February 19th, 2013 at 1:00 PM
By Tyler Vander BoeghThe offseason additions of Kendrys Morales, Michael Morse, Raul Ibanez have solidified a need for backup at 1st base should starter Justin Smoak fail to perform out of the chute. With regards to the outfield a healthy Franklin Gutierrez, up-and-comer Michael Saunders, and "The Beast" Michael Morse (a nickname bestowed upon him as soon as he left the Northwest and solidified himself as a legitimate middle of the order threat while playing in our nations capitol) are all set to have breakout seasons for a club that has the potential to surprise. So where does that leave oft-injured Mike Carp? A question Jack Z has been pondering since designating the power-hitter for assignment late last week.
The clock is ticking for the M's to make a decision on Carp as they have only have a couple more days to trade, send him to the minors, or outright drop him on waivers. When healthy, Carp (to me atleast) proves he belongs with a big-league club and rest assured another team will give him a shot to play since the M's have a logjam at his available positions. This is a guy who had an impressive 20 game hit streak a couple years ago and who is believed to only be a power-hitter. Put a hit streak like that together while knocking out dingers with consistency (Hit it Here cafe, anyone?) and you have the ingredients for a star in the making.
Read more... Join the Conversation... February 14th, 2013 at 1:30 PM
By Tyler Vander BoeghAfter much speculation that the Mariners well-renowned ace was going to sign with a contender in the coming years, the only organization that Felix Hernandez has ever known finally put those queries to rest as Seattle officially signed him through the 2019 season. The deal is reportedly worth $175 million over 7 years, making King Felix the highest paid pitcher in Major League Baseball history.
Now, I have heard mixed reviews on this deal: why would the mariners spend so much money to keep a pitcher when this offense has been the worst in the AL each of the last 3 seasons? Why not spend that money on getting a "big bat?" I'd like to keep Felix, but is it necessary to bring him back on a record deal? Why not use some of that money to fill holes in the lineup? … These kinds of questions can feed upon one another, but the bottom line is that Seattle made a smart business decision for the long run and it coincides with what they are attempting to do at the present which is build within the system, and why not? When we have 3-5 top notch pitching prospects that other clubs simply salivate over, a strong SS prospect in Nick Franklin to fill Brendan Ryan's shoes once his glove decides to go along with his bat, and the top catching prospect in all of baseball in Mike Zunino who will eventually take full-time duties at backstop, it is a security blanket knowing that when these kids break the big-leagues the club will still have Felix to rely on for years to come.
Read more... Join the Conversation... October 16th, 2012 at 3:54 PM
By Tyler Vander BoeghNow that the 2012 MLB postseason has started and already has it's twist and turns, one thing I can't help but realize is the amount of ex-Seattle Mariners who are producing for their ballclubs in October. What would the run-challenged 2012 offense look like if these players were still in Seattle? It's hard to say. However, one thing we do know is that their contracts would be far too pricy and it would also mean that players like Michael Saunders and Kyle Seager may never have been given the shot to prove themselves as legitimate major league hitters.
Now, Chris Chambliss has been fired as the hitting coach and a new era of young players are beginning to emerge on the scene, while still yet, others are waiting for their chance. And that means that a new hitting coach and a hungry group of hitters (coupled with a smaller Safeco) are wiling to work together in order to bring back glory to the name of Seattle Mariner baseball in the Pacific Northwest. In Z we trust!
With that being said, let's take a look at some of the top players who have continued to produce at a high level after their departure from Seattle (many of which were let go by Big Z's predecessor, Bill Bavasi). Let's get started:
Read more... Join the Conversation... October 4th, 2012 at 2:41 PM
By Tyler Vander BoeghThe Seattle Mariners have decided it's time to bring in the fences at historically pitcher-friendly Safeco Field next season after yet another season that saw them again near the bottom of the league in Home Runs and Runs Scored. The biggest difference will come from the left-center field wall as it will come in nearly where the warning track begins now. The right field wall will stay exactly where it is now.
I believe that the move to bring in the fences is long overdue and that it is the right move for a team that has failed to put up big fly's in front of it's home fans for consecutive seasons. In addition, the move will make Seattle a more attractive destination to hitters this offseason.
Read more... Join the Conversation... September 26th, 2012 at 4:59 PM
By Tyler Vander BoeghMichael Saunders has been a pleasant surprise this season for the Seattle Mariners. He came in to spring training vying for a spot in the outfield and when CF Franklin Gutierrez went down with a torn pectoral muscle to begin the season, Saunders was able to take hold of the position and take strides as a Major League outfielder throughout the 2012 campaign.
On Tuesday, Saunders left the team to join his wife in Colorado for the birth of their first child, a baby girl. A couple of his teammates have also been blessed with a child this season, while others have made their vows. This signifies the identity of the 2012 Seattle Mariners as young human beings who are trying to make a name for themselves in the big leagues, and in their own personal lives.
As their families grow, the team should grow as well as they become more experienced on the field and in life as well. Congratulations to Michael Saunders and his wife Jessica on the happy newborn. What an offseason this will truly be.
Next Up: RHP Felix Hernandez takes on LHP C.J. Wilson of the Angels tonight at 7:05 PM @ Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Go M's!
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