularly this year for Class A Clinton -- with an OPS of .875 and 32 extra-base hits in the pitcher-friendly Midwest League. These numbers have made Franklin a bit of a household name among prospect-watchers, and justifiably so. But the 19-year old has had a few issues this season as well. Let's take a closer look at the positives and negatives, and whether Franklin, in his first full season of pro ball, is ready for a promotion. It seems fairly obvious that the positives include the pop he's sh... Full Story - Comments (40) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-07-02  Some of you have been asking all spring about the Seattle Mariners and the Latin American signing period. I haven't been able to follow it as closely the past two years because my contacts are now in other positions and I've yet to develop another direct contact for the Latin area. It's difficult, since they rarely set foot in the states, except for the head of that department, such as Bob Engle, and he's not much a media guy.But I did dig up enough to get some information out there that you may not otherwise have. Seattle isn't expected to blow up the market, but could make more than one seven-figure signing. Seattle's targets include outfielder Philips Castillo (poor-quality photo at right) who may get more than $2 million. He's a right-handed hitter with power to spare, maybe a 60 or 65 on the scouting scale, plus bat speed and some athleticism that should allow him to be adequate in a corner outfield spot. He turned 16 in February but is built well already and could end up over 200 pounds by the time he's done developing physically. He's also got plus arm strength, but needs to work on his throwing mechanics, along with the rest of his defense. He's been working out in right field. The swing is raw and inconsistent, but it's also simpl... Full Story - Comments (17) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-07-01 As I come across more info on the Cliff Lee trade scenarios, rumors and possibilities, I often get some information that I can't share. But what I can do is start a running system where we rank the suitors in order of how likely it appears to us that each club makes a deal for the left-hander. Things will change, such as the chances Boston gets more aggressive if Josh Beckett has a setback and Lee is still with the Mariners at the time, or one of the teams below finding a deal that matches their preferences more, such as Philly landing Ted Lilly or Dan Haren, or the Mets trading for Fausto Carmona or Roy Oswalt. So let's get started. 1. New York Mets 2. Philadelphia Phillies 3. Texas Rangers 4. New York Yankees 5. Minnesota Twins 6. Detroit Tigers 7. Cincinnati Reds 8. St. Louis Cardinals 9. Atlanta Braves 10. Boston Red Sox 11. All other clubs The Mets are the most desperate and have pieces to move that may be able to get it done, but they aren't an easy favorite because they don't have what Seattle Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik is believed to prefer -- near-ready impact bats. The Phillies would probably need a third team, but the two clubs have done that before, although this time it would cost them RF Domonic Brown or RHP Jarred Cosart and I'm told Brown is untouchable. Texas has an ownership problem to clear up and aren't g... Full Story - Comments (26) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-06-30 Prospect Insider has learned Wednesday that the clubs scouting Cliff Lee at Yankees Stadium Tuesday were the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees themselves. One source, a personnel executive of a non-contending club that is not in on the Lee rumors or speculation, says that the Yankees are in on the ace lefty, despite the media reports that say they want no part in trading top prospects for a rental. The thought that the Yankees are serious bidders for Lee opens up the outside possibility that Lee and agent Derek Braunecker may be willing to consider signing a pre-trade extension that assures the Yankees that they wouldn't be dealing such premium talent for two or three months of Lee. PI has also learned, however, that talks are not as far along as they'd need to be if Lee is going to be dealt before his next start on Sunday in Detroit. Something could certainly come together quicker than usual, but this may be a sign that more teams than have been reported are showing interest, and that a three-team scenario may be in the works. I'm also told that the general consensus is that there "really is no frontrunner or favorite" to land Lee right now and that Seattle will indeed seriously consider keeping him if they can't find what they want on the trade market.... Full Story - Comments (60) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-06-29 I know everyone is sad that inter-league play is over, but now the M's have to play real baseball teams (take that, NL-Central) The Good As I sat in a 90-plus degree stadium with absolutely no air ventilation, I did receive a breath of fresh air when I talked to an NL-Central scout about Michael Saunders. “No, the results aren’t exactly awe-inspiring, but the approach has been so much better than last year, he’s going to be a good one I think” the scout told me. It’s tough to be real excited about a .656 OPS, but that only tells half the story. He’s still only 23, and 45 percent of hits are of the extra-base variety. Just something to keep in mind. Can’t do much better for your first two starts in AAA than Michael Pineda did. Twelve innings pitched, three runs, and a 16/4 strikeout to walk ratio. Jason and I talked about on the podcast that the promotion for the 21 year old was likely a chance to challenge Pineda. So far challenge = not much of one at all. The Bad Jose Lopez -- this isn’t a whole lot of fun anymore. It’s two days from July, and Lopez is slugging under .300 vs. right-handed pitching. In 2008 and 2009, Lopez hit a combined 85 doubles. This year -- 12. Almost all of Jose Lopez value comes from his power, and this year its non-existent. It’s important to remember with Dan Cortes that he was the return for Yuniesky Betancourt -- so they literally could have gotten just enough cash to have a free Whopper night at the... Full Story - Comments (45) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-06-27 It's been a pretty hectic 72 hours at Prospect Insider -- so lets recap what all happened this weekend. On Friday, Jason wrote out an awesome piece detailing every prospect the M's could be looking at the Cliff Lee contenders and their possible assets. On Saturday, Jason and I did our podcast where we discussed Lee, Michael Pineda, and Dustin Ackley and that replay can be heard right here or download it at Itunes! And then either early Sunday or late Saturday -- depending on your neck of the woods -- the M's made a trade for Russell Branyan. Our take on what that deal means and the players Seattle gave up to acquire the left-handed hitter can be found by clicking that pretty little link. Lost in the shuffle of the weekend though, was the start of Erik Bedard. Bedard went four innings giving up no runs on three hits with eight strikeouts, but most importantly -- no walks. According to our friend Jason Grey at ESPN.com, Bedard sat 90-92 with the fastball, touching 93, and in the upper-70s with the curveball. Grey said the curveball break was inconsistent, but that he looked pretty darned good otherwise. Everything looks on track for Bedard to make his debut sometime in July -- we're just not... Full Story - Comments (34) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-06-26 Per Shannon Drayer -- the Mariners have traded Ezequiel Carrera and Juan Diaz. Diaz is a six-three short-stop who has a line-drive swing and can play SS, but the switch-hitter has some serious issues with discipline and power despite his size. Carrera is well-known for the numbers he put in 2009 -- but hasn't hit as well in Tacoma. He's a legit 65 runner and may have the ability to get on-base, but is strictly a fourth outfielder because of the lack of power and arm-strength. This is -- perplexing. I don't think that Carrera or Diaz are elite prospect by any means, but why the M's are giving up young talent on hitters right now is a little on the strange side. It's not a killer, and we've seen Branyan hit, just kind of odd timing.... Full Story - Comments (39) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-06-26 To listen to the podcast from Saturday, June 26, 2010, click here. You can also download it for FREE from itunes or get it HERE on the show page. - Discuss (10) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-06-25  The talk of baseball right now is clearly centered around Seattle Mariners southpaw Cliff Lee. We're all wondering when he'll walk a batter again and talking about how disgusting is it that he went 0-2 on 19 batters Wednesday night, throwing 90 of 115 pitches for strikes. But the $64,000 question is: Where will the ace left-hander be pitching in August? It's probably more like a $64 million dollar inquiry, and handicapping such a race is impossible since the facts change every day in all directions. But using all the information we could gather through scouts, a couple front office executives, some connected media people and what has been written and reported to date, we take a stab at it below, including a scouting angle on the talent. But this lengthy exercise -- and I'm serious when I say lengthy -- is more aimed at taking a look at what each club has to offer Seattle in return for Lee, and how likely it is that the club part with the necessary talents to get M's GM Jack Zduriencik to pull the trigger. In the coming days, we'll also take a look at why Seattle really has to trade Lee and what would have to happen to change that, as well as talk specific scenarios and trade packages -- with a twist or two. But, for now at least... Full Story - Comments (25) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-06-24 While it wasn't quite the gathering it was on April 19, 2005 versus Sacramento when 19-year-old Felix Hernandex made his Triple-A debut, but there was a little extra energy in the press box at Cheney Stadium last night, despite the small crowd. Michael Pineda, who dominated the Double-A Southern League and should have been asked to represent the Seattle Mariners on the World roster for next month's Futures Game -- though he very well could have been asked and the club, who has total control over which of their prospects play in the game, may have said no, in order to keep his focus on the tasks in front of him -- took the mound for the first time in Triple-A Tacoma Wednesday night, and didn't disappoint. He pitched well, and lit up the radar gun. Subscribers can check out my scouting report and the video right here. If you are not a subscriber, you can become one by clicking here and following the simple three-click instructions. ... Full Story - Comments (11) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-06-23  At 7pm we'll be live blogging Michael Pineda's first start in Triple-A Tacoma.To join in on the action, click here. Pineda has created a major buzz as a there are twice as many media members here today as normal, maybe three times as many, and the walk-up for tickets is enormous. Photos from this game by Paul Marsh. We'll get some video of Pineda of later. Until then, enjoy the live blogging.... Full Story - Comments (7) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-06-22  Just in case you were living under a rock, or maybe your cable-modem has been blinking orange for the last two months -- Seattle has about a two percent chance of being a playoff team, and now must begin the difficult task of finding players to help for 2011 and beyond. Jack Zduriencik has shown that he is a general manager who believes in building the team through trades -- with a preference for young players under team control (sans Cliff Lee). We decided to take a look and see if there are some targets who make sense for not only the Mariners -- but would likely be available for various reasons. These players are not necessarily Cliff Lee targets, but players who are blocked by young or expensive circumstances. Here are a few guys the M’s could be targeting now or in the off-season. Wilson Ramos, C -- Minnesota Twins Ramos has been talked about to death in the M's photosphere, but it's worth repeating the situation. Ramos has the potential to be an average offensive player with average defensive ability. If that doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement -- you have to keep in mind the position and the potential to have a solid regular catcher on your club with six years of control. The right-handed hitting catcher has str... Full Story - Comments (28) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-06-22 The Futures Game Rosters are out -- or will be released shortly -- and the Seattle Mariners have two players competing next month in Anaheim. Alex Liddi and Carlos Peguero will play for the World Team. I am wondering if Michael Pineda was asked and turned down the offer in order continue his developmental path, especially considering his recent promotion. Among the more interesting names that appear on the rosters include 2009 first-round draft pick Mike Trout, who plays in the same league as Nick Franklin and is about the same age. He's a beast, and a steal of a pick that late in the round. Also in the game are Cincy reliever Phillippe Alliquette who has reached 100 mph in the radar gun this season, Twins outfielder Ben Revere and Yankees catcher Austin Romine, whose names will come up -- by me at the very least -- in trade talks for Cliff Lee. Trout is not the lone 2009 draft pick in the game as Texas RHP Tanner Scheppers, Detroit LHP Andrew Oliver and St. Louis RHP Shelby Miller were also selected. This may be most M's fans first look at LHP Christian Freidrich, who should have been the pick when the M's tabbed Josh Fields two years ago. He's not a future ace, but he's pretty solid and will be representing the Rockies in the Futures Game.... Full Story - Comments (14) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-06-20 Bedard UPDATE: Bedard threw 52 pitches Monday for the ASL Mariners, fanning three and getting five ground ball outs in 2 2/3 innings. He allowed a run on four hits. He'll go again Saturday and likely throw 60-plus pitches. Bedard UPDATE: Left-hander Erik Bedard will throw as many as 50 pitches in the season-opener for Peoria in the Arizona Rookie League Monday night. If all goes well, he'll go again Saturday and ramp up the pitch count into the 60s. Without any setbacks, Bedard could make his first big-league start prior to the All-star break early next month. Right-hander Michael Pineda spent the off day Sunday flying to Portland to join the Tacoma Rainiers after dominating the Southern League for nine weeks. Here's my take on the move. Sending Pineda to Triple-A doesn't necessarily help his development, since his shortcomings are about repetition and pitch development. But the move was made to challenge Pineda's fastball-slider combo against better bats to force him to use his changeup more. He's thrown as few as three of his hybrid change/split in starts this season, and he'll need the pitch to profile as a big-league starting pitcher. Hey may get shredded in the PCL, he may do just fine. But he's going to be throwing his changeup more often. Prospect Insider will be on hand for his first start with the Rainiers this week, video, pitch charts, velocity readings and all, and for the heck of it I'll sit down with the s... Full Story - Comments (55) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-06-20 Happy Fathers day to everyone.Can't believe we're already three weeks away from the all-star break. Time flies when you're awful. The Good It'd be easy to talk about how good Cliff and Felix are -- so I will. There's good, there's great, and then there is a 67/4 K-BB ratio. Cliff Lee is the Cy Young of the American League. Period. And take away the usual Felix whoops-a-daisy in Arlington and he's had a 26-inning 28-strikeout stretch of three games. For all the talk about how 'off' Felix has been -- the stats say other wise. They're fun to watch. Speaking of command, has anyone seen the numbers Brian Moran is putting up in Clinton? Moran has put up a nice 8/1 ratio himself, and the left-hander is holding left-handed batters to a very nice .217 BAA. Moran isn't going to wow anyone, but the numbers have been impressive. The Bad Thanks to a nice start, people started wondering if Jose Lopez is back. The only thing Lopez is 'back' to is being a frustrating offensive player. It was nice to see him hit a couple of doubles on Saturday, but he hasn't walked in ten games and on-base percentages of under .300 are simply unacceptable. There are a lot of Lopez fans in the world. I hope that one of them works for another Major-League club. Ezequiel Carrera was not one of the more highly-touted pieces of the J.J Putz trade -- but the numbers he put up in West Tennessee last year put him on some peoples watch list. Watch list -- meet reality. C... Full Story - Comments (3) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-06-20  With the news out Saturday for the first time that the Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to at least make a play for left-hander Cliff Lee, I started asking around about some of the potential young talents the Dodgers may have to offer.We're assuming that Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp are untouchable in a deal for a rental player, so we dipped down into the minors. Among the names I asked about Saturday morning is right-hander Chris Withrow, whom one scout was going to see later in the day -- versus West Tennessee of all teams. That same scout said he'd seen Withrow before and really liked him, though he added that he thought "he'd need another year from now to be ready to start in the big leagues, maybe a little longer." On my way home from the M's-Reds game where Felix Hernandez tossed a 5-hit, complete-game win over a very good offensive club, I get a text from the scout saying the following: "Saw Felix was great tonight. Are you sure you saw the better performance tonight?" He was half kidding... but only half. Withrow fanned 10 and walked just one in seven scoreless frames v... Full Story - Comments (4) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-06-18 UPDATE: We're hearing that Walker did sign for right around "slot money." Nice to get a talent and not over-pay for it as well. UPDATE: Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Walker signed for $800,000. As reported by Ryan Divish, the M's have signed Taijuan Walker and will be at Safeco Field today. The terms have not yet been announced -- but we'll be sure to let you know as soon as those terms are known. Walker was not the difficult signing of early picks -- but it is still nice to have this done early. Hopefully the M's can get him where he needs to go (probably Peoria, maybe Pulaski) and begin to work with him. It's going to be a long-term project, but it's nice that the project starts now, not 2011. ... Full Story - Comments (11) By: Chris Crawford on 2010-06-15 To listen to Tuesday's Podcast, click here to go to the show page. ... Full Story - Comments (41) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2010-06-14  We produced a very, super, ridiculously early -- so much that it means less than nothing and is just to show the top talents, rather than being an actual simulation -- mock draft for 2011 that you can view here.Next year's class is very good, with more college talent overall, including more bats, which could be good for a club such as Seattle. You'll notice that at pick No. 3, which is where Seattle sits as they head toward game 2 of the series in St. Louis, we have the M's taking UCLA right-hander Gerrit Cole, which is actually what I would do if the draft were today and I had the No. 3 pick. There are a few top 15-worthy bats, however, and I do expect Seattle to win enough games to eventually slide out of the top 5 into the 6-8 range where drafting UConn outfielder George Springer or South Carolina outfielder Jackie Bradley, Jr. would probably make a lot of sense. But we're almost a year away and so much can change between now and then that really the idea is just to present the current draft order and show some of the top talents -- as it stands right now. Full Story - Comments (8) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-04-30  I'm going to do something a little different with a mock draft today. Instead of simply ranking the talents in order, or even projecting which clubs will take which players, I'm going to pretend that I'm the Scouting Director of every team in the league (hey, it could happen one day, I play the lottery) and select the exact player I would choose if I were that club's S.D., looking at the available talent after the picks made ahead of me.Again, this is not a mock draft in the purest sense. I am not predicting that this is the way it will, or even should go. But as of today, this is the way I'd draft if I were each team's chief. To give it more Seattle Mariners flavor, I went 33 picks deep so I could include the club's top three selections. And don't come asking me (I'm serious, do not do it, I'm not in the mood) why the M's would choose three position players in the top 33 if the draft is heavy on pitching. The answer is, because the three players I have them taking are better talents/values/players (whichever term or combination of terms you want to use today) than the players selected behind them. The gap between the 13th pick and the 33rd pick is not great, however, nor is the gap between No. 33 overall and the 51st overall selection, which is where the M's select in round two. In fact, the difference betwee... Full Story - Comments (74) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-04-26  This week's Premium Notebook will be a nice split between prospects, trade rumors and draft stuff.Yes, I said trade rumors. Remember, the notebooks are going to be a little bit shorter each time out, but will be more frequent. The next notebook will be published on or before the 5th of May, which will be right after I get a chance to see USC's Grant Green and Brad Boxberger, and a couple of local arms at Skagit Valley and Everett Community Colleges that are being seen as potential top 100 talents. Thought of the Week: Many of the former staffers at the Seattle P-I have gotten together and created the Seattle Post Globe, and have begun the initial stages of a new online news service, essentially competing directly with seattlepi.com. Among those contributing to the baseball content are John Hickey, Art Thiel and yours truly. My first prospect report for the SPG should be published Monday or Tuesday at Seattle Post Globe dot Org. Full access is being granted for the writers at the Post Globe, so the quality of the content should generally appear very similar as it did in the P-I over the years. But they are partnering with KCTS for the project, so the editors would like to... Full Story - Comments (44) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-04-24  I'm sure some of you are checking the box scores in the California League nightly and have noticed how well the three best arms in the Seattle Mariners farm system are faring.Juan Ramirez, Phillippe Aumont and Michael Pineda are off to strong starts, which is more impressive than anything any of the bats are doing in High Desert, due to the nightmarish environment the league and the home ballpark happen to be. I won't talk too much about Aumont until later this summer, and Ramirez will have his day in the PI sun, but Pineda made another superb start tonight. The right-hander went 7 1/3 innings allowing just three hits and an earned run. He didn't issue a walk and struck out six, en route to improving to 3-1 with a 3.51 ERA and a 24-4 K/BB ratio in 25 2/3 innings in four starts. All that is impressive enough, right? But wait, there's more. Not only did Pineda stifle a Cal League opponent in what very well may be the greatest hitter's ballpark in all of North American baseball, the lineup he faced is a good one. A very good one. The San Jose Giants boast two tremendous pitching prospects on their roster in right-hander Tim Alderson and left-hande... Full Story - Comments (15) By: Mike Craven on 2009-04-23  The 2009 draft class boasts a lot of college pitching, including right-hander Aaron Crow, formerly of the University of Missouri, who was selected No. 10 overall last year but went unsigned. Luke Hochevar experienced the same thing in 2005-2006, and he's enduring some not-so-friendly results.Kila Ka'aihue is one of the many reason why the Royals had no business trading a solid bullpen arm to the Florida Marlins for veteran first baseman Mike Jacobs.One difference between the two? One can get on base and one cannot. Another difference is that one is awful defensively, and one might not be so bad. Oh, and one is making $3.25 million this season and the other is not. Can you guess which player can't get on base, can't defend and makes more than three million bucks?
Few prospects have had as interesting a road to the majors as 6-foot-5 right-hander Luke Hochevar. He was drafted directly o... Full Story - Comments (20) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-04-22 Subscribers can join the chat going on RIGHT NOW! Today, as usual, anything goes. The minor league season is underway, the High Desert arms have been impressive, extremely in fact, Greg Halman is still Greg Halman, but the draft is getting closer... If you're not a subscriber, Click Here to sign up. ... Full Story - Comments (10) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-04-19  We've kind of beaten the "who's No. 2?" thing to death -- and we'll certainly continue drubbing it into complete submission this spring, just not today. Instead, let's look further into who could be available at No. 27, 33 and 51, the M's extra first-round pick, sandwich pick and second rounder. At the beginning of the spring Keith Law ranked the top 32 (not a random number, that's many first-round selections there are) and the No. 27 prospect was RHP Matt Hobgood from Norco (Calif.) HS. While things have changed somewhat, Hobgood may very well be there when the M's come around at 27, but there are others, too. We've already talked a little about SS Jiovanni Mier and C Austin Maddox right here, and RHP Tanner Scheppers here, so we'll move on to a few others. Jake Marisnick, OF - Poly (Riverside, Calif.) HS Marisnick is a right-handed hitting right fielder with a plus arm and good, solid swing mechanics. He's not hitting a lot of home runs, or for a ton of power right now in high... Full Story - Comments (51) By: Mike Craven on 2009-04-17  The Minor League baseball season got started in Round Rock last week and with it came a few prospects to the Austin, Texas area. I was able to get out and a see some of the guys that will be in the majors sooner than later. Some probably by All-Star break, or sooner. Below, we'll detail the early outings of right-handers Jeff Samardzija of the Chicago Cubs and Bud Norris of the Houston Astros and outfielder Brian Bogusevic, also of the Astros. Bogusevic was a first-round pick in 2005 and spent the first three and a half season as a left-handed pitcher before making the transition to the outfield last season. Round Rock played host to Iowa (Chicago Cubs) during the season's first week, which is where Samardzija made his presence known.
The left-handed hitting and throwing converted pitcher enters his second season in the outfield as arguably the best position prospect in a weak Houston A... Full Story - Comments (22) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-04-14  I searched for scouts who have been at it long enough to have seen Ken Griffey, Jr. as an amateur and/or as a minor leaguer, and actually found two old geezers (they both called each other that) who were scouting when Griffey came into the league in 1987 and made his MLB debut in 1989. Griffey spent less than a year and a half in the minors, and we all know how great his career has been over the last 20 years, but what kind of prospect was he? The obvious is that he had no major weaknesses, after all, he was the top pick in the draft for a reason. But how was he described by scouts back then? "I think I said things like 'very good,' 'super athlete,' and I'm sure I thought he'd hit enough to play everyday," said a former AL West rival scout. "Tremendous bat speed, unbelievable makeup for a kid that age and he ran well, which, for me, can make up for some lack of hitting for average or power by showing up on defense and on the bases. "But there weren't a lot of doubts, honestly. The report on him out of high school was exactly what you'd think it was -- great talent,... Full Story - Comments (18) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-04-10  This week's Notebook is about 1/3 shorter than usual, and that's going to be the norm from here on out, but I'll be updating the Notebooks three times a month instead of two. It's just easier for me in regards to organization and timing. It's either about 2000 words twice a month or 1300 words three times per month. Let's go with three, and I'm going to try and do them on the 5th, 15th and 25th of every month. Handbook Update: I have to apologize to those who bought books... it's just been extremely difficult to get it finished - I have so little time to sit down un-distracted and concentrate right now. But for those who have bought, or will buy the handbook this year, in any form, print or digital, you will receive the mid-season update (digitally) for FREE and the digital handbook will be half off for you next year. Again, my apologies for the book already being more than 100 days late! Ugh. This edition of the premium Notebook includes Opening Day thoughts around the M's minor league system, Draft... Full Story - Comments (62) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-04-08  I'll keep this type of feature within the grand theme of the site and talk about three very important things I've noticed in the first three games of the season - from young and/or inexperienced players that are a big part of the 2009 Seattle Mariners.In reverse order of importance... 3. Chris Jakubauskas v. 2009 > Chris Jakubauskas v. 2008 The right-hander simply has better stuff right now than he did at any point in Tacoma last season. His fastball sat 90-91 with movement Wednesday night and his curve ball, while not consistently located, had more break. But his change, that he threw three or four times, was better than at any point I saw last summer. The velo is similar, the movement similar, the offspeed stuff was better. Right now Jakubauskas is better than he was a year ago and probably good enough to be the 6th or 7th man in the pen for the entire season. But ya know what? I'd start him. He's one of the five best starting pitchers on the roster. 2. Franklin Gutierrez's Hitless Wednesday That was one of the more impressive 0-for-4 nights I have seen from anyone in a Mariners uniform in some time. He was selective, worked the count in three of the four trips t... Full Story - Comments (40) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-04-07 Clinton's roster can be found here, by the way. Not one top 15 prospect on that roster after Mario Martinez, which means Dennis Raben joins Saunders on the DL to start the year. Here's West Tenn's 2009 Opening Day Roster. Pitchers Luis Munoz Josh Fields Mumba Rivera Marwin Vega Justin Souza Luis Pena Nick Hill Patrick Ryan Robert Rohrbaugh Kyle Parker Ricky Orta Doug Fister Aaron Cotter Stephen Kahn (DL) Hitters Adam Moore Yamid Haad Luis Oloveros (DL) Javier Brito Thomas Hubbard Matt Mangini Oswaldo Navarro Carlos Triunfel Ronnie Prettyman (DL) Jeff Dominguez Mel Stocker (DL) Greg Halman Brent Johnson Ezequiel Carrera Johan Limonta My Lineup: 1. Johnson, OF/3B 2. Triunfel, 2B/SS 3. Hubbard, 1B 4. Brito, DH 5. Halman, CF 6. Mangini, 3B 7. Moore, C 8. Carrera, OF 9. Navarro, 2B/SS Navarro is going to school Triunfel like I guessed yesterday, and I love that move. Rotation: 1. Parker 2. Vega 3. Rohrbaugh 4. Fister 5. Hill Orta, Rivera and Souza can also start, but profile better in relief. Pen: 1. Fields 2. Orta 3. Souza 4. Pena 5. Munoz 6. Kahn, eventually 7. Cotter The D-Jaxx are going to hit some, field some and pitch... not some... Full Story - Comments (14) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-04-07 Pitchers Phillippe Aumont Nathan Adcock Natividad Dilone Michael Pineda Juan Zapata Jake Wild Anthony Varvaro Alfredo Venegas Juan Ramirez Steve Richard Travis Mortimore Aaron Jensen (DL) Donnie Hume Edward Paredes Hitters Travis Scott Jose Yepez Ian Bladergroen Edilio Corona Juan Diaz Alex Liddi Ron Garth Joe Dunigan Carlos Peguero Tyson Gillies Kuo Hui Lo Jamie McOwen If I were putting the lineup together, I'd go: 1. Gillies, CF 2. Garth/Colina, 2B 3. Bladergroen, 1B 4. Scott, C 5. Dunigan, OF/DH 6. Peguero, OF/DH 7. Lo, LF 8. Diaz, SS 9. Liddi, 3B I'd lean Colina at second since he's more of a prospect than Garth, but Garth is the better player presently, especially at the plate. May flip Liddi and Diaz, too. My rotation would be: 1. Aumont 2. Ramirez 3. Pineda 4. Adcock 5. Hume But since we know Aumont will be in the pen: 1. Ramirez 2. Pineda 3. Adcock 4. Hume 5. Paredes Pen: 1. Aumont 2. Dilone (showed good stuff ins pring, though he's a bit old at 26 to be a AAA prospect let alone in High A.) 3. Richard 4. Varvaro 5. Mortimore 6. Wild 7. Zapata Varvaro can also start, but his command/control has not returned since TJ surgery the year before the draft and Hume and Paredes do not profile well in relief work, particularly Hume. But Var... Full Story - Comments (6) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-04-06 Here they are: Pitchers Jesus Delgado Andy Baldwin Gaby Hernandez Sean White Eric Hull Chris Seddon Denny Stark Jason Vargas Randy Messenger Brodie Downs Garrett Olson Justin Thomas Hitters Mike Morse Chris Shelton Bryan LaHair Chris Woodward Callix Crabbe Chris Burke Mike Carp Jeff Clement Prentice Redman Mike Wilson Steve Moss Jamie Burke... Full Story - Comments (12) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-04-05 I thought it would be fun to get everyone's picks in one thread, all six divisions, awards, batting titles, home run leaders, etc, etc... So copy and paste the bolded text below and place your picks beside them, do not predict win-loss records for anyone but the division champion, and put an X next to your wildcard pick in each league. AL West 1. 2. 3. 4. AL Central 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. AL East 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. NL West 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. NL Central 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. NL East 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. AL MVP NL MVP AL ROY NL ROY AL CY NL CY AL HR NL HR AL Batting NL Batting AL ERA NL ERA AL Saves NL Saves AL Champion NL Champion World Series Champion Seattle Mariners Predictions Give a triple-slash prediction (avg/obp/slg) for the following hitters. No home run totals, steals or anything like that, since playing time dictates. Ichiro Suzuki Franklin Gutierrez Jose Lopez Russell Branyan Ken Griffey, Jr. Adrian Beltre Kenji Johjima Mike Sweeney Rob Johnson Wlad Balentien Endy Chavez Ronny Cedeno Yuniesky Betancourt Jeff Clement Do the same with these pitchers, using ERA/IP/K. Felix Hernandez Erik Bedard Carlos Silva Jarro... Full Story - Comments (27) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-04-04  The M's set their roster today, at least the roster that will be for the next 11 days, anyway.The bullpen ended up being David Aardsma, Roy Corcoran, Mark Lowe, Chris Jakubauskas, Shawn Kelley, Brandon Morrow and Miguel Batista. No surprises, really, and no surprise that the rotation, lineup and the bench went pretty much the way we expected, too, with the exception of Matt Tuiasosopo being the holdover in place of Ichiro, who was officially placed on the disabled list. I thought Mike Wilson or Chris Shelton would have gotten that nod - the more proven bat in Shelton or at least someone who has experience playing right field in Wilson, who had impressed Wakamatsu this spring with his work ethic and the way he progressed against pitchers trying to get him to chase breaking balls. well, I assume that impressed Wak, it certainly impressed a scout or two that saw Wilson hit some long balls. The M's outrighted RHP Jesus Delgado to Tacoma and sent LHP Tyler Johnson, Wilson, Chris Woodward, Chris Burke, injured RHP Chad Cordero and catcher Jamie Burke to Tacoma as well. Chris Burke is likely to be the Rainiers starting second or third baseman, but Tuiasosopo is li... Full Story - Comments (21) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-03-31  Before I get to the news on right-handers Phillippe Aumont, Maikel Cleto and Michael Pineda, two other right-handers are in the news this week.Austin Bibens-Dirkx and Joe Woerman were released - Woerman last week, AB-D yesterday. Those were the two most noteworthy transactions, so I thought I'd share. Austin should land on his feet, and he's a favorite of mine, so I wish him well. He can pitch, too, when healthy, and is now using a variance of arm angles regularly, something the organization really liked. But it's a numbers crunch, and the M's have a slew of teenage Latin arms that they need room for. Aumont to West Tenn Don't get too excited, because there's more. I have learned that the Mariners have either already decided, or are strongly considering, starting Aumont's second pro season in Double-A West Tennessee - in the bullpen. On the surface this could tee off a lot of people, but it's a better alternative than sending Aumont to High Desert and using him in the rotation. Why? Because he has all of 50 innings under his belt as a pro and in a relief role the organization can control his environment more effectively. Surprisingly, I love th... Full Story - Comments (88) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-03-30  This is going to be quick, random, and from the hip, but this is what I'd do with the M's from today until the day the season starts. Not beyond, and I'm not going to talk about the Morrow thing. They say he's a reliever, I'll treat him as a reliever for now.By the way, these are in no particular order. 1. Release Batista He can't pitch, and I'd rather pay him to do nothing to hurt the club and take a roster spot of someone who could help them now and in the future. 2. Place Morrow on the DL or keep him in XST If he's ready to roll, fine, he can come north. But that's going to be tough to say in less than a week. Start him on the disabled list or keep him behind in extended spring training and get him right. If Morrow does not come north on the 25-man, here's my bullpen: Aardsma, Kelley, Jimenez, Lugo, Lowe, White and Jakubauskas When Morrow is right, either White, or Jakubauskas goes down, but Jakubauskas leads the long-man group with Batista out and RRS in the rotation. When Tyler Johnson is ready, he's in, too, probably in place of Jimenez. The M's are likely going to carry Roy Corcoran, but I wouldn't right now. Sen... Full Story - Comments (24) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-03-27  Last spring, Fresno State right-hander Tanner Scheppers made 12 appearances for the eventual-champion Bulldogs, 11 of them starts. He went 8-2 with a 2.93 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 70 2/3 innings. He issued just 34 walks, gave up only 54 hits and was set to become a top-10 pick in the draft.Before his shoulder tweaked out on him in late April, ending his season, Scheppers was mong the top few pitchers in the 2008 draft class. He went 48th overall to the Pittsburgh Pirates, did not sign and will suit up for the St. Paul Saints in May to try and regain some status and go somewhere in round one this June. Somewhere in round one probably includes No. 27 where the Seattle Mariners will make their second selection of the first round. It's a risky pick no matter where Scheppers is taken, but considering the lack of depth in the class, it might be one with enough reward to warrant the decision. Scheppers will pitch again until early May at the soonest, as the St. Paul Saints of the independent Northern Le... Full Story - Comments (51) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-03-26 The Seattle Mariners take on the Kansas City Royals today and right-hander Felix Hernandez will make his first Cactus League appearance. Also, the lineup is a good look at what might actually be the opening day lineup. Ichiro Lopez Griffey Beltre Branyan Sweeney Johjima Betancourt Gutierrez Though I like Gutierrez in the 2 spot much better than Lopez.... Full Story - Comments (18) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-03-25  The latest Notebook has been published for subscribers, and includes a complete truck load of draft stuff, including rankings, a quick look at the prep catchers, a scout's take on drafting for need, the prospects with helium and a new addition to the site - check that one out for sure. To subscribe for just $2.00 per month, Click Here.... Full Story - Comments (17) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-03-24 Ryan Rowland-Smith faces Clayton Kershaw tonight on FSN, check it out. Kershaw has great stuff and RRS is, well, a Mariners left-hander that we like a little, right? In the early game versus Texas, Washburn was a little luckier in previous outings - he gave up eight hits and a walk and failed to strike out a single batter, which is tough to do when you face 27 hitters in a Cactus League game. None of the four relievers looked sharp at all; Randy Messenger, Sean White, Cesar Jimenez and Jose Lugo all allowed more base runners than innings pitched, and only White missed any bats. Griffey doubled twice and walked, as did Shelton who went 3-for-5, and Gillies and Corona each added two hits, too. Tonight versus LAD, we'll see Chavez, Betancourt, Lopez, Branyan, Balentien, Clement, Tui, Wilson and Woodward get the nod.... Full Story - Comments (17) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-03-20  I'm following the San Diego State-BYU game online and exchanging texts with a scout in attendance, and I was motivated to write something, anything, about Stephen Strasburg.Entering play tonight, Strasburg had a 1.98 ERA and a 59-5 K/BB ratio in 27 1/3 innings. Think about that - 59 strikeouts and FIVE walks in 27 1/3 innings, and he's starting games and going seven and eight innings each time out. I'm not even sure if you took the best arms in the big leagues, starter or closer - Sabathia, Santana, Lincecum, Beckett, K-Rod at his best, whoever, and pitched him 27 1/3 innings at the most comfortable rate possible, that they'd put up those sickening numbers - in Double-A. That's peposterous, it's ridiculous... it's insanity. Stras is blowing up the radar guns again - Keith Law will have a scouting report on the draft blog tomorrow, I'm sure, so I'll leave his information for that, but Stras is hitting triple digits on the stadium gun again, and while it's likely 2-3 mphs off, he's the only one in pro ball doing that. He's sustained 94-99 mph heat into the eighth inning of starts this season already and his breaking ball, a slider with good tilt and late break, has been sensation... Full Story - Comments (48) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-03-20 Since we're getting closer to the regular season, I thought it'd be interesting to know who's going to be pitching that day, without having to scour the papers or wait and watch. Friday, lefty Jason Vargas gets the start, with RHs Randy Messenger, Luis Munoz and Sean White also scheduled to pitch. Right-hander Doug Fister, who could be a future bullpen candidate - as early as later this year - is also on the slate. And unless he can't get loose or the M's run out of innings, Juan Ramirez is scheduled to throw an inning, too. That will be fun. Messenger, Munoz and White are all AAA candidates, as are Fister and Vargas. Ramirez is headed for High Desert. Good luck with that Juan Carlos.... Full Story - Comments (0) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-03-19 Starting at 7pm, let's chat about baseball. The M's are on tv versus the Padres, the lowly Padres, and I have had enough hoops for the day. Griffey is playing left field and Mike Blowers is pink. Baseball it is. Click Here to Chat Live - Discuss (8) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-03-19  Some of this could have gone in Friday's mini notebook, but I decided against that.Over at the four-letter today, there will be a few interesting posts on the draft, one being a somewhat collaborative and updated list of first round picks broken down into groups; definite first rounders, probable first rounders, and so on. In Marinerland... Mike Wilson is not a top prospect, so stop asking what his future role with the M's is... Jarrod Washburn is bad... Miguel Batista is worse. One scout in Arizona that has seen both this spring on more than one occasion had this to offer on both expensive arms. "He's got okay stuff, but no command, no feel and sometimes no clue," he said of Batista. "I don't see how he helps anyone in any role." "He's a No. 5 over here," he added of Washburn's potential in the National League. "Maybe a little more if he's in the right division - the west. But his command is even a notch below what it was a few years ago and he was sitting 86-88 and wasn't he 89-91 when he signed? He shouldn't be counted on to win anything." A couple of you have inquired about the potential that some young players in the M's system are involved in the Dominican Republ... Full Story - Comments (19) By: Mike Craven on 2009-03-14  The best pro prospect in the city of Austin has to be McCallum HS center fielder Everett Williams. Pro scouts consider the six-foot and sturdily built Williams a pure center fielder. Williams gets the ball out of his hand in a hurry with a plus arm and good accuracy and owns the most feared arm in the area, rarely getting tested by third base coaches.Williams' speed is what has most teams drooling. I timed Williams at 3.99 and 3.94 to first base at a tournament in Georgetown last week. He is routinely between 3.9 and 4.1 and is a threat on the base paths because of his quick first step. He is definitely more quick than fast and this allows him to get monster lead-offs. After a huge junior season Williams has had his struggles at the plate this year. Last he hit over .450 with 14 home runs, but local pitchers have taken note and rarely give Williams anything to hit. The word around the program is that Everett has been frustrated and has been trying to chase pitches to help his team win. McCallum relies heavily on Williams and so far teams have decided to walk him. In last week's tournament I watched him bat nine times. He was walked seven of them, doubled to left field, and grounded out to shortst... Full Story - Comments (57) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-03-13  The latest Premium Notebook has been published and is available to premium subscribers.In this edition, a scout talks about Phillippe Aumont, an opposing pitcher shares his mini scouring report on Greg Halman, I share some random quotes and my new top 10 for the Draft. If you are not a subscriber, Click here to sign up for just $2.00 per month. Next week I'll have an abbreviated premium notebook to include my own scouting report on Dustin Ackley, with the assistance of a former M's scout now getting his paychecks from an NL Central club.... Full Story - Comments (14) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-03-09  It's early, and if I get official rosters a month from now that have yet to be published publicly, I'll certainly share those, but here's a quick look at what the Tacoma Rainiers roster might look like come opening day in about four weeks. Let's not talk too much about the Rule 5 guys, because it's impossible to do anything but speculate whether Reegie Corona, Jose Lugo or Patrick Ryan will make the clubs they're destined for. As a side note, I should get the minor league groupings sometime in the next few days, as MiLB camp opened this morning. I do know that RHP Austin-Bibens Dirk is part of the Triple-A group, which means there's little to no chance he returns to Class-A High Desert. Carlos Triunfel and right-hander Juan Ramirez are on and off the traveling squad in big-league camp, but will soon report to minor league camp. Triunfel to Double-A West Tennessee and Ramirez to the group with prospective High Desert players. Thanks to reader basekid3's find that the Mariners are considering returning right-hander Phillippe Aumont to the Midwest league - this time in Clinton, Iowa with the Lumberkings. I confirmed that consideration, but it's apparently up to Aumont,... Full Story - Comments (38) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-03-07  Many of you got a chance to see Seattle Mariners right-hander Phillippe Aumont for the first time today, as Canada took on the U.S. in the first round of the World Baseball Classic.A few of you asked me in the Prospect Pack thread what I thought of Aumont's performance today. My first reaction when someone asks about Aumont is to really give away my Top 10, which comes out in the Handbook. Side Note: Working as much as I can to finish the book and get it out. The publisher isn't being as cooperative as I'd like, but I'm spending as much time as I can on the book's completion. The rankings are set, and I'm done adding players to it; Fields was the final addition. Even if Jack trades Beltre and Bedard for half the Brewers farm system, they won't make the book. I don't have Aumont ranked as high as some would expect, or as high as Baseball America, who ranked him No. 3 behind Greg Halman and Michael Saunders. But I think my answers in the above linked thread were too shortsighted, so I thought I'd tackle the subject in its own post, which is why you're reading this. Aumont we... Full Story - Comments (20) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-03-12 Come on in and talk some baseball at 12 noon today. This one is available to everyone. Click Here - Discuss (4) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-03-05  During the season, we'll take a look at three prospects in the game; one that's big-league ready, one that's either turning the corner toward proving his worth as a legit premium prospect or may be showing the world that he's not, and one raw, developing prospect in the lower minors with a lot of risk but high reward attached.The prospects will not all be in the same organization, but to give you an example, let's use the M's system. Big-league Ready: Michael Saunders, LF/RF Turning the Corner?: Carlos Triunfel, 2B/SS High-risk, High-reward: Jharmidy DeJesus, 3B But for this month of March, as the pro talent gears up for the start of their spring - minor league pitchers and catchers report on Monday, March 10 - we'll do the Pack on the draft prospects, instead. And for this edition - we'll do one more draft edition later this month - we'll focus on the M's first three picks in the 2009 draft, rather than using the above categories. I re-ranked the Top 33 players in the draft class after this past weekend, and will simply place the players in their slots as they ranked, rather than weighing other variables. No. 2: Alex White, RHP - North Carolin... Full Story - Comments (41) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-03-04  So I hear there's a game on Wednesday night. Fox Sports Northwest (that's channel 30 if you're on Comcast in the Seattle area) is carrying the Seattle Mariners tilt versus Team Australia at 6:00 pm tonight.It'll be Ken Griffey, Jr.'s return to the batter's box in Peoria with an M's uniform on his back, and the 206's first look at the 2009 Seattle Mariners. I haven't seen anything anywhere that says what skipper Don Wakamatsu is going to do as far as the rest of the lineup goes, but former M's lefty Travis Blackley is getting the start for Australia. He signed with the Diamondbacks this winter and has a chance to make their 25-man as a long reliever and spot starter. For His sake, I'm hoping he blanks the M's for the duration of his stint. But I have a feeling that the first fastball Griffey gets from anyone is going to be received with the biggest swing we've seen Junior take in 11 seasons. And I don't care what the result is.... Full Story - Comments (16) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-03-03 Jack Zduriencik is acting on Safeco's strengths - and his own. The Seattle Mariners have still yet to play a regular season game under new GM Jack Zduriencik, but we've already seen the plethora of changes he's made, starting with the scouting director position and those he trusts most to surround him with information. Zduriencik's strength lies within his own scouting abilities and his ability to identify others who have strong capabilities in the same area. Translation: He's a good scout, and knows another good scout when he sees one. This doesn't mean that Zduriencik did not think much of Bob Fontaine or Benny Looper, he just has his own guys he's going to rely on for the same duties. Tom McNamara was brought in to replace Fontaine as the new amateur scouting director and rather than coasting by with assistants and advisors such as Looper, John Boles and Dan Evans, the M's new baseball operations king brought in Carmen Fusco and Tony Blengino, who have a track record of bringing something valuable to the table. While there hasn't been a ton of changes with the scouts in the organization - I've yet to learn of one of the area scouts or regional coordinators losing their j... Full Story - Comments (15) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-02-26  The World Baseball Classic is set for next month’s clash of the almost-titans, and while there are a number of big-league talents on many of the rosters, there are also some recognizable prospects that made the final cut.There are four former Mariners on the Australian club, three of them left-handed pitchers. Travis Blackley, who is now with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Damian Moss, Craig Anderson and Chris Snelling, who is a free agent. Left-hander Ryan Rowland-Smith withdrew from consideration to focus on convincing the Mariners to just find a way to get rid of Jarrod Washburn. Seriously. Phillippe Aumont made the final roster for Canada, as did Milwaukee Brewers C/2B Brett Lawrie, whom the Brewers just decided to move to second base full time. Cleveland Indians outfielder Nick Weglarz, who starred alongside Michael Saunders for Team Canada in the Beijing Olympics, made the cut as well. Pittsburgh outfielder James Romak will also play for Team Canada. Don’t forget to watch for Yulieski Gourriel, Cuba’s infielder who could crack any lineup in big-league baseball. Anyone see how stacked the Dominican roster is? Let’s take a look at the names real quick before I get back to the... Full Story - Comments (55) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-02-21  With the Cactus League schedule a week away, I've been thinking about some of the more important issues for the younger talents in big-league camp.[I'll cover the same subject for the prospects not invited to the major league camp at a later date.] Clearly it's put up or shutup time for Wladimir Balentien, and, at least defensively, that's where Jeff Clement stands, too. Balentien has yet to arrive in Peoria due to visa issues, but when he does, he better have his hitting shoes on. In fact, he should sleep in them. He's 25, out of options and his defense hasn't made much progress over the past year or so. His pitch recognition is below average and he's yet to meet a breaking ball away that he didn't like. To earn his plate appearances, Wlad is going to have to show progress and a stronger, more dedicated work ethic, or he's not long for the organization. Any lengthy stretches of the same old struggles with strikeouts and the lack of improvement, and the M's are probably going to say goodbye forever. But, barring a trade, he's likely to get a good look this spring and into the regular season in order for the front office and coaching staff to gather enough information t... Full Story - Comments (63) By: Mike Craven on 2009-02-19  Prospect Insider, along with seven professional scouts, had front row seats to witness the season debut by one of the top prep pitchers in the nation when Shelby Miller took on Marble Falls on Valentine's Day. Miller, generally ranked among the top 15-20 overall draft prospects, tossed two innings and threw over 40 pitches with the radar guns of the Oakland Athletics, Houston Astros, Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies, among others, digitally recording his every move. Miller, who plays in Brownwood, burst onto the scene as a junior by throwing three straight no-hitters, the last one being a five inning perfect game where he struck out 14 of the 15 batters who came to the plate. In his career he has four no-hitters. As a senior, Miller now has the big leagues interested because of his size, 6-foot-4, 215 pounds, his terrific sinking fastball and assortment of secondary offerings. He's also got solid mechanics for a prep pitcher. Miller's fastball hovers in the low 90s, topping out at 94 this past Saturday, but scouts think there may be more velocity to come. "Honestly, he doesn't use his back leg well enough," one scout said. "With his size and frame he can throw hard... Full Story - Comments (46) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-02-18  So many of you have been asking about Grant Green that I thought it deserved its own post so I can share my thoughts, as well as the thoughts of others I have talked to, about Green’s prospects as a big-league shortstop.He’s a clean 6-2 or 6-3, 180-185 pounds with good feet, enough arm strength and Bobby Crosby-like athletic ability. His hands are good enough, but his range laterally, particularly to his left, has yet to reflect his overall physical ability, but during his junior season and the first few years as a professional, the instruction he receives should bring that out. Chances are, Green is a shortstop at the Major League level. “I don’t see any reason why not,” said the West Coast Area Scout of an AL club. “He’s got the ability to play there; it’s there physically. His arm is fine, accurate enough, he shows decent footwork… I like him a little bit, yeah. “But no, he’s not Tulo, not with the glove. The extras aren’t there, at least yet. Green is more like a younger (Edgar) Renteria or a Bobby Crosby, though Crosby has more arm.” At the plate, Green is a scout’s dream for a shortstop; Above-average power, makes contact consistently and understands the game enough to know... Full Story - Comments (39) By: Mike Craven on 2009-02-16 Don't miss out on your chance at the latest rumors, draft news and more with the Premium Notebook - Subscribe Now!  We've read about Stephen Strasburg, Aaron Crow, Grant Green and other top prospects for this June's First Year Player's Draft. But even in a very shallow pool of talent, there are more intriguing talents that could become relevant, both in Seattle and for most other clubs with a pick somewhere in the top 50.The state of Texas is no stranger to elite level prep stars, and the 2009 draft class is no different. The state is loaded with top pitching talent, and one of the top prospects is Texarkana High School senior Slade Heathcott. Heathcott, a left-handed pitcher and outfielder signed to play at Louisiana State University, features a 91-94 mph fastball and a 12-6 curve ball that has scouts extremely interested. The LSU coaching staff has indicated that they'd allow Heathcott to play in the field and on the mound if they can convince him to come to Baton Rouge. But with the talent the 6-1, 195-pounder has on the mound it may be a chore to keep him from signing a professional contract straight out of high school. "According to the advisor that works with some of the guys around here he's going to be a million dollar guy,... Full Story - Comments (59) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-02-15 Don't miss out on your chance at the latest rumors, draft news and more with the Premium Notebook - Subscribe Now!  General manager Jack Zduriencik claimed another of his own Saturday night, and designated infielder Tug Hulett for assignment to make room for him.Right-hander Luis Pena, 26, spent the first eight years of his professional career with Milwaukee, starting 73 games before transitioning to the bullpen full time in 2006. He's always been able to miss bats with his 93-96 mph fastball and splitter, but has battled control problems throughout. Seattle gets another live arm with a little upside to toss into the mix for the bullpen, while Hulett, if they lose him on waivers, is a player that fell three spots on the second-base depth chart despite the club trading away it's top minor leaguer at the position. The additions of Reegie Corona and Ronny Cedeno pretty much guaranteed Hulett another trip to the minors for 2009. There's a chance he clears waivers and is assigned to Triple-A Tacoma, but this is the time of year when teams are willing to add such players to their roster, if they have the room, and sometimes even if they don't. Think of Pena in a similar light as Francisco Cruceta; not likely to start games in the big leag... Full Story - Comments (17) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-02-13 Don't miss out on your chance at the latest rumors, draft news and more with the Premium Notebook - Subscribe Now!  Left-hander Andrew Oliver has won his court case versus the NCAA Thursday, resulting in his reinstatement to the Oklahoma State baseball roster.Oliver, among the top 15 prospects for the upcoming draft, was ruled ineligible the day before his Cowboys regional last spring. He was officially ruled ineligible by the university, but they were pressured heavily by the corrupt NCAA. Oliver, as a high school senior, was a 17th round pick by the Twins, and had his attorney present during the negotiations the Twins representatives had with Oliver and his family over a professional contract. This violated NCAA Bylaw 12.3.2.1. At least it used to, anyway. Judge Tyge M. Tone in Ohio has effectively thrown out that rule altogether, reinstated Oliver, and has thrown out a Bylaw that allows the NCAA to punish Oliver and the university should Tone's ruling be overturned on appeal. The Bylaw prohibiting attorneys being present during negotiations is aimed at the agent-player relationship in attempt to preserve amateurism. "This Court appreciates that a fundamental goal of the member institutions and the Defendant is to prese... Full Story - Comments (21) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-02-12 Don't miss out on your chance at the latest rumors, draft news and more with the Premium Notebook - Subscribe Now!  Breaking News: Sometimes making no sense, makes the most sense.While every media outlet known to man is reporting that a deal between the Seattle Mariners and Ken Griffey Jr. is imminent, I'm here to tell you that it's a done deal. And that's not a guess based on other reports. I was told yesterday that the two sides had already agreed on "one side of the the terms," and were awaiting only semantics and the small print. It's apparently for one year, and I don't know if there is any sort of option year attached at all, but I would guess no, unless it's a team option with a very small buyout. I've also been told that the guaranteed money is about where we all suspected all along - "Somewhere south of $5 million," with incentives based on plate appearances. In the baseball world, signing Griffey doesn't help the M's get better on the field. He doesn't give them a middle of the order bat, he isn't going to provide gold glove defense and he's certainly not going to carry the M's to the postseason. In other words, his upside is very limited and the move doesn't make sense. But sometimes making no sense makes the most s... Full Story - Comments (86) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-02-11 Don't miss out on your chance at the latest rumors, draft news and more with the Premium Notebook - Subscribe Now!  When the Seattle Mariners traded closer J.J. Putz to the Mets for seven players in a three-team deal, the most important piece of the return package came from the Cleveland Indians, not Putz’s new employers in New York.Granted, there’s certainly a chance that Franklin Gutierrez ends up as the second or third best player the M’s received in the trade, especially if you include the two players received in return for Aaron Heilman, who was originally part of the Putz deal. But Gutierrez is a much safer bet to contribute in the big leagues than is outfielder Ezequiel Carrera, right-hander Maikel Cleto, and even first baseman Mike Carp. And his importance to the M’s 25-man roster and everyday lineup over the next two seasons is very likely more critical to the club’s potential success than left-hander Garrett Olson, who ultimately profiles as a back-end starting pitcher. Gutierrez will be 26 in two weeks and enters his fifth big-league spring training despite fewer than 300 games of experience. He’s a right-handed batter standing 6-feet-2 and weighing just under 200 pounds. He’s brings above-average foot speed to the table, above-aver... Full Story - Comments (44) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-02-08 Don't miss out on your chance at the latest rumors, draft news and more with the Premium Notebook - Subscribe Now!  Heading into the 2009 season the Seattle Mariners prospective roster presents dozens of questions. Who's going to pitch the high-leverage innings out of the bullpen? Can Ronny Cedeno supplant Jose Lopez or Yuniesky Betancourt up the middle? Is Franklin Gutierrez a good enough at the plate to earn a full-time job in center field beyond 2009?We'll touch on all of these questions as spring training gets under way next weekend, but not in the same manner in which the mainstream media will tackle them. We'll look at them from a scouting and player development standpoint, offering insight on the players' physical abilities, upside, level of probability and a projection for the upcoming season. What we won't be doing is talking about the veterans; though Cedeno, Gutierrez, and today's subject, Jeff Clement, are no longer prospects technically, they're still quite young, inexperienced and bring as much or more doubt to the table than they breed confidence in their abilities. Can Jeff Clement catch? I've been asked that question more times than I can count the past two seasons - and contrary to what some of you believe, I can count... Full Story - Comments (73) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-02-03 Don't miss out on your chance at the latest rumors, draft news and more with the Premium Notebook - Subscribe Now!  Since both Garrett Olson and Rich Hill are left-handers and recently connected via trade interest to the Seattle Mariners - Olson coming in the Aaron Heilman trade and Hill eventually being dealt to Baltimore for Conor Glassey's car - and license plate frame - there has been some question as to which of the two makes more sense for the M's. Fastball Hill has slight edge in the velocity category, typically sitting in the 89-92 mph range with his four-seamer – occasionally touching 93. He also throws a two-seamer that sits around 88 miles per hour and runs in on right-handed batters. Olson’s velocity was more up and down in 2008 than Hill has showed in the past, though Hill didn’t pitch much last season with the Cubs. Olson’s first start of ’08 showed a fastball in the 86-92 range, with the 86’s being cutters that he uses in place of the slider he has scrapped. Hill pitches up with fastball and Olson keeps his down, which in itself explains the differences in the ground ball rates. Olson’s cutter is something he gets a high percentage of strikes out of, whether it be on a pitch fouled off a swing and a miss or a... Full Story - Comments (9) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-01-30 I received a tip today from a friend of the site about a potential payroll-moving trade by Jack Zduriencik, and in following up on it, there might be something to it - or at least there may have been at some point. What I dug up/have been told is that the M's are working on a trade that would rid themselves of either Jarrod Washburn, Miguel Batista, or even Carlos Silva to an AL Central team. But Brandon Morrow and either Wladimir Balentien or Jeff Clement - or both - might have to be part of the trade, at least as far as I can gather. Returning would be a young corner outfielder with solid defensive skills and one strong offensive season under his belt, and minor league prospects - at least one pitcher. I don't know exactly how fresh this information is, or how deep the talks have gone up to this point - or if the talks are dead or alive. But I thought it was very interesting anyway, and further proof that Zduriencik is willing to make drastic moves if necessary. ... Full Story - Comments (123) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-01-29 Don't miss out on your chance at the Premium Notebook - Subscribe Now!  We don't usually do this sort of thing at Prospect Insider, but I'm making an exception, just this one time.PI has a lot of friends around the net that contribute, read, follow, inspire and assist the site and its success, and it's important to me to plug these sites. But before I do, be sure that I'm not plugging every little site out there to simply drive traffic; these are quality sites with quality content and products to offer, and most of them are sports related. None of these sites are getting plugs because I'm friends with their web developers or owners. Anyone who has been here more than once or twice knows about the Seattle-area blogosphere, so I won't talk too much about Lookout Landing, USS Mariner, Bleeding Blue and Teal and Mariner Central, but all four are quality forums in which to discuss Seattle Mariners baseball. New to the blogosphere are Pro Ball and Seattle Sports Insider, led by Dr. Detecto himself. Full Story - Comments (11) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-01-28 Don't miss out on your chance at the Premium Notebook - Subscribe Now!  Right-hander Aaron Heilman went undefeated in his tenure with the Seattle Mariners. Sweet.The M's traded Heilman to the Cubs Wednesday in exchange for left-hander Garrett Olson and middle infielder Ronny Cedeno. Update: To make room on the 40-man roster, Ichiro and Jarrod Washburn have been traded to Detroit for Justin Verlander. Okay, yeah, no. Instead, Randy Messenger was placed on irrevocable waivers, essentially considered an outright unconditional release. So what are the M's getting? Not a lot, but then again, they didn't give up a lot, either. Cedeno will be 26 next week and has never had more than short stretches of good offensive production, but there's still potential there. His physical skills suggest average power and contact rates with acceptable on-base skills for a middle infielder. He can handle short and second at satisfactory levels, which makes Cedeno worth Heilman all by himself. In his minor league career, the right-handed hitting Cedeno never displayed much more than gap power, with the exception of his 75-game stint in Triple-A Iowa where he put up a .959 OPS. But small sample sizes win out there, as hi... Full Story - Comments (51) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-01-27 Don't miss out on your chance at the Premium Notebook - Subscribe Now!  Not that it matters a whole lot, but there is a lot of chatter going on in the city of Seattle about who is going to be the team's closer in 2009. The trade of J.J. Putz has opened up a role at the end of the game for the M's bullpen crew, and four or five arms will vie for the role this March in Spring Training.Those arms likely include five right-handers in Roy Corcoran, Mark Lowe, David Aardsma, Tyler Walker and Miguel Batista. Right-hander Aaron Heilman and southpaw Ryan Rowland-Smith are heading to spring camp as candidates for the starting rotation, as is righty Brandon Morrow. Heilman and Rowland-Smith could end up in the bullpen should the M's fail to deal Jarrod Washburn between now and sometime before the season is over. If Washburn is here, he's going to start games. The same can't be said for Batista, who actually likes the relief role, and has experience as a 9th-inning option. Heilman's stuff is best suited for relief work, but it's his arm slot that has scouts concerned that he's nothing more than a No. 5 starter with 90-100 pitches at his disposal. His pure stuff is above average, but his command is not, leaving the right-hander without the proper we... Full Story - Comments (28) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-01-24 Don't miss out on your chance at the Premium Notebook - Subscribe Now!  A year ago the Seattle blogosphere was up in arms about the deal that was to eventually send five young players to the Baltimore Orioles for left-hander Erik Bedard. I say the blogosphere was up in arms, because the mainstream local media - almost to a man - loved the trade. Update: Tacoma Rainiers play-by-play broadcaster, Mike Curto, was "slightly opposed" to the trade, making him the smart portion of the local media. Seattle Times Mariners beat reporter Geoff Baker liked the deal, though his blog archives do not go back far enough for me to quote him properly, and the on-air media, from the then-flagship KOMO 1000's pre-and-post game hosts Tom Glasgow and Tom Hutlyer, and an array of analysts, to the hosts at Sportsradio KJR, who could not be persuaded by yours truly that the trade was not only bad, but the absolute worst in team history. Mike Gastineau and Dave Grosby both liked the trade. Paraphrasing, they each agreed that getting an ace, and one that throws left-handed, is always better than keeping around prospects that are simply about potential. Dave "Softy" Mahler, even after I pointed out all the reasons why the trade was awful, l... Full Story - Comments (40) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-01-23 Don't miss out on your chance at the Premium Notebook - Subscribe Now!  As Baseball America continues their dragged-out Prospect Rankings that seem to carry less and less credibility every year, Keith Law's Top 100 and Organizational Rankings are out, and a great read, as always.The Seattle Mariners ranked No. 14 as an organization, which I thought was 3-5 spots too high. But you can certainly make the same argument Law made, ranking the M's ahead of the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Colorado Rockies, Toronto Blue Jays and San Diego Padres. San Diego at No. 19 is a little high for me, but it's difficult to think much more of the 11 teams ranked below them than Law already did in the process. In the Top 100, Carlos Triunfel came in as the top M's prospect at No. 22 overall, ahead of Florida Marlins first baseman Logan Morrison, Oakland right-hander Trevor Cahill and Tampa Bay center fielder Desmond Jennings, and right behind Texas left-hander Derek Holland, A's southpaw Brett Anderson and St. Louis infielder Brett Wallace, a first-round selection in last June's draft. The only other M's prospect in the Top 100 is Greg Halman at No. 93. Former M's right-hander Christ Tillman ranks at No. 40 and as the eighth best right-hander, and loca... Full Story - Comments (18) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-01-16  Felix Hernandez is a first-year arbitration-eligible starting pitcher coming off his best season in the big leagues. He will not turn 23 years of age until the first week of the 2009 season, has more than 600 innings under his belt and is the owner of the best pure stuff in baseball.The Venezuelan has shown some immaturity in the past, mostly in terms of his reactions to failure mid-inning, and until 2008, there were consistency and conditioning questions. His spaghetti and syrup diet was curbed much earlier last offseason and the right-hander put many of the intangible concerns to bed, allowing three earned runs or less in 21 of 31 starts, and a solid 3.80 FIP, the best during any of his three full seasons. While his groundball rates sank to 52.1 percent and his line-drive rate soared from 16.1 percent to 18.5 percent, and his strikeout rates remained while his walk rates worsened from previous seasons, he clearly avoided the meltdowns he experienced in the past, particularly after issuing a walk or two or giving up the long ball. Should Hernandez’s control return to 2006-2007 form, or revert to the progress that was expected for 2008 when the year began, the future is as bright as most ever thought it would be for the Mariners’ ace. This is good news for Mariners fans, Felix himself and the or... Full Story - Comments (42) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-01-13  Thanks to the Seattle Times and the best beat writer for any sport that this town has had in, oh, I dunno, light years probably, we have the final decisions on some of the minor league coaching staffs and managers.Geoff Baker reports that the M's will hang onto Tacoma skipper Daren Brown, and presumably hitting coach Alonzo Powell and pitching coach Dwight Bernard, too, although that hasn't been confirmed to this point. Last year's West Tenn manager Scott Steinmann will head back to the Midwest League and lead the Clinton Lumberkings, while his hitting coach last season, former big-leaguer Phil Plantier, takes over the helm for the M's Double-A club. No word, at least that I know of, who Plantier's hitting coach is going to be, or if Scott Budner has been retained as the pitching coach. If I get the chance this week, I'll make a call to Plantier and see if he can shed some light on both. Jim Horner will return as skipper of the High Desert Mavericks, but Eddie Menchaca, last year's hitting coach, will be the hitting coach in Clinton, and PI favorite Lance Painter will join him as the Lumberkings pitching coach. I also have yet to get confirmation of what the organization has done to fill out Horner's staff in High Desert, and whether former long-time coach and manager Terry Pollreisz is still in the o... Full Story - Comments (25) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-01-09  As I try and multitask Friday evening - listening to my favorite baseball play-by-play man Dan Schulman call a basketball game, and do it very, very well - I'm also sifting through some recent e-mails and pulling out some useful information after dozens of conversations with some in the game of baseball, including scouts, personnel executives and a couple of agents.With all the recent talk of the M's being up against their self-imposed salary cap for 2009 - which I think is complete bull, and I'll get to that later - the consensus appears to be that if GM Jack Zduriencik wishes to add more significant players to the 25-man roster, he'll have to pare payroll first. Let's pretend that is the case - I say pretend because I don't believe it is the case. The obvious names on the roster as of today that could, if shipped off via trade or waiver claim, give the Mariners some more room under the $92-95 million range that is rumored, yes simply rumored, to be where the ownership group would like them to be when the season starts, are players such as Adrian Beltre, Jarrod Washburn, Carlos Silva, Miguel Batista and Kenji Johjima. Like we've established earlier this offseason, <... Full Story - Comments (30) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-01-02  As I mentioned on the sidebar not long ago, the release date of the Handbook had to be pushed back so I could include info and rankings that reflect the additions – Maikel Cleto, Mike Carp and Ezequiel Carrera.Right now I’m shooting, albeit tentatively, for the week of January 21 – all of the info is gathered, just a matter of going back and fitting it in before reformatting the final draft is edited. Apologies to those who pre-ordered their copy when it was schedule for release between Christmas and New Year’s, but with the new players it was an unavoidable delay, just as the trade with Baltimore caused a year ago. Now, on to a little bit of a preview. Within the book you’ll see features such as the organizational rankings – which are the most difficult to put together objectively and intelligently because so many pairs of eyes are needed for me to put that together (since I haven’t seen enough of many of the club’s systems), but those are now complete, and Seattle has landed at No. 17, ahead of the likes of Houston, Cubs, Kansas City, Washington, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Toronto, both New York teams, San Diego, Arizona and Detroit. I have Seattle rated as the third bes... Full Story - Comments (16) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-01-02  The top talent in the Cleveland Indians’ farm system is now catcher Carlos Santana, acquired from the L.A. Dodgers for Casey Blake last summer.Santana, who, by most accounts, is the second best catching prospect in the game behind Baltimore’s Matt Wieters and a notch above Taylor Teagarden (Texas) and Tyler Flowers (White Sox), and well beyond Bryan Anderson (St. Louis), Lou Marson (Philadelphia)) and J.P. Arencibia (Toronto). "He's a really good athlete, too," said a former member of the Dodgers' player development staff who now scouts for the crosstown rival Angels. "Coming in, his bat led the way and he played outfield and some third base those first few seasons. "But then they [G.M. Ned Coletti and Scouting/Player Personnel Director Logan White] sent him to Florida in October during the instructional period and that's when his catching career began." Santana, 23 in April, is likely headed for Double-A Akron to start 2009 after posting 64 extra-base hits and 89 walks in High-A for the two clubs. His defense is coming along, but considering he’s only been catching since instructs in 2006, he profiles to above-average overall, and probably better as he hits his peak. "I really liked him as a third baseman originally, that's how good his feet were. He reminded me of a Melvin Mora type defensively. But... Full Story - Comments (17) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-01-04  When it comes to rebuilding a baseball team, it's not just a matter of the additions a club makes to its personnel. Much of the process typically includes an abundance of moves to pare down the roster to make room for the fresh faces.This is a big reason why general manager Jack Zduriencik has his hands full. The $10.3 million owed to lefty Jarrod Washburn and the $9 million due to right-hander Miguel Batista make Captain Jack's task a bit tough. The $36 million balance on Carlos Silva's contract is as much an albatross as any contract in the game, preventing a large portion of the payroll from being freed up until after the 2011 season. But while those three expensive arms carry so little value on the trade market for more than just their salaries - they also happen to be below-average performers - the roster is not void of players with at least some trade value, starting with third baseman Adrian Beltre and left-hander Erik Bedard. We've heard about the scenarios surrounding Beltre and Bedard: Bedard carries little value at present time since missing much of 2008 with a shoulder injury and will need to reestablish himself on the mound to recreate his worth to... Full Story - Comments (49) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2009-01-26  It's funny what one move can do to a person in this world, how a single moment can push the life and times of one man into an entirely new direction.In fact, such is life of baseball. The difference between glory and failure can be as little as one late-inning decision. It could be as small as an inch, just as brief as a breath. And on July 30th of 1996, that moment came for Jamie Moyer. In its relatively brief relevance, Seattle has seen many greats come through, several of which will eventually be named to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Alex Rodriguez is currently the best player in baseball. Ken Griffey Jr. was once considered the same. For the better part of a decade, Randy Johnson and Edgar Martinez were tops at their respective professions. Ichiro is a two-time batting champion, an MVP and the owner of several world records, all of which may never again be broken. Even now, right-hander Felix Hernandez is being fitted for his crown - at just 22-years-old. Yet, for all of the wonder these players have spread throughout Seattle, they just don't seem to capture the magic of Old Crafty. Moyer has essentially been what he's always been: a soft-tosser, a junk artist; just downright enigmatic really. Nothing about him really belongs. Comparisons to Tom Glavine and the recent Greg Maddux abound... Full Story - Comments (0) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-12-26  In the midst of the holidays, I'm here to clean out my notebook, use what I can use, and toss the rest in my recycle bin for the winter.Scouts React to Putz deal, Zduriencik's first two months While the majority of the blogosphere liked the trade that sent J.J. Putz to the New York Mets, club analysts and scouts had differing opinions. "I really thought they should have waited it out," said one NL club's special assistant. "We would have explored the idea (of trading for Putz) if we had more time to see what other pieces fell our way. And I'd have to think we would have offered a better package. I can't be sure of that, but, you know, it seems like we have more to trade from than did the Mets. "I really think the prospects would have been significantly better." While I agree with him to an extent, I think getting Gutierrez, Chavez and Heilman in the deal may very well have been more from the big-league roster than his club could have offered, and Jack Zduriencik was clearly after more than just prospects, who always bring the risk of never turning out to be anything at all. "They did okay," replied a scout from an AL West rival. "I do believe that they strengthened their roster overall. Putz could slam the door on anyone, so we're glad he's out of there." A National League executive... Full Story - Comments (50) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-12-25  This winter's World Baseball Classic is coming fast, and Team USA is coming together pretty quickly.Manager Davey Johnson is putting together another good roster, led by Cleveland Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore, New York Mets third baseman David Wright and Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun. The '06 roster consisted of Alex Rodriguez, who plans to play for the Dominican Republic this time around, Chase Utley and Mark Teixeria, but was shy on elite starting pitching, quality catching and outfielders. The first roster boasted Jake Peavy, but the rotation took a slide from that point down to Dontrelle Willis, Roger Clemens and Al Leiter, who was 40 years of age at the time. The '06 team was sprinkled with players that weren't necessarily the best to represent the U.S., though that will happen every time around - even this season, since Derek Jeter is on the roster for 2009. But he'll be joined by the likes of Brian McCann and Joe Mauer, a huge upgrade at catcher, Jimmy Rollins, Chipper Jones, Dustin Pedroia and John Lackey, with more invitations awaiting acceptance. Josh Beckett, Ryan Howard, Lidge and Brandon Webb have already turned down invitations to participate, and others, such as reigning NL Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum, are on the fence as of Christmas, though Lincecum's init... Full Story - Comments (10) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-12-19 This is your chance - your only chance here at PI - to create your roster, your realistic 2009 Seattle Mariners roster. Start with the current 40-man, make trades, sign free agents, assign players different roles and show your final 25-man roster. But the key is, you MUST explain your work. If you make a trade, you must explain why each team benefits from the trade IN DETAIL. "Because he's cheaper," or "Because they need a shortstop," is not an explanation. You must explain in detail your free agent signings, including the contracts length and total money - plus any options - role changes, etc. Any roster submitted without adequate explanations will have their entire post deleted. So don't waste your time, do the work. In the end, your post should result in a starting lineup, bench, rotation and bullpen, like the following. Lineup 1. Ichiro, RF 2. Lopez, 2B 3. Beltre, 3B 4. Branyan, 1B 5. Johjima, C/DH 6. Balentien, LF 7. Gutierrez, CF 8. Clement, DH/C 9. Betancourt, SS Bench 1. Shelton, 1B versus LHP 2. Corona, reserve 2B, SS 3. Guzman, fourth OF 4. Johnson, backup C Rotation 1. Hernandez, RH 2. Bedard, LH 3. Silva, RH 4. Morrow, RH 5. Washburn, LH Bullpen 1. Heilman, CL 2. Lowe, RH Setup 7th-8th inning 3. Corcoran, RH Setup 7th-8th inning 4. Rowland-Smith, LH middle/long 5. Lugo, left-on-left 6. Vargas, left-on-left 7. Batista, RH middle... Full Story - Comments (128) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-12-16  If you asked scouts and front office executives around Major League Baseball which organizations are currently serving as the model franchises for other clubs looking to build their rosters and give themselves the best chance to win and sustain it, most would talk about the Tampa Bay Rays, Milwaukee Brewers and Boston Red Sox - all playoff teams in 2008.The Rays drafted wisely - meaning they did not pass up the best talents at the top of the draft to save money - put those players on the right path to development and remained patient with them, while occasionally dabbling in the trade and free agent markets for the right additions. The Red Sox did very much the same, but also went out and flexed their money muscles to acquire and retain some of the better talent in baseball, such as Daisuke Matsuzaka, Mike Lowell, David Ortiz, Josh Beckett and J.D. Drew. But the Sox also relied heavily on their farm system, including center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, shortstop Jed Lowrie, closer Jonathan Papelbon and American League MVP Dustin Pedroia at second base. But it's my opinion that neither they, nor the Brewers, should be the blueprint for the Seattle Mariners. I don't believe the club should jettison all the pricey veterans, focus on the draft and player development, punting the next two or even three seasons, and k... Full Story - Comments (70) By: Jonathan Aicardi on 2008-12-15  I know, the season is over. But if you're like me, it's never too soon to be rolling fantasy baseball around the old noggin. After all, the hot stove season is exciting in a lot of ways even the regular season isn't. Just days into the winter meetings, we've already seen some considerable movement as CC Sabathia inks a $161M mega-deal with the Yankees and K-Rod's signed a 3-year pact with the Mets.As New York distracts itself with both signings, Washington is making a power play for the biggest free agent of all, Mark Teixeira. And while Kerry Wood is quietly headed to Cleveland, the Yankees very loudly discuss a very intricate and complicated three-way deal with the Dominican Republic and Dick Cheney that will somehow, somehow get Alex Rodriguez deported for three weeks in March in exchange for tax-free trade. If that weren't enough, our own JJ Putz is headed out the door: to the Mets. There's a prime example of why the off-season matters to fantasy owners. Putz, recently the leagues best closer, is now a set-up man and Seattle, once a promising source of saves in the coming season, is left with a number of question marks to fill the void. And the pool grows shallow. It remains to be seen exactly how this entire off-season will play out. We can be fairly sure that wherever Teixeira plays, it won't be... Full Story - Comments (4) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-12-12  So Raul Ibanez is headed to Philadelphia on a three-year deal for about $30 million. Sweet. For Seattle and Ibanez's wallet, anyway.What that move does, presuming that the Phillies do not sign another Type A free agent that carries a higher player ranking than does Ibanez, is that the M's will head into June's draft with the 28th or 29th pick in the first round, along with their own pick at No. 2. The one-slot differential, however, is contingent on the club's own dealings with last year's first-round pick Josh Fields. If he signs, the M's get Phillies' pick at 28. If he doesn't, that pick slides down a slot to 29 and the Mariners also get the 21st pick, one slot below where Fields was taken last year. Either way, the club is going to have a nice chunk of picks in the top 50 or so, which will make the draft even more fun than it usually is. The M's took one player in the major league portion of the Rule 5 Draft, traded for another, and selected a relief pitcher in the Triple-A portion. Reegie Corona is a middle infielder who projects better at second but can play some shortstop. He's an above-average runner with a more than adequate glove, but he lacks the power at the plate to be an everyday player. He does possess pretty str... Full Story - Comments (40) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-12-11  The Seattle Mariners acquired seven players in a three-way deal that sent right-handers J.J. Putz and Sean Green, and center fielder Jeremy Reed to the New York Mets, and second baseman Luis Valbuena to the Cleveland Indians.Among the seven are four minor leaguers; first baseman Mike Carp, left-hander Jason Vargas, right-hander Maikel Cleto and outfielder Ezequiel Carrera. Carp, 22, is a left-handed hitter with average power and solid on-base skills. He makes good, consistent contact with a line-drive swing and is an average defender at first. Carp's pull power is slightly above-average, however, which bodes well for his future at Safeco Field. He'll likely start the 2009 season at Triple-A Tacoma with a good chance to see time in Seattle very early in the season, depending on what else Jack Zduriencik has in mind this winter. Vargas isn't technically a prospect, due to his 169 1/3 innings in the big leagues with Florida and the Mets. The 25-year-old southpaw employs a low-90s fastball that tops out at 94, and an above-average slider that is tough on left-handed bats. Vargas missed all of 2008 after having surgery on his left hip, but returned to throw 25 2/3 solid frames in the Arizona Fall League. He's started 26 of his 41 games in the majors, but is better suited to work out of the bull... Full Story - Comments (35) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-12-10  Seattle Mariners closer J.J. Putz could be traded within the next several hours - "anytime now" - say the New York Mets.The rumor has it that the M's, Mets and Cleveland Indians could complete a three-way trade as early as Wednesday night that includes Putz, second baseman Luis Valbuena, Tribe outfielder Franklin Gutierrez and a trio of Mets, including Mike Carp, Aaron Heilman and Endy Chavez. It's unclear which players would land where, other than Putz to the Mets and Gutierrez to Seattle. The M's and Tribe would probably split the remaining players in some manner. Carp, a left-handed hitting, right-handed throwing first baseman, is 22 having just completed a solid season at Double-A Binghamton where he hit .299/.403/.471 in a tough place for hitters - the Eastern League. He's not a future star, but would become the top first base prospect in the M's organization and is probably about a year or so away. Chavez is a nice stop-gap in center, or a fourth outfielder, and Heilman has the stuff to be a useful reliever. While it's unclear which of that trio would head to Seattle - if the rumors are correct - Gutierrez would serve as the prize of the trade for the M's. Like Matt Joyce, who was just sent to Tampa Bay for Edwin Jackson, Gutierrez is a plus defender, perhaps one of the top few in b... Full Story - Comments (68) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-12-09  As Mariners fans are greedily, yet rightfully, looking forward to the two draft picks the M's stand to collect once Raul Ibanez inks a deal with another club, there are teams we should be rooting for over others.The New York Mets, rumored to be interested in Ibanez since last July, have signed closer Francisco Rodriguez to a three-year deal, sending their 2009 first-round draft choice to the Los Angeles Angels. If the Mets were to follow that up by signing Ibanez, the Mariners would receive the Mets' second-round choice, rather than their first, because even though Rodriguez and Ibanez are both Type A free agents, Rodriguez's Elias ranking of 87.196 trumps that of Ibanez's 83.684, favoring the Halos when it comes to draft compensation. Click Here for Free Agent Rankings So far, the other rumored teams interested - Tampa Bay, Toronto, Chicago Cubs, Angels - have yet to sign another major free agent to affect the compensation Ibanez's departure would incur. Broken Link for "Full Story" Has Been Fixed Tampa is a great fit, as are the Angels and Blue Jays, since they can DH Ibanez, at least part-time. But the Cubs, who are also interested in Bobby Abreu and Milton Bradley, have the biggest need. Full Story - Comments (7) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-12-08  The Seattle Mariners completed the hiring of their big-league coaching staff over the weekend with the hiring of former Colorado Rockies hitting coach Alan Cockrell. Cockrell joins bench coach Ty Van Burkleo, first base coach Lee Tinsley, third base coach Bruce Hines, bullpen coach John Wetteland and pitching coach Rick Adair on new manager Don Wakamatsu's staff.And in case any of you are wondering if Howard Lincoln and Chuck Armstrong were going for the best collection of rather strange names, the answer is... I don't know, you never do with that pair. But General manager Jack Zduriencik allowed Wakamatsu to pretty much hire who he wanted to bring in, and Zduriencik is certainly running the baseball operations. So five weeks in, five weeks of pretty sound decisions. Sweet. While managers and coaches have minimal effects on established teams as far as wins and losses go, they are ore critical on clubs that have, or will have, predominantly young, still-developing players that need nurturing and proper instruction. Wakamatsu brings that to the table, as does Van Burkleo. Wetteland was let go in Washington because skipper Frank Robinson thought he was too buddy-buddy with the relievers, letting them goof off too often and not staying on task. But he knows pitchers and pitching, says one NL assistant GM,... Full Story - Comments (35) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-12-06  The Seattle Mariners need a shortstop. Sure, they have Yuniesky Betancourt on the roster, signed through 2011 with an option for 2012 at somewhat reasonable salaries, but the Cuban has been a rather large disappointment the past two years, having failed to improve at the plate and regressing in the field.Yes, the Mariners need an everyday second baseman, too, unless Jose Lopez makes significant defensive strides in 2009, but let's focus on shortstop instead of the numerous other areas the club must improve before they have a chance to contend again. Considering the roster is void of strong defenders outside third baseman Adrian Beltre and outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, the club's shortstop must at least bring an average glove to the park every day. But the Mariners are certainly not in any position with their offensive roster to concede offense, either. The free agent and trade market for shortstops is as thin as the Olsen twins on a crack binge, with Rafael Furcal and Orlando Cabrera the only starter-quality talents free to sign with any club, and the only trade-availables being the likes of Bobby Crosby, Jhonny Peralta and until the St. Louis Cardinals acquired him this week, Kahlil Greene, whom all possess major flaws ranging from risky injury histories, to poor defense to downright bad at the plate. ... Full Story - Comments (61) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-12-05  It's prospect season, and as I continue finishing up my own top 50 for the M's, two outlets already have their rankings published.Baseball America has their Seattle Mariners Top 10 out now, and MILB.com has finished their Top 50. And of course, I take issue with both lists. First, the M's Top 10, where BA has Greg Halman No. 1. There's really only one legit star talent in the system that doesn't come with red-flag risks, and it's not Halman. That player is Carlos Triunfel. They also rank Michael Saunders No. 2, which is a few spots too high for me. Saunders is a high-probability prospect, but he's a medium reward, too. I'm not quite as high on Mario Martinez as Baseball America is, as they have him at No. 7, ahead of Jharmidy De Jesus. Aumont is No. 3 on their list, which is fine, although I can't find a way to knock him from the No. 2 spot for me, since Juan Ramirez's ceiling is a full notch or two under Aumont's, burying the further risk that the Canadian brings with him. BA ranks catcher Adam Moore at No. 6, and right now that's about where I think he's going to end up for me, too. I t... Full Story - Comments (28) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-12-04  What's all this talk about the Seattle Mariners contending in 2009? Yep, that's right, baseball analysts everywhere are suggesting it's more than just possible, and yours truly woke up last Friday and responded the same way during a Q & A.Joe Sheehan at Baseball Prospectus, writing for SI.com, penned a piece today about this very subject and it's really not as out of the question and some of us may believe. First of all, if you play the what-if game, things look much better from the Mariners' perspective. What if Felix Hernandez continues to mature and develop, turning himself into exactly what he should be? What if Erik Bedard pitches like the free-agent-to-be he is and hands the M's a season that resembles his 2007 output? What if Ryan Rowland-Smith and Brandon Morrow prove to be significant upgrades to what the club sent out there in the fourth and fifth slot in the rotation in 2008? What if Carlos Silva at least finds a place between his 2007 and 2008 performances? What if J.J. Putz and Adrian Beltre are both retained and healthy? What if Mark Lowe, another year removed from rare and tricky elbow surgery, proves to be a solid 7th-inning option, or better? What if Jo... Full Story - Comments (23) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-12-03  Jack Zduriencik's first big-league free agent signing is officially Russell Branyan. Branyan, 33 this month, hit .250/.342/.583 in a platoon type role for Milwaukee last season, and is a strong bet to at least hit for power versus right-handed pitching.He's a below-average third baseman, a decent right fielder but merely an adequate arm as an outfielder. He's useless versus lefties (0-14 with 8 K's in 2008, .731 career OPS), doesn't run well, and strikes out a metric ton, particularly against lefty pitchers. But if the Mariners use him properly, which means he shouldn't face southpaws at all, he is an asset, and a fun one to watch. He swings for the downs, draws walks, fanned in under 25 percent of his plate appearances versus right-handed pitchers and will probably help the economy quite a bit by peppering the Hit It Here Cafe six or eight times during games and dozens of times during batting practice, forcing the club to continue to replace the plexiglass. SportsRadio 950 KJR was the first to report that Branyan was due in town for a physical, which suggests that the two sides have agreed on a contract, with an announcement likely due shortly after. It's not an impact player the club can build around, but it's a good platoon addition... Full Story - Comments (70) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-12-02  The Seattle Mariners have added four minor league free agents over the past few weeks, and instead of addressing them one-by-one, I thought I'd share my thoughts on each of them in one fail swoop.Steve Moss, CF 6-2/185 R/R Moss is a solid defender in center but brings very little to the table offensively with the exception of a tendency to draw walks. But he counters that with poor contact rates, and while he has above-average speed, he is not a major nuisance on the base paths. Moss, 25 next month, is basically a right-handed hitting version of Jeremy Reed, and after spending 2008 in an independent league, is probably bound for Triple-A Tacoma as their starting center fielder, giving Greg Halman more time in Double-A West Tennessee, if necessary. Mel Stocker 5-10/170 B/R Stocker is a speedy, 28-year-old outfielder capable of covering ground in center field, but he’s the minor league version of Juan Pierre in terms of power – he has less than none. His career slugging percentage is .350. He does, however, run very well – 56 steals at Long Island of the Atlantic Independent League in 2006 and 30 or more in four separate seasons – and he does flash good plate skills. Stocker also handles the bat well, makes very good, consistent contact and will draw a walk. B... Full Story - Comments (14) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-11-30  The Seattle Mariners have a couple of arbitration-eligible players this winter, particularly ace-in-the-making Felix Hernandez, but they're undoubtedly eying similar players on other clubs.There are a number of talents around the league that could get priced out of their current situation due to their arbitration status. Arbitration, unlike free agency, simply gives the player a chance to make a solid salary almost regardless of their performance on the field, which is a flawed system in itself. The result is a trade market based on projected salaries via the process of arbitration. But because every offseason I get dozens of e-mails asking me to explain the arbitration process, here it is now: Any player without a multi-year contract through 2009 or beyond and has at least three years of service time -but less than six years - is arbitration-eligible. Also, players with at least two but less than three years of service are eligible for salary arbitration if he has accumulated at least 86 days of service during the previous season (2008 in this case) AND he ranks in the top 17 percent in total service among the players who have at least two but less than three years of service, and the 86 days of service in 2008. These types are referred to as a Super Two. Where some get confused is when... Full Story - Comments (73) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-11-25  For a system so shallow with high-reward, high-probability, near-ready prospects of any kind, it’s no wonder that a risky, yet toolsy 21-year-old is their prospect of the year.The Seattle Mariners began the year with more likely candidates than center fielder Greg Halman, namely outfielder Wladimir Balentien, catcher Jeff Clement and shortstop Carlos Triunfel, the club’s top talent. But Triunfel, 18, started his season off quicker with his mouth than with his bat, serving two suspensions before returning and catching fire at the plate. Clement was well on his way a circuit MVP award in the Pacific Coast League before being called up for good, and Balentien joined him. Halman beat out catcher Adam Moore, who is capable defensively and potentially above-average at the plate, taking steps forward in all areas in 2008, a season he spent with Double-A West Tennessee. The 24-year-old hit .319/.396/.506 with 34 doubles and 14 long balls. But Halman, also the Defensive Player of the Year and Most Improved Player of the Year, hit .272/.326/.528 with 29 home runs, 29 doubles, five triples and 31 steals in 38 attempts in 128 games split between Advanced-A High Desert and Double-A West Tennessee. As a prospect, Halman, a right-handed hitter, has major hurdles to climb, mainly his contact rate... Full Story - Comments (7) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-11-25  New Manager Don Wakamatsu added former Oakland A's hitting coach Ty Van Burkleo to his staff Monday, apparently naming or getting ready to name the 45-year-old as the new M's bench coach.
The rest of the staff is to be named fairly quickly, and from what I can gather from numerous sources, Rick Peterson is not going to be the new pitching coach, despite Peterson's relationship with Wakamatsu. Larry Stone of the Seattle Times is also reporting that Peterson is not the guy. Instead, Dom Chiti is the most likely hire to replace Mel Stottlemyre as Seattle's pitching coach. Chiti, a long-time scout and coach, spent last season as a special assistant to the GM in Atlanta, where he was drafted as a left-handed pitcher in the second round of the 1976 Draft. Prior to his year with the Braves, the 50-year-old Chiti spent six season with the Texas Rangers - which is where his relationship with Wakamatsu was branded. Three of those seasons he served as the bullpen coach, the others he served as the player personnel director and as a special assistant to the GM. Chiti also spent 12 years with the Cleveland Indians ('89-'01), serving as an advanced scout after starting his post-playing career as their minor league roving pitching instructor. Chiti has never been a pitching coach in the big leag... Full Story - Comments (10) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-11-23  Every offseason we read the plans of everyone with a keyboard on how the Seattle Mariners should go about their business during the winter months that lead into Spring Training and the new season ahead.
I've done it every year for four straight winters, but I'm not going to do so this year. It's different this time around, as the M's aren't likely to try and put a division winner on the field in 2009. At least, that's not the wise thing to do, since that would require spending big money on free agents, which, in turn, puts pressure on fixing the problems that litter the current roster. Instead, I'll throw out some ideas. Directions the Mariners might go in at the big-league and minor league level to improve both their 2009 team and their future at the same time. Just… Stay Away from these Free Agents AJ Burnett, RHP Burnett is exactly the type of free agent that should not interest any club that isn’t ready to win immediately. He may make 30 starts in 2009, but he also might make 30 over the next two years. He’s also not consistent, usually, with last year being the exception. The length of contract is enough to scare off even the New York Mets and possibly the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees as well. At four years a... Full Story - Comments (27) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-11-20  Because Phillippe Aumont missed so much time in his first professional season, the club's top pitching prospect could not be seriously considered for the pitching prospect of the year.
This opened to door for reliever Shawn Kelley to sneak in the backdoor and earn a look, and right-hander Juan Ramirez, the most advanced of the organization's best arms, was more consistent than one typically expects of a teenager. But Michael Pineda came out of nowhere to put himself on the prospect map, and more is on the way from the 6-5 north paw, our pitching prospect of the year for this past season. The Dominican native will turn 20 just prior to reporting to Spring Training, and his breakout 2008 campaign was a product of the slim right-hander improving greatly. It wasn't about luck, the league, the level of competition or experience level. Pineda went 8-2 during his first two pro seasons, both spent in the Dominican Summer League, allowing 16 earned runs on 84 hits in 79 innings. He struck out 62 and walked 18 in 23 games, 15 starts. Improving upon those numbers in a jump to affiliated baseball in the states wasn't a realistic expectation for Pineda. But that's exactly what he did. "Usually that first year is either a feeling out year, a year to get comfortable away fro... Full Story - Comments (28) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-11-20  Left-handed reliever and Walla Walla, Wash. native Eric O'Flaherty was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves Thursday, as the Seattle Mariners continued to shuffle around their 40-man roster in preparation for the Rule 5 Draft, and the rest of the winter.
Right-handers Tracy Thorpe and Luis Munos were re-assigned to the minor leagues, meaning they went unclaimed after the Mariners put them on waivers, and the club added four players to the 40-man. Right-handers Marwin Vega, Stephen Kahn and Gaby Hernandez, and outfielder Greg Halman. All would have been exposed to the Rule 5 Draft next month, including Halman, who signed during the 2004 season, which counts toward the five years required. I believe earlier in the comments somewhere I mistakenly mentioned that Halman did not have to be protected. O'Flaherty started off last season with the big club, but was torched due to dip in velocity and bad command of his fastball. His season ended after 15 games in the minors and spent the rest of the year on the disabled list with a bad back. If this was a contending club, I'd rip the move because O'Flaherty, just 24 in February, has a chance to help a major league team. But finding middle relievers is the least of the Mariners' problems. They're probably two years away from worrying abou... Full Story - Comments (8) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-11-19  It's been almost a month, so I guess it's about time I chime in on the hiring of general manager Jack Zduriencik.
I'll start off by saying that, based on what I learned from others in the game of baseball about each of the candidates, Zduriencik would have been my third choice behind Toronto Blue Jays Assistant Tony LaCava and Arizona Diamondbacks Director of Player Personnel Jerry Dipoto. LaCava is the total package; connected to the nines, very well respected baseball guy, very open-minded, has a belief system that includes scouting, statistical analysis and a blend of old and new. He's also very adept at market analysis, which might be among the most critical aspects of big-league talent evaluation. The front office he would have brought to Seattle with him would have been dynamic, including the kind of names all of us in the blogosphere could have easily identified with immediately. DiPoto brings his own presence, and while he lacks experience in certain critical areas, he did have one thing on Zduriencik: Six years of baseball operations experience, versus the pseudo two seasons Jack spent in a dual role in Milwaukee. Zduriencik is a scout at heart, much like former M's GM Pat Gillick, but has relationships with several analysis-based scout types, which is why it was so... Full Story - Comments (14) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-11-18  I wasn't going to talk much about the Major League Baseball Awards this winter - mostly due to the childish approach the BBWAA handle the voting for them all - but I can't help but want to see what everyone else thinks about how they have gone thus far.
The Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards are a total joke (Chase Utley did NOT win the Gold Glove for National League second baseman? He's only the best defensive player at the position since Roberto Alomar was in his prime) so I will ignore those going forward, and the Manager of the Year Awards just don't mean anything to me, so I'll be pretending those don't exist, too. National League Cy Young: Tim Lincecum, RHP - San Francisco I can't find anything wrong with Lincecum being the winner here, though you can make a very strong case for Mets' lefty Johan Santana, who would have received my vote, if I had one, and was dumb enough to want one. Lincecum was terrific, leading the bigs in strikeouts and sustaining strong, lengthy starts from April through September. His team wasn't very good, so his starts were less valuable, but the award is meant for the best pitcher in the league, not the most valuable. Lincecum did walk 84 batters, but did so in 227 innings of work and batters hit just .217 off him with a .316 slugging. Yes, a .316... Full Story - Comments (3) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-11-18  The Seattle Mariners are reportedly within hours of naming Don Wakamatsu as their new manager.
Wakamatsu, 45, spent the past year as Bob Geren's bench coach in Oakland after serving in the same role in Texas for four years. He was the Rangers' third base coach a year prior to that, and has worked for five other clubs, including the Seattle Mariners, over the duration of his career. Wakamatsu has minor league coaching and managerial experience, winning the California League Manager of the Year Award in 1998 at High Desert, then an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Mavs went 82-58 that season. He also managed the Mariners rookie club in Peoria in 1997 and his overall record as a minor league skipper stands at 215-248. Wakamatsu also spent two years as the Anaheim Angels minor league coordinator and catching instructor, and is a former big-league catcher, albeit for just 32 plate appearances in 18 games in 1991 for the Chicago White Sox. Wakamatsu brings a lot of character and a variety of baseball experiences to the table, and sure knows the rest of the American League West, having recently worked for all three other clubs - all this decade. ... Full Story - Comments (8) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-11-16  Deciding between three prospects that all showed significant progress - two whom maintained strong success after moving up a level during the year, and one who transformed himself into a legitimate hitter in the Pacific Coast League almost immediately after becoming the full-time starter at his position - was the most difficult decision among the award categories.
Luis Valbuena bounced back from a horrific 2007 season at West Tennessee where he hit .239 with a .689 OPS to hit .304/.381/.483 in the Southern League, and .302/.383/.373 in Triple-A Tacoma. Valbuena also improved defensively, where his work around the second base bag was already average - now it's above average and more consistent. He's much more confident in everything he does, both at the plate and in the field. Rob Johnson started the year as the same nothing-bat he'd been the previous two seasons in Tacoma, but soon after being handed the regular catching gig with Jeff Clement's second promotion to the big leagues, Johnson was a different hitter. The former University of Houston product hit .363/.401/.489 after the all-star break, including .392 with four home runs in July, raising his over numbers to respectability. But his .305/.363/.441 for the 2008... Full Story - Comments (11) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-11-14  The candidates were easy to identify - catcher Rob Johnson, center fielder Greg Halman and second baseman Luis Valbuena, and the winner was somewhat easy to figure, too - Greg Halman.
Halman, speaking purely defensively, reminds some scouts of former Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros and Seattle Mariners outfielder Brian Hunter; long strides, plus speed and the ability to track down any fly ball. Halman comes with a lot more to offer physically than did Hunter, and he's still developing his jumps and reads, but his routes were significantly better in 2008, suggesting that the Netherlands native may stick in center field for the foreseeable future, if not the long-term. "There are balls where it seems he's late on," said a National League scout, "but he always gets to them anyway. Later in the year he appeared to be more comfortable and confident in his first step. That's big for center fielders." Another NL executive saw Halman in the Arizona Fall League and was impressed with his natural instincts. "He's played right, left, center, back to left, center, right, right... it's like that in this league and he's adapted very well," he said. "In center he seems to be getting the edge a little bit. I saw him in the Midwe... Full Story - Comments (30) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-11-12  Trading No. 51 is not Taboo in the world of Seattle Mariners baseball. They do not have a Japanese owner, and are not prohibited from trading either of their Japanese players.
Yeah, I know, even though Hiroshi Yamauchi sold his stakes of the team to Nintendo of America, he retained his position and powers in the organization, fully and 100 percent. And yes, Kenji Johjima's three-year extension last spring came directly from Yamauchi and his personal representatives. So? If trading Ichiro, or Johjima, is beneficial to the Seattle Mariners organization, it will be something the ballclub looks into seriously. Yamauchi, according to Howard Lincoln, who still reports directly to the Japanese billionaire, has never once requested, insisted, ordered or demanded that any player on the team be treated any differently than any of the others, regardless of what country from which he resides. Having said that, it's difficult to see how dealing away Ichiro is good for the M's... but not impossible. Ichiro is a good player, still, even at 35. He's good. I've contended for the past few years that he is not, however, a superstar, and I think you can argue that he's not even an all-star caliber player at this stage, at least if 2008 is any indication. One... Full Story - Comments (13) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-11-12 The Oakland Athletics claimed infielder Yung Chi Chen off waivers Wednesday, clearing a spot on the 40-man roster. Chen, 25, signed with the Mariners out of Taiwan in January of 2004 and was once a decent prospect before a shoulder injuries limited the second baseman to 74 games played over the past two seasons. Even when Chen was presumably healthy last season in Triple-A Tacoma, his punch, the limited levels of it he had, was gone, slugging .329 for the Rainiers in 69 games. He's a capable defender at second, has average, perhaps slightly above-average speed, an average throwing arm and below-average power. He does make consistent contact and has solid plate skills and will draw a satisfactory number of walks, but without a plus skill in the tool box, Chen's future, if he has one at the big-league level, is in a reserve role. The loss of Chen isn't really one at all for the Mariners, as the shoulder injury is a large concern for Seattle - and was going into last season - even if it's healthy enough for him to play, as he just hasn't been the same since. Seattle, however, was a little surprised Chen was claimed, saying "we thought he'd make it through, but we understand the waiver wire," and wished Chen well, adding "we have always like him as a person and as a player and hopefully he gets healthy and has a career."... Full Story - Comments (10) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-11-17 This will be the one and only chance to pre-order a print edition of the 2009 Prospect Insider Handbook for just $10.00. From now through Wednesday it's $10.00, with no shipping charges. After that, due to price changes by the publishing company, the print edition books will be $16.95 plus shipping. If you got one last year, either the e-book or print editions, you have an idea of what the book is all about. If not, here's a quick rundown. This year, the in-depth scouting reports will go 25 deep, rather than just 10 - no scaled down scouting reports. Prospect rankings will go 1-50 overall and the top five at each position. The scouting reports will again include tools grades, scout takes, an overall projection of the player, comps to MLB players and the prospect's MLB ETA. Other features include a review of the 2008 Draft, a preview of the upcoming draft where the Mariners could have as many as five of the top 75 picks, and a special look at the top prospects in the draft, from the players' perspectives as well as those clubs scouting the talents. The book should be ready to go before New Year's Day. ... Full Story - Comments (3) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-11-08 Adrian Beltre is a good baseball player. He’s probably the best defensive third baseman in baseball and his park-neutral offensive numbers are better than his raw statistics would suggest - .270/.325/.468 over last three seasons. He doesn’t clog the bases with his average or better speed and he isn’t 30 years of age until the third day of the 2009 season. Simply put, Beltre brings more to the table than meets the eye, and his value must be properly evaluated by new G.M. Jack Zduriencik between now and the trade deadline next summer. Do the Mariners trade Beltre this winter? Can the club convince Beltre to re-sign and be part of a 2009 - and possibly 2010 - season that is highly unlikely to result in a winning season, let alone a playoff berth? And if so, how much is he worth to a team that is at least a year from baseball goodness? What should the M’s get in return that appears more valuable than the two draft picks they’d get, if they decide to deal their Gold Glover? A couple things to remember when perusing over the ideas that follow – not every team values Beltre the way the Mariners should, and these are just ideas, not rumors, and while I believe they are somewhat fair for both teams involved, don’t comment about how any of them will never happen. You wouldn’t be going out on a limb, since 99.9 percent of all trade ideas never happen, and 99 percent of those negotiated never come to fruition, either. But these are the kinds... Full Story - Comments (51) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-11-12 Remember last year when closer Brad Lidge was traded to the Phillies On the final day of the GM Meetings on November 7? Pretty big trade for that point in the offseason. Jacque Jones and Craig Monroe were traded five and six days later, but it wasn't until two weeks before the winter meetings that another significant transaction came across the wire. That was when the Los Angeles Angels and Chicago White Sox got together on the Jon Garland-Orlando Cabrera deal. Point is, the time between the end of the World Series and the winter meetings is generally a dead period, full of rumors, and little else. But this year may be different, if the smaller and middle market clubs continue to make the waves they have thus far. Not only did the Oakland A's acquire Matt Holliday from the Colorado Rockies, but the Rockies are close to sending third baseman Garret Atkins to either Cincinnati, Minnesota or the Angels, according to a number of published reports, including FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal. The Rockies may also look to better their 25-man roster by flipping closer Huston Street and/or outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, acquired in the deal for Holliday, to retrieve a second baseman, catcher or center fielder. Oakland is also rumored to be shopping shortstop Bobby Crosby, and Colorado is entertaining offers for outfielders Brad Hawpe and Willy Taveras, and catcher Yorvit Torrealba. The San Diego Padres are still tr... Full Story - Comments (7) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-10-30 PEORIA, Ariz. - An ordinary .268 batting average, one measly home run, seven runs batted in and a single stolen base - uninspiring numbers to write home about. So why am I doing just that? Two reasons: Statistical results mean so very little in a circuit such as the Arizona Fall League, due to many factors, including competition variables, the environment, and the relatively and inherently small sample size. And the bio of the hitter that produced those respectable, yet unspectacular numbers will reflect a birthdate that fails to qualify to enjoy an alcoholic beverage in Canada until the third week of Spring Training 2009. Carlos Triunfel is the youngest player in the AFL at 18, and has already impressed dozens of scouts who have gathered to check out some of the game's best young talents. The question being asked by most fans in Seattle regarding Triunfel is "how good is he really going to be?" Nobody really knows the answer to that for sure, but all signs point to the Dominican infielder developing into a star-level big leaguer. "I'd be surprised if he wasn't an everyday infielder, possibly a third baseman if he grows out of the middle spots," said an American League executive. "He's young, and you have to accept the growing pains that come with a teenager. But the physical skills are undeniable. "I hear he's been called 'Baby Tejada,' and that's a... Full Story - Comments (15) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-11-07 Dave Cameron at USS Mariner was recently nominated for a $10,000 blogging scholarship for his Open Letter on Felix Hernandez last year, and since that piece was freakin' cool and Dave is a freakin' cool cat, we're all going to go vote for him. Right? Despite the early lead in the voting, Dave has some extremely stiff competition and since he deserves to win, please Click Here and Go Vote for Dave, it'll take less than three seconds.... Full Story - Comments (2) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-11-06 Seattle Mariners new GM Jack Zduriencik has begun his search for a new field manager and reportedly plans on interviewing as many as nine candidates. Those nine are expected to be, in no particular order; Chicago White Sox bench coach Joey Cora, former Mets and Rangers skipper Bobby Valentine, former Milwaukee manager Ned Yost, former Mets manager Willie Randolph, one-time Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon, former M's interim man Jim Riggleman, and three unnamed candidates. There is speculation that Boston's Brad Mills and/or LA Angels' Ron Roenicke may be among the three unnamed candidates. My question about all of this is, does it matter? Is there much of a chance that the next Mariners manager is the guy at the helm when the team is contending again in 2011? ... Full Story - Comments (34) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-10-24  I hope the Latin country of Venezuela has satellite television. For the sake of the future of the Seattle Mariners, and for the developing mental approach of 22-year-old right-hander Felix Hernandez.
The first two games of the World Series should be considered Chapters one and two in the new "How Felix Should Pitch" DVD. Why? Because both Tampa Bay and Philadelphia have pitchers that are proving how important a change-up is to a starting pitcher's repertoire, and even the Phillies' setup man has a good one. Phils' southpaw Cole Hamels has what might be the best change in baseball, regularly removing 8-10 miles per hour off the velocity of his fastball. In game one of the series, Hamels threw over 90% fastball-change, using his curve ball all of 11 times in the entire game. The result? Seven strong innings and a 1-0 lead in the Fall Classic. Typically, Hernandez throws 11 breaking balls to the first five or six batters and finds himself pushing 90 pitches come the fifth or sixth inning. Eleven breaking balls and probably zero change-ups, that is. Rays' game two starter James Shields is darn near the righty version of Hamels, utilizing a low-80s dead fish after a fastball clocked in the 89-92 mph range. <... Full Story - Comments (6) By: Jason A. Churchill on 2008-11-05 These are the top 25 prospects in the Mariners organization. Only players who retain major league rookie status are included -- those with fewer than 130 major league plate appearances or 50 major league innings pitched. 1. CARLOS TRIUNFEL, SS: The organization's top talent, Triunfel, 18, sputtered in his second pro season until a breakout month of July. He hit .341 with seven home runs and 17 stolen bases over the final 53 games to re-establish himself among the better prospects in baseball. "If he keeps showing plus power, he's going to move quickly and end up in the big leagues at 20 or 21 years old," said a scout for a rival American League club. "He's shown a much better approach at the plate. He was more selective the second half, and he's making his swings count." Despite the first-half struggles, Triunfel is among the game's top 20 prospects, and if he develops as a middle infielder, he'll be a premium player. Look for him in a Mariners uniform in 2011. 2. ADAM MOORE, C: Moore had perhaps the most consistent season of any prospect in the organization, hitting .335 with 12 home runs after a ho-hum April and .353/.439/.580 after the All-Star break. His defense has room for improvement, but his raw physical skills suggest he can fill those gaps with more experience, and his work ethic implies that he's certainly going to do so. Moore, 24, will report to the Arizona Fall League next month to continue his... Full Story - Comments (4)
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