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.