| By Chris Crawford |  | By 10-23-2011 |
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 possibly both -- contribute to the rotation next year, making it one of the most talented rotations in baseball.
There are several reasons that Seattle might struggle in 2012, but the rotation isn't one of them.
The bullpen had its most moments of frustration this past season, but the talent cannot be questioned. Outside of the disastrous series versus the Baltimore Orioles, Brandon League was as good a closer as there was in baseball. Right-hander Tom Wilhelmsen struggled early in the year, but by September it looked like the M's found their new answer for one of the late-inning roles. Add in talented right-handers Chance Ruffin, Josh Lueke and Dan Cortes -- with Stephen Pryor, Forrest Snow and Tyler Burgoon likely being ready to contribute soon -- there's the potential for a lights-out 'pen. David Aardsma could be a factor late in the year, too.
It's also worth noting that GM Jack Zduriencik built the bullpen through trades and the club spent less money on their relief corps than all but four AL clubs in 2011.
The offense is improving
That may not be the general consensus, but it should be. The Mariners were a much better team in 2011 than 2010, and if you take away that pesky little 17-game losing streak -- and perhaps put them at 7-10 during that stretch -- it wasn't close.
Even without major additions to the lineup, it is reasonable to expect more offensive production from every position but shortstop and catcher -- Brendan Ryan and Miguel Olivo are what they are -- lending the overall numbers a significant show if improvement, mostly due to further development of the young players.
Last year, the Mariners had 2,716 plate appearances from non-pitchers who had an on-base percentage below .300. (Seriously) That essentially is 815 outs -- or 272 innings -- of anti-goodness, for lack of a better term. There just doesn't seem any way possible that such poor performances do not improve in 2012, which means there might be a lineup that can keep the team into games.
Division regression
We won't really know the answer to this question till winter, but there are major questions for all three of the division competitors next year.
Texas may be losing its ace for the second straight year in free-agent-to-be C.J. Wilson, and while the lineup is still considerably better than the rest of the division, there are holes that need to be filled if they expect to win the division a third straight year. They'll also be asking Adrian Beltre, Nelson Cruz, Josh Hamilton and others to stay relatively healthy all season, something they have struggled to do in the past, including in 2011.
The Los Angeles Angels have one of the better rotations in the American League, but there are far too many automatic outs in the lineup, and the Halos may not have the money to spend to acquire a big bat thanks to the albatross contract of Vernon Wells and the financial commitments to Torii Hunter and the pitching staff.
The Oakland Athletics are similar to the M's -- they are led by solid pitching, including the potential for a top bullpen -- but they lack a young player with the offensive potential of Dustin Ackley, or Justin Smoak for that matter, and they don't have the means to acquire the necessary bats to allow them to compete for the division. Of the four, the A's would be the most surprising team to finish atop the AL West in 2012, barring a Billy Beane stroke of genius. And when was the last time we saw that?
It happens
It certainly isn't common, per se, but teams have jumped from worst to first from one year to the next. In fact, it happened just this past year with the Arizona Diamondbacks. How did the Diamondbacks do it? They did it with solid starting-pitching, defense and a reliable bullpen. Do the M's have that? Check, check, and check. The difference is the M's don't have the bat of a Justin Upton or Miguel Montero on their roster -- and the National League West is a train-wreck of a division. If you're looking for proof that worst-to-first occurs, however, look no further than Phoenix.
The Tampa Bay Rays went from last place in 2007 to the World Series in 2008. The Minnesota Twins went from 74-88 and a last-place finish in 1990 to winning the World Series in 1991 -- over the Atlanta Braves, who won 65 games in 1990 and 94 the following season.
As mentioned in the introduction, there's a lot of work to be done, and the most likely scenario is that the Seattle Mariners aren't competing for the division until 2013, at the earliest. With a little bit of luck, though, natural progression, regression from the rivals, and an off-season move or two, there is absolutely a non-zero chance that the Mariners are hoisting up a division championship banner come Opening Day 2013.
While most analysts will suggest the M's are clearly two or three years away, there are too many examples to the contrary for fans -- and most importantly, the team itself -- to operate on such terms. The M's window of opportunity starts right now.
the-m\'s-window-starts-now
Comments
The following 24 comment(s) for this article are shown below:
| 1. By: Notorious DAD on 10-23-2011 22:40:31 Just stop it Chris, I CANNOT get my hopes up...yet. Well done. |
| 2. By: Rudolf on 10-23-2011 22:41:07 I certainly appreciate the optimism, Chris. |
| 3. By: Notorious DAD on 10-23-2011 22:41:56 By the way Chris, is mlbdraftinsider back up yet? |
| 4. By: johnburkland on 10-24-2011 04:35:19 Is Forrest Snow headed to the bull pen? He had such an odd 2011, seemed like he played at every level in the minors, I haven't rally gotten a handle on what we have there. I was hoping he would turn into Doug Fister v2.0... But that's asking too much isn't it? |
| 5. By: maqman on 10-24-2011 13:32:53 Snow has come on fast seemingly out of nowhere and so far has given up one hit and one walk in 9 innings in the AFL, while striking out 10. I think Vargas has a chance to become Fister-level next season. His improvement after adding a twist to his delivery in his last three games made a believer out of me, small sample size noted. After the past two seasons and all the bad bats sent packing, with some of the kids sorted out, then I just don't believe they can do anything other than improve offensively. They have the arms, they have some bats and they know what they need. I expect improvement next season, the question is how much? |
| 6. By: d2ret on 10-24-2011 15:20:34 What are our chances on Darvish.. Jason?? Chris??? Im thinking Darvish, maybe Sizemore if he checks out.. and then trades.. |
| 7. By: Edman on 10-24-2011 16:03:55 I'm not sure why the M's would spend a big chunk of cash o Darvish, when they have several very good, young, cost controlled pitchers. They don't have a ton of budget flexability, and to be wasting it on something they already have, doesn't make much sense. If Grady is released and the price is right, why not take a look at him? But, he's had a tough time staying healthy. There is more risk with him, than upside right now. |
| 8. By: masonb on 10-24-2011 16:11:25 Edman, Are you an employee of the front office? Are you part of the ownership group who sets and approves of the budgets? I don't know how many times Jason has stated that the payroll is unknown and that ownership would likely be willing to expand the payroll for the "right" player. Wouldn't Darvish potentially be the "right" player? Sure he's going to cost some serious coin, but the presence of another Japanese ballplayer would go a long way towards the public's interest in the team, not to mention the fact that his presence would allow Z to potentially deal one of the star pitching prospects for a bat. It makes alot more sense in my opinion to go after a top pitcher than spend the money on Prince Fielder who you have been pining for recently. Wouldn't Prince fielder put more of a strain on the budget than Darvish? I guess I just don't understand your logic. |
| 9. By: skyway park on 10-24-2011 16:16:13 I hope we stay far away from Sizemore, he is like the Bedard of position players. I would hope the M's would go after a more of a sure thing then a player filled with risks health wise. I'm not sure who that player is or will be just hope it isn't Sizemore or Beltran for that matter. |
| 10. By: rjfrik on 10-24-2011 16:22:27 The reason you go get Darvish is because it then gives you the flexibility to trade Pineda or Paxton or Walker for a prime bat without losing any pitching value. I personally would love to have the best pitching prospect Japan has ever had. |
| 11. By: d2ret on 10-24-2011 18:28:41 What rik said of course! A smart, natural move to make for Seattle. Plus we maintain the influence in the japanese market with Ichiros career nearer to its ending. That IS HUGE. You could trade any of your pitching for stud offense at any point, before or during the season. With respect, I know its your nature to question everything Edman, which is smart on your part.. but I think you forget the importance of finding the true clear answers to your questions sometimes. Just my observation. Anyway, not a personal critique, just wondered howd you'd miss the obvious benefit in this move.. |
| 12. By: d2ret on 10-24-2011 18:39:22 Darvish is a number 1. And much closer in age group to our young core than the uber expensive Fielder (whom I wouldn't mind signing by the way) I just think a Darvish signing would be MUCH smarter, and free up WAY more flexibility afterwards than a Fielder signing would (Fielder plays DH and forces Carp to LF where his defensive value is very low there. Signing Darvish, then looking to upgrade other positions through trades is better roster building. |
| 13. By: Edman on 10-24-2011 19:17:11 MasonB, to counter your statement, is Jason a part of the front office? Is he a member of the ownership group that approves budgets? No offense intended, but your argument makes zero sense, because nobody here is either of those things, as far as I know. It's all speculation. Jason speculated, I speculate. Tit for tat. Darvish might be the right player to expand their budget for, assuming that they believe that Pineda, Paxton or Walker will bring the return that some here think they will. Only one has pitched in the major leagues. Before you made any moves like that, you had better be sure that you can get the return you expect, for an established hitter. It's about where you sink your money. What prime bats are out there simply waiting to be had for the affore mentioned three? Many here over-value Mariner prospects, which is natural. But it doesn't mean that there are other teams drooling for them, or that won't be tempted by another team's top pitching prospects. As for maintaining a Japanese connection, I don't think that's a huge issue for the M's. They haven't been a big bidder for Japanese players for nearly half a decade. If that was so important, it would have been a motivator long before this season. So, I doubt that it's HUGE. If so, why did Kuroda end up with the Dodgers. And as for Darvish being the best pitching prospect that Japan ever has, I'm not so sure. As I recall, similar things were said about Daisuke Matsuzaka. Temper your enthusiasm with some logic. I question things because they should be questioned. I question things that lack what I see as logical. IMO, Darvish will not be wearing a Mariner uniform next year. First of all, the process isn't open so that you know who has placed the highest bid. If the Yankees want him to replace CC Sabbathia, if he declines his option, then what do you think the odds are that Seattle will stand a chance in the bidding? It's not as simple as wanting Darvish. I'm sure they'll bid for him. But, with a restricted budget, on a team greatly lacking offense, that they would proceed with any plan that hinges on a blind bidding process. Negotiations for Free Agents will start ten days after the World Series has ended. And to think that the M's would put their eggs in a Darvish basket that won't have any answer until most of the major Free Agents have been listening to offers, might have some serious flaws. Before any of that can be worried about, Vu has to decide if he wants to play in America or Japan. And, last thing I read, he hasn't come to a decision. |
| 14. By: aerichner on 10-24-2011 20:44:36 I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Darvish is the type of player where it wont be Jack's call (IMO). If the owner(s) want to bid big on him, they will and if they get him, they'll expand the payroll for Jack. "They havent been a big bidder for Japanese players for nearly a decade." --Thank god, right? Only Kuroda worked out. "What prime bats are out there simply waiting to be had for the affore mentioned three?" -- I dont know, I doubt the Brewers were blatantly shopping Brett Lawrie. Jack will work the phones and hopefully be able to swing a deal for a stud. Maybe he has to overpay, who knows. If we keep the pitchers, cool. If they dont, it means they got us a MOTO bat, cool too. |
| 15. By: masonb on 10-24-2011 20:45:42 Edman, You made the following quote: "They don't have a ton of budget flexability." I suppose that's your opinion, but you certainly made a definitive statement as fact. And to answer your question, or counter my argument, as you say: No, Jason is not a member of the front office or ownership group but he certainly has connections and sources in the industry. At least enough to go on record as saying things along the lines of the payroll not necessarily being a concrete number. So, I don't really know how you can say my argument makes zero sense when I'm just making the point that you shouldn't be stating your opinions as fact, especially when they aren't based on any qualifications on your part. You make a valid point that yes, it's not a given that other teams are "drooling" over our three main pitching prospects, but I'd imagine that if Z were to offer up Pineda, Walker, and or Paxton, another team would listen. Walker and Paxton are two of the top 20 or so pitching prospects in the game and potential front line starters. I'm sure there aren't alot of industry professionals that would argue otherwise. As far as the whole Japanese connection and whether or not that's a big deal, I'm not so sure either. I'm not from Seattle so I can't answer to how big an influence having another Japanese player would help the club, but based on what I've read, it definitely would have some type of positive influence. Not only that, but regardless of if Darvish is Japanese or not, he would be a big time acquisition and that in and of itself would attract interest. As far as why Seattle hasn't pursued other Japanese players in the past, I'd probably have to say that it's because the front office did its due diligence and scouted the players before hand and decided players like Fukudome, and Kuroda, and Otsuka, and Nishioka, and Kaz Matsui and all the others weren't worth the amount of investment, just like they would decide with any domestic free agent. Kuroda was a free agent. I don't know if the Mariners made an offer on him or not, but circumstances are a little different with free agency then the posting system, and maybe it was Kuroda who wasn't interested in Seattle. I don't know. It is fact though that a bid was made on Matsuzaka. So making that argument is pointless because it's hard to know what the front office's decisions regarding Japanese players in the past were. It's not exactly declassified info. I never advocated for putting all the eggs in the Darvish basket. I was just making the point that there certainly is logic to picking him up. And I would argue that there's logic to picking up another top pitcher because it allows for a surplus of pitching prospects to be flipped for a bat while their prospect status is at a premium. That's kinda the point. Finally you still didn't answer my question of how it doesn't make sense to not go after Darvish because of budgetary constraints but yet it makes sense to go after Prince Fielder as you have advocated for |
| 16. By: calitri on 10-24-2011 20:58:17 Edman, you write well, good thoughts, good ideas, good communication but...everything's so negative ALWAYS. This wont happen, that wont happen, this cant happen, bad move, bad idea. It just gets old. Jason (and co.) might not work in the FO but he/they'll post what he/they hear from their sources and will also post what they feel are good ideas. The difference between you and them is that you dont have the sources they do (which is fine) ...and even ignoring that, you'll bash someone's idea, but wont post an idea of your own of what exactly the team should spend their money on. It's exhausting and it's frustrating. It's your schtick to disagree with every idea out there and get into discussions. Keep at it, not telling/asking you to change. |
| 17. By: rjfrik on 10-25-2011 00:27:28 Edman, I need to response to this statement and provide you with some "logic". You said, "And as for Darvish being the best pitching prospect that Japan ever has, I'm not so sure. As I recall, similar things were said about Daisuke Matsuzaka. Temper your enthusiasm with some logic." Edman it really annoys me when you confuse enthusiasm with facts and before you respond to something you don't know anything about or haven't researched maybe you should actually look up some facts about the player you don't know anything about. Since you don't want to do your homework I will do it for you. Here are the facts. Darvish has won 2 MVP awards, being the only player beside Ichiro (arguably the greatest Japanese hitter ever) and Inao (arguably the greatest Japanese pitcher ever) within their first five years in the league in the history of NPB (which is Japans professional league). IN ITS HISTORY! He also has won 2 Sawamura Awards (The Japanese CY Young). He became the 12th pitcher in NPB history to record a win in his rookie debut straight out of High School and the 14th pitcher in NPB history to record a complete game shutout straight out of High School. He became the 5th player to start and win a Japanese Series (like our world series) under the age of 20. Here are the kids stats. 2006 2.89 ERA 115 SO 1.031 WHIP 2007 1.82 210 .828 2008 1.88 208 .897 2009 1.73 167 .896 2010 1.78 222 1.015 2011 1.49 261 .843 Now lets look at Daisuke Matsuzaka. He played eight years in Japan before he came over. In those eight years he never won an MVP and won only one Sawamura award. He really doesn't have any accolades that stand out besides the one Sawamura. He only led the league in ERA twice at 2.83 and 2.90 vs Darvish leading the league 4 times. Here are his stats. Couldn't find Whip for him, but Darvish is better looking at K rates and BB rates. 1999 2.60 ERA 151 SO 2000 3.97 144 2001 3.60 214 2002 3.68 78 2003 2.83 215 2004 2.90 127 2005 2.30 226 2006 2.13 200 I know this data is limited but it's a small example of who the better pitcher is. It's a fact that Darvish is the best Japanese pitcher in the game and the best Japanese young pitching prospect to possibly ever come along. The only players that compare the young Darvish are some of the all time Japanese greats from the 40's and 50's such as Inao. This is a kid that, in my opinion, we should most definitely think about posting and brining in to go pitch right along King for the next 6 years. It with out a doubt would load are staff with three potential aces in King, Pineda and Darvish or allow us to trade a young All-Star pitcher who could become a staff ace (Pineda) and not lose a beat by keeping a 1-2 pitching punch. In my opinion Pineda could easily bring back a young stud bat like Lawrie the same way Marcum did last year. Teams are always willing to listen to potential trades when it comes to young pitching talent with the type of upside that Pineda has. If Jack does his homework he could swing a great deal. Where does that deal come from? I don't know, but it could be out there. It doesn't hurt to find out if one is out there and if so it would make logical sense to fill Pineda's spot with Darvish. That is my two cents. |
| 18. By: Edman on 10-25-2011 04:33:57 MasonB, just how much basic knowledge to you need to know that the M's are not going to have a lot of payroll flexibility? Are you of the belief that they would be willing to go into a closed bid process and give away the farm to get Darvish? It's nothing like dealing with a Free Agent. Seattle can't even talk to Darvish unless they win the bid. The close bid process sucks, but it's how it works. And, all that has to happen is one team, like Boston, New York, etc., with nearly unlimited resources, to decide they have to have him at any cost. The M's pockets aren't that deep, no matter how much they might want him. They simply don't have the resources to bid themselves back into the payroll hole they are trying to get out of. Is that hard to understand? I have no idea what Seattle will do, but based on how well the offseason predictions went last year, whatever you think will happen, has approximately a 20% chance of occurring, at the best. I base that on the predictions Jason posted here last year. I have the data to prove it. Nobody had a prediction accuracy of better than 25%. Most, less than 20%. My personal opinion is that Seattle is happy with the thought of Hernandez and Pineda, going forward. You're free to believe what you want. Be as excited as you want. But, there are more realistic scenarios out there, as far as I'm concerned. |
| 19. By: maqman on 10-25-2011 13:54:38 The M's home attendance declined by nearly 10 percent this past season, from 2,085,488 in 2010 to 1,896,103 in 2011. While it isn't their only income source it's not conducive to an increase in payroll but more likely to a reduced payroll. That is a matter of fact and realistic logic. Z has a plan and he has stuck to it so far. His is human and made some misjudgments, I do that on a daily basis. I believe he will continue to strengthen the team though drafting and international free agents and trades primarily and not by signing high cost free agents. I don't have any inside information, just common sense - usually. |
| 20. By: masonb on 10-25-2011 14:43:55 Edman, I'll do my best to sort through that rambling mess you responded back with. First of all, do you understand how the bidding process works? You do realize that if Seattle doesn't win the bid then they don't have to pay any money at all. It's just like an auction. The only team that has to pay the bid money is the team who wins the bid. Not to mention, that Darvish is not going to have to involve "giving away the farm". He's a free agent. You win the bid you then engage in free agent discussions with him just like any other free agent. Then if he doesn't sign, the bid money gets returned. It's just like the Iwakuma situation with the Oakland A's last year. If the Mariners wanted to simply block a team like the Rangers from getting Darvish they could do something crazy theoretically, like bid 100 million and then not even bother contacting him. It's more like dealing with a free agent than it is not. C'mon man, if you are going to come on here and speak with such authority on subjects, at least make sure you get it right. You ask how much basic knowledge it takes to understand that the Mariners don't have payroll flexibility, and again I will answer that that doesn't matter. The main point is that Jason has stated several times (and he is much more likely to know than you) that if management deemed it the right situation, the payroll could be expanded. Simple logic tells you that adding another potential ace type pitcher who constitute the right situation. Once again I ask you, how do you know whether or not the ownership's pockets are deep or what they are going to spend? The answer is that you don't. So stop trying to speak with such authority about things you don't have all the facts. Once again, since you haven't answered my question, what's your logic behind your assertion that there is payroll room for Prince Fielder and that that should be the direction Z should go in and yet you say there's no room for Darvish? You do realize Darvish even with the posting fee will cost less than Fielder? |
| 21. By: Edman on 10-25-2011 14:55:35 BTW, rjfrik, you said.... I personally would love to have the best pitching prospect Japan has ever had. You posted it as a-matter-of-factly. Not that he may be, probably is, could be. That to me, is over-enthusiasm. I'm fine with it, if you're psyched about the possibility. I concur. He may very well be the best pitcher who has ever played in Japan, but he isn't just yet. He's not far from being, but has a little more to achieve. Furthermore, my reference to Daisuke Matsuzaka had to do with the things that were said about him, when he decided to ask to be posted. Not a comparison of him to Darvish. Not once did I say they were comparable, that's something that you inferred. It's really a moot point, because Darvish hasn't made a decision. Will Seattle be involved? Almost certainly. Will tha make a $50 million+ bid? That I'm no sure of. By the time you sign Darvish and pay for the bid, it's likely to exceed $100 million. That's a big risk. While there is much debate about Fielder slowing down in his later years, you can't ignore how volatile pitching is. One injury and he could not be the same pitcher ever again. Point being, there is a risk in nearly every big move. |
| 22. By: Edman on 10-25-2011 15:14:20 MasonB, do you understand how the bidding process works? If you bid, you have to be prepared to pay the fee, if you're serious about signing Darvish. So, in essence, you put that money in escrow, which inhibits you from using it until you know that you do not have to spend it. So, you can't do other things, until you fully understand if you are financially committed, or not. It's has nothing to do with the bidding process itself, and more about what can't be done, until you know the result of your bid. I fully understand how the process works. But apparently, you believe that the bid process is risk free. It's not. With all due respect to Jason, he may have opinions about what the M's may do if the right situation were to present itself, but it is highly doubtful that anyone from the M's inner circle would even hint at something like that. And, in fairness to Jason, he never said that it was anythign more than his opinion. So, you're putting words in his mouth. Yes, scouts and others around baseball may have their opinions, and they share them with Jason. But, it's a virtual guarantee that Jack, Chuck, Howard or any of the ownership group would even remotely tip their hand. And, by all appearances, Jack runs a tight ship. And a further correction for you, I never asserted that there is budget flexability that would enable Seattle to sign Fielder. I opined that it wouldn't be out of the question that Seattle might take a risk to sign Prince now, accepting the immediate payroll hit, if they feel that he could play a big part in 2013 and beyond. I didn't say that they should or would. Is it likely? No much at all. Just as I accept that Seattle probably isn't going to put a $100 million investment toward Darvish. I wouldn't be upset if either Darvish or Fielder ended up in Seattle. But I'd be damned surprised. |
| 23. By: masonb on 10-25-2011 17:06:59 Edman, Of course I understand the bidding process. Of course I understand that the fee money must be paid if a contract is signed. Duh. Don't you think if the Seattle comes in with a huge bid, they would in turn pay the amount needed to get the player to sign? I never said the process was risk free, but you are acting like it's a quagmire and will inhibit the ability to sign other free agents. I don't know exactly how the front office approaches the offseason, but I'm sure if they planned on heavily pursuing Darvish and then signing other players, they'd probably make sure that they had the flexibility to pursue the other players as they were pursuing Darvish. It doesn't necessarily have to follow some linear, black and white process like you are surmising. This whole thing about Jason not having any sources inside the front office or not is all conjecture quite honestly. Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't, but based on his reputation and track record, I'm more likely to take what he says as some version of the facts rather than some random fan spouting off his opinions as fact. How am I putting words in his mouth? That's what he said. Do you understand the phrase putting words in someone's mouth? Definition: it's when you say someone said something but they didn't. If I'm simply restating something that Jason said, that's not putting words in his mouth. How do you know it's a virtual guarantee that the front office doesn't leak info or anything of that nature. You don't. Once again stating your opinion as fact. Is it really necessary to troll pretty much everyone on this board? No, because in the end, you are just the same as all the rest of us. We're all fans of this team and we all have our own opinions that we are entitled to. I don't have a problem with any of your opinions, just that you treat them as fact and act condescending towards those who think differently than you. I'm finished arguing with you |
| 24. By: Edman on 10-25-2011 19:30:03 masonb, you treat your opinions as probable, by the defense that we don't really know. That being the case, everything is possible. Evidently you don't see the quagmire. Certainly, they could sign Free Agents while in the bidding process. It's about the quality of the free agents they could sign if they potentially have to commit multi-millions to Darvish. It would certainly inhibit them, until they know how much money would be involved. It won't be a sign whoever you want scenario, and if they win the Darvish bid, they'll simply add to it. You stated.... The main point is that Jason has stated several times (and he is much more likely to know than you) that if management deemed it the right situation, the payroll could be expanded. Is this could as in having been given permission, or is this could as in there's a chance? Which way do you wish it to mean, versus which way did Jason mean it? Why do we all need to be careful about what we say in regard to Jason's comments? Because, someone takes a statement like that, and next thing you know, Jason gets quoted as saying that the M's have permission to expand the budget. It paints him in a bad corner and jeopardizes his relationship with the Mariner front office. Knowing Jason, he probably doesn't have much concern, but we all should be careful if we want to continue to get good information. In this particular case, you're misusing what Jason said. I read all his comments about the budget, and it was rational conjecture and his personal belief. Not something he got from an inside source. If I'm wrong, he can correct me. How do I know that nobody from the front office leaks that kind of information? That information is vital to being able to make the right kind of moves. If other teams know what some of the cards are that you have in your hand, it gives them an advantage. Jack is a very good card player. Does stuff get leaked? In the Bavasi era, often too much. Under Jack's watch, by all appearances, it's been very tight. And yes, they leak stuff, just not of the nature that you're talking about. Would it make sense that Jack would want Fielder's (or any other free agent's) agent to know what kind of financial position he's holding during negotiations? Not at all likely. And just where did I say that Jason doesn't have any sources in the front office? I didn't. Of course he does. But, it doesn't mean they're going to tell him stuff. Just not certain bits of information. |
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