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Other GMs Are Also Crazy Persons

Cue Jon Heyman:

But now, with the team buried 19.5 games out in the AL West, the Mariners are finally looking to shake up the roster. As interim GM Lee Pelekoudas, a 29-year veteran of the organization, put it to SI.com, "Everyone's interim."

Technically, that would even include the organization's crown jewel, Ichiro. While three GMs who would have interest in him have not been told he's available, one acknowledged that he's "Mr. Mariner," a status that makes him almost as difficult to deal as his limited no-trade clause.

GM: Hey, Lee?
Pelekoudas: What's going on?
GM: Hey, I'd like to talk to you about Ichiro.
Pelekoudas: What about him?
GM: So is he out there on the market or what?
Pelekoudas: :clears throat:
GM: Lee?
Pelekoudas: When the noble beast had stayed a long time at the King's court, he thought, "What good does all this do me, I shall still have to go home again," let his head hang sadly, and went to the King and asked for his dismissal.
GM:
Pelekoudas:
But the King had grown fond of him, and said, "Little ass, what ails thee? Thou lookest as sour as a jug of vinegar; I will give thee what thou wantest. Dost thou want gold?"
GM: What?
Pelekoudas: "No," said the donkey, and shook his head.
GM: ...Lee?
Pelekoudas: "Dost thou want jewels and rich dress?"
GM: The hell is this? Who am I talking to?
Pelekoudas: "No."
GM: If this is a joke I swear to God I'm going to be royally ticked off.
Pelekoudas: "Dost thou wish for half my kingdom?"
GM: Lee, listen, hear me out.
Pelekoudas: "Indeed, no."
GM: I'm a busy man, Lee, I don't have time for this.
Pelekoudas: Then said the King, "If I did but know what would make thee content-"
GM: GOD DAMMIT DUDE I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT AN ICHIRO TRADE
Pelekoudas: That's what we've been doing.
GM: buh
Pelekoudas:
GM: ...so he's available then?
Pelekoudas: No stupid

I understand the whole "everybody has a price" line of thinking, but it takes some major gall to phone up the Mariners and ask them about their biggest draw and eight-year icon. How many teams do you think ever approached the Padres about Tony Gwynn? Have some respect, use your common sense, and stop using valuable Mariner front office phone time that could otherwise be spent firing Richie Sexson.

Fun bonus: keep reading the original article to see Jon Heyman come off like a complete tool.

3 recs  |  Comment 74 comments

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How did his editors not catch this?
“That’s right,” Ichiro’s the reason Hargrove’s gone, said the other.

Come on people… it’s not that hard to put quotation marks in the right place…

by seattlebruin on Jun 25, 2008 12:43 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Unless "Ichiro's the reason Hargrove's gone"

was not part of the original quote, or was a paraphrase. Could be that “That’s right” was the only direct quote.

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

by pdb on Jun 25, 2008 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, it was definitely awkward.

Don’t even get me started on declining standards in editing and proofreading of “professional” media outlets.

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

by pdb on Jun 25, 2008 12:55 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, it's just a paraphrase.

It’s technically correct, but it’s just an awful, ugly way to do it. It’d be so much cleaner to do something like:

So Ichiro’s the reason Hargrove’s gone? “That’s right,” said the other.

by Teej on Jun 25, 2008 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You're right

Jon Heyman is a complete tool. Re: his stating that the M’s would have to eat some of Beltre’s salary in order to trade him.

That said, considering the low opinion the MSM holds of Beltre, I am afraid that the widespread attitude against him will lead the team’s FO in believing that he really isn’t worth much, and will significantly devalue him in trade talks.

Felix Hernandez is just... too... sweeeeeeeeeeeeet!

by Katal LM on Jun 25, 2008 12:50 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Ahahahahahahahaha

Brilliant.

I read this article earlier today. Good God, it was awful. It’s like ESPN and FoxSports got together to have some sort of horrible bastard child.

by BrianL on Jun 25, 2008 12:56 PM PDT reply actions   1 recs

I don't get it

Is the point that we’ll only trade Ichiro for Brian Sabean’s daughter plus the right to half of the equity in the Giants?

by isaac_spaceman on Jun 25, 2008 1:17 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Wait, then

Don’t say that until you’ve seen Brian Sabean’s daughter.

by isaac_spaceman on Jun 25, 2008 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I should probably be wearing flame retardant clothing for asking this but...

Does Ichiro even have impact trade value? I know franchises like the New Yorks, LAs or Boston could swallow his contract and not even blink, but is he worth nearly 20 million a year to most clubs in baseball?

Captain Raptor and the Space Pirates is one of the greatest literary achievements of the Modern Era.

by Frosty Raptor on Jun 25, 2008 1:23 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Probably all the ones in areas with large Asian populations

so off the top of my head, SF, SD, LAD, AAA, NYM, NYY, maybe a few others

by seattlebruin on Jun 25, 2008 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ichiro is unique

Don’t just consider him as a ballplayer. Think about the money made from marketing around him.

Felix Hernandez is just... too... sweeeeeeeeeeeeet!

by Katal LM on Jun 25, 2008 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Right

But Seattle and it surrounding area has a significant Japanese population. Not every city has that. And there currently isn’t anyone else on the M’s who can rival Ichiro in popularity. I don’t think Ichiro is worth to a lot of other clubs what he’s worth to the M’s.

Captain Raptor and the Space Pirates is one of the greatest literary achievements of the Modern Era.

by Frosty Raptor on Jun 25, 2008 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Exactly

He’s worth too much to Seattle for us to give him up.

Felix Hernandez is just... too... sweeeeeeeeeeeeet!

by Katal LM on Jun 25, 2008 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

this is a pretty shoddy article

Not even for content, but in basic syntax and grammar, it’s awfully awkward. Maybe it was a rush-job at 2am for Heyman, but I’m skeptical.

David Ortiz > God

by brick Royl on Jun 25, 2008 1:26 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

It's not always the writer.

Often, it’s the editor. This paragraph resounds of careless editing.

Nor is he very good tone at setting the tone. Leading off Monday night’s game against the Mets at Shea Stadium, he jogged to first on a popup. He did the same later in the game. The Mariners’ two straight victories in New York notwithstanding, Ichiro may dragging this team down, if that’s even possible, with his superstar-first attitude.

by John Morgan on Jun 25, 2008 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

By the way, your Football Explained articles are excellent.

Thanks for the work you’ve been putting in on them.

by BrianL on Jun 25, 2008 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks.

I’m writing one now in between satisfying my suicidal obsession with this miserable fucking team.

by John Morgan on Jun 25, 2008 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ditto this.

I’ve been bookmarking them all to go back and read thoroughly during pre-season.

by Matthew on Jun 25, 2008 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Stats tell me this Ho is incredible.

9.00 k/ip, 0.00 bb/ip, 0.00 hr/fb, man, this guy must be incredible.

by andrewgolfsalot on Jun 25, 2008 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

He's pretty damn good.

He has a winning record for his career and gets a good deal of groundballs. I wish the team would trade for him. With our studly defense behind him, he could be a huge asset.

by Teej on Jun 25, 2008 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Why?

As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball.

by acblue on Jun 25, 2008 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Honestly,

I think that come 2010, the earliest you might even consider this team as being able to contend, his value will not be as great as a couple of players we could trade him for.

by tait644 on Jun 25, 2008 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think that's a bit optimistic

considering we’d need to fill the following spots:

SP
SP
SP
1B
DH
CF
LF

Not to mention the problem with Yuni’s decline. I don’t disagree that a great GM would speed up the contending process, but next year?

by tait644 on Jun 25, 2008 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think this team could be a legitimate competitor next season.

We have some options internally for the starting rotation, and 1B/DH/COF are three of the easiest positions on a ballclub to fill.

by BrianL on Jun 25, 2008 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Plus, of course, Ichiro generates a lot of money for this ballclub

and without that money there’s no guarantee that payroll will continue to stay at its current level

by seattlebruin on Jun 25, 2008 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Contention next year could be governed by what the trade market is willing to give up at the deadline

Captain Raptor and the Space Pirates is one of the greatest literary achievements of the Modern Era.

by Frosty Raptor on Jun 25, 2008 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The pieces are there either way

because it’s not all that hard to find impact players at 1B LF and DH. We have the hard part done already with a ~meh SS, great CF (I bet he ends up back in CF) and an amazing 2B/3B. I think Kenji will rebound a bit or Clement will end up playing there – either way it’d be an asset to the team. The pitching is whatever, I’d be OK with these five next season too if our D doesn’t suck so badly. Plus I think the bullpen is still solid.

We’ll see. Perhaps Brandon Morrow will be ready next year and we can get rid of Tits or Wash

by seattlebruin on Jun 25, 2008 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

1B and DH are ridiculously easy to fill.

LF isn’t too much tougher. If this team got league average production from those three spots alone, improve the defense, and you’re there. I think people underestimate how much having two of the worst hitters in the league at 1B and DH can destroy your team.

And the M’s don’t need 3 SPs. Silva isn’t worth the money he’s getting, but he’s a legitimate MLB pitcher, and if he has a less porous defense behind him, he’ll look even better.

As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball.

by acblue on Jun 25, 2008 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'd think Silva would look more like he did in April

If we had a legitimate defense behind him. Ok, maybe a mix between Good Silva and crappy Silva, but still, he shouldn’t gripe about losing, he is making $48 million either way.

Jl/Robert '08: Promise for a CoachCage tomorrow!

by Fin on Jun 25, 2008 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh, he's a total dick and I can't stand him.

But he doesn’t need to be replaced next year.

As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball.

by acblue on Jun 25, 2008 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

There's no way you get close to his true value in trade, though.

And although I don’t expect the M’s to make the playoffs next year, to say they have no hope of competing before 2010 isn’t true at all.

Trading a player as valuable as Ichiro with a payroll as huge as the M’s have is silly. If we were talking about a mid-low payroll team that needed a full-on tear down to be good, you’d have to entertain the possibility. But we’re not.

As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball.

by acblue on Jun 25, 2008 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

We're not going to get a good enough haul for Ichiro for a trade to be worth it.

He is far, far, FAR more valuable to us than he is with any other club. Furthermore, I think you’re wrong when you say 2010 is the soonest we can be in contention. Just look at our roster, awful production from 1B/DH/RF, the three easiest positions to fill. You get league-average players to fill those spots in the starting lineup and already you have a drastic improvement. Anything above league-average is cause for celebration.

by BrianL on Jun 25, 2008 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

There is no way this team will trade Ichiro

and the reason goes beyond simple value estimates.

by Gomez on Jun 25, 2008 8:38 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm gonna say it too

I don’t think Ichiro is worth what he gets. I’d say his 2005/2006 season performance is kinda the best case scenario for his performance over his contract life. Getting $20 million for that is not a deal at all. Although we think he was good in CF, are we sure about that? His defensive value is a major component to his value and if that erodes we are absolutely screwed. I wouldn’t be totally pissed to see him go if we aren’t going to contend next year. In my mind, if you trade Bedard you also trade Ichiro. I also think that Ichiro’s extra value (for being asian and loved by all) is a little overrated. Great players bring in crowds and bring in money. If Ichiro goes from an all-star to an average player people will stop paying money just to go see Ichiro. This will probably happen in the next few years.

Hmm, maybe I wouldn’t trade him because we don’t have a worthy replacement. I don’t know, I’m wavering and can’t decide.

by Edgar for Pres on Jun 25, 2008 4:57 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm not arguing whether or not Ichiro *should* be untouchable

what I’m saying is that Ichiro is untouchable, and this should be plainly obvious to anyone, especially executives within the game. He will retire a Mariner. There’s no point to even considering anything else.

by Jeff on Jun 25, 2008 7:13 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah I agree he will be untouchable

I don’t know if he retires a mariner. For example, Moyer will not retire a Mariner.

by Edgar for Pres on Jun 25, 2008 8:59 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah I knew that

I shouldn’t just read posts. Thinking helps although some times of the day its so hard.

by Edgar for Pres on Jun 25, 2008 8:57 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Add Ed Wade to the list of crazy GM's, per Rotoworld:
Shawn Chacon, who was suspended indefinitely by the Astros, said he threw Ed Wade to the floor Wednesday after being asked to attend a meeting with the general manager and manager Cecil Cooper.
Chacon said he was told sternly by Wade that he was going to have the meeting, something he didn’t want to do. “He started yelling and cussing,” Chacon said of Wade. “I’m sitting there and I said to him very calmly, ‘Ed, you need to stop yelling (at) me. Then I stood up and said ‘you better stop yelling at me.’ I stood up. He continued and was basically yelling and stuff and was like, ‘You need to (expletive) look in the mirror.’ So at that point I lost my cool and I grabbed him by the neck and threw him to the ground. I jumped on top of him because at that point I wanted to beat his (butt). Words were exchanged.” Chacon was pulled away from Wade by a teammate before he could do any damage, which may end up saving his career. It’s still hard to imagine another team being eager to give him a chance this year.

Felix Hernandez hit a Grand Slam off Johan Santana.

by Goose on Jun 25, 2008 8:04 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

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