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Bad Ideas And The People Who Love Them

Tiny by Jeff on in Bad News Comment 417 comments

*sigh*

With Bedard sidelined, the Mariners will return Ryan Rowland-Smith to the bullpen and start Jarrod Washburn on Saturday, then Miguel Batista on Sunday.

And after the All-Star break?

Riggleman said the tentative plan was to start Felix Hernandez, Washburn, Silva and then Bedard after the break.

“It would be nice to start the second half with the pitching staff we envisioned coming out of camp,” Riggleman said.

There are currently three pitchers in the Mariner dugout who may be capable of starting games next year and delivering a reasonable performance for next to nothing. If Riggleman has his way, none of them will be able to prepare for such an opportunity down the stretch. But hey, at least Batista earned his way back. While his season numbers may be beyond embarrassing, those three innings of relief were something else.

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God Dammit.

Get your fucking heads out of your asses, FO/Rigglemania.

Go Nova

by dbroncos31 on Jul 9, 2008 9:03 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

When I got tickets for the second game after the AS break

I envisioned Felix starting that game. Fuck you Bedard, pitch through pain you little maggot, pitch til your fucking shoulder turns to hamburger.

by JI on Jul 9, 2008 9:04 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Strasburg!

I reject your reality and substitute my own!

Also, I'm always down for some online Grand Theft Auto IV or Rock Band. Gamertag: Phildopip

by Phildopip on Jul 9, 2008 9:08 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I really believe

that the team is covertly tanking the season to land the #1 pick, hence crap like this and Vidro batting cleanup.

by Gomez on Jul 9, 2008 9:11 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's not like RRS is going to be amazing as a starter right now though

he still needs to work on stretching out, so right now if he’s giving them ~4 innings and 1-2 RA, you can always call on Batista or Corcoran to blow the game anyway.

by seattlebruin on Jul 9, 2008 9:18 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

but of course...

Batista is amazing as a starter right now haha

by Smith18 on Jul 9, 2008 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

But RRS has upside as a starter

Why take chances when Batista’s pitching assures you of losses? You can always stretch RRS out next year ;P

by Gomez on Jul 9, 2008 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

If they had brains

Train him up now while we have a throw away season and virtually nothing to lose (oh right…if we win we wont get the #1 pick) so that he can be used next year when we have a fresh plate and he will have built stamina to be a successful starter

by Smith18 on Jul 9, 2008 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

(keep in mind I'm being facetious)

I agree with gustaf below that they’re likely just showcasing their crap in hopes that someone will make a deal for said crap, and then they’ll slide RRS back into the rotation.

by Gomez on Jul 9, 2008 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

They'd better not sit on their asses during trade season

that iswhat im hoping for!

(but if they trade RR-S I will shit a brick)

by Smith18 on Jul 9, 2008 9:38 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, I figured the silver lining this year

is that we’re the season was already over 2 months in, so we can at least see if what we want next year. Like Jeff said, who among RRS, Morrow, and Dickey can be a starter? But if only one (and possibly none) get to start, it might be hard to decide come spring training. Hopefully we’re just banking on Batista getting 2 good starts in so we can trade him, and hopefully we trade Washburn and move RRS back into a starting role.

by LantermanC on Jul 9, 2008 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm just not sure how good I feel about RRS, Morrow and Dickey in the same rotation

yeah, all three are made of awesome for varying reasons, but when you get right down to it, you have three relatively high risk guys that you’re counting on (Morrow/RRS due to stretching out and experience concerns, Dickey due to his erratic pitching this season). You’d probably expect at least one of them to flame out, but then I guess that’s what replacement level left-handed starters in AAA are for.

by seattlebruin on Jul 9, 2008 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Only when they get really angry.

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

by pdb on Jul 9, 2008 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I warned

you about Riggleman.

Where is Mick Kelleher when we need him?

by 3744nsheffield on Jul 9, 2008 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

FUCK THIS MOTHERFUCKING SHIT!!!

I’ve been trying to have patience with Riggleman and company starting the likes of Jose Vidro, Richie Sexson, and Miguel Cairo with the understanding that THIS HORSESHIT WOULD STOP WHEN THE TRADE DEADLINE PASSED!!

No matter how delusional, as long as there was any hope of trading these bums I could cross my eyes and tilt my head and suffer through it. But WTF. Once the trade deadline is gone, if Riggleman is still trotting Vidro, Sexson and Cairo out there then I. Give. Up. What on earth does this accomplish other than pissing off your fan base and wasting time that could be used to have a look at pieces that actually might be useful to the future of this ballclub.

Man, I really hope this team is sold and Howard/Lincoln/Riggleman and all just disappear.

by manyoso on Jul 9, 2008 9:12 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

It'll be okay, just take some deep breaths.

AKA "BRO-RAY" according to drunk Graham...

by Thingray on Jul 9, 2008 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Amen to that!

Back to saving money on (random bought, non season plan) tickets!

by Smith18 on Jul 9, 2008 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think we are overreacting

I think management is hoping to showcase Washburn’s mediocrity in order to deal him. (All of us would do backflips to get his salary off the ‘09 books). Assuming that happens, we only have a couple more Washburn starts to live through.

RRS will be primed and ready to slide into the rotation when Washburn gets dealt.

As for Batista, I bet management is hoping to create a market for him as well. His dealine is not July 31. He will EASILY clear waivers, meaning he has a month and a half to fool teams into thinking he can get outs.

For ‘09 purposes, starting those two guys actually makes sense in that it increases the chances that one or both will be traded for a bucket of balls.

by gustafm on Jul 9, 2008 9:26 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

There is no way I'm settling for a bucket of balls for Batista

We had better get at least 50 high-quality wood bats in return as well or no deal

by seattlebruin on Jul 9, 2008 9:33 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

BTW, anyone else have a pet peeve

when people spell it Bautista, or Bautitusta, or other variations that are clearly wrong.
It seems like a lot of Mariners are untradeable… what does that say about our ability to properly assess talent?

by LantermanC on Jul 9, 2008 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's why I just say "Tits".

AKA "BRO-RAY" according to drunk Graham...

by Thingray on Jul 9, 2008 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I am (not so secretly) hoping that

Washburn has done well the past start and will be looking good to the NL as a middle reliever and at least has SOME trade value if he continues to pitch somewhat well.

As to if they would put RR-S in the rotation if Washburn gets dealt…one can only hope.

I would rather see RR-S than Batista or even Silva lol (didnt say myy wishes were realistic) but maybe you are right.

by Smith18 on Jul 9, 2008 9:36 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

someone expected something different

from this organization? I seriously doubt anyone on the team gets moved or demoted while in this “temporary” flux situation with the GM and Manager…. maybe one player, but doubtful anything more then that.

Midnight Baseball - No Lights - Only in Alaska!

by MfaninAlaska on Jul 9, 2008 9:42 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Riggleman is a shitty manager

He’s just as bad as McLaren at least. God if he’s around in ‘09 that is going to suck so bad >:(

by OlSalty on Jul 9, 2008 10:58 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Even if Lee P. is the new GM, I doubt they retain Riggleman.

Hell, I bet the only member of the coaching staff they retain is Norm Charlton, just so we can hang on to that ‘95 magic a little longer.

by BrianL on Jul 9, 2008 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The bullpen has been pretty good.

Not that he really has anything to do with it.

AKA "BRO-RAY" according to drunk Graham...

by Thingray on Jul 9, 2008 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Why, because he's playing Vidro, Bloomquist and Cairo? And this throwaway comment?

How do we know these are entirely his decisions?

And the comment about having his original rotation means nothing. It’s a throwaway thought.

by Gomez on Jul 9, 2008 11:10 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Why would the front office tell him to play Vidro? Or Bloomquist? Or Cairo?

Or Batista? All of these are guys who will be gone next year most likely and we are playing for nothing. It’s not like they have any trade value either. Certainly there is a possibility that he is being ordered to play these guys but it wouldn’t make any sense as far as the goals of the front office are concerned to go out of their way to play them, and there is no evidence that his lineups are being dictated for him.

I don’t buy that they’re intentionally trying to lose, Lincoln and Armstrong must still be concerned about their jobs and a strong finish would help them keep them even if it was bad for the future success of the club.

by OlSalty on Jul 9, 2008 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

What the hell kind of trade value do three guys who can't OPS .600 have?

Okay, Willie is slightly above .600, but he’s slugging .248…..248!

What value does one of the worst pitchers in baseball in Miguel Batista have?

They have no trade value to inflate, NOBODY is that stupid. You’re not going to get better than a warm body for any of them if you even get that so what is the point? They are all farrrr below replacement level and every front office in baseball must realize that.

by OlSalty on Jul 9, 2008 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

We know they don't have trade value, I admit that.

This season is toast, another three weeks of Vidro/Sexson/Tits/Cairo isn’t going to hurt. Showcase them, see if something materializes. If not, dump them after the deadline.

by BrianL on Jul 9, 2008 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Amen.

AKA "BRO-RAY" according to drunk Graham...

by Thingray on Jul 9, 2008 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's an idea

But “Riggleman totally did this himself because he’s an idiot” is also an idea.

by Gomez on Jul 9, 2008 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

He's the one who makes the lineups

It’s less of a stretch to hold him responsible for his own responsibilities than it is to say his bosses told him to do it without evidence. Do you really think the front office commanded him to bat Vidro cleanup 8 times? Putting him in the lineup is one thing, but telling Riggleman where to bat him too is some serious meddling. Did his bosses call him on the phone during the middle of a game and tell him to pinch hit Vidro for Clement a few days ago too? Like I said, it doesn’t serve the FO’s interests to keep losing as their jobs are still on the line, so if it is happening, whatever the reason is it’s probably not sabotage.

by OlSalty on Jul 9, 2008 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe they did, or maybe he doesn't want to explain to them why Vidro isn't playing

There could be a variety of internal reasons he’s doing it, besides “He just does it by rote because has the intelligence of a FAS baby.”

by Gomez on Jul 9, 2008 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm only angry at these lineups when we win.

I’m fine if we roll out the roll-over-and-die lineup and lose. But if we win, it hurts twofold since a) it convinces management that they’re on the right path, b) losing at this point only gets us a worse draft pick.

by LantermanC on Jul 9, 2008 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

FWIW,

as long as Putz is out or ineffective, Morrow may be worth more to the organization as a closer than as a starter. Of course without seeing what he can do in 6 innings prevents you from being able to say one way or another. But… let’s say he goes from being the angry deity reliever he’s become this season to a ~4.5R/9 guy. That’s a net loss, right?

by Bearskin Rugburn on Jul 9, 2008 11:03 AM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Worth more as in... give us a better win/loss record?

I still hope we get Strasburg. (Pie in the sky dream, Felix, Bedard, Sheets, Strasburg, Morrow?, drool)

by LantermanC on Jul 9, 2008 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I should mention

that I think it’s crucial to see what Morrow can do as a starter first, so please put away the pitchforks and the noose.

by Bearskin Rugburn on Jul 9, 2008 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Why does a team whose season is over need a closer now over a starter next year?

JJ (hopefully) won’t be hurt next year and we’re going to need another SP. We also have Josh Fields to take Morrow’s spot in the bullpen if necessary, and bullpen arms are easier to find than starting pitchers anyway. There’s no way we can lose by at least finding out if he can effectively transition to starter during the rest of this throw-away season.

by OlSalty on Jul 9, 2008 11:11 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Because the FO

still thinks we have something to play for this season. Why else would they stick with crap like Vidro and Cairo, while also throwing RRS into the bullpen instead of sending him to Tacoma to stretch out and bringing up someone like O’Flaherty if they need another lefty? We can’t get any worse then we already are so why not send Morrow to Tacoma to stretch too?

Too close for missles, switching to guns.

by Paseman on Jul 9, 2008 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I doubt they have any such delusions

I don’t know why Vidro is still on the roster, but whatever their reasons for this are, it’s not trying to contend.

by Bearskin Rugburn on Jul 9, 2008 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That was tongue in cheek

Too close for missles, switching to guns.

by Paseman on Jul 9, 2008 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

EOF is injured if I'm not mistaken.

AKA "BRO-RAY" according to drunk Graham...

by Thingray on Jul 9, 2008 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Per Kirby Arnold, guess what?

Back spasms. Tacoma was hoping he’d be back this past week… but not yet.

by Gomez on Jul 9, 2008 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Seriously?!?

That seems to be “the injury” this year.

AKA "BRO-RAY" according to drunk Graham...

by Thingray on Jul 9, 2008 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Can we hire Tim Ruskell

To GM the Mariners during the NFL offseason?

Too close for missles, switching to guns.

by Paseman on Jul 9, 2008 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh dear.

That makes our receiving situation pale in comparison.

by BrianL on Jul 9, 2008 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Even more sad than last year though

By a lot. Berrian/Muhammad was mediocre, Hester/Booker is going to be epicly bad.

by OlSalty on Jul 9, 2008 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You're underrating Mark Bradley

Rashied Davis is ehhhhh
Brandon Lloyd has a chance to not suck

by Last Fan Of Jose Lopez on Jul 9, 2008 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lloyd and Davis are both awful

Bradley might be okay. But considering who will be throwing to him I doubt he’ll look very good.

And the Bears have serious question marks at RB too and a mediocre O-line. I’d be really surprised if they weren’t the worst offense in football next year, maybe one of the worst of all time.

by OlSalty on Jul 9, 2008 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

the niners could give them a run for their money

although Frank Gore will probably keep the niners above the bears.

I hope those two teams play each other. First one to 0 wins.

by MFAN on Jul 9, 2008 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I was at that game

And after that tackle I said some things that would have gotten me kicked out of Safeco Field.

by Robert on Jul 9, 2008 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wow Duke's special teams really sucked

Like 3 guys had a full wrap-up on him and just fell down

by OlSalty on Jul 9, 2008 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Screw you.

AKA "BRO-RAY" according to drunk Graham...

by Thingray on Jul 9, 2008 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not true

There is a ceiling of awesome

by Robert on Jul 9, 2008 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I really think it's a better team.

The offense has taken a step or two back, but the defense is leaps and bounds better than what we had in ‘05. Overall it’s a net improvement.

by BrianL on Jul 9, 2008 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think this is going to be a really special year.

I’ve thought that before and been totally wrong, though.

by acblue on Jul 9, 2008 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

This year will be awesome

Its just that the 05 team was my version of the 95 mariners. Nothing will ever bet them in my heart.

by Robert on Jul 9, 2008 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Okay, I get what you mean.

And I agree to a certain extent. But if the Seahawks win the Super Bowl this (or any other) year, they become my new favorite Seahawks team ever.

by acblue on Jul 9, 2008 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The one thing holding us back last season was the run game.

We didn’t have one. Period. Think how much that could have helped us in Green Bay to keep the Packers offense off the field.

Look at what we’ve got now. Just by adding Mike Wahle and shifting Rob Sims to RG, the O-Line is leaps and bounds better. We’ve got a backfield committee of Julius Jones, Mo Morris, TJ Duckett, Leonard Weaver, and Owen Schmitt.

by BrianL on Jul 9, 2008 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You guys need to head over to Field Gulls.

AKA "BRO-RAY" according to drunk Graham...

by Thingray on Jul 9, 2008 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm still worried about our WRs.

I guess if our TE pans out, we can be ok on our WR, since Hasselbeck seems the type of guy who can throw to anyone. I’m pretty confident in our running game as well.

by LantermanC on Jul 9, 2008 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

See comment just above yours

and the point is that any team needs both quality relievers and starters. Some guys, like Putz or Raffy Soriano, are way, way more valuable as relievers and I’m not excluding the possibility that Morrow’s one such guy.

by Bearskin Rugburn on Jul 9, 2008 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Out of curiosity, what is Brad Ziegler's tRA right now?

I reject your reality and substitute my own!

Also, I'm always down for some online Grand Theft Auto IV or Rock Band. Gamertag: Phildopip

by Phildopip on Jul 9, 2008 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes

Dennis Sarfate broke my spreadsheet for a while last year

by Graham on Jul 9, 2008 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh good, you're here

I have a question

How bad of an assumption would it be to use the MLB values for a college pitcher? If the approximate values scale with respect to each other, would the final result be a (marginally) useful product? I have an idea for a side project for the day.

by seattlebruin on Jul 9, 2008 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well I'd have to compile the data for [X sample of college pitchers]

and I’m not particularly interested in doing so for a conference or a region.

by seattlebruin on Jul 9, 2008 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Also, correct me if I'm wrong

but tRA scales similar to ERA (in a general, general sense), correct? So the average tRA should be equal to the average runs allowed per game throughout MLB per season?

by seattlebruin on Jul 9, 2008 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Raises hand

My bad.

AKA "BRO-RAY" according to drunk Graham...

by Thingray on Jul 9, 2008 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Tell me about it.

I’m on pins and needles waiting for Arshavin to head somewhere.

by Matthew on Jul 9, 2008 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

North London would be nice.

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

by pdb on Jul 9, 2008 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, he'll probably end up there

Spain seems to be his preferred destination. I can’t say I’d be too disappointed – dude has a good tournament, and all of a sudden he’s the Next Big Thing? I’m skeptical.

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

by pdb on Jul 9, 2008 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Russian players are well under the radar, and for good reason.

So its not terribly surprising he’s getting some love now. If you see some video of him playing in the russian leagues, and granted some of those teams would lose to the U-17 teams here, he’s been pretty hot shit for some time.

by Bearskin Rugburn on Jul 9, 2008 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

At least when it was just that one thread

those of us that found it hilarious could stay and participate, while those that found it to be terrible could avoid it.

by acblue on Jul 9, 2008 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It was surprisingly interesting...but there is a bad stigma attached to puns

It’s quite sad. They are useful when used in moderation. But we know how this blog roles.

I fucking hate you Mariners

by kentroyals5 on Jul 9, 2008 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You have a tablet or something?

That’s insanely good freehand typeface

by Matthew on Jul 9, 2008 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree.

It’s infinitely better than my handwriting using a pen. The more I look at it, the more it blows my mind away. How can someone be better with a mouse than I am with a pen?

by LantermanC on Jul 9, 2008 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

The original pun thread was absolutely fantastic.

The problem isn’t necessarily the jokes, it’s the fact that the jokes keep going for days and days and weeks and weeks. Few jokes have that kind of staying power.

by acblue on Jul 9, 2008 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Recently its mostly been this running joke

about ROY and blog-comment trade value. Which is an early candidate for dead meme of the year if you ask me. I think over 2/3 of all comments on this blog have had to do with this recently.

by Bearskin Rugburn on Jul 9, 2008 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is fucking retarded.

RRS wasn’t even stretched out yet.

Shit.

Cuba Si! Yanqi No!

by Patrick517 on Jul 9, 2008 12:38 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

If every grounder to short off him

didn’t go into LF for a double he’d still be in the rotation.

by Bearskin Rugburn on Jul 9, 2008 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I really have trouble grasping what Batista has done to earn another chance

I get that you paid him to be a starter, but he is bad. Move on.

by Jeff on Jul 9, 2008 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's a continuing inability to identify sunk costs.

It’s mind bogglingly stupid, and it drives me insane.

by acblue on Jul 9, 2008 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

This confuses me to no end.

I think we all agree that ownership likes money, and therefore running this club like a business is a good idea. Hell, we’ve accused them of caring more about profits than winning.

Why, praytell, can’t this team identify sunk costs? It’s a basic business skill!

by BrianL on Jul 9, 2008 12:50 PM PDT up