Oh That Chuck!

by katal on Sep 24, 2008 6:57 AM PDT Comment 13 comments

Geoff Baker has a piece in this morning's edition of the Seattle Times about what problems the Seattle Mariners face as they start to rebuild. The article focuses on the large number of cumbersome contracts the team has attached itself to, but reading it, I couldn't help but be reminded of Derek's recent post at USSMariner about the FO being the key to our lack of success.

Open the article and start searching for the word "Armstrong". I understand that Charlie's meddling is nothing new, but damn did Baker catch him on his game! Saying the team can possibly contend next year? Check. Defending the non-trade of Washburn to Minnesota? Yup. Indicating that he would like the team to resign Ibanez? Absolutely. Maintaining that the team isn't interested in a Cleveland-style rebuild? Uh huh.

After reading USSMariners' take on whether this team will be awful for either weeks or years, the optimist in me was better convinced by Dave. Now, after a fresh dose of Chuck Armstrong's latest quotes, I'm not so sure.

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PR quotes from team president + media = grain of salt

by Gomez on Sep 24, 2008 10:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Honestly?

While we flip him crap all the time, it’s nice to see Baker actually bring some of the issues discussed in the blogosphere to the table and into the daily rag.

This signature space for rent.

by PositivePaul on Sep 24, 2008 10:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

That’s his bright spot for me.

The road to hell is paved with Mariners.

by Taylor H on Sep 24, 2008 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

For all the problems one might have with Baker, he’s a damn fine beat reporter.

by katal on Sep 24, 2008 6:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

To be fair

The article kinda goes over WHY Armstrong says what he says. Even if they decide on a Cleveland style teardown, there’s still the reality of albatross contracts in Silva, Batista, Washburn, and Kenji. And they’ll always be weary of the attendance issue associated with that kind of teardown. It’s no surprised that Armstrong would much rather avoid it but it’s pretty clear that he doesn’t have much of a choice unless he lands a really good GM.

It’s seriously a fools’ errand to try to figure out what this team plans on doing before the new GM is selected, though.

by ThundaPC on Sep 24, 2008 10:20 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I just posted a link to a story pointing out

the horrible log-jam at catcher the FO managed to create.

It just keeps getting worse!

Cuba Si! Yanqi No!

by Patrick517 on Sep 24, 2008 11:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Talent is good, regardless of position

It is good to have talent and depth at any position. You can always switch guys to another position or use them as trading chips to acquire talent in other areas of need.

by Man From Nantucket on Sep 24, 2008 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, not really.

by Matthew on Sep 24, 2008 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dont really see it as a logjam yet.

-Johjima is bleh right now. Could be our guy if they decide to move Clement to another position before Moore is ready.
-Adam Moore will probably need another year down low.
-Jeff Clement is our guy until Moore is ready. Then that would be a logjam that is prolly ended with a move for Clement to a different position.
-Rob Johnson is a backup catcher. He could be a very good one, but I feel bad for any team he ends up starting on. I just dont see him being much of a starting catcher.

Depth, yes, but not really a logjam.

by Slica on Sep 24, 2008 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd give Johnson one more year before he gets written off as a career backup

he hit well this year and has always been an ML-quality defender. If he can sustain his success, he can be maybe even average in the bigs

by seattlebruin on Sep 24, 2008 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Something that bothers me about Chuck's 'learning' curve.

It’s how he seems to see-saw from one type of GM mentality to it’s direct opposite. Seems more like a knee jerk reaction than reasoned decision making. I keep hoping the board of trustees will move him out of the decision making process.

"Sorry I hit you in the helmet Hank, I meant to hit you in the neck." Stan Williams to Hank Aaron.

by dpseadv on Sep 24, 2008 2:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

When did this happen

Jarrod Washburn mentioned that he was getting signals crossed with Johjima — and stopped working with him for a period of time — but later leapt to Johjima’s public defense and told the coaching staff he’d work through the issues.

by Mariner Melee on Sep 24, 2008 9:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs