Mariners baby, hot stove edition
Comments
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I think they're too right handed as far as power bats.
LH (including switch hitters):
Hummel
Raleigh
Wong
Crawford
Kelenic
Trammell
Haggarty
RH , (not including switch hitters)
Murphy
France
Suarez
Rodriguez
Hernandez
Pollock
Moore
A little more pop from the left side would be nice unless one is betting on Kelenic or Trammell. -
I'm guessing they are counting on Kelenic or Trammell to start the season and then they'll deal for someone before the break if neither can rise to the occasion.chuck said:I think they're too right handed as far as power bats.
LH (including switch hitters):
Hummel
Raleigh
Wong
Crawford
Kelenic
Trammell
Haggarty
RH , (not including switch hitters)
Murphy
France
Suarez
Rodriguez
Hernandez
Pollock
Moore
A little more pop from the left side would be nice unless one is betting on Kelenic or Trammell. -
They still want a corner infielder who ideally hits lefty with some power. They can cover 1st and 3rd for a short term injury or the odd day off with who they have, but if Suarez or France has any extended time off the lineup will suffer. I don't think it's a requirement but it would really be great to have a good bat that could cover at least one of those spots.HFNY said:
I'm guessing they are counting on Kelenic or Trammell to start the season and then they'll deal for someone before the break if neither can rise to the occasion.chuck said:I think they're too right handed as far as power bats.
LH (including switch hitters):
Hummel
Raleigh
Wong
Crawford
Kelenic
Trammell
Haggarty
RH , (not including switch hitters)
Murphy
France
Suarez
Rodriguez
Hernandez
Pollock
Moore
A little more pop from the left side would be nice unless one is betting on Kelenic or Trammell.
I'm alright with Kelenic getting his chance in a platoon. He's in a position to help the team in a reduced role and may launch some homers facing only righties. I'm not a fan of Trammell though and wish they would give in and find him a new home. Either way there doesn't seem to be much sense in keeping both of them. -
Good brief discussion article on Pollock skill set https://msn.com/en-gb/sport/mlb/mariners-sign-of-aj-pollock-to-a-one-year-deal/ar-AA166Dff
I like what he brings to the table [kills left handed pitching, solid defender in left, another vet that knows what he is doing] and this does give Kelenic one more perhaps torturous chance at a big league career with Pollock there to also assist the kid in transformation of his skill set at the plate ~ something that he has already demonstrated that he is really good at.
They still need one great big add and i don't know where that is going to come from but this is really helpful i think. -
I don't think they need a big add so much as anither role player with upside at the plate. I'm actually pretty happy with the strength of the lineup compared to where it was last year at this time. The rotation is set. The bullpen looks to be nearly set. The Ms are comfortably better than last season already in my opinion.TheRoarOfTheCrowd said:Good brief discussion article on Pollock skill set https://msn.com/en-gb/sport/mlb/mariners-sign-of-aj-pollock-to-a-one-year-deal/ar-AA166Dff
I like what he brings to the table [kills left handed pitching, solid defender in left, another vet that knows what he is doing] and this does give Kelenic one more perhaps torturous chance at a big league career with Pollock there to also assist the kid in transformation of his skill set at the plate ~ something that he has already demonstrated that he is really good at.
They still need one great big add and i don't know where that is going to come from but this is really helpful i think. -
Seattle can stack a pretty fearsome lineup against a tough lefty:
Julio CF
France. 1b
Hernandez. RF
Suarez. 3b
Pollock LF
Haggerty. 2b
Murphy C
Raleigh DH
Moore SS
Just one option of many. That's a lot oof pop and a really long lineup vs a lefty. Raleigh is probably the weakest bat in this lineup hitting right handed.
The AL west is stuffed full of lefties so I really like this.
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Don't sleep on Nellie Cruz...
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I'm not sure how to feel about him as an option.
Brandon Belt was one guy I was still thinking about but he just got overpayed by Toronto. I don't think they'll pay any more free agents unless it's for change though.
They surely would really like to unload the salary of either Flexen or Gonzales. I don't think we'll see another move unless it involves trading one of them, or swinging a huge deal for Reynolds. They're not adding anyone else without subtracting. -
I like Belt, but I don't think he was a fit for them. I'm not so sure about Nellie, I just looked at his numbers, and he may be done. I offer up Trey Mancini...RH bat with some pop, can play 1B serviceably, has DH'ed. If they can find the right fit, they don't need a big name. DH vs LHP, ability to give 1B/3B a blow when needed. He checks 2 of three.chuck said:I'm not sure how to feel about him as an option.
Brandon Belt was one guy I was still thinking about but he just got overpayed by Toronto. I don't think they'll pay any more free agents unless it's for change though.
They surely would really like to unload the salary of either Flexen or Gonzales. I don't think we'll see another move unless it involves trading one of them, or swinging a huge deal for Reynolds. They're not adding anyone else without subtracting.
They have what the Buccos want...MLB players, and high-end prospects. Not many clubs are dealing from a position of strength, and the M's have 6 legit MLB starting pitchers, with more in the pipeline. Ihopethink Dip waits them out, and pulls the trigger right before spring training...
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On first blush, Belt was very interesting for me. He's a line-drive/doubles type guy, but I think he's probably more of a true platoon guy than a DH, and that raised the price. France needs a backup, and I think with as hard as he plays, that hurt him in the 2nd half last year. The ideal is a DH/bat first, that can back up at a corner, or both corners, when needed...
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Sorry about the "Captain Obvious" above, Drunk Posting Rules!
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Haha. All I noted was that we seem to agree on what they could still do to improve.Fishpo31 said:Sorry about the "Captain Obvious" above, Drunk Posting Rules!
Give me a lefty bat with power to spell France and I'm good.
I saw that dodgers writers are assuming Seattle is out of the Brian Reynolds sweepstakes since they signed Pollock. I don't think that's true at all, but that trade would have to trigger some other shakeups and the lineup could look substantially different than it does now. That would be fun. -
I agree. I don't think they are necessarily out on Reynolds, and if they can make it work, Dip can maybe create some sort of package from Kelenic, Flex, Marco and others to get the (closer to ) perfect fit of LH pop, both-corners back-up...chuck said:
Haha. All I noted was that we seem to agree on what they could still do to improve.Fishpo31 said:Sorry about the "Captain Obvious" above, Drunk Posting Rules!
Give me a lefty bat with power to spell France and I'm good.
I saw that dodgers writers are assuming Seattle is out of the Brian Reynolds sweepstakes since they signed Pollock. I don't think that's true at all, but that trade would have to trigger some other shakeups and the lineup could look substantially different than it does now. That would be fun.
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Colin Moran, lefty hitting corner infielder, signed to a minors deal and invited to spring training. Could be the guy they try to address that lefty reserve spot with for now while they put all their focus on trying to get Reynolds.
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You beat me to it…
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First1!!! 1!!Fishpo31 said:You beat me to it…
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As long as he's still taking his Dominican supplements...Fishpo31 said:Don't sleep on Nellie Cruz...
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The Ms made the playoffs because of a combo of minor miracles and good game management. The lineup was never completely healthy, they got very little from two guys they really needed (Winker and Haniger), had a sub. 200 DH, and got a horrible second half from what had been their best hitter.
This lineup is constructed so much better, the young starters have a full season behind them (Hancock and Flexen are at best #s 5-6), Castillo is here for a full season, and the bullpen looks just as strong.
They can cover for injuries way better than last season. They have a couple of high upside starters MLB ready, or close, in case one of the top four is out for any extended period of time.
I think they've quietly added some wins to last season even with Texas improving. -
Nellie to the Padres for 1 million. If he goes and hits 25+ homers for them could someone please kick me in the nuts?
I know volunteers wouldn't be hard to find, but I'm not too concerned. He wont. -
Think the same about Nelson, he is finally done ~ and what a great career... he is a hall of famer in my opinion in the same tradition as Edgar ~ he routinely changed the outcome of the game with a deadly bat sooooo many times and in Nelson's case over a long career. Gonzo is the better player and the more marketable so I think he will be traded along with pieces for somebody. YTD. Sure hope they keep Hancock, he is next in the hit parade IMO, the guy i would include is Brash ~ another good talent. I just wish they had resigned Haniger as an RBI machine but adding Pollock was a better move to give Kalenic another extended look chance.Fishpo31 said:
I like Belt, but I don't think he was a fit for them. I'm not so sure about Nellie, I just looked at his numbers, and he may be done. I offer up Trey Mancini...RH bat with some pop, can play 1B serviceably, has DH'ed. If they can find the right fit, they don't need a big name. DH vs LHP, ability to give 1B/3B a blow when needed. He checks 2 of three.chuck said:I'm not sure how to feel about him as an option.
Brandon Belt was one guy I was still thinking about but he just got overpayed by Toronto. I don't think they'll pay any more free agents unless it's for change though.
They surely would really like to unload the salary of either Flexen or Gonzales. I don't think we'll see another move unless it involves trading one of them, or swinging a huge deal for Reynolds. They're not adding anyone else without subtracting.
They have what the Buccos want...MLB players, and high-end prospects. Not many clubs are dealing from a position of strength, and the M's have 6 legit MLB starting pitchers, with more in the pipeline. Ihopethink Dip waits them out, and pulls the trigger right before spring training...
Adding Reynolds without overpaying ~ yes please, he is that rare left fielder, doesn't have a giant bat [especially in our stadium] but is an above average 5 tool guy, but when they added Pollock [i year deal?] they were preparing to move on if they could not swing a deal for Reynolds is my guess. -
I think Dipoto would happily retool the entire lineup to make Reynolds fit if that's what it took. Even now.TheRoarOfTheCrowd said:
Think the same about Nelson, he is finally done ~ and what a great career... he is a hall of famer in my opinion in the same tradition as Edgar ~ he routinely changed the outcome of the game with a deadly bat sooooo many times and in Nelson's case over a long career. Gonzo is the better player and the more marketable so I think he will be traded along with pieces for somebody. YTD. Sure hope they keep Hancock, he is next in the hit parade IMO, the guy i would include is Brash ~ another good talent. I just wish they had resigned Haniger as an RBI machine but adding Pollock was a better move to give Kalenic another extended look chance.Fishpo31 said:
I like Belt, but I don't think he was a fit for them. I'm not so sure about Nellie, I just looked at his numbers, and he may be done. I offer up Trey Mancini...RH bat with some pop, can play 1B serviceably, has DH'ed. If they can find the right fit, they don't need a big name. DH vs LHP, ability to give 1B/3B a blow when needed. He checks 2 of three.chuck said:I'm not sure how to feel about him as an option.
Brandon Belt was one guy I was still thinking about but he just got overpayed by Toronto. I don't think they'll pay any more free agents unless it's for change though.
They surely would really like to unload the salary of either Flexen or Gonzales. I don't think we'll see another move unless it involves trading one of them, or swinging a huge deal for Reynolds. They're not adding anyone else without subtracting.
They have what the Buccos want...MLB players, and high-end prospects. Not many clubs are dealing from a position of strength, and the M's have 6 legit MLB starting pitchers, with more in the pipeline. Ihopethink Dip waits them out, and pulls the trigger right before spring training...
Adding Reynolds without overpaying ~ yes please, he is that rare left fielder, doesn't have a giant bat [especially in our stadium] but is an above average 5 tool guy, but when they added Pollock [i year deal?] they were preparing to move on if they could not swing a deal for Reynolds is my guess. -
Cruz got caught taking roids which means he won’t make the Hall of Fame. Ortiz is the only one that got caught and still made it.
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I disagree about that.. he has been clean ever since and it is obvious that his home run power which peaked even later was not influenced by Roids which i think is why he will be inducted… its a good point though and you may well be right about that.
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This article about Jonaton Clase got me thinking about Julio and where he should be playing. I don't think centerfield is the right long term answer. In my mind he's there until they find a better option. Yes he has the speed and all, but he's a huge dude and those don't seem to hold up in center. His greatest value to the team is on offense, and whatever it takes to keep it that way is what they should be planning imo. To me that means right or left field. Let the lightweight guys cover all that ground. I hope Julio sees it that way.
https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2023/1/19/23561862/seattle-mariners-40-in-40-jonatan-clase-speed-demon-with-some-pop -
They grabbed someone to fill the role I kept harping on...a lefty batting infielder. Not a guarantee to pan out by any means but his ceiling is up there and the Giants are paying him quite a bit to play for Seattle.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/01/mariners-sign-tommy-la-stella.html -
Long term probably not, but i dont see a reason to move him short to medium term either. Especially if hes only 22. It's not this season to wonder. An answer probably comes in draft.chuck said:This article about Jonaton Clase got me thinking about Julio and where he should be playing. I don't think centerfield is the right long term answer. In my mind he's there until they find a better option. Yes he has the speed and all, but he's a huge dude and those don't seem to hold up in center. His greatest value to the team is on offense, and whatever it takes to keep it that way is what they should be planning imo. To me that means right or left field. Let the lightweight guys cover all that ground. I hope Julio sees it that way.
https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2023/1/19/23561862/seattle-mariners-40-in-40-jonatan-clase-speed-demon-with-some-pop -
Referring to Clase as a possibility isn't suggesting any changes this year or in the short term. He's a prospect, the outfield is full, and if anyone was coming up due to an injury this year Marlowe would be the guy.Motown said:
Long term probably not, but i dont see a reason to move him short to medium term either. Especially if hes only 22. It's not this season to wonder. An answer probably comes in draft.chuck said:This article about Jonaton Clase got me thinking about Julio and where he should be playing. I don't think centerfield is the right long term answer. In my mind he's there until they find a better option. Yes he has the speed and all, but he's a huge dude and those don't seem to hold up in center. His greatest value to the team is on offense, and whatever it takes to keep it that way is what they should be planning imo. To me that means right or left field. Let the lightweight guys cover all that ground. I hope Julio sees it that way.
https://www.lookoutlanding.com/2023/1/19/23561862/seattle-mariners-40-in-40-jonatan-clase-speed-demon-with-some-pop
Medium term we just disagree. The sooner he gets out of center the less likely the beating will affect him long term. They've made quite a long commitment to him. -
I guess Julio is 20 lbs heavier than Griffey, but same height. Kinda sick of hearing about athletes these days and the rest, taking games off, etc. If the M's can get someone in center who has range and isn't a huge liability at the plate, great. Otherwise put the best player at their best position.
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This thread needs a bump. Hot stove league is over so it's about time to retire it.
Never embedded a Twitter vid before so this probably won't work. Gilbert working on a splitter...
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It was interesting to watch the wheels fall off after his great first half and the see him pick himself of the mat and believe in his stuff.
Kirby sailed on through like a pixie, Gilbert can help him this year with what he learned about the darkside, and meanwhile the ace is
going to have a great year and make a real difference. That is my take.
We gave up a lot when we did not resign the heart of the batting order, we will see if Teoscar can be that guy, I'm not sure that he can.
That is my question. I'm not sure they made a mistake in not resigning Haniger, building is a process and it is clearly happening, is my
conclusion.
The other thing I wonder about is that forever, until a few years ago, it was customary to put your best hitter at least at the 2 spot and
most usually at the three spot even if he could run. Now its clearly the vogue to give up 25 - 35 RBI's and rally igniting big time hits by
posting the guy in the leadoff position and i really wonder about that. Thoughts? @Fishpo31 @chuck
