| By Jason A. Churchill |  | By 04-10-2009 |
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 Notes and a new Top 10 with a new No. 2.
Thoughts of the week: How long will Adam Moore stay in West Tennessee and how long til the Mariners give up on Jeff Clement at catcher? I don't know, exactly, but I bet those two timeframes are the same.
premium-notebook-4.10.09
Comments
The following 62 comment(s) for this article are shown below:
| 1. By: acqb1424 on 04-10-2009 13:32:21 That's awesome Jason. So we'll get the book whenever it is finished, a mid season update for free and next year's book for half price? That's very generous. Thanks for all the time and work you put in. |
| 2. By: acqb1424 on 04-10-2009 13:36:38 Sorry for the consecutive posts, and Jason you might not be able to answer this, but does it sound like maybe May/June for the handbook and then July/August for the update? |
| 3. By: Jason A. Churchill on 04-10-2009 14:08:48 That's probably a pretty good guess. The mid-season update will be much lighter, just a set of rankings and scouting reports converted to a digital document and e-mailed out to you. But it won't be June for the Handbook. late April, May... |
| 4. By: Edman on 04-10-2009 15:02:45 Jason, I'm logged in but unable to get access to the notebook. Can you look into it, please. |
| 5. By: Jason A. Churchill on 04-10-2009 15:05:03 Edman, you're sub was canceled. Not sure of the exact date, but your paypal account will show when that was. |
| 6. By: Edman on 04-10-2009 19:08:51 Did you cancel it? |
| 7. By: Jason A. Churchill on 04-10-2009 19:45:04 Sure did. If you can't get a grip, I don't want your money, let alone your patronage. So I didn't think it was fair to just let that continue to charge. To be as fair as I can be, I have restored your subscriber status until the end of the month. |
| 8. By: Edman on 04-10-2009 19:46:06 Indeed, you did cancel it. Why? I think I know, but that's really hard to fathom that you'd go to that level. |
| 9. By: Jason A. Churchill on 04-10-2009 20:01:28 Anyone that is, at the time, unwelcome at PI, well, how fair is it to keep collecting money from them on subscription, despite it being just a couple bucks a month? It's pretty bottom line here. You can disagree with anyone, including me, all you want. What you can't do is get an attitude and expect to be treated like a king or as if this is your house and we're all just here and being allowed to take a look around. That's not the case here, right? Like I said, I'm trying to be as fair as I can. Help me out, eh? |
| 10. By: Edman on 04-10-2009 20:59:40 This is a very unusual reply, I must say. I'm not sure when it is I've expected to be treated like a King, I'll have to research that. This is your kingdom, not mine, so you're free to do as you wish. I've never asked for or expected special treatment of any kind. I have opinions, as does everyone for the most part. We aren't as far apart as you might think. I've watched you evolve, and am happy for your success. Years back, you were more objective, and stayed away from pointless speculation, concentrating on data and personal observation. In recent years, no doubt fueled by the poorly run upper management system controlling the Mariners, you've become more cynical. I suppose we all have. Frustration tends to do that. And sometimes, it's important to remind everyone to be careful not marry personal opinion and fact. They are two different entities. I've seen you be just as intolerant as me, so neither of us can take the high road. The difference is, it's backyard, so what you say, goes. I take none of this personally, and you're certainly within your rights to choose who you play with. Fair, would have been to at least send me an email to explain that my subscription had been canceled and why. Trying to access the notebook was no proper way to find out. I've dug my own trench and accept my fate. Unfortunately, once you do, anything you disagree with, gets amplified beyond it's intent, because that's the way it's perceived. I'm not sure how I'm suppose to help you out. |
| 11. By: brown1981 on 04-10-2009 21:15:34 Jason, A little off subject but what do you think of the Brett Lorin. I saw him pitch a couple times last year in everett and came away very impressed. I believe if he can keep his walks down, he turns into a legitamate MLB prospect. He is a guy I haven't heard a lot of people talk about at all. He also had a great opener numbers-wise. Just wanted to know your opinion on him. |
| 12. By: Talkbaseball on 04-10-2009 21:26:37 Church, any updates on Triu's knee? Mariners Minors reported he hurt it sliding into second and had to be carried off the field by the trainers. I don't know if the system can take any more bad news after the Aumonte debacle. |
| 13. By: Lonnie on 04-10-2009 22:09:45 Jason, Very nice with the 3 per month approach with the Notebook. Some things that I picked up on yesterday/last night listening to parts of the D-Jaxx, Mavs, and Rainiers 1 - Tyson Gillies is going to create a ground swell of fan support even without the hear issue. Last night he lead off in 5 different innings, and got on base 4 out of 5 times. 2 - It seemed like by and large we had some excellent pitching system wide. 3 - High Desert could be an interesting place to visit one day this year. 4 - West Tenn could also be an interesting place to visit one day this year. Lonnie |
| 14. By: Jason A. Churchill on 04-10-2009 23:00:27 Talk, I put in an email to some people on the West Tenn staff to try and find out. brown, I'm lukewarm on Lorin until he dominates in that league, really. He's 22 and in Low A. I'm not down on him, not at all, but it's tough to judge his future off of 08. Solid fastball velo, the makings of a good breaking ball and okay command... we'll see. |
| 15. By: 01v-dubs on 04-10-2009 23:33:50 Jason, In your mind, what does Crow have to do to become the clear choice for the 2nd overall pick? If he simply shows to have not regressed at all since last year will that be enough? To me is seems like the Crow of last year would be the consenus 2nd best pitcher in this draft. |
| 16. By: SMariners11 on 04-10-2009 23:43:46 Jason, I know it is only 5 games into the season, but Sweeney looks terrible. Is there a release in the future or is he on the team for a while because he is a "great guy"?? I just want to see Shelton get his chance. |
| 17. By: Talkbaseball on 04-10-2009 23:59:46 Triunfel, broken Tibia, out for the year. We have to have the worst luck developing players, this is some cruel joke from the baseball gods. |
| 18. By: stickball on 04-11-2009 00:16:18 Jason, Give Edman another chance with a short leash. Edman has been a jerk to me and, imo, to other posters on the board, but I think he deserves a second chance. Granted this is your board, so we accept your decision. |
| 19. By: Lonnie on 04-11-2009 00:55:24 Talkbaseball sez: "Triunfel, broken Tibia, out for the year. We have to have the worst luck developing players, this is some cruel joke from the baseball gods." LINK!!!! Lonnie |
| 20. By: slick on 04-11-2009 02:34:43 kyle Gibson 3 straight complete games this guy has a rubber arm. |
| 21. By: slick on 04-11-2009 03:11:33 Hey Jason any new word on Cleto. Tried to find any articles on this only found one saying there looking into maybe 50 players or so, but did not reveal names. Any chance De Jesus or Efrian Nunez are being held back do to this FBI investigation? |
| 22. By: Slack on 04-11-2009 11:10:47 Jason, Would the M's consider Kyle Gibson with the 2nd pick? Would he be a good selection? I would take Gibson over Alex White any day although I have my eye on Miller or Matzek. I want upside and in a weaker draft, you need all the upside you can get. |
| 23. By: Slack on 04-11-2009 11:12:12 Jason, Would the M's consider Kyle Gibson with the 2nd pick? Would he be a good selection? I would take Gibson over Alex White any day although I have my eye on Miller or Matzek. I want upside and in a weaker draft, you need all the upside you can get. |
| 24. By: mcgillicutty on 04-11-2009 18:41:22 Is there a reason Mario Martinez has been playing 1b? |
| 25. By: huhwhat on 04-11-2009 20:17:08 On the M's site the report is Triunfel broke his Fibula not Tibia which is actually better news even though breaking any bone isn't good news to begin with. |
| 26. By: huhwhat on 04-12-2009 00:52:41 Jason, Is Felix's velocity a little down right now? The gameday has him around the low 90's a lot the last 2 games. |
| 27. By: Jason A. Churchill on 04-12-2009 14:34:46 stickball, I think your'e right, but at some point it has to stop re:Edman, eh? He's very smart when it comes to baseball. I think he should just start his own site and go from there. He hasn't been banned from here, however. slick, Yes. Cleto, Nunez, De Jesus, any player from the DR is potentially part of the FBI investigation. Slack, I think they'd consider him, yes. dubs, Crow may win out by default. But all teams can hope for in Indy ball is top velo in the short stints and for the pitcher to throw as much as possible and go as long as possible each time out. I want Scheppers at 27. And White has more upside than Gibson, slack. Better fastball, better out pitch. The command is the difference between the two. I hear it is the Fibula, not the tibia. First thought is he could return later in the year. Worst-case scenario, he misses the year but doesn't suffer long-term damage. Too bad, too, he was ready to explode. I truly believe that. I think he was going to go .280/.340/.450 in AA this year - at 19 years of age. re: Mario Martinez, It's a combo of getting him time off third base and giving someone else a shot to play there, too. He may or may not be able to play the position long term. I lean toward yes, but barely. |
| 28. By: CrockDaddy on 04-12-2009 14:39:56 can martinez hit enough to play first in the majors? |
| 29. By: Jason A. Churchill on 04-12-2009 14:51:50 huhwhat, A little. Nothing to worry about. He was fine first time out, I did not see yesterday's. CrockDaddy, No. It's not about him at first. Like I said, it gets him off third for a day or two and lets someone else play third. If Martinez isn't a 3B, I think he's a left fielder, and he could be a pretty good one. Perhaps the sore hamstring/quad he had this spring is still bugging him some, too. |
| 30. By: CrockDaddy on 04-12-2009 15:54:52 oh ok, i slightly misconstrued your early statement thinking he would move to first if forced to move off third |
| 31. By: Jason A. Churchill on 04-12-2009 16:48:27 Sorry about that, CD, I may not have worded it right. Re: Sweeney I wouldn't take six or seven games and cut a guy based on the results - ever. Not in ST, not in the reg. season... Sweeney is hitting the ball hard enough and will hit if he's healthy. While Shelton>Sweeney for me, it's hard to argue with what Sweeney brings to the table as a package, again, when healthy. Might as well ride out his healthy string. |
| 32. By: Marlin Man on 04-12-2009 20:38:44 Come on Boys- did you really expect anything LESS from the gutless 5 inning wonder? Bedard- contract year guys- ya think he doesn't know it's time to quit being a puss? Keep up the good work Erik- am sure someone will want you REALLY bad just before the Trade deadline, and we can get something worth having!!!!!!! M.M. |
| 33. By: acqb1424 on 04-12-2009 21:47:25 Jason, I know it's really early, but if the M's are in it at the first of July, say either in first or three games within first, do they hold onto Beltre and Bedard and just play it out? Or do they still stick to the plan and ship them off to the highest bidder? Also, if the M's have a better season than expected, does that make the odds of resigning Beltre go from nil to maybe 10%? |
| 34. By: Jason A. Churchill on 04-13-2009 00:30:13 If I had to take a guess, acbq, I'd guess they try to do a lateral type move with Bedard and hang on to Beltre and take the picks. If they can't get value that's better than 2 picks for Beltre, there's no use in dealing him. And Bedard might be a Type B, which would be a high draft pick, too, so... But if they could deal either or both of them for younger big league talent that could actually make them better this year, that's the going to be the idea, i think. |
| 35. By: Gustafson on 04-13-2009 10:37:43 I don't get the criticism ("gutless wonder", etc.) about Bedard. It's an objective fact that he had a partially torn labrum. I mean, it's not like he was making that up. He may have been dumb to keep pitching through pain, but that's different than gutless. Jason, I know you are of the opinion that Bedard is damaged goods and should be dealt if he gets value. Is there any thought within the organization about re-signing him? Or at least trying to? With Morrow/Aumont going to the pen, having a top flight starter is hard to come by. Just wondering if that ship has sailed or if they would consider it if he proved to be healthy. |
| 36. By: Jason A. Churchill on 04-13-2009 11:02:55 The labrum he had that was partially torn, however, was a hip labrum, not the shoulder labrum. He is gutless, any way you look at it. Either he was protecting his future by going out and throwing 95 pitches and claiming he was done because of the worry of the injury getting worse, or he wasn't hurt and just simply didn't want to risk hurting himself for a team that was terrible. One isn't as bad as the other, but they are both awful. Bedard can pitch. I'm not even sure "when healthy" is appropriate. I think "when he wants to" is. I would not try and re-sign a 31-year-old Bedard unless it was for 1-2 years, and that's highly unlikely. And I don't know what the front office thinks of Bedard in that manner. I don't think Zduriencik has any issues with Bedard off the field. It'll be a baseball decision, through and through. But let's not get too excited about TWO starts. |
| 37. By: Marlin Man on 04-13-2009 12:56:43 ask ANY Orthopedic how many men over age 25 have a "torn Labrum"- he will advise you- 100%- that is a fact I am sure you are not aware of- to whaat degree is torn is the difference- He didn't wanat to pitch any more than he "had to" last year, knowing full well theat THIS year would be his "contract year'- thus "gutless" in MY book- you wanna stand up for him- have at it- I say he is GUTLESS and he'll be gone by trade deadline If you don't believe that, don't know what to tell ya. MM |
| 38. By: PositivePaul on 04-13-2009 13:14:49 Thing is, though, he didn't have a torn labrum in the shoulder. He had a cyst that was removed and he had some stuff cleaned up right before the offseason. This year he's certainly pitching for a contract. No doubt about that. And last year sucked so bad for everyone, I wouldn't've wanted to go the extra mile and risk WORSE injury when I'm already injured in that situation. I don't think he's gutless, really. There's a difference between being gutless and being conservative. Best to save the bullets for when you really need them, IMHO, especially when the gun needs a good cleaning anyway. Of course, he pretty much sucked when he pitched hurt, so there's the thought that he could've surrendered a bunch of early runs AND over-taxed the bullpen, so the M's really really would've lost the few extra games they needed to guarantee themselves the first overall pick, so... I don't think Bedard's the problem. Silva, Batista, Washburn, OTOH. |
| 39. By: Edman on 04-13-2009 15:28:11 Gutless is Bedard? Fine, I guess he deserves it. However, to attack someone because they didn't want to pitch when they are hurt, is just as gutless. Walk in another man's shoes, before you pass judgement. I have no idea what kind of pain he was in. But, I certainly wouldn't want him to throw in pain and potentially damage himself even worse, simply to prove he's got "guts". Where the M's ever such a solid contender last year that we should risk any top level talent? Would you have been so critical if Felix had sat out rather than pitch during a meaningless season? I'm not saying Bedard is an iron horse, but to me it's lame to insist someone should be willing to risk his career, just so any of us can feel better that he made every effort toward our expectations. |
| 40. By: Edman on 04-13-2009 15:30:24 Agreed, Paul. Even hurt, Bedard outpitched both Batista and Silva. They were far more a problem than Bedard. |
| 41. By: littlelinny6 on 04-13-2009 15:48:07 Jason, If Bedard proves to be a legitimate #2 in the big leagues, don't the M's have to look at signing him to a couple more years if possible? Given the fact that there no starting pitching depth in the organization and guys like Pineda and Ramirez are at least 2 years away. The way I see it if Beltre leaves along with Bedard the 2010 M's will be much worse next year. I would personally love to resign Beltre too. Do you think we could give him a huge contract but short term, like 2 years, $30 million and be competitive? |
| 42. By: Jason A. Churchill on 04-13-2009 17:11:53 Why, linny? Why would the Mariners be all happy giddy to give a 31-year-old pitcher with a fairly heavy track record of injuries (forearm, shoulder, elbow, back, hip) any kind of guaranteed money, especially right now? Bedard has already proven he's a legit No. 2, he just hasn't proven he can stay on the field. Beltre is a different story. If you can get him to sign to something not unreasonable, you do it. He plays everyday and produces. Two weeks ago nobody was saying this junk about Bedard and re-signing him, now after two good starts people are afraid to NOT sign him? Nothing has changed. Nothing. |
| 43. By: Gustafson on 04-13-2009 17:17:55 To me with Bedard, the re-signing thing (which I brought up earlier in this thread) is probably a non-issue. He will want to test the market and will follow the money (and probably try returning closer to home). The real issue with Bedard is whether he pitches well enough the first half of the season to cause some team to overpay for him at the trade deadline - perhaps allowing Seattle to recoup a little bit of what they gave away to get him. The conflict becomes in the unlikely scenario that the Mariners are contending in July. Does Jack Z pull the trigger on a Bedard trade? Or does he hope Bedard finishes the season strong and receives Type A status... That second option is the best of both worlds as unlikely as it is on both fronts. |
| 44. By: Gustafson on 04-13-2009 17:19:27 Jason, one reason why no one was clamoring to re-sign Bedard two weeks ago was because Morrow and Aumont were still starting pitching prospects. Give me a little credit. I'm not overreacting on 2 starts. I'm perhaps overreacting on 2 starts PLUS two #1 pick starting pitchers being moved from the future rotation. That is a big difference. |
| 45. By: Edman on 04-13-2009 18:05:48 I agree with Gustafson, in regard to not knowing the changes in both Morrow and Aumont's status. The M's are suddenly not deep in starting pitching. I do thing Aumont eventually returns to being a starter. But, as of today, he's not. Plus, a few weeks ago, nobody was willing to make those kind of statements until Bedard proved he was healthy. He didn't have a lot of inning in Spring Training in which to be able to assume he was healthy. That said, until Bedard strings together at least a dozen starts, I wouldn't be willing to consider an extension. If he proves he's the pitcher we expected, to resign him, if you can get him for a reasonable price. Not low dollar, but reasonable. No time is better than now, to get a reasonable contract, with the downturn in the economy. There is no way he signs for 1-2 years. Not a prayer in the world, if he's pitching well. And, the M's aren't deep enough in starting pitching to be able to say "adios" right now. I'm not so worried about value, because lefthanders tend to always find a place in the majors and have longer careers than righthanders. Is there risk? Sure, there's risk with any pitcher. You wanna play, you gotta pay. If teams only did things based on their fear of a bad contract, noboby would have a longterm contract. If you can get him for three years guaranteed, with one or two option years, that's probably the best you'll do. The M's can't let Bavasi's bad decisions regarding value in a longterm deal make them gunshy. Nobody gets it right all the time. |
| 46. By: Edman on 04-13-2009 18:11:08 I would agree about Beltre, as well. Truiny's injury is further proof that you don't bet on filling a position with a guy who's probably two years away. If Tui has a breakout season at AAA, then maybe. But, guys like Beltre don't come along very often. |
| 47. By: littlelinny6 on 04-13-2009 18:42:25 Jumping on what Gustafson said this is not generally overreacting to Bedard's 2 solid starts but rather the compilation of that with Morrow/Aumont relegated to Bullpen duty. I guess the bigger question is unless the M's trade Bedard/Beltre away for prospects on the level of Chris Tillman (highly unlikely) the starting rotation will be all kinds of awful next year. 1. Felix 2. Silva 3. RRS 4. Feirabend 5. Who the hell knows? Next year we could legitimately have 4 #5/AAAA pitchers in the starting rotation unless they go the free agency route or makes some trades. That is the prospect that scares me, quite frankly more than an oft injured Bedard. I agree we need to wait but if he is producing well after 10-15 starts it may be worth the risk to avoid an almost guaranteed 100 loss season barring huge changes in personnel. |
| 48. By: Jason A. Churchill on 04-13-2009 18:56:22 Who the hell knows? You can say that about every rotation in the AL looking more than a year down the road. Pitching is so volatile. And you don't sign Bedard because your farm system sucks. If you assess the entire outlook over the length of your plan to build a winning team, and signing Bedard is what makes the most sense, THEN you do it. Aumont and Morrow have nothing to do with it. Never did. |
| 49. By: Edman on 04-13-2009 19:04:44 The value of your farm system factors into your forward assessment. If you have a weak farm system, Bedard becomes more valuable. If you have a strong farm system, and that includes projectable starting pitching, then his value may be more in terms of trade value at the deadline or draft pick compensation. So no, you don't sign him simply because your farm system sucks. But, you don't not sign him, without expectation of a large hole to fill, regardless of how it's filled. |
| 50. By: CrustyJuggler on 04-13-2009 19:19:34 Nicely put, Edman. (Even with the double-negative) I don't see how Morrow wouldn't factor into this at least. He was expected to fill a spot in the rotation this year and in the future. Dropping him off the list just made the Mariners that much more thin in 2010. The list linny made up is fairly alarming. Especially given that guys like RRS, Feier, Olson, etc., are not proven Major League starters and don't display the kind of stuff that project them to be anything more than average. All that says though is Jack Z is going to have to be slick in repairing this rotation going forward. Whether it be via trade, draft, free agent... Multiple smart moves are going to need to be made. Nobody should be pressing the panic button just yet but it is a little disconcerting our lack of quality young pitching ready to step up. Compound that with a #2 arm like Bedard on his way out and I can see where fans may freak out a bit. |
| 51. By: littlelinny6 on 04-13-2009 19:24:31 Fair enough, I just hope the guys in HD develop more quickly than anticipated and/or they are not moved to the bullpen--haha. Like I said I think all of us (including myself) are jumping the gun a bit, if Bedard can put together a long sustained run of good outings it is something to think about. I don't think you can say the M's possible rotation next year is like every other AL team. Multiple teams have a solid core signed beyond next year or are just eligible for slight raises including Tampa Bay, BoSox, Yankees, just off the top of my head that have at least 2-3 proven league AVG starters signed beyond this season. Pitching is volatile but as we stand today not many rotations look worse off next year than the M's. That is not the say things won't change--just as we see it right now. Not many other AL have this barren of a farm system as far as starting pitching prospects are concerned. Anyways, this is all just projection, this discussion may be better suited for mid July before the trading deadline. |
| 52. By: Jason A. Churchill on 04-13-2009 21:43:06 "49. By: Edman on 04-13-2009 18:04:44 The value of your farm system factors into your forward assessment. If you have a weak farm system, Bedard becomes more valuable. If you have a strong farm system, and that includes projectable starting pitching, then his value may be more in terms of trade value at the deadline or draft pick compensation." Wrong. "So no, you don't sign him simply because your farm system sucks." Right. "But, you don't not sign him, without expectation of a large hole to fill, regardless of how it's filled. Fact is, the farm system's strengths and weaknesses have ZERO to do with whether re-signing a veteran is a good idea or not. Ever. |
| 53. By: stickball on 04-14-2009 00:27:05 Beltre barely made it as a Type A this year. The rankings are based upon two years, so Beltre must match or better his 07 season in which he had 26 hr, 99 RBI, and an .801 OPS. Beltre hitting those statistics playing one-half of his games in Safeco is far from given. If he gets traded, he will probably hit those stats. I think Z will be able to find good value for Beltre and trade him near the trading deadline. |
| 54. By: Jason A. Churchill on 04-14-2009 00:35:28 That all depends on the performances of the other guys around him that are either just ahead or just behind him... |
| 55. By: slick on 04-14-2009 02:02:32 Beltre is Group 2 his numbers are averaged in against fellow 3rd Baseman shortstops and second baseman. With Arod starting the season injured Glaus as well and some aging third baseman Rolen Lowell and aging shortstops Jeter Tejada if Beltre stays healthy and puts up similar numbers he should be in. This is post steriod era. another interesting player to watch as far as draft pick compensations goes for is Batista now that he is a RP. It is possible if Batista logs enough ininngs wins 5 or 6 games, gets 5 or 6 saves combined with Innings from last year and apperances I would not be surprised if he was class B. Alot of average relief pitchers who can log innings become type B. |
| 56. By: slick on 04-14-2009 02:33:14 #55 take out the NL names only goes for AL players |
| 57. By: Ruuuppert9 on 04-14-2009 03:58:10 #55 No matter what type of year Batista has, I wouldn't under any circumstance offer him arbitration when his contract is up. |
| 58. By: stickball on 04-14-2009 10:29:48 Here are the rankings for players near Beltre. 2B/3B/SS A players 7. Placido Polanco 83.851 8. Jhonny Peralta 82.286 9. Brian Roberts 80.435 10. Ian Kinsler 79.503 11. Edgar Renteria 79.429 12. Miguel Cabrera 78.261 13. Melvin Mora 77.640 14. Adrian Beltre 74.534 15. Robinson Cano 72.050 B players 16. Scott Rolen 70.186 17. Carlos Guillen 68.000 18. Yuniesky Betancourt 66.000 19. Mark Ellis 65.217 19. Chone Figgins 65.217 19. Alex Gordon 65.217 Slick, Arod won't fall below Beltre unless he puts up a Sexson year, or stays on the DL longer than expected. Renteria went to the NL. Mark DeRosa (71.85 rating) was a Type A in the NL and has moved to the AL. DeRosa has started slowly, but he has a chance to beat out Beltre too. Same for Alex Gordon (except chaning leagues). Longoria will have two years this year and it looks like he will beat out Beltre. Rolen and Cano are having better years than Belre so far. As I said Beltre making a Type A is far from given. |
| 59. By: FatBat on 04-14-2009 13:02:37 Beltre? would love to keep him. But what is the dollar amount we can aford, and not be over paying for his offense at Safeco for 80 games? anyone? Say Boston offers 15 mil at Fenway? Don't see the M's coming close to that. And I think he would actualy be wouth that contract in Boston. Not here though. It comes down to pitching (for me) I like the idea of going into Yankee stadium in a three game series and our first two starters are Felix and Bedard! damn, its a nice feeling. Also what is our options next year on the free agent market? Beckett, yes but he is going to get a kings ransom. So who else, luts see um Harden Lackey? Both are in the same boat as Bedard! High risk high reward. If he doesnt want to pitch here then, he goes. But if he wants to stay, keep him. Because are other options are to sign another washburn or batista, thank you but NO! We don't have the kind of prospects to fill out a rotation next year. I can see the upside trading Bedard for a young stud pitcher but I don't think that will happen. In my Opinion a three year contract with Bedard and he is only healthy for 2 of those three years is about the same the Angels got for Lackey? Oakland got out of Harden? Atlanta got out of Hudson? and Smoltz? I could go on and on. My point...Pitchers get hurt what's new. Bedard heathy, we may get more of those 8 1/3 inn. Take it! |
| 60. By: FatBat on 04-14-2009 13:12:38 I do agree with you Jason that it has to fit into your long term plan for winning. I just hope that long term plan for winning is long term. haha! great points made by everyone though. Gustafson, Edman. Except for the one thread about ripping on Bedard. |
| 61. By: Edman on 04-14-2009 14:17:21 We'll have to disagree, Jason. Every corporation includes it's R&D in it's global plan. You don't discontinue a product, unless it's obsolete, until you have a better one to take it's place. Baseball is no different. To say that Bedard, or any player for that matter, is not valued any different based on the ability to replace him within the organization is false. The ultimate decision to resign him is based on his value to the organization. Value includes many factors, including he affect on the organization if he has to be replaced. There are many factors, including other free agent pitchers that may be available (and obtainable). If it makes more sense to sign him, then you do it. You can never have too much pitching. Right now, I see nobody that can step up within the organization to fill his shoes. Their best starting pitching is at least 2, if not 3-4 years away. Would Bedard sign if given the opportunity? No idea, but if he's pitching well, the Mariners would be wise to investigate the possibility. Never limit your options. |
| 62. By: dewey on 04-14-2009 15:53:02 Does anyone think any of the teams who our in first after 1 week will make the playoffs our win there division? The teams are Toronto,Seattle and Detroit in the A.L. San Diego ,Stlouis and Braves and Marlins where tied in the east.I think the only team that makes the playoffs our the Braves what do you guys think? |
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