One Way to Get Richie Mad

One way to get Richie Sexson mad, ask him about his 2007 stats. If my stats were a .205 BA with 21 homers and 63 RBIs, and I was making $14M, I wouldn't be very happy either.

“C’mon. I answered it too many times. I’m done with it. I’m really done,” he said of last year, chuckling. “I’m sorry.

“You know what happened. I’m almost sick of talking about it. Now, it’s getting a little repetitive and old. … Thank you.”

Sexson will be a big part of this season's success or failure. The big guy will be in the heart of this Mariners order once again, and needs to produce. Even acquisition partner Adrian Beltre has started to come around. Richie is a free agent after this season, so will him being in a contract year elevate his play, or keep him down at the Mendoza Line. I'll be honest here for a sec, if Sexson's average was .091 I wouldn't care too much, as long as I saw 35 HR's beside it. I think that we all could agree on that.

Reed On Block?

An interesting note from Shannon Drayer;

Bonus game today as a B game against the Padres was played on their practice field. Of note, Jeremy Reed went 3 for 3 with a home run. Jeremy having a nice spring so far. The situation for him with the Mariners does not appear to be good as the team would prefer to have another right handed bat on the bench. The news not all bad though as there are a ton of scouts at every game, the B game included. Maybe someone will need what Jeremy can bring to a team.

That could mean the the Mariners are open to the fact that Reed may get some interest if he's made available. If there are a ton of scouts watching him play, than maybe there are teams that are already interested in Reed. The Red Sox could be looking for a fourth outfielder if they decide to deal Coco Crisp. The talks regarding Crisp have cooled off remarkably over the last couple months, but their is probably a fit for Crisp. The Mets could be another option for Reed, and Crisp as well, as they learned that Mosies Alou will be out for a while. Reed also ties in with the Mets interest in a right handed outfielder to platoon with Ryan Church. The Mets do look like a pretty good fit. In return? Maybe a decent pitching prospect in return? I can't think of anyone off the top of my head, but I may get back to you on that.

LAA 5 SEA 6

M's win in more Spring Training action.

Boxscore.

Around the League: March 4, 2008

Today's news.

• Nick Markakis got his contract renewed today at $455K, a $55K raise from 2007. Markakis wanted $800K or more, and is now on a growing list of young players that aren't happy with their renewals.
• The Phillies aren't interested in free agent Kyle Lohse, according to their assistant GM Mike Arbuckle.
• SI.com's Jon Heyman says that the Mets are looking for a right handed outfielder to platoon with Ryan Church.
• Today's Spring Training scores: CLE 4 CIN 7; DET 10 HOU 11; LAD 5 WSH 3; NYY 2 TOR 0; NYM 6 FLA 2; PHI 1 ATL10; PIT 3 BOS 5; STL 2 BAL 10; LAA 6 CWS 7; ARI 9 TEX 3; KC 11 COL 5; MIL 10 CHC 6; SF 6 SD 9; WSH 4 LAD 3.

Position Battles: Bench

Time for another battle of the position sort. Today we will be taking a look at the battle for the bench roles this season.

Willie Bloomquist is one of the most versitile players in the MLB today, or ever. By playing all of the infield and outfield positions for the past five years or so, he is a lock for a bench role. Something that the Port Orchard native is accustomed to.

In sort of a question mark move, the Mariners brought in Miguel Cairo. Yes Cairo is a solid option as an infield backup, but Willie is better. He'd also brings some leadership to the clubhouse, but that's about it. If this guy was brought in on a minor league contract, than this guy wouldn't look so bad. But why give him a garunteed contract? I guess Bavasi figured that he must keep up with his signings that look good but turn out bad, and Miguel Cairo must be the equivalent of Carl Everett.

Another lock on the bench is veteran catcher Jamie Burke, who with his .301 average last season worked well with the pitchers, lowering their ERA's. Burke was the backup last season, and if RA Dickey makes the team this season, than he will be even more of a lock, if that's possible, because of his ability to handle the knuckleball, and well, Jojhima's ability to not handle it.

With those three in, it looks like their will only be a battle for the final spot. Their will be many candidates for this gig. Someone getting a good look, or should be getting a good look, is Wladimir Balentien. There is talk that if Wlad has a good Spring, than he could find himself in a platoon role with Brad Wilkerson. Balentien has been stick behind the prospect wall of Adam Jones these past few seasons, will finally get a good, or better look this Spring. I don't know if I want to see this guy as a bench player because he has a ton of potential. I would rather see him back at AAA to start the season, and see where things go.

Another candidate would be Mike Morse. Morse's felxability is what makes him a good candidate for this spot. Not to mention the fact that he is out of options. Morse has been one of those guys that everyone, well maybe not everyone, has been pushing for to be with the big club, and this may be the year that he does that.

Jeremy Reed is another one who could be with the big club. I told you to watch him, as he was a starter with this club a couple years ago. This final bench job is turning into the fourth outfielder role. Reed can play all of the outfield positions, and is a left handed bat. I'd say that that could work out into his favor.

One last name that I want to mention, is Charlton Jimerson. I'm not too firmilier with this guy, but he looks like he knows what he is doing. My pick: I'd say Wlad as a platoon partner for Wilkerson, but if the Mariners decide not to go that way, than I'd say that Morse makes it.

SEA 6 OAK 9

A loss for the M's in today's Cactus League action.

SEATTLE AB R H BI
M Cairo 3B 5 1 2 0
Y Betancourt SS 3 1 1 0
W Bloomquist SS 1 0 0 0
R Ibanez LF 3 0 2
J Reed PR-LF 1 1 0 0
C Jimerson PH 1 0 0 0
R Sexson 1B 3 0 0 0
B LaHair 1B 2 0 0 0
J Clement DH 3 0 1 1
B Sardinha PH-DH 0 0 0 0
K Johjima C 3 1 1 0
J Burke C 1 0 0 0
W Balentien CF 4 0 1 1
M Morse RF 4 1 2 1
Y Chen 2B 3 1 1 1

IP H R ER BB SO HR
M Batista 3 2 2 2 1 2 0
R Dickey 2 2 1 1 3 0 0
J Woods 1 3 2 2 0 0 0
R Rowland-Smith (L,0-1)1 1 1 0 1 2 0
R Corcoran 1 4 3 3 0 0 0

Boxscore Recap

Mariners Make Offer to Felix

Took me a little while to put this one up, but John Hickey of the Seattle PI, says that the Mariners have now made an offer to Felix Hernendez. It will likely be a three or four year deal, buying out his arbitration eligablity and maybe his first year of free agency. It would probably take around $15M to buy out his arbitration rights, and as the Mariners have shown in the past, they prefer to pay for their young players now, before they hit it big.

Around the League: March 3, 2008

Haven't done one of these in an couple days.

• Troy Renck of the Denver Post is reporting that the Rockies and Brad Hawpe have agreed to terms on a three year deal worth $17M, with an option believed to be worth $10M. The garunteed part of the deal locks him up for his arbitration years, and the option would be his first year of free agency.
• According to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Reds have signed Corey Patterson to a minor league contract. Patterson is only 28, and is a Scott Boras client. Seeing as Boras is his agent, I'm surprised that he only got a minor league deal. Patterson is likely to be in the starting outfield in 2008, holding Jay Bruce back for a couple months, to hold of on his free agency.
• According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, the talks between the Orioles and Cubs are getting serious about a Brian Roberts trade. This saga is almost the same as the Erik Bedard trade.
• ESPN's Buster Olney says that free agent Kyle Lohse is ready to settle for a one year deal between $5-10M. Lohse wanted a multi-year contract for about $10M per. How the mighty Scot Boras clients have fallen.

Getting to Know a Rival: Texas Rangers

Time for another one of these. I just wanted to make note, that you can help me make this a better blog with your comments, suggestions, votes in the polls, and whatever else. I can be reached at marinerscentral"at"gmail.com.

Next up, are the Texas Rangers.






Manager: Ron Washington
2007: 75-87 3rd place
Coming In: OF Milton Bradley, 1B Ben Broussard, RHP Kazuo Fukumori, CF Josh Hamilton, RHP Jason Jennings, LHP Eddie Guardado, INF Edgardo Alfonzo
Packed Their Bags: DH Sammy Sosa, OF Brad Wilkerson, RHP Akinori Otsuka, RHP Edinson Volquez, INF Jerry Hairston

Projected Lineup:

C: Jarrod Saltalamacchia
1B: Ben Broussard
2B: Ian Kinsler
3B: Hank Blalock
SS: Michael Young
LF: Marlon Byrd
CF: Josh Hamilton
RF: Milton Bradley
DH: Frank Catalanotto

Projected Rotation:

1. Kevin Millwood
2. Vicente Padilla
3. Jason Jennings
4. Brandon McCarthy
5. Kason Gabbard

Projected Bullpen:

LRP: Jamey Wright
LRP: John Rheinecker
MRP: Kazuo Fukumori
SU: Joaquin Benoit
SU: Eddie Guardado
CP: C.J. Wilson


Offensive Outlook: This wouldn't be that bad of a lineup with Hank Blalock, Ian Kinsler, and Micheal Young all healthy and producing, but the rest of the lineup doesn't offer much support. Miton Bradley and Ben Broussard are your power threats? Byrd, Hamilton and Catalanotto aren't bad hitters, but they arent't going to strike much fear into opposing pitchers. Salty is a great prospect, but as of right now, I would rather have Mark Teixera in this offense. Fice years from now we can talk about it. I don't see this offense as being too much of a problem, but as always, the variable known as health comes in to play here. Literally. If a few of these guys can step it up, than we might be in for a surprise.


Rotation Outlook: Just not that interesting. Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla are both good, and occaisonally great pitchers, but their nasty contracts have made us forget about their abilities. I would like to see...actually I wouldn't as a Mariners fan...what these two guys can do without the pressure of their contracts on them. Who knows. Underneath the millions of dollars, there may be a pair of great pitchers here. Jason Jennings also isn't a bad pitcher, but he isn't great. He doesn't have any large salary pressure on him, and Texas isn't a must win environment right now, so maybe this guy could have a good first half and be flipped for something nice at the deadline if the Rangers are out of it. I don't have much to say about McCarthy or Gabbard as of right now. These are a pair of solid young pitching prospects, with nowhere to go but up. I don't see these guys ripping it up yet.


Bullpen Outlook: Hmmmmmm. What to say. Not much to say really. CJ Wilson could be a decent closer, if the team around him performs. Seems that anyone could close if the team around them was good. Guardado was good with the M's a while back if my memory was right, but like most pitchers, injuries tore down his career. Wright and Benoit are alright pitchers I guess. Fukumori could be a decent pitcher once he adjusts to the MLB. Rheinecker is a new name to me, but I'd say that he could be alright. I wouldn't expect much from this bullpen, but like most rebuilding teams, it could be alright.

Prognosis: Much like Oakland, this team probably won't be much competition for the M's in the standings, but will be a pain in the you know what for the Mariners for no apparent reason. Once the younger players on this team get a bit of expierience, and some of the veterans either leave or play like their contracts say they should, this team will be alright. What this team needs is a bona fide All-Star. A-Rod would bring fans in to the park, I'd guess that Soriano would bring in a few as well, but other than his family and friends, I don't see too many people coming to watch Milton Bradley.

Poll: Felix in 2008?

Time for a new poll. What do you expect from Felix Hernendez in 2008?

The King will say it all

Better than last year, but not Cy Young caliber

Average, like 2007

Injury problems shut him down

Poll Results: What Do You Expect of the Mariners This Season?

The results for our most recent poll: What Do You Expect of the Mariners This Season? I just wanted to mention that these last couple of posts puts us over the 100 post milestone. Way to go readers! You are what make doing this worth it.

World Series Title 0-0%
Playoff Appearance by Division 2-40%
Playoff Appearance by Wild Card 2-40%
Not to be Last 1-20%
Nothing 0-0%

CHC 6 SEA 5

The Mariners lost to the Reds in today's Cactus League play.

Untill I find a better way to show the boxscores, as MLB.com changed the way that you can copy and paste it, here's a link. Recap.

San Diego 2 Seattle 6

The Mariners are back to their winning ways, defeating the Pads 6-2 in Cactus League action.

BoxScore:

SEATTLE AB R H BI

M Cairo 3B 3 0 0 0

B Ust 3B 2 0 1 1

B Sardinha CF 2 1 1 0

C Jimerson PR-CF 2 2 1 1

R Ibanez DH 2 0 0 0

G Norton PR-DH 1 0 0 0

R Sexson 1B 3 1 2 1

B LaHair 1B 2 0 1 1

K Johjima C 1 0 1 1

R Johnson C 2 0 1 0

M Morse RF 2 0 1 1

J Reed RF 1 0 1 0

W Balentien LF 2 0 1 0

W Bloomquist LF 2 0 0 0

T Hulett 2B 2 0 1 0

Y Chen 2B 2 1 1 0

Y Betancourt SS 2 0 0 0

M Kiger SS 2 1 1 0

IP H R ER BB SO HR

C Silva 2 1 0 0 1 2 0

R Feierabend 2 2 1 1 3 0 0

J Putz (W,1-0) 1 1 1 0 0 2 0

P Barzilla 1 2 0 0 0 2 0

B Morrow 2 2 0 0 1 1 0

E O'Flaherty 1 0 0 0 0 1 0

Pads boxscore. Game Review.

Mariners 10 Padres 11

The Mariners were defeated by the Padres 11-10 yesterday in Cactus League action.

Boxscore:

SEATTLE AB R H BI

I Suzuki CF 3 0 0 0

C Jimerson CF 1 0 0 0

J Vidro DH 3 0 0 0

J Clement PH-DH 2 0 0 1

J Reed PR-DH 0 0 0 0

G Norton 1B 3 1 1 0

B LaHair 1B 2 0 1 0

A Beltre 3B 2 1 0 0

M Cairo 3B 2 1 1 0

B Wilkerson RF 2 1 1 1

W Balentien RF 3 2 2 3

M Morse LF 2 1 2 2

B Sardinha LF 3 1 1 0

J Lopez 2B 2 1 1 0

T Hulett 2B 2 1 1 0

J Burke C 2 0 1 1

R Johnson C 3 0 2 1

W Bloomquist SS 1 0 0 1

M Kiger SS 3 0 1 0

IP H R ER BB SO HR

F Hernandez 2 1 0 0 1 1 0

H Ramirez 2 2 0 0 0 1 0

B Downs 0 2 4 4 3 0 1

S White 1 2-3 6 6 6 2 0 0

R Dorman 1 1-3 1 0 0 0 1 0

R Corcoran (L,0-1)1 1-3 3 1 1 1 2 0

Again, San Diego's can be seen here, and for a recap of the game go here.

Mariners Trying to Lock Up Felix

The Mariners deadline for player contracts is today, and seeing as the was suppossed to be done yesterday, the Mariners and Felix agreed on a one year contract for 2008, but the financial terms have not yet been released.

Last season, the Mariners had renewed the King's contract for $420K, an $80K raise from 2006. The Mariners would like to sign Felix long term, and now, the Mariners have approached Hernendez about an extension. I don't know what it would take to lock up Felix right now, but maybe somewhere between $5-10M per, for four or five seasons?