Prospect Insider - Coaching Staff and First Base

Coaching Staff and First Base

By Jason A. Churchill

By 12-08-2008

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, and should be an asset, if anything in his second shot at such a gig.

"He's not a hard ass, but he's getting a second chance, and knowing John, he'll take that very seriously and very appreciatively. I don't think there is any doubt he learned from the past. He's not as old school as Norm (Charlton) but he has less experience with the kids, so if they trade J.J. (Putz), he may have a very, very young group to handle."

Adair should have no problems identifying the strengths of his pitching staff - the starters - and pinpointing when to intercede and when not to. The key, according to the same NL executive, is to establish good habits and find a leader.

"If someone steps up - Bedard probably isn't that type - that rotation can be pretty good. They need to work as a group, feed off each other, and create some comradery amongst the guys. If they aren't helping each other out all the time, they are behind the better teams in the game. Our guys did that so much over the past couple of years, and it's helped the young guys come a long and fight through problems.

"So I just think their pitching coaches need to demand a steady work ethic, working together and other than that, it's a case-by-case basis, and I have heard the right things about Adair in that sense."

Tinsley's responsibilities as the first base coach is of minimal importance, but he will also take a group of young outfielders this spring, including Wladimir Balentien, Michael Saunders, Greg Halman, and any others added to the 40-man.

Hines will work with the infielders and coach a much more important third base where his job is to not get his runners hurt, or frequently thrown out at the plate.

Cockrell might have been an ideal match for the type of approach the Mariners want at the plate, and his recent statements to Geoff Baker of the Times is a good indication that he's going to demand that the hitters do things differently.

"I know Allen from his days in the minors," said an AL scout. "He was very well liked by his managers and the other staff members. His technique, albeit simple, is something he'll stand by and every team needs that, particularly younger players."

Although, former hitting coach Jeff Pentland stuck by his beliefs, too, never wavering and ended up being canned in 2008.

"Most that I have talked to think that Pentland is a very good coach and was fired only because they (Seattle) thought had no choice, not because he wasn't doing the job. I thought they should have re-hired him this offseason and rid the roster of the problem characters that refused to listen to him."

The NL scout also reiterated what I was told a few weeks ago in regards to Wakamatsu.

"Uh, yeah, he's not going to stand for any of the BS in the clubhouse," said the scout. "From what I heard he's been given the power to handle the clubhouse his way, which probably means that he'll seek some leadership among the players but will put his foot down early and often.

"I'll be watching with interest. It could be fun."

It's a Platoon at First
After inking Russell Branyan to a 1-year deal last week, Zduriencik landed free agent Chris Shelton, whose career .838 OPS versus left-handed pitchers suggests he could be a solid platoon partner for Branyan at first base.

Neither player is above-average at first, but if each player replicates his career numbers in the opposite splits - Branyan versus RHP, Shelton LHP - the Mariners will have slightly above-average offensive from first base for a little more than $2 million.

What a concept.

"I'm not sure about Shelton too much, but he's young enough to expect the past few seasons were physical more than a permanent slip of his skills,' said AL East scout. "Branyan is among the best lefty platoon bats in the game, and they aren't paying either of them but peanuts. It's smart roster construction.

"So far, Zduriencik is earning his stripes as "Captian Jack."

coaching-staff-and-first-base

Comments
The following 35 comment(s) for this article are shown below:

1. By: Mariner Melee on 12-08-2008 15:03:04
Jack certainly has been impressive. The future looks bright for once.

2. By: Edman on 12-08-2008 15:26:25
The one thing I like about most the coaches is that they seem to have varied coaching careers, and have been managers at some point.

It's not the same "good old boy" hiring of the past. Right or wrong, there seems to at least be some reasoning behind the hires.

And, who cares if Wak knows them personally. He's assembling his army, why not go with guys you trust, and who also trust you.

Some were tauting the idea of hiring Rohn. I for one, would have been hacked. Wheither he liked Mike Hargrove's methods or not, he broke ranks and placed his opinions over that of the manager....publically. You take that stand, you better be willing to accept that few in baseball want disloyalty at any level.

3. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-08-2008 15:41:01
I wouldn't say he did that publicly, Edman, he took it too far, because he shared those feelings with players.

But he didn't go the media and tell the world. That might have kept him out of baseball for awhile, if not forever.

Rohn would be a great third base coach-infielders coach in the bigs, but he has other issues I won't discuss here that keep me from pining for him to be hired.

4. By: CrustyJuggler on 12-08-2008 20:17:21
I'm getting a little worried.

Putz seems to be a hot commodity so far and according to Baker, Zduriencik is hinting toward making Morrow the closer if Putz is dealt.

If thats the case, I wouldn't deal Putz simply because it will screw us in swapping Morrow out of the rotation for Washburn. That isn't looking to the future at all. Its something Bavasi would do (did).

If Zduriencik is concerned with the long term in this rotation, he has no business taking Morrow out of it until he has proven he can't be an effective starter.

5. By: candasharp on 12-08-2008 20:43:16
If a trade of Putz brings back a young starter in return, why not move Morrow back to the closer role if that does field the most talented team? I don't mind having Morrow as a potential all-star level closer if JZ can swing us a #3 starter somehow.

6. By: CrustyJuggler on 12-08-2008 20:46:40
I would rather have Morrow as a potential all-star level STARTER. But that's just me I guess.

7. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-08-2008 21:35:21
Swinging a No. 3 starter is costly. In fact, the market for one right now is two grade A prospects, one grade B, two within a year of the bigs, or 4-5 years and 12-15 million per.

Don't believe me?

wait two weeks and Ask Derek Lowe what he signed for and Javier Vazquez who he was traded for.

8. By: CrustyJuggler on 12-08-2008 21:53:43
Look how Bavasi swung for (and missed) a #3 starter in Silva. Actually, almost 50 million swings.

9. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-08-2008 21:57:32
Jack never hinted at that anyway, he simply said they haven't decided, but that every move they make has a domino effect.

All he said was that it's not impossible.

Stop ripping out the negative 3 percent and making a lot of assumptions.

10. By: Slurve on 12-08-2008 22:25:26
Give Morrow a chance at starting if things don't turn out so well then make the switch. A healthy Lowe could be interesting especially if he finds that Slider and his FB velo is good and his CU is decent.

11. By: CrustyJuggler on 12-08-2008 22:56:14
I'm just going off what Geoff Baker said because he was the one asking the question. He says he got the impression from talking to Zduriencik and the kind of answers he gave that Morrow would be the closer if J.J. was dealt. I really hope is off on his assumption.

12. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-08-2008 23:49:57
You should go back and read that blog entry again, than Juggler, because that wasn't what was said at all, by Baker or Zduriencik. Not even a hint of anything other than this part.

"In other words, yes, Morrow could slide back into the closer role if Putz is traded."

That's the strongest thing either Baker or Zduriencik said about it.

Jack didn't rule it out, That's it.

Some of you people baffle me with the insinuations.

13. By: CrustyJuggler on 12-09-2008 00:17:38
Nobody knows what Zduriencik is really thinking when it comes to Morrow. But it bothers me that he hasn't put his foot down to say that Morrow is going to start next season. If we are looking at building to the future, there are very few absolutes on this club. One of those absolutes should be that Morrow get a chance to start.

It doesn't help that about every media outlet is pining for Brandon Morrow, the closer.

14. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-09-2008 00:42:33
Why would he do that? That tips his hand in directions he doesn't want to tip it.

Think about it. If he flat out says Morrow is starting, other teams say "hey, they don't need Batista or Washburn at all" and that hurts any stance the M's can make on those talks, if and when they get underway.

Come on man.

15. By: Pumpkin on 12-09-2008 01:14:18
I have noticed for quite a while now that all of our young high end starters are right handed (Felix, Morrow, Aumont, Ramirez, Adcock, Pineda). Would Having an all RHed rotation be a problem, or is it more that a right/left mix is only a little nicer? If we do need to get some lhp prospects I would absolutely love to get Bumgarner but I am guessing that he is completely untouchable am I right?

16. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-09-2008 01:26:44
Not a problem at all. Most hitters are right-handed.

Ideally, sure, It'd be nice to have two lefties, but in the end you're better off with two better righties than two lesser lefties.

So it really doesn't matter. But it's nice to have a couple of lefties in the pen that eat LHBs alive.

17. By: Edman on 12-09-2008 11:04:26
It kills me that some of you expect the GM, be it Bavasi or JZ, to follow some unreasonable expectation of full disclosure. He's not here to serve you, me or the guy next door. His job is to work with the Mariners best interest in mind.

JZ has been more forthcoming than any GM the M's have ever had, in my recollection. But to expect him to draw lines in the sand, when he's not even sure what the make-up of the team will be, is completely unrealistic.

Would you lay your cards down, face up, then try to bluff? Don't expect JZ too, either.

18. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-09-2008 11:42:26
Certainly, Edman, and clearly I echo your sentiments. You can't give anything away these days, you have to maximize the return on every little piece you have, Washburn, Batista, Felix, whoever, and letting the cats out of the bag isn't the way to get the most in trades.

19. By: JD Kickastro on 12-09-2008 12:26:39
It's really interesting to see who the Brewers are willing to move this off-season.

The Braves are rumored to be in on Corey Hart and/or J.J. Hardy in exchange for some starting pitching.

I think both fit well for the M's.

If they don't bite on Washburn, would you be willing to give up RRS++ for either?

20. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-09-2008 15:12:34
Neither RRS nor Washburn net you Hart OR Hardy.

21. By: Blowgun7 on 12-09-2008 15:56:58
I dont know what the Brewers have in regard to catching prospects, but would they be interested in moving Hardy for Clement and Putz/Lopez. That probably isnt gonna be enough.

Unfortunately any package for Hardy would likely have to start with Morrow and then add on

22. By: JD Kickastro on 12-09-2008 15:59:27
Blow,

If that package isn't enough, then I don't want Hardy.

23. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-09-2008 16:09:25
Hardy is overrated.

He's a right-handed medium power bat -- what does Safeco do to those types?

He's spent his three-year career in the NL -- what does the AL tend to do to NL bats that aren't Hall-of-Fame worthy, such as Vlad and Sheffield?

He's average, maybe slightly above average defensively... I'll pass.

24. By: Blowgun7 on 12-09-2008 16:25:39
Fair point on Hardy.. his skillset surely would be hurt by the ballpark.

I wasnt suggesting we make the move, just trying to assess what the Brewers would be considering a fair deal.

Im hoping we take Grant Green to play SS anyway

25. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-09-2008 16:28:21
Have you seen Green, Blow?

I'm hoping the M's steer clear of him. He's not Troy Tulowitzki. I'd much rather the M's take Alex White if Strasburg is off the board.

26. By: Blowgun7 on 12-09-2008 16:50:15
What dont you like about him? You have him fourth on your draft board.

27. By: JD Kickastro on 12-09-2008 17:10:17
And the M's choose 2nd.

28. By: Blowgun7 on 12-09-2008 17:17:48
Yes, Im aware, but Jason's comment of "I hope the M's steer clear of him" sounds like he thinks Green isnt going to be a blue chip player, yet he has Green as his #1 position player in the draft and Top 5 overall.

29. By: Pumpkin on 12-09-2008 17:40:29
Just because Green is the number one position player, it doesn't mean he is the best selection at the second pick over all. I too really like Green, but I don't know yet if that is who we should pick. Plus we still have yet to see how all these players perform in the upcoming college season. The draft order can change a lot over one season. Nothing is written in stone, Stratusburg could blow out his elbow, and Ackley could have an outstanding season and suddenly surge to the number one spot for all we know.

Jason do you think you will be doing a scouting report on the top 5 or so talents in this next draft anytime soon?

30. By: slick on 12-09-2008 18:09:43
With K rod signing with mets, and Wood looks like he will sign with the Indians some dominos are starting to fall. Fuentes and Hoffman become best FA closers availble. It is said that the Tigers Cardinals Angels Brewers and the Diamondbacks to some extent are looking for closers. If CC signs with the Yankees and or sheets burnet or Lowe, I think they will look to trade Hughes. It is said that Yankees are looking at Mike Cameron.

This could sent up the perfect opportuniy to for a 3 way trade Brewers M's and Yankees.

Yankees Mike Cameron

Brewers Putz Washburn Gardner

M's Prospect Jeffres and Hughes/Kennedy

Seems to make sense all teams

31. By: Edman on 12-09-2008 18:28:21
You don't draft for need....EVER. Need is the tie breaker. If the second best player is a pitcher, you draft him, regardless. If they evaluate out with similar impact value, then is the only time you draft for need. But, you don't pick someone who's really a #5 pick at #2, because you have a need. Need picks are in later rounds.

32. By: mykillmagnum on 12-09-2008 18:35:28
jason, mlbtraderumors has steve phillips reporting there are talks of a putz for prince fielder deal in the works, involving other players. have you heard anything about that and who do you think the possible players could be? it actually says the tigers and the mariners have been talking, so im not sure if that means a three way deal, or it was just a mistake. what are the possiblities of this getting done? i think prince would be a perfect fit here.

33. By: Blowgun7 on 12-09-2008 18:47:51
That's not the point Edman. Im not saying pick the #4 over the #2 because we need offense.

Im saying that Jason's tone seemed to indicate that he thinks Green isnt all that great and we should "steer clear of him". That to me makes it sound like Jason thinks he overrated. Yet he's #4 on Jason's list.

So im just trying to get clarification here... does Jason consider the three pitchers to be on a total different level than Green and therefore it would be foolish for the M's to draft him, or has Jason changed his tune on Grant from when he ranked him #4 overall

34. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-09-2008 19:14:18
Yeah, when you have the No. 2 pick, why are you picking the fourth best talent?

And the original ranking may change, but it's a shallow draft, so probably not much.

Green doesn't suck, but, for me, right now, before their junior seasons, Alex White is the No. 2 prospect in the draft, and it's not close.

I think that gap is as big as the gap between Strasburg and White.

35. By: DAMellen on 12-10-2008 02:16:16
Ackley's not even your number one outfielder? Wow. Isn't Tate pretty likely to go to college? Does he bat left or right?

You are not currently logged in. If you'd like to comment on this report, please log in.
Haven't created a Prospect Insider account yet? Sign up!