All Bargain Basement Team

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 12, 2007 11:22 PM PST in Seattle Mariners News, Regular

Horacio Ramirez is still a Mariner for reasons humans are not yet fully equipped to understand. Tug Hulett is pretty much like the whitest guy I've ever seen in my life. As a distraction from those topics, I present to you the best* 25-man roster I could come up with using lists of both today's non-tenders and current minor league free agents.

C: Johnny Estrada
1B: Val Pascucci
2B: Aaron Miles
SS: Adam Everett
3B: Justin Leone dammit
LF: Jason Lane
CF: Jorge Piedra
RF: Kevin Mench
DH: Craig Wilson

Bench C: Miguel Olivo
Bench 2B/SS: JJ Furmaniak
Bench 1B/3B: Mike Kinkade
Bench OF: Willie Harris
Bench PR: Jason Tyner

SP: Mark Prior
SP: Josh Towers
SP: Brandon Claussen
SP: Adam Pettyjohn
SP: Colby Lewis

LRP: Mark Hendrickson
LRP: Brad Thomas
RRP: Matt Wise
RRP: Brad Salmon
RRP: Brian Bass
RRP: Scott Patterson

*-until I got tired of looking

The fact that this team might be every bit as good as San Francisco is, um, wellllll...

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Really, can this team win more than The Rays?

looking at this team, I would guess 80-85 wins

Or everyone will have season ending shoulder injurys by April 15th.

by mark s @ Lookout Landing on Dec 12, 2007 11:32 PM PST reply actions

I think that's a pretty high estimate

considering we don't know how some of their good minor league numbers would translate to the Majors. And once you get beyond Mike Wood as the #6 starter, you start to run out of options pretty quick.

It's not a horrible team, though. Might run away with the NL Central.

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 12, 2007 11:34 PM PST up reply actions

The Giants

pythag was 77 wins. Adjusted for park and opponent, 79.

Their pitching is MUCH better than that rotation. That rotation is likely going to need new players by May.

Also, Kevin Mench put up a 90 OPS+ in the NL central despite being platooned favourably. He had a 87 OPS+ the previous year.

Craig Wilson's OPS+ last 3 years: 113,94, 50.

There's a strong possibility that both are in terminal decline.

Johnny Estrada is a poor hitter with poor defense.

Also, Jorge Piedra is a "CF".

That IS a horrible team. It has almost no upside and it's downside probably is a record worse than 2003 Tigers.

visiting A's fan.

by rfloh @ Lookout Landing on Dec 13, 2007 12:06 AM PST up reply actions

Wilson and Mench were "known" picks

if you don't like them, there's always an assortment of Andy Tracys and Andy Abads floating around who could give you a bat.

This team isn't good, but neither are the Giants, who're going to be lost without Bonds. I don't think the difference is as large as you believe.

(Until the pitching breaks down. But I'm talking more in terms of ability on paper than anything else.)

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 13, 2007 12:16 AM PST up reply actions

The Giants signed Rowand

Let's say Bonds is 3 wins better than Rowand, that's still a pythag of 74 wins.

It isn't just Wilson and Mench. It's also Lane. Once upon a time, he was a useful player. He no longer appear to be that. OPS+ last 2 years 81, 54.

Both your corners and your DH all project to be about 20 runs below average, very possibly worse, ie replacement level.

Your CF is likely to be 20-30 runs below average defensively.

Your 2b projects to be about 10-15 runs below average: about average defense, poor offense: OPS+ last 3 years 65, 74, 76.

Your catcher is bad defensively, and also bad offensively.

Your SS is coming off a broken leg. Yet, he might the only position player on the team who might manage to be league average.

As for the pitchers, why is the ability to not be injured not considered ability on paper?

That is a horrible team. It's basically a replacement level team, with a couple of exceptions like Everett.

visiting A's fan.

by rfloh @ Lookout Landing on Dec 13, 2007 6:21 AM PST up reply actions

You're taking this a little too seriously

This entire post is just a harmless diversion, and I like to take shots at the Giants.

For the record, when I say "ability on paper," I just mean talent, and nothing else. Obviously the entire starting rotation is a giant injury risk. That's why the players are free agents. But for the three weeks or so that it'd be all together, it wouldn't be that bad. And I'm rather fond of the bullpen.

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 13, 2007 9:50 AM PST up reply actions

Their starters

are better than Seattle's starters.

by Garces on Dec 12, 2007 11:37 PM PST reply actions

Surprised

You didnt put Kiko Calero on there.

by Slica on Dec 12, 2007 11:44 PM PST reply actions

He barely missed

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 12, 2007 11:46 PM PST up reply actions

It happens.

Hopefully you signed him to a minor league contract.

Wow the offseason sucks :).

Go Senators? Better than my teams, for sure...

by Slica on Dec 12, 2007 11:53 PM PST up reply actions

A week ago hockey sucked

now it's fun again.

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 12, 2007 11:54 PM PST up reply actions

Just remember it could be worse

I follow 3 teams heavily, and only the Avs are doing anything decent.

Sabres look terrible. Lightning look average.

Wings/Senators running away with everything.

by Slica on Dec 12, 2007 11:57 PM PST up reply actions

Before last night's game, I would've warned you

not to overlook the Canes, but after that drubbing? Overlook away. If the Sens play their game there's no one to challenge them in the East.

by ningwers on Dec 13, 2007 7:18 AM PST up reply actions

Wait wait wait....

Hockey is fun? Huh?

Petro nemo slappywag. That's Petorian for "more beer, you slappywag."

by thebiz on Dec 13, 2007 5:05 AM PST up reply actions

Hockey is always fun

by Graham MacAree on Dec 13, 2007 5:33 AM PST up reply actions

Incidentally...

Sounds like I'm getting an Emery jersey for xmas from the parents :)

by Graham MacAree on Dec 13, 2007 5:36 AM PST up reply actions

A few weeks ago I'd have said it was a risky move

getting a Rayzor jersey, but it looks like it's a safe play again (I wonder if Darth Gerber would find my lack of faith disturbing).

That is one thing I like about hockey compared to soccer. You can get a goalie jersey without it being a little odd.

by ningwers on Dec 13, 2007 7:14 AM PST up reply actions

I'm a goalie

It's allowed

by Graham MacAree on Dec 13, 2007 7:35 AM PST up reply actions

Haha

Fair enough

by ningwers on Dec 13, 2007 9:05 AM PST up reply actions

Did somebody say goalie?

This is awesome. And it's for science!

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Dec 13, 2007 9:13 AM PST up reply actions

Hey!

that was the premise of an old song by Atom and his Package:

"In hockey you must score a goal
which one cannot do if between me and the net theres no hole
Most goalies are quick
react the drop of a hat
but I don't need to be quick when I got so much fat

What do you do with your 1500 pounds?
You play goalie!
[x2]

You can try the wristshot, slapshot, there's no getting through
I told you ten times you cannot fake out blubber, dude
I won't get tired, cuz I'll just lie on my side
So the other teams won't copy I'll be signed at the deadline.

Turn on channel 29 on the tele'
I've eliminated the kicksave and only block with my belly
Me and George Ezina, I'll be a new sensation
The NHL can't not let me play cuz that's discrimination!

What do you do with your 1500 pounds? (you can't spend it in England)
You play goalie.
[x2]

Hey man do you know whats up?
The Flyers could've used me in the Stanley Cup.
And I don't care if it ruins the sport of the game
cuz we're winning, Yeah we're winning!

What do you do with your 1500 pounds?
You play goalie. [repeat til end]"

by marc w on Dec 13, 2007 9:21 AM PST up reply actions

I think everyone's calling me fat :(

by Graham MacAree on Dec 13, 2007 9:26 AM PST up reply actions

Um.

"I restore a sense of childlike wonder to people's lives; you give them Zunes and Vista." -- Fake Steve Jobs to Borg employees

by PositivePaul on Dec 13, 2007 9:31 AM PST up reply actions

I'm not calling you fat

I'm just saying that to be a better goalie, you may have some girth-acquisition work to do.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Dec 13, 2007 9:31 AM PST up reply actions

goalie's are the drummers of sports teams

by Matthew on Dec 13, 2007 10:01 AM PST up reply actions

How dare you

by Graham MacAree on Dec 13, 2007 10:03 AM PST up reply actions

Crucial, and remarkably underrated?

Is that what you meant?

by marc w on Dec 13, 2007 10:41 AM PST up reply actions

I'd agree with you

If you weren't also talking about drummers.

by Graham MacAree on Dec 13, 2007 10:45 AM PST up reply actions

Congratulations

you're an angry man!

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 13, 2007 9:31 AM PST up reply actions

I really am

by Graham MacAree on Dec 13, 2007 9:32 AM PST up reply actions

Oh, I thought that was a reply

To me being a goalie.

Why would I be angry? Is he injured that badly?

by Graham MacAree on Dec 13, 2007 9:37 AM PST up reply actions

No

Rayzor's just batshit crazy.

Remember the road rage incident? And this?

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 13, 2007 9:39 AM PST up reply actions

That fight made him my favourite hockey player

He might be batshit insane but I heart him.

by Graham MacAree on Dec 13, 2007 9:41 AM PST up reply actions

The smile is terrifying

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 13, 2007 9:46 AM PST up reply actions

Never get into a fight

With a man who grins every time you punch him in the face. Things are going to go horribly wrong for you fairly sharpish.

by Graham MacAree on Dec 13, 2007 9:48 AM PST up reply actions

Rayzor is the token

black guy in the NHL though.

the rest of them are lame.

Anson Carter(Where the fuck is he? I have his NYR Jersey haha) is like the whitest guy ever.

I dont feel like going through all of them, as it is about the same.

Ray is like.."Bling-bling motha fucka"

you know what Isayn?

by PShwa on Dec 14, 2007 12:50 PM PST up reply actions

Georges Laraque is pretty badass

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 14, 2007 1:27 PM PST up reply actions

Calero just re-signed with Oakland

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 13, 2007 3:39 PM PST up reply actions

So .. .

Dallas McPherson is done?

Go Fo Broke!

by eknpdx on Dec 13, 2007 1:13 PM PST reply actions

Ehh, you could make him the DH here

but I honestly have no idea what's going on in his back.

by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 13, 2007 1:28 PM PST up reply actions

Back?

Too much pitching and ca . . Ahhh I can't go on with it.

Go Fo Broke!

by eknpdx on Dec 13, 2007 1:50 PM PST up reply actions

what will it take for someone to sign Prior?

would 2-years, $10 mil do it? I don't see why the M's, with such a massive problem at SP, wouldn't take a chance on him. In a world where Weaver is worth $8 million and HoRam is worth a contract after posting a 7.16 ERA, Mark Prior has to be worth something.

"back in the day, Reggie Jackson would have called that a 'tits high' pitch" - Dave Henderson
the log

by OlyOle on Dec 13, 2007 2:12 PM PST reply actions

2007's Mulder contract prorated?

Go Fo Broke!

by eknpdx on Dec 13, 2007 2:17 PM PST up reply actions

JJ Furmaniak signed with Yokohama

Does that count?

Man, Craig Wilson. I get depressed when I think about his career, but I still love the guy.

by Deanna on Dec 14, 2007 8:40 AM PST reply actions

Hey Deanna

Has the Japanese press made a big deal out of Alex Cabrera's name turning up in the Mitchell report?

by marc w on Dec 14, 2007 9:34 AM PST up reply actions

Yes and no

It's unclear exactly how this is going to unfold in the Japanese press, but yes, I saw several sports shows tonight focusing on Alex Cabrera and Jeff Williams being implied in the Mitchell Report (and to a lesser extent, Adam Riggs). They did mention that this report is NOT the reason Seibu didn't re-sign Cabrera, but who knows.

by Deanna on Dec 14, 2007 10:05 AM PST up reply actions