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A Discussion Not About Sedimentary Rocks

Today was the season ticket holder event with new GM Jack Zduriencik. Thanks to Brett, I sneaked in, stole some free food and cribbed some notes on the surprisingly intelligent discourse. Nothing here will be verbatim, but will combine what I felt were key ideas both said and unsaid.

Talent wins. This phrase in one form or another was uttered probably a dozen times and it really seems to be Zduriencik's underlining principle. Above all else, get talented players and everything else will sort itself out.

He mentioned in connection with the managerial search that just because a person hasn't managed at the big league level doesn't mean he doesn't have experience. He went on to specifically talk about coaching and such but I think it's a good indicator again of how he might evaluate talent. It says to me that he's less apt to make a veteran, experience-motivated player acquisition and realizes that experience in the minor leagues counts for something.

He wants to sign Felix long term, but even here mentioned his desire to create a winning team that would make Felix want to stay. In conjunction with a question about Ichiro being moved back to CF, he reiterated that some of the specifics are going to be figured out based on a reaction to what other teams offer. In other words, Zduriencik might not go into a Beltre or Putz trade negotiation saying "we need a LFer" but instead, be more open-ended about it. Made a point of stating that the goal is to fix things the right way. He didn't mention (I thought meaningfully) short or long term. My impression based on that is that he's not committed to a rebuild or retool specifically, but of a "lets make smart moves starting now and when we get there, if we get there" sort.

He talked about revamping how players are developed. Specifically, that each player has their own development pace and they need to be attuned to that. Noted that plate patience has to be preached starting from day one in the organization. Wants to improve the fans knowledge of the minor league prospects as well.

Negated a question about increasing small ball, saying essentially again that talent wins and that the in game strategies are more determined by the club at the moment. In other words, the players drive the strategy, the strategy doesn't drive the player acquisition. Also made a mention without prompting about SafeCo being a tough park on RH hitters, so he at least showed awareness of that, already an improvement.

Wants to really make Seattle a model franchise, in all aspects. Mentioned Tony Blengino in a sabrmetrics view and that they're going to be putting together some researchers to help inform decisions at every level. That more information is better and that they want to be able to equip the coaches and managers with everything they might need.

No on Bobby Valentine and reading (perhaps too much) between the lines, no on Raul Ibanez coming back and unlikely that Fields gets signed unless the signing bonus demand from Boras comes well down.

All in all, it was fabulous. Given the obvious PR needs involved, Zduriencik answered almost every question how I would have liked to hear it answered. I was also pleased with the attendees for asking (on the most part) not stupid questions. For instance, not a single mention of Willie Bloomquist! Only thing lacking was a discussion about defense, but hey, cannot get them all.

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Agreed

this is a really hope inspiring read.

You know what? Fuck you Sports Gods, fuck you.

by bluemax on Nov 12, 2008 5:07 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Dang it

I was hoping to get in a debate about the isopachs and paleocurrents of the Colorado Plateau, but this news sounds like a step in the right direction.

I am no longer in Spokane, but I think I'll keep the name anyway.

by InSpokane on Nov 12, 2008 5:12 PM PST   0 recs

ah yes

I think I was at a geology seminar-type thing, and the speaker used the phrase “orogenous zone,” and I laughed.

Sports and Bremertonians. Because we can.

by wackomann on Nov 13, 2008 9:51 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

I'll be doing my own recap of this as well. I'm writing a story for the college paper, and because I had my laptop with me I got some good quotes.

I mean, I have to write the story anyway so I might as well post it here too. I’ll also have a few pics.

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Nov 12, 2008 5:13 PM PST   0 recs

I realize that doesn't make sense. The laptop just means it was easier to transcribe what he was saying faster than if by hand writing.

My battery died half way through though, so some of it can’t be a direct quote.

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Nov 12, 2008 5:15 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Overall agree

Overall what we heard was good— talent, scouting, development, new sabermetric dept. The other great thing was this (approximate quotes)— “you can’t fix the team by making free-agent signings. You have to have a good group of 0-3 years experience guys, and a few good 4-5 years guys too” to win.

I agree that reading between the lines, Ibanez’ return is not likely.

The only bad thing from Z, for me, was not dismissing “team chemistry” enough, and this extra tidbit— when hiring a manager, he wants someone who will “be part of the (Seattle) community.” Too touchy-feely for me.

On the audience side, the non-mention of Bloomquist was good, but there were too many longings for Griffey— especially the one woman who said “he would provide a good clubhouse leader”— but then the chuckling among the other season-ticket holders around me when she was saying this made hearing the question worthwhile.

by edgar is good on Nov 12, 2008 5:15 PM PST   0 recs

He's gotta have the touchy-feely stuff though

even if he doesn’t do it in practice, he has to throw the sensitive souls a bone because that’s what they expect.

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

by pdb on Nov 12, 2008 5:17 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

I read Matthew's "touchy-feely" line

as relating to the manager interacting with the fans, not his interaction with the team…

by msb on Nov 12, 2008 5:58 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

He's the GM, not the moose.

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on Nov 13, 2008 9:49 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

An end to "roles"?
In conjunction with a question about Ichiro being moved back to CF, he reiterated that some of the specifics are going to be figured out based on a reaction to what other teams offer. In other words, Zduriencik might not go into a Beltre or Putz trade negotiation saying “we need a LFer” but instead, be more open-ended about it

Hmmm….that sounds encouraging…..

He can be all touchy-feeling he wants if Zduriencik puts in a sabremetric department, revamps player development and lets the players drive the game strategy…

by rtang on Nov 12, 2008 5:26 PM PST   0 recs

So, who else is a lot more excited about DMZ now?

Before, it looked like the closest thing we could get to being a retread and not be upset about it. But now it’s pretty exciting. He’s a scouting guy, obviously, but also one who knows how to run an organization in a big-picture setting. And he’s hiring the right people around him (Tony Blengino) to help fill in where he has deficiencies. I’m pretty damn excited now.

by lailaihei on Nov 12, 2008 5:58 PM PST   0 recs

I'm still pretty neutral on Derek.

I’ve enjoyed his contributions immensely in the past but feel he may be taking his recent success in authorship too seriously, what, now he’s a sci-fi writer? I don’t buy it.

by Omerta on Nov 12, 2008 6:11 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Dammit you beat me to it, I had a post all written

But kidding aside Jack Z is looking good so far.

by Scrupio on Nov 12, 2008 6:14 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Holy balls I'm excited about something Mariners related

For that I give Jack Zduriencik my utmost gratitude

Determined, Jonesing Commentor | Proud proprietor of Washingtonhighways.org

by I'm NOT Corco on Nov 12, 2008 6:10 PM PST   0 recs

You know what's funny?

When I passed him on Saturday in front of Safeco (walking with GMZ who was wearing a hoodie sweatshirt), the first thing that I was going to say was “Good Hire, Chuck!” but he was too busy bragging about his golf game for me to even get a word in edge-wise…

This signature space for rent.

by PositivePaul on Nov 12, 2008 8:13 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Well summated Matthew.

I went with one of the guys I share seats with. We were both happy with the answers overall. Jack handled the few bad ones very well.

We also blame ourselves for not throwing a defense question out there. After Mike Cameron came up would have been the perfect time, but by then people were pretty well in line to ask already.

I am excited about this offseason just because I think Jack will give us at least one good surprise move.

by Sec 108 on Nov 12, 2008 7:55 PM PST   0 recs

My mom and I are season ticket holders.

Why the hell didn’t I know about this? What the hell? I am so mad I missed this!

Btw, I am also so happy to hear about all of this! It sounds pretty good.

by mark sobba on Nov 12, 2008 8:06 PM PST   0 recs

I, too, am curious

Also a season ticket holder, also had no idea this was taking place. Good news all ’round it sounds like, but totally a sad kitty I missed out. :/

by section331 on Nov 12, 2008 8:31 PM PST   0 recs

They sent e-mails, you had to RSVP by Monday.

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Nov 12, 2008 9:36 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

Ah, thanks.

I’ve been having issues with my email and their announcements ever since last August. I got the one for the photo thing on Saturday, but not this one.

by section331 on Nov 13, 2008 6:34 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

Optimism.

Now there’s something I haven’t felt in ages.

by BrianL on Nov 12, 2008 8:46 PM PST   0 recs

Your Seattle Mariner's new starting center fielder:

Ken Griffey Jr.

Hard work never killed nobody, but I won't take my chances.

by JAH on Nov 13, 2008 8:43 PM PST to parent up   0 recs

This makes me very, very happy.

Hooray “Department of Baseball Research”

by Terminator_X on Nov 13, 2008 12:15 AM PST   0 recs

This is awesome news.

GMZ makes me feel that with him manning the Mariners and Pritchard manning the Blazers, my teams are in good hands.

54!

by joof on Nov 13, 2008 1:42 AM PST   0 recs

And with Presti managing the Sonics!...

Oh…

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett http://mvn.com/marinersminors/

by JY on Nov 13, 2008 9:07 AM PST to parent up   0 recs

I'm starting to suspect

That Zduriencik is an intelligent man. This is encouraging.

by spittle8 on Nov 17, 2008 6:12 PM PST   0 recs

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