12-14, Bullets

by Jeff on Apr 27, 2008 11:51 PM PDT in Game Recaps Comment 106 comments

While it's easy to say "it's still April, don't worry about the standings," the fact of the matter is that, as of this writing, the M's are four games back of both the A's and the Angels. If you thought it'd be tough to be one game better than these teams over six months, it'll be that much tougher to be five games better than them over five. Every game matters. Our odds are worse now than they were on Opening Day, and regardless of why it's turned out this way, that's bad. It's time to start winning. Our team isn't young enough to rely on second-half hot streaks like the A's of the earlier aughts.
If you're able to look past the eighth inning - and I know that's tough - Felix was awesome. Through seven, he'd allowed just four hits and two walks while striking out ten batters, all on 92 pitches. Starts don't get much more dominating, and what's most breathtaking is how he did it working mostly off of his fastball. Felix entered the game with a fastball percentage of 59%, but today it darted up to 71%, as for much of the day the A's just exhibited no ability whatsoever to catch up to his heat. Before the eighth they'd swung at missed at the fastball as many time as they'd put it on play. The top of the second, of course, was the highlight, as Felix told Frank Thomas, Jack Cust, and Bobby Crosby to eat shit and die, but the A's were eating shit and dying for seven innings, and it was only diminished command later on that finally allowed them to participate in the game. Try not to let the final score cloud your judgment, here. In my book, Felix's star only got brighter.
I've thought about holding this against McLaren, but as much as I want to, in good conscience I don't think I can. Yeah, Felix wound up throwing 110+ pitches for the fourth consecutive start, but if you're McLaren, and you see your ace throwing 98 in the eighth inning, and you know how unreliable your bullpen has been so far, I think you have to let the guy try to work his way out. God knows Felix hasn't exactly made a habit out of struggling in the later innings, and today could've been a whole hell of a lot different with a few better breaks - Hannahan and Barton fouled off a combined six 3-2 pitches before drawing their eighth inning walks, and Brown's tying single came off a broken bat. Felix was mighty close to escaping today, but he didn't, and I'm more inclined to just give the A's credit for good at bats than I am to hold some Mariner responsible.
You know what would've made things a lot easier on everyone? Run support. If the score were like 4-0 or 5-0 then McLaren would've had a much easier time going to the bullpen earlier than he did. This is getting embarrassing. The Mariners must be the only team in the league whose #5 hitter is an NRI they picked up in February. At the moment there are exactly three batters in whom I have any kind of faith, and while McLaren talks about how some of the guys have to get it going, it seems like it ought to be the front office's responsibility to determine who's actually capable of getting it going in the first place. There's no time to dawdle and let Vidro and Wilkerson and maybe/probably Sexson prove to everyone how done they are. At least one of our problem spots needs to be addressed right quick, and by that I don't mean giving tons more playing time to Norton or Willie Ballgame. This lineup needs more talent, and it needs it now.
And, yeah, I'm at the point now where I'm totally ready to call Wilkerson finished. I was willing to give him a shot, but he hasn't demonstrated any kind of ability at all, and his bat speed seems nothing short of awful. Not only does he not yet have a home run, but I can't even picture what him hitting a home run would look like. I can't imagine it happening. That has to be somehow meaningful. It's really, really sad that Willie Ballgame might just represent an improvement as an everyday player.
Mike Morse still sucks so don't even start
I absolutely cannot believe that an intelligent team like the Oakland A's has put itself in a position where Jack Cust is starting in the outfield. I criticize Raul Ibanez all the time for his lack of range - and rightfully so - but I think Jack Cust is quite literally the worst defensive outfielder I've ever seen in my life. He's a slow, plodding son of a bitch, and just today he cost his team a pair of doubles by misplaying a Lopez fly ball in the first and a Wilkerson fly ball in the sixth. He sucks. He sucks! And he's not even that good of a bat. There's not a chance he repeats last year's .366 BABIP (regress that to .300 and his BA drops from .256 to .223), which makes him a guy with two good strengths and countless glaring weaknesses. As long as he's playing the field, it's my opinion that, overall, he won't be helping the A's win any games.
Santiago Casilla, however, will be helping the A's win games. Santiago Casilla is really good. If I'm not mistaken he threw Brad Wilkerson a 92mph slider, which pretty much on its own is enough to blow me the fuck away.

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number 6 may be the best bullet point ever

by JI on Apr 28, 2008 12:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

and fucking chirst does our lineup suck

Clement, Reed, Lofton, and (hahaha) Bonds PLZ

by JI on Apr 28, 2008 12:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

number 5 I can relate

I’ve been saying this the whole time! I really can’t imagine Wilkerson hitting a homer. I even choose Silva to strike out 10 batters in a game before Wilkerson hitting a home run. I do wonder, would he be any better if he was allowed to hit lefties? I realize he would still suck, but would he be closer to the mendoza line if he was put in against the lefties?

Plus, seeing willie ballgame starting games is just sickening. Honestly I know people in M’s blogosphere aren’t so high on Jeremy Reed, but he is obviously a better option than Willie Ballgame right? I mean, Willie shouldn’t even be starting. Isn’t his job just to be the scrappy hometown utility guy who looks good in the uniform and helps sells tickets, while occasionally filling in on emergency notice, and maybe start a game or two to give the starters a rest. I don’t think he is supposed to be a replacement if a regular is slumping. Isn’t that job supposed to go to Wlad or Reed?

by Fin on Apr 28, 2008 12:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Willie is barely even a utility player.

But whatever. I don’t expect this team to grow a brain anytime soon. They’re just worried that DFA’ing Willie or Wilkerson will ruin the team chemistry. Probably the same reason that Cairo is sitting on the bench doing nothing.

by JLC on Apr 28, 2008 12:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So when does the front office cave and cut dead weight and add ANY bats?

My guess: Never. Even though some jobs are on the line they won’t care.

by SethGrandpa on Apr 28, 2008 12:28 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I find it hard to picture as well.

Though I don’t expect NO moves. I do, however, expect strange ones. For example, maybe they drop Vidro but they put Wilkerson in his place, or other such odd decisions.

That’s what I expect – they make changes, but the changes are not bad or good. The changes just make people type multiple question marks in the comment thread (“???”), because they make no logical sense, and don’t really make the team any better or worse.

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Apr 28, 2008 1:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking the same thing

right before Wilkerson looked at strike 3. Dave Sims said something like, “it’d be a great time for Brad’s first homerun as an M.” And I thought, “There is no way in hell I can see him getting on here let along hitting a bomb.

by niems on Apr 28, 2008 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My bet is July 24th

by Robert on Apr 28, 2008 7:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Corco's birthday wooo

Also Barry Bonds’s birthday

Determined, Jonesing Commentor

by I'm NOT Corco on Apr 28, 2008 8:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Envisioning a player hit a homerun does carry a great deal of merit.

I envisioned Griffey hitting a homerun every at-bat. Every swing of his was a perfect homerun swing. This is why he hit them so frequently.

Some guys have doubles swings. Edgar was a guy I envisioned hitting a double everytime at-bat. This is why he hit them so frequently.

Even Richie has a particular swing. It has become more of a strikeout/homerun swing, but at least we can envision him connecting with a pitch once a week.

As for Wilkerson, he has a rollover, pull to the right side of the infield groundout swing (almost Virdo-esque). I can’t see Wilkerson hitting a single, let alone a homerun. If we can’t envision Wilkerson, or any other player, hitting a single, double, homerun, etc., then they have an inconsistent, bad swing.

I can even tell you Jamie Burke’s swing: bloop singles over the second baseman’s head. Burke may not be the greatest hitter in the world, but at least he has a consistent stroke that garners a basehit every fourth at-bat. That is more than you can say about Wilkerson and Vidro.

by Wilder. on Apr 28, 2008 1:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

And Johjima and Lopez and Beltre.

But I do agree with you. Ichiro’s swing always looks like he’s about to ground out, which is funny because that is how he gets his hits, but it causes me to both love Ichiro and struggle to watch him bat. As soon as he connects with the ball, then I’m excited again.

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Apr 28, 2008 1:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Beltre.....really?

Almost every-time he comes up he hits the ball hard, and the line drives at a 25% clip don’t lie. I know its a small sample, but they way he’s swinging it now there is now reason for him to be on that list.

Let's get those green gloves going.

by BUCKETSinSB on Apr 28, 2008 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

...?

No. Beltre goes up there and you don’t know what he’s going to do. Is he the king of awesome? Of course. But when he swings you never know when he is going to hit an LD or a freakish grounder or hit a ball that even Vlad couldn’t reach. When he’s up, you can’t picture what he’s going to do because he swings at everything.

He’s the only person on that list that hits well, but when the list is about which people have a consistent stroke where you can picture what it is going to do next, Beltre I never have any idea. “Hitting the ball hard” is not the same as being able to “visualize a home run” with each swing.

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Apr 28, 2008 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice writeup

Pretty succicent and to the point here.

Really well argued too, you didn’t resort to the McLaren bashing that is so typical, especially when you think about it – what is he to do? Our bullpen has gone from dominant, to incredibly shaky. Morrow needs to get the hell to AA or AAA, and probably start starting games because who knows when Batista will unwind for good. Or Washburn for that matter. (His fastball dipping from 91-93 a few years ago to 86-88 now is scary.)

There is no excuse for how bad our lineup is and how high our payroll is. Sheer incompetence. Relying on Beltre, who is great but undeniably streaky at the plate, is a recipe for disaster. Ichiro has looked like ass too, and it is hard to throw him under the bus for all he has done for us but jesus, pick it up Ichi.

I dont know about Yuni and Jose, they are still pretty fucking enigmatic.

Sexson had that burst of awesome down in Anaheim and has since tapered off. Could we have one steady fucking hitter? Please? I really don’t remember the time of a player playing consistently well all year long aside from Ichiro, it has been that fucking long.

Sigh.

by ASUBoyd on Apr 28, 2008 4:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So the camp I stay at lost their tv feed while moving locations

so I had t watch the archive. You guys got to watch this and then have the rest of your Sunday evening to cope. I still have a full 12 hour work shift to make it through. Starting the day off with a good swift cockpunch is even better than a strong cup of coffee though.

by thewyrm on Apr 28, 2008 4:17 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Solution, thy name is Griffey, George Kenneth the second

Steve Kelly advocates the acquisition of Ken Griffey Jr.

Why should we acquire Ken Griffey Jr.?

“Even at this stage of his career, he would be a dramatic defensive upgrade.”

All those who think Griffey’s defense in right field this year is an embarrassment to his legacy because they look at the “data” or “watch him play”?

Pffft. Cylon wankers, all of ‘em!

It’s quite clear that to solve this offensive void the M’s need to replace the deteriorated skill of the current veterans with the eroded skills of former Mariner veterans.

Yes. It’s brilliant.

Steve Kelly approves of the Ken Griffey Jr.

And you should too.

by Defenestrator on Apr 28, 2008 5:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm gonna laugh so hard when we trade Clement for him

by Robert on Apr 28, 2008 7:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

me too

Determined, Jonesing Commentor

by I'm NOT Corco on Apr 28, 2008 8:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

that hurt my brain

by JI on Apr 28, 2008 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, the whole article wasn't horiffic outside the part about Griffey's D

I mean it seems like he has the right idea… and I’d love to have Griffey DHing for us if we could get him for a B prospect or something (and he re-negotiates that deal so we’re not paying him $16 million next season. Maybe like $6.5 million for the DH. Wonder who else might make $6.5M as the DH for the Mariners next season…)

by seattlebruin on Apr 28, 2008 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

English doesn't say anything. Or at least not to me =(

To me it’s more of a concept than something that speaks… am I doing it wrong?

by seattlebruin on Apr 28, 2008 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just write 200 word sentences

Using 15 sentences in a 3000 word essay is fun for all, especially if you can write it in a way that nobody notices.

by Graham on Apr 28, 2008 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's what the comma and semicolon are for;

combining multiple clause and ideas into one incoherent sentence sheerly to confuse the reader, who must associate length of sentence with breadth of thought – it leads to two sentence paragraphs that actually resemble paragraphs in terms of the length and content discussed, which is a major positive for writers who lack a natural flow to their thoughts and need to write them in the form of run on sentences that serve only to confuse the reader while remaining perfectly clear to the writer – thus, it’s perfect for Asian engineers, especially fobby ones.

Jeez, only 94 words… I was really trying too.

by seattlebruin on Apr 28, 2008 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

TL DNR

by JI on Apr 28, 2008 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

HA!

Mission accomplished!

by seattlebruin on Apr 28, 2008 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

tl;dr

is correct form

by Matthew on Apr 28, 2008 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

too long, did read?

seems confusing

by JI on Apr 28, 2008 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

contractions buddy

by Matthew on Apr 28, 2008 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't be bitter because I improved it.

by JI on Apr 28, 2008 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

you used a whole other letter.

I don’t call that improvement, it’s 25% more wasteful

by Matthew on Apr 28, 2008 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's more legible, and it is less comfusing.

Christ, they even made the non-English majors take tech writing.

by JI on Apr 28, 2008 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Too many commas

More dashes, semicolons, and parentheses.

by Graham on Apr 28, 2008 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My bad

I was trying to include more semicolons and parentheses (I really like parentheses – they add a nice touch to any sentence because you can read them like they’re not even there; it’s like in one of those movie cutaways where a character is speaking and then they think to themselves aloud) but I had some trouble trying to fit them in – they can be tricky (but very rewarding when it all works out the way you intend it to) and I usually don’t have the heart to try and include every single type of punctuation in my sentences; if I did, I would be more like Coach and others who have trouble with the basics of the English language, when in fact, I completed my mastery of America’s (and England’s) native tongue many many years ago, most likely between the ages of 16 and 20; this mostly occurred in high school and college English classes in which they taught us that run on sentences were not a good way to convey thought since they often went unread and when they were read, they are mostly crossed out with red pen and a notes “run on sentence, please correct” that tend to be very disheartening for a not-so-aspiring writer; even if they are constructive criticism in general, they tend to be major downers and I can’t fathom how anyone would react positively to being told that their long, well thought out sentences were in fact too long (and too unwieldy) to ever see the light of day (kind of like Richie Sexson’s swing).

by seattlebruin on Apr 28, 2008 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The first drafts of all my English papers

looked liked this with a dash of Steve Kelley thrown in.

by JI on Apr 28, 2008 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

In defense of Mr. Kelley

As archaic as it may be, writing in brief paragraphs is something journalists are supposed to do. At least that’s what I was taught in journalism class. I wasn’t really paying attention though.

by Defenestrator on Apr 28, 2008 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another defense

Its good that official media like the Seattle Times is coming out and saying “Cut Cairo!” Yes! And Wilkerson! Didn’t see anything about Vidro, I think his shiny .300 batting average has bought him more time this year.

by Fin on Apr 28, 2008 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What's the R2

for a hitter’s BABIP after a single season? Are you regressing Cust 100% to the league mean?

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Apr 28, 2008 5:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Even if you do regress 100%

If you allow him the same IsoP and IsoD as last season, that leaves Cust hitting .223/.375/.471… which as an A’s fan I would totally take right now. Our offense is pretty bad.

by MrIncognito on Apr 28, 2008 7:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's a fine batting line

but combined with his defense, you lose an awful lot of the gains.

by Jeff on Apr 28, 2008 9:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not doing a scientific regression or anything

just pointing out how fortunate Cust was a year ago. Given his slow footspeed and the fact that a lot of his well-hit balls clear the fence, I wouldn’t expect a BABIP anywhere close to that high over a large sample.

by Jeff on Apr 28, 2008 9:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think any sane A's fan

expects Cust to reproduce last year’s production. Even the most rabid Cust / TTO fan isn’t going to expect him to reproduce last year’s production. Hell I’m a Cust fan, and I project a more conservative line than MrIncognito above, ie ~800-820 OPS.

The interesting about Cust is that even in the minors, his on contact numbers, ie what happens when he manages to tough the ball, are high.

In 2007, on contact BA: 437. on contact SLG: 861

Prior to that in MLB, in very small samples, OC BA: 376, OC SLG: 659

Cust’s cumulative MLB numbers till 2007: 421, 807

In the minors: OC BA 423, OC SLG: 712.

Some comps:
Ryan Howard, career: OC BA 439, OC SLG 920!!! King of oncontact hitting in MLB

Thome, career OC BA 426, OC SLG 805

McGwire, career OC BA 354, OC SLG 793

Canseco, career OC BA 367, OC SLG 710

Bonds, career OC BA 353, OC SLG 719

Bonds, from 2001-2004, OC BA 408 OC SLG 947

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Apr 28, 2008 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

All numbers through 2007

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Apr 28, 2008 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cust absolutely hits the ball hard

that’s what happens when you’re strong and you swing from the heels. But I don’t expect that to translate very closely to BABIP, which – combined with his astronomical K rate – will doom him to a pathetically low average.

by Jeff on Apr 28, 2008 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Flyball to Cust in the first

was an error by CF Ryan Sweeney. It was revealed today by Susan Slusser in the A’s article at www.SFGATE.com that Sweeney (1) called off Cust (I guess he yelled, “I got it” or words to that effect )(2) Sweeney assumed Cust didn’t hear him, so he stopped! Of course, Cust DID hear him, and DID stop.
What us fans see on the field, and what goes on when you’re with the team are (obviously) different. Geren said Cust had the best BP he’d ever seen Cust have, prior to facing Felix. Cust agreed, and said it was a shame he didn’t make contact and struck out. His single in the eighth probably is a portend that he has found his mechanics of 2007.

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Apr 28, 2008 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's more fun to blame it on Cust

by JI on Apr 28, 2008 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

All right

that doesn’t change the fact that he sucks hard in the field.

by Jeff on Apr 28, 2008 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've seen worse, like Barry Bonds in 2007

Okay, I’ll admit I tense up every time the ball is hit to Cust, but he still has 2x the range and speed of Bonds in 2007….
...and Bonds was the starting left fielder!!

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Apr 28, 2008 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I bet Bonds takes good routes and has better hands.

by JI on Apr 28, 2008 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

not last year

he’s been known to watch a catchable ball as if it were definitely “gone yard” only to have it hit the wall six feet up, and bounce back toward the infield. Saw it twice, with plenty of replays. For a former “gold glover” he did considerable “fumbling” in 2007. Never known for a strong arm (see 1991 playoff with the Braves).

Basically, it is his legs/knees. He was doing everything to preserve them in 2007 in left field last year. The A’s announcers (during Giants-A’s games) disparaged Bonds’ play in left more than they ever have with Cust. When Cust misses one, they don’t make excuses. And they comment even if Cust catches it and it looks “sub-par”.

And they watch more games, in person, than you posters!! Or me!

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Apr 28, 2008 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The next time an announcer gives

thoughtful unbiased analysis will be the first.

by JI on Apr 28, 2008 6:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No way

I’d take Bonds 2007 over Cust in the field. At least Barry used to be a good OF, he’s mostly just lost his range with age. Cust, on the other hand, has little range and looks absolutely lost out there.

by OlSalty on Apr 28, 2008 1:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You say Cust has little range

but you didn’t watch Bonds turn singles into doubles last year, because he couldn’t get to the line. He also turned a lot of short flies to left into basehits. Everyone held their breath when he came in fast on a ball… every steip looked like the last one before he started limping.

All my own anecdotal observations.

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Apr 28, 2008 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Geren said Cust had the best BP heâ€™d ever seen Cust have, prior to facing Felix"

You do realise this is random fluff that Geren is making up, right?

by Graham on Apr 28, 2008 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Compared to the generalized predictable

stuff Geren says, it was pretty darned specific, even counting the number of baseballs that Cust hit out in BP!!

Everything is relative.

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Apr 28, 2008 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Everything might be relative, but this is still a random fluff piece

It’s like the spring training stories about pitchers changing their mechanics.

by Graham on Apr 28, 2008 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, a single is a good indication that he's turned his season around.

by Matthew on Apr 28, 2008 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Urgency

I have a feeling the M’s FO doesn’t share our sense of urgency. Coming into the season I felt like the M’s had no margin for error and now two brilliant Felix starts have resulted in losses. I haven’t been following the minor league reports that closely. Is Clement’s bat ready? What’s up with Wlad’s injury? Something has to happen, and soon.

by speedomike on Apr 28, 2008 7:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Clement is OPSing 1.1+

And Wlad is back from injury.

They’re fine. They’re ready.

The artist formerly known as Katal

by Katal LM on Apr 28, 2008 7:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not totally sold on Wlad being an answer

If you were designing a ballpark to screw up a RHB without the ability to make great contact and who’s good at pulling the ball, it would be Safeco.

Basically, I see it going something like this, possibly:

- Wlad is called up
- Wlad gets some ABs and struggles
- We trade for a “proven veteran who’s been through wars’” to play OF and Wlad joins the Snelling/Soriano/Jones Express of Prospects Who Get Traded Somewhere Else Because They Aren’t Perfect

by eponymous_coward on Apr 28, 2008 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That being said...

If the M’s were willing to be PATIENT with Wlad, I’d be for it. The problem is that this is the Mariners, who weren’t willing to play Adam Jones when it was clear Jones was ready for a big league job, and were happy to cough him up to get Bedard, and Jones > Wlad. I don’t see them being very patient with Wlad if they are willing to cut Wilkerson right now.

by eponymous_coward on Apr 28, 2008 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've kind of followed Tacoma Closely this year

and I believe on recollection that all three of his homeruns this year have gone to Right Center Field. I know he still pulls things quite a bit, but even alot of his flyouts tend to be to CF and RF more frequently then LF.

Midnight Baseball - No Lights - Only in Alaska!

by MfaninAlaska on Apr 28, 2008 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, speaking of AJ

I just cut him from one of my (admittedly shallow) fantasy teams so that I could pick up Willingham on the waiver wire.

by johnbai on Apr 28, 2008 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not sure what I'm going to do

If Felix doesn’t stay a Mariner for his prime.

I’m really not sure.

We re-signed Kenji Johjima for three spectacularly declining years. We haven’t yet signed the franchise itself to a long-term deal.

THINK ABOUT IT.

by cwel87 on Apr 28, 2008 7:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

King Felix is like King James

In that he really doesn’t have a ceiling, technically.

Unless Felix is in dire need of a financial security blanket, I shudder to think of the cost required to lock him through his three arbitration years and potentially his first few free agent years.

Who is to say that he won’t turn into Rich Harden down the road either? Rich Harden is Felix Hernandez. With Mark Prior’s durability.

by Defenestrator on Apr 28, 2008 8:39 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nobody else is Felix Hernandez

by patsfan on Apr 28, 2008 8:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Except Rich Harden

by Defenestrator on Apr 28, 2008 9:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's not.

Felix is on another plain when it comes to raw talent.

by JI on Apr 28, 2008 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's on the Serengeti

by Graham on Apr 28, 2008 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's Simba?

by JI on Apr 28, 2008 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, Simba ran away like a pansy when his father passed away

and since Felix is A. The Son of the Baseball Gods and B. not a pansy, it means that his father couldn’t die and that he wouldn’t run away anyway. He would have beat down on Scar on the spot. With eight consecutive 96 mph running fastballs on the black.

by seattlebruin on Apr 28, 2008 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Michael Jordan quit basketball when his father was murdered.

by JI on Apr 28, 2008 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Felix > MJ

MJ is mortal

by seattlebruin on Apr 28, 2008 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Or is it that he was forced to "retire" in order to serve a gambling suspension by the NBA and still save face?

I reject your reality and substitute my own!

by Phildopip on Apr 28, 2008 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

MJ

also did a lot of stupid hotdog and underwear commercials.

by johnbai on Apr 28, 2008 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did?

Still does stupid underwear commercials, along with the wreckage that once was Cuba Gooding Jr’s career.

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

by pdb on Apr 28, 2008 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Does that make Rich Harden a caribou?

by Defenestrator on Apr 28, 2008 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have a low emotional investment in this M's team.

Sad to say. You take a look at this group of misfit toys in the spring and it just doesn’t look like anything you can get behind. Vidro? Wilkersuck STARTING? I predicted somewhere that they’d be losing a lot of 4-2 games with this uninspiring lineup and well, here we are. I will definitely feel sick if they go on a huge losing streak and definitely get pumped if they make a run at this thing, but I just don’t see if from this group. The front office seems content to spend $100m to just act like they’ve made an effort. A shakeup is badly needed. ~~Thomas for DH.~~ Reed/WLAD/Lofton for RF. Clement for 1B.

by lemonverbena on Apr 28, 2008 7:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs