Russell Branyan, Seattle Mariner
by Jeff on Dec 3, 2008 11:08 AM PST
in Good News
130 comments
Just last night I was working on a story about Russ Branyan, but I saved it as a draft because I had to leave home before I could finish. Here's what I had marked down:
- is a pretty good bet to put up a wOBA* around at least .345-.360
- would provide the left-handed power that Raul's departure will take away
- can DH
- can play first base
- can play third base, albeit not particularly well, which would give the front office time to figure things out in the event that they trade Beltre
- is no stranger to the bench and likely wouldn't have a problem with platooning or getting irregular playing time
- has never cost more than $1.25m in a single season and signed on with the Brewers last year as a minor league free agent
- wouldn't be hard to dump if things don't work out
Branyan may not stick around to be a part of the future (he turns 33 in two weeks), but he is literally the perfect stopgap, and the sort of player Bavasi probably never would've given a second look. As first ML acquisitions go, I'm not sure Zduriencik could've done much better, all things considered.
More later. For now, be happy. This is a move with no downside.
0 recs |
130 comments
Email
Print
Comments
The sort of player Bavasi wouldn't have given a second look.
In fact, when given a chance to give Branyan a second look, Bavasi rejected the idea.
At the USSM gathering before the 2006 season, following the Carl Everett signing, Dave asked Bavasi – point blank – why he didn’t look at a better, younger, cheaper alternative like Russ Branyan (or Hee Choi or Carlos Pena).
Bavasi responded by talking about experience in specific roles.
I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.
by Llewdor on Dec 3, 2008 11:13 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Wait, no, that was in response to the Vidro signing, wasn't it?
Crap.
I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.
by Llewdor on Dec 3, 2008 11:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
But we traded for Vidro.
My memory is cheese.
I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.
by Llewdor on Dec 3, 2008 11:14 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
WIN-WIN.
I like it.
Man do I love midgets.
by Thingray on Dec 3, 2008 11:14 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Rotoworld approves
According to the Seattle Times, the Mariners are set to announce the signing of free agent Russell Branyan.
A fine first move for Jack Zduriencik. Branyan isn’t going to be the Mariners’ long-term answer anywhere, but he is a better option at first or DH than anyone else currently on the roster and he remains an option at third in the event of an Adrian Beltre trade. The Mariners won’t necessarily pencil him in as a regular, but the odds seem pretty good that he’ll get a chance to start against righties.
by Goose on Dec 3, 2008 11:17 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
I cannot wait for this to have some sort of downside
and then Robert will link back to this post.
by Matthew on Dec 3, 2008 11:17 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
The downside is that we got Branyan instead of someone younger, I guess
but that doesn’t really bother me.
by Jeff on Dec 3, 2008 11:19 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
FUCK YEAH MOTHERFUCKERS
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE’VE MADE A MOVE LIKE THIS IN A ABOUT 7 YEARS WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Furcal
by JI on Dec 3, 2008 11:17 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
We had no intention of using Petagine
Ever.
Furcal
by JI on Dec 3, 2008 1:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I had hope after the opening day home run.
Whoops.
"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett http://mvn.com/marinersminors/
by JY on Dec 3, 2008 1:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Petagine made Spring Training AWESOME
Determined, Jonesing Commentor | Proud proprietor of Washingtonhighways.org
by I'm NOT Corco on Dec 3, 2008 1:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
It's worth pointing out, of course
that Branyan’s the sort of player who could fall off a cliff overnight. But then, who cares? He’s not going to cost anything. He’s like a better Brad Wilkerson.
by Jeff on Dec 3, 2008 11:18 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
good process good process good process good process
I am really happy in case it wasn’t apparent.
by acblue on Dec 3, 2008 12:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Very pleased.
Can’t put it much better than Jeff. This a perfect freely-available-one-year-stopgap signing.
by Teej on Dec 3, 2008 11:18 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Dude slugged .583 last year (in limited duty).
Very nice.
by Teej on Dec 3, 2008 11:20 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Almost exclusivly against right handers.
My guess is that is what he’ll be doing here.
by Goose on Dec 3, 2008 11:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I'd expect a platoon
but there are like ten guys in my office who could bat against lefties without too much trouble, so plugging that hole wouldn’t be tough if that’s the direction we go.
by Jeff on Dec 3, 2008 11:23 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I wish I fully understood why the righty/lefty matchup works the way it does.
Having never played baseball competitively, I just don’t quite get it. Obviously in slow pitch softball it means nothing.
Man do I love midgets.
by Thingray on Dec 3, 2008 11:32 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Generally it's easier to see the pitch from the opposite hand.
by Goose on Dec 3, 2008 11:33 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm trying to picture this in my head...
So a lefty can hide the ball behind his body, head, etc for longer when you bat from the right side, therefore making it harder to accurately judge the pitch?
Man do I love midgets.
by Thingray on Dec 3, 2008 11:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Wait, I did that backwards.
A righty can hide the ball from a righty, correct?
Man do I love midgets.
by Thingray on Dec 3, 2008 11:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know if it's hiding the ball as much as it's the view of the arc and the path it travels.
by Teej on Dec 3, 2008 11:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah. A pitch coming from a same handed pitcher is more apt to tail away from the batter.
To where the opposite handed pitcher is more apt to tail into the batter.
by Goose on Dec 3, 2008 11:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Wait, you're right.
I shouldn’t try to picture this in my head and do accounting at the same time.
Man do I love midgets.
by Thingray on Dec 3, 2008 11:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
When you bat from the right side it's easier to judge a pitch from a lefty.
Not sure exactly why this is, but I remember in the two or so at bats against a lefty during my illustrious little league career (I’m right-handed), it felt dramatically easier to see the ball. It might have something to do with the fact that a lefty releases the ball from a point roughly in front of the opposite batters box, instead of in front of your own, making it easier to see the ball. Not sure if there’s a real scientific explanation.
by FlaskInSafeco on Dec 3, 2008 11:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
It's more about the path of the ball
an opposite handed pitcher will have almost all of his pitches (excluding screwballs, knuckleballs and changeups) run towards the batter, which essentially speeds up the hitter’s bat through the strike zone and keeps from having to reach at breaking balls away.
by seattlebruin on Dec 3, 2008 12:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The release point of the ball is generally on the other side of home plate from the hitter.
That helps the hitter in three ways:
1. The natural break of the ball is toward the hitter instead of away from the hitter. It’s easier to track and make contact with a ball breaking in over the plate instead of across the plate and away.
2. With the pitch coming in from the other side of the plate the hitter gets a more oblique view of the delivery and the movement of the ball. That makes the pitch easier to track.
3. Facing a same-handed pitcher, after delivery the ball is often heading straight for the batter before it starts breaking. That means that in addition to trying to pick up the spin and flight of the ball, the batter must also be consider whether or not he needs to get out of the way of the pitch.
by Steve Nelson on Dec 3, 2008 11:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Okay, this is starting to make sense.
Man do I love midgets.
by Thingray on Dec 3, 2008 11:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
A good changeup has a reverse break
That’s why it’s often a good pitch to use against opposite-handed hitters.
by Steve Nelson on Dec 3, 2008 12:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
That makes even more sense.
I think I get it now.
Man do I love midgets.
by Thingray on Dec 3, 2008 12:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
So.
His first move as GM was somewhat questionable — firing Fontaine. His first player signing shows that he’s got some idea of what he’s doing…
I approve of this signing 100%.
This signature space for rent.
by PositivePaul on Dec 3, 2008 11:34 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
I don't normally like to indulge in this, but the first comment on Baker's story made me laugh.
Sounds like an interesting move. Hopefully they will put him at third so we don’t take playing time away from LaHair.
by Teej on Dec 3, 2008 11:35 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
This signature space for rent.
by PositivePaul on Dec 3, 2008 11:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I also like the implication that it would be best to get Adrian Beltre off the field.
Whatever it takes to get LaHair’s bat in there.
(I’m hoping against hope that the commenter is assuming Beltre is gone.)
by Teej on Dec 3, 2008 11:42 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The other thing I see in the Branyan signing
Is that Zduriencik doesn’t seem overly obsessed with the downside of a hitter striking out. The last two years, the Mariners have been nearly last in hitter strikeouts, but it hasn’t made them a good offense. It probably also means that Zduriencik isn’t all that worried about situational hitting, either. (I could also be extrapolating too much from one signing, too…)
by ubelmann on Dec 3, 2008 11:39 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Which made it all the more surprising they ever signed Sexson.
I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.
by Llewdor on Dec 3, 2008 1:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm looking forward to poaching from Milwaukee instead of San Diego for the next couple years.
At least it’ll be different.
by Matthew on Dec 3, 2008 11:40 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
I think this is pretty much a eh type move
similar to Wilkerson, Broussard and other bit players that have been here the last couple years. No downside as he’s easy to jettison if/when he totally sucks, but he’s not going to make much of an overall impact on the offense.
Midnight Baseball - No Lights - Only in Alaska!
by MfaninAlaska on Dec 3, 2008 11:49 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Branyan can actually hit the shit out of the baseball though
Wilkerson had been sucking for a few years, and Broussard (no offense Jeff) just wasn’t that great
Determined, Jonesing Commentor | Proud proprietor of Washingtonhighways.org
by I'm NOT Corco on Dec 3, 2008 12:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Broussard was acquired for something of value.
Wilkerson maybe, but I think the thought process that went into signing him was way worse.
by acblue on Dec 3, 2008 12:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Broussard cost Choo and Wilkerson was broken down/took steroids
It’s the same general idea, but Branyan’s the best of the three.
by Jeff on Dec 3, 2008 1:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He's not a "name" guy assigned to a role making a bunch of money.
There’s a big difference.
Furcal
by JI on Dec 3, 2008 1:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Last sentence in Baker article
"This is one of the nigger raw power bats out there — period,’’ he said.(Emphasis mine)
I hope thats a typo thats fixed soon…
by Scrupio on Dec 3, 2008 11:50 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Took me a while to figure out that he probably meant "bigger"
But wow, what a typo.
by ThundaPC on Dec 3, 2008 11:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Here's your consolation prize (2nd comment)
Baker: “Yes, I saw it and fixed it. Thank you. That’s what happens when you’re trying to listen on the phone, write and download photos simultaneously.”
by ThundaPC on Dec 3, 2008 12:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
The "N" and "B" keys are right next to each other.
Just unfortunate that it ends up being that word when you make a mistake.
Man do I love midgets.
by Thingray on Dec 3, 2008 12:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Further reason why the Microsoft Natural Pro keyboard is the greatest keyboard ever created.
by BrianL on Dec 3, 2008 1:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Ergonomic keyboards are the work of the devil.
I already know how to type. Why should I have to learn again?
Ergonomic keyboards are part of a conspiracy to make us all type using exactly the same technique.
I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.
by Llewdor on Dec 3, 2008 4:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Baker downloads porn at work!
Story at 10.
by Matthew on Dec 3, 2008 1:30 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Fixed now ...
… but in his first story on the signing Baker does say that Branyan won’t automatically by a black hole in the lineup.
by Steve Nelson on Dec 3, 2008 12:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
So can you go ahead and trade Beltre to Cleveland now?
by APV on Dec 3, 2008 11:56 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Z says that he is the starting 1st baseman as of right now
by Robert on Dec 3, 2008 12:14 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Better than Sexson or LaHair.
And I don’t like the idea of putting Clement there just yet.
Man do I love midgets.
by Thingray on Dec 3, 2008 12:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Rosenthal links us to Burrell and Dunn...
Hopefully it’s not one step forward two steps back. Unless Dunn is the DH and signed for less than $40 million, that seems like a terrible idea, and Burrell is a horrible fit.
Don’t dampen my enthusiasm so fast, Z…
Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.
by BrettJMiller on Dec 3, 2008 12:17 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Z has given no reason to think he'd sign either one of those guys.
by Matthew on Dec 3, 2008 1:33 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree. Doesn't mean Rosenthal just made up that the M's have interest. He probably heard it from somewhere in he business.
Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.
by BrettJMiller on Dec 3, 2008 2:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Probably from Dunn.
I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.
by Llewdor on Dec 3, 2008 4:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Cool
Determined, Jonesing Commentor | Proud proprietor of Washingtonhighways.org
by I'm NOT Corco on Dec 3, 2008 12:27 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
What the MLB network thinks of Russell?
Joe Magrane says: “… he is COUNTRY STRONG!”
Can hit the ball a mile, but if only the ball gets to his bat.
theraysparty.blogspot.com
by therayspartyleader on Dec 3, 2008 12:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Just doesn't have the same ring
He can hit the ball a country mile
But making contact is not his style
Ump: STRIKE THREE, YOU’RE O-
Russ: [walking to dugout] Yeah, I know, I know
BIG RUSSELL
by Gomez on Dec 3, 2008 3:40 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I thought it was Jan 1?
Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.
by pdb on Dec 3, 2008 12:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Wait, you're right.
I just assumed he meant the cable channel and was thinking Dec. 1.
by Teej on Dec 3, 2008 1:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
It's strange that just a smart little pickup like this
can be so damn encouraging.
by BrianL on Dec 3, 2008 1:09 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I'm still stunned at the rational moves we're making
Patriotism, Pepper, Professionalism
by esoteric on Dec 3, 2008 1:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Now I'm dying to know who the RH half of the platoon will be.
by acblue on Dec 3, 2008 1:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Not really a big deal no matter who it is
by Jeff on Dec 3, 2008 1:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I'd prefer Jason Werth to Miguel Cairo
Furcal
by JI on Dec 3, 2008 1:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->
(aka see my avatar)
This signature space for rent.
by PositivePaul on Dec 3, 2008 1:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Objectively that would be fine
but I want a shiny new toy.
by acblue on Dec 3, 2008 1:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Probably
Mike Morse. There’s no reason to spend real money on a guy so that he can give you 130 solid ABs against lefties, and Morse has a history of hitting them pretty well.
by slamcactus on Dec 3, 2008 2:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
No, he doesn't.
Mike Morse has a tiny sample size of about 42 plate appearances where he hit LHP really well in 2006-2007. He was basically neutral during this first year up (where he got the bulk of his MLB career PAs).
Given a MLB OPS of .762 and a minor league OPS of .720, I would question whether you can assert that Morse is “good”. (To give you an idea, Russ Branyan’s minor league OPS is .917, MLB OPS is .813… and Branyan has holes in his game). Morse would be better as the platoon partner than Miguel Cairo, but that’s because Cairo’s plain terrible.
Morse is an acceptable replacement-level fallback option if nothing pans out, but if you could find a Marcus Thames-style player to pick up 300-350 PAs a year from the right hand side for cheap, by all means, it would be a big improvement on Morse.
by eponymous_coward on Dec 3, 2008 2:32 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
How many years is Cairo's deal?
Indie.
by Taylor H on Dec 3, 2008 4:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
I knew someone would cut me down
Rather than pursue an older pitcher such as Randy Johnson, the Cardinals would like to add a younger starter with upside — someone similar to right-hander Kyle Lohse. Left-hander Oliver Perez, 27, is one free agent who fits that description.
Furcal
by JI on Dec 3, 2008 1:38 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
From a depressed Brewer fan
Branyan’s a lot of fun to watch— he was in Milwaukee in ‘05 and this year. I wouldn’t worry about your park affecting him too much; Branyan rarely clears the wall by a little, he clears the wall by a lot. He hit a 470 foot homer in one game this year and tied a game with a homer against Joe Nathan when we were down 1 with 2 outs in the bottom of the ninth in another. Good signing for the Ms, we expect Jack Z to continue to raid our team in the next few years.
And neck size to baby eating ratio.
by Jordan M on Dec 3, 2008 1:46 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
Batting practice could be fun.
I fucking hate you Mariners
by kentroyals5 on Dec 3, 2008 2:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
Any Idea how good/bad he'll be defensively at first?
by Scrupio on Dec 3, 2008 3:09 PM PST reply actions 0 recs
I imagine a little below average, but I doubt he'll be Sexson-level bad
by Jeff on Dec 3, 2008 3:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
He's surprisingly solid at third, anyway
Not a ton of range, but he has a good arm and doesn’t let anything get through him.
And neck size to baby eating ratio.
by Jordan M on Dec 3, 2008 3:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs
'This is a move with no downside.'
The floor!
by Graham on Dec 4, 2008 8:46 AM PST reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Lookout Landing
Related FanShots on Lookout Landing
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
