~Where We Stand With Regard To The Moneys

by Jeff on Nov 14, 2009 3:46 PM PST in The More You Know Comment 59 comments

The following table shows what our payroll situation would be if we built a team from what we already have in-house. Some figures are exact, and others, such as those of the arbitration-eligibles, are approximations.

(Don't worry about things like, say, Jason Vargas showing up instead of Garret Olson. It doesn't matter.)

Right now we're looking at salary commitments totaling $65-70m. The 2009 Mariners cost about $99m, so assuming a fairly similar but slightly reduced budget going forward, that leaves us with $25-30m of room to play with, with a number of spots at which we could stand to improve.

Damn you, Carlos Silva.

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Its interesting to see how few players are actually getting paid very much

And how a handful of players take up the lion’s share of the payroll.

And tt would be nice if Silva wasnt one of those players.

by ARock on Nov 14, 2009 4:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Griffey's getting $3M?

The fuck?

by Matthew on Nov 14, 2009 4:15 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Well, good thing Silva is here

and Branyon is not. I really hope they find a way to bring him back as I too have jumped on the Branyon love bus. If they don’t bring back Branyon, will the FO get after some power hitting first baseman or just roll with Carp?

by garett1210 on Nov 14, 2009 4:20 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

They'll probably go for Nick Jahnsan.

Last.fm me!

by lailaihei on Nov 14, 2009 4:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Is he from Bahston?

by garett1210 on Nov 14, 2009 4:25 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

(it's Branyan - You may need to repaint your love bus)

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Nov 14, 2009 4:31 PM PST up reply actions 3 recs

It should be an easy fix.

2009 Safeco Field Record: 6-0 ; Overall Safeco Field Record: 10-4

by Fin on Nov 15, 2009 12:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Nice

by moose_knuckle on Nov 15, 2009 10:36 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So what I gather is...

We need to go after a third baseman likely not named Beltre, a LF who fields well, and at least one more starting pitcher. I vote to keep Langerhans and Hannahan, they do well filling in.

Hall seems to fit Z’s defensive philosophy (12.0 UZR/150 is a small sample size, I know), but does he have enough offensive capability to balance that out?

Also, if Lackey signs with us, I would like it to be for around $10m/yr. If he doesn’t, I’d like him to sign for upwards of $20m/yr.

Avatars make the site look pretty. I still don't have one.

by perfectstrat on Nov 14, 2009 4:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I would hope that Lackey doesn't sign with us at all

Neither a long term contract with low annual base pay nor a short term contract with high annual base pay. If we do sign Lackey, we need to consider that we’d be giving our division rivals our 1st round draft pick next season, and that requires Lackey coming at a significant discount to us, should we even be willing to make a risky investment in the first place.

I’d rather we try and trade for Roy Halladay or something.

by JLC on Nov 14, 2009 5:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Winning and cost should be considered

Before draft picks. While first round draft picks are important, it’s not like the NFL or the Nba. Just as many draft picks are Selling buicks as become valuble pieces. For Lackey (depending on price) it may be worth it.

by Ballard Erik on Nov 15, 2009 12:25 AM PST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

I want Lackey as long as we are paying him equal or less than the value of the wins we expect him to produce.

by ARock on Nov 15, 2009 12:48 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

How would trading for Roy Halladay work?

We don’t have Chris Tillman, Adam Jones, and George Sherrill to trade.

by chezbergrur on Nov 15, 2009 12:16 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Felix!

by Robert on Nov 16, 2009 2:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't realize

that there was such a disparity with the salary allocation. Ichiro is obviously taking up the largest chunk on an individual basis but man, think how happier I (assuming everyone else as well) would feel if we had an extra $10 mil to hand to Felix.

"Tell my tale to those who ask. Tell it truly, the ill deeds along with the good and let me be judged accordingly. The rest is silence." ~ Dinobot

by beastwarking on Nov 14, 2009 4:29 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Damn you Carlos Silva

You got slurved!

by Slurvey on Nov 14, 2009 4:50 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Troy Glaus?

Maybe?

Avatars make the site look pretty. I still don't have one.

by perfectstrat on Nov 14, 2009 4:51 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and Noah Lowry

Avatars make the site look pretty. I still don't have one.

by perfectstrat on Nov 14, 2009 4:55 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Nononononononononononononononononono

Noah Lowry is really bad. Really really really bad. I’d rather hear that Zduriencik was eating live kittens

by Graham on Nov 14, 2009 5:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe he's magically gotten good in the two years since he last pitched in the majors

by abender20 on Nov 14, 2009 5:12 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I challenge your notion that Lowry is bad.

Yes, he’s certainly had injury problems and as a result has not pitched often in the past two years. Living in San Francisco, I got to watch him every 5th day throughout much of the 06 and 07 seasons. His mechanics, at least when he was healthy, were decent, and he had—Checks Fangraphs page—
…
…
…
GOD HE IS BAD.

I still think he wouldn’t be a bad option if we gave him a short term, low base salary. He’s not going to have many suitors after his injury debacle.

Avatars make the site look pretty. I still don't have one.

by perfectstrat on Nov 14, 2009 6:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd rather have talented injury risks (Harden/Sheets)

We need more than dumpster diving to improve this team. Lowry maybe (big maybe) could take Fister’s spot but if we go into the season with Fister penciled in as the #5 starter, the FO has just been lazy.

by Edgar for Pres on Nov 14, 2009 7:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

My cat is Noah Lowry

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Nov 14, 2009 10:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The one you Corey Lidled into the wall?

Say it with me: Washington Capitals. Capitals.
Preserved In All His Greatness - R.I.P. The Reignman 1989 to 1997

by JLProck on Nov 15, 2009 5:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I like Glaus, but I don't think he's a good fit for Safeco.

Last.fm me!

by lailaihei on Nov 14, 2009 5:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If a player dies under mysterious circumstances, is the team still on the hook for their salary?

by I Lick Squirrels on Nov 14, 2009 6:40 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

If this offseason doesn't go well

I’m afraid next year might get pretty ugly.

by Edgar for Pres on Nov 14, 2009 6:53 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Only if GMZ suddenly gets invaded by Bavasi brain spiders would it not go well, or at least, passably well

And he’s built up a good amount of love capital with the fans, the press, and I’d imagine his bosses from this last season, so it would take a significant step backwards that could really only happen if he started making hilariously boneheaded moves. Which there’s no reason to think he would given that he hasn’t yet.

by OlSalty on Nov 14, 2009 7:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

With Griffdawg coming back the only way I see their being negative backlash against him is if they struggle after trading Felix.

by Robert on Nov 14, 2009 7:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I like the FO now too

but they have/will do moves that don’t work out and even are stupid. There is nobody in baseball who’d look at our roster right now and think that we have a playoff team. It is difficult even to see this being the core of a playoff team.

Basically the upside of this team is maybe a couple games over .500 and the average outcome of a couple games under .500 with quite a bit of downside. With the FA budget we have, it should be possible to build a .500 team with some upside however I just don’t see enough talent there to be a force in the AL West next year.

by Edgar for Pres on Nov 14, 2009 8:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Considering the available funds after the Felix 'situation' is calculated into the mix

We have enough money to at least try to take some value risks in free agency, particularly because of the unique trio of megatalented injury-prone arms available.

I’m almost positive we won’t be penciled in as the AL West favorites at the beginning of next season, but we can put together a roster that has enough upside to feel good about our chances. And, at this point, that’s the goal.

by cwel87 on Nov 14, 2009 8:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Wait so you think the majority of people expect them to field a playoff team in their second year in charge

While still saddled with such an awful contract as Silva’s?

Don’t get me wrong, I think Z might just be able to do that despite it, if he continues to do what he’s done so far. But that is a pretty unrealistic expectation from any fan and I don’t think people are going to be calling for his head in such a short span of time even if we don’t, especially if we continue to show at least some improvement. If the team still fails to make the playoffs in 2011 (or come close) then we can talk, but this seems like awfully premature panicking to me.

by OlSalty on Nov 14, 2009 9:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm trying to say

I think it might be tough for this team to repeat last year’s record with something resembling the above roster and I think it will be difficult to make the playoffs in a 2011 if they don’t add significant talent. Hopefully they make some nice moves this offseason that pay off with big returns otherwise we are gonna have a tough time in our division this year (which should be fairly strong).

by Edgar for Pres on Nov 14, 2009 9:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not panicking

I just don’t think people realize how bad this team MIGHT be next year. They could be good but I think there is some major downside almost everywhere on the roster.

by Edgar for Pres on Nov 14, 2009 9:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

While that's not outside the realm of possibility, I just don't think everyone is going to turn on Z based on a moderate decline in team performance as the worst case scenario

There is a lot of value potentially leaving this team this offseason but, it’s still going to be an awfully better product that Bavasi ever produced just through the pieces we know we are keeping for sure.

by OlSalty on Nov 14, 2009 10:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The downside on last year's roster mostly hit and the team was over .500

by Graham on Nov 14, 2009 10:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The 2010 roster isn't close to being constructed

Being able to come to such a conclusion this early in regards to the entire roster is impossible.

by cwel87 on Nov 15, 2009 9:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Every player in baseball has major downside

by Jeff on Nov 15, 2009 10:33 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

We saw what Nick Adenhart's downside was.

by ThundaPC on Nov 15, 2009 2:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

With the 2009 AL West within reach toward the end of the season

and the Angels possibly losing Figgins, Vlad, Lackey, et al. It is possible that if the M’s get some high risk high reward pitcher(s) like Sheets or Harden along with more bat like Nick Johnson; it looks like the AL West is within reach.

I’d like to see them upgrade LF and resign Branyan for another year with an option year.

by moose_knuckle on Nov 15, 2009 10:50 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Damn you, Bill Bavasi.

You just had to sign one more overpriced four-year contract didn’t you?

by ThundaPC on Nov 14, 2009 7:52 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

We didn't sign Guillen to that extension that he wanted!

by Robert on Nov 14, 2009 8:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Had to leave with a bang.

But hey, just two more seasons of this Silva nonsense!

2009 Safeco Field Record: 6-0 ; Overall Safeco Field Record: 10-4

by Fin on Nov 15, 2009 12:49 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I cant believe there are STILL two freaking Silva seasons left.

Why cant this year be the last year? Why did he have to be signed for four years!? WHY BAVASI WHY?

by ARock on Nov 15, 2009 12:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Carlos Silva is fat and ugly.

What a motherfucker.

by Kirkharbaugh on Nov 14, 2009 9:08 PM PST via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Not to mention

He’s fat.

2009 Safeco Field Record: 6-0 ; Overall Safeco Field Record: 10-4

by Fin on Nov 15, 2009 12:50 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And he eats a lot!

by ARock on Nov 15, 2009 12:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

So your saying we can afford to sign Holliday?

by Poochie on Nov 14, 2009 9:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I keep reading this as

Where We Stand With Regard To The Monkeys

by msb on Nov 15, 2009 12:20 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Well, where do we stand?

Inquiring minds want to know.

FUCK THE ANGELS! FUCK THE ANGELS! FUCK THE ANGELS!

by Goose on Nov 15, 2009 1:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

As I recall, they were never liked much around these parts.

Mostly Kansas City’s problem now, though.

by I Lick Squirrels on Nov 15, 2009 1:58 AM PST up reply actions 3 recs

I can't believe no one has commented

on what a strange font Jeff chose for his table. I keep getting distracted by the faux-Roman stylings.
I don’t know if the data would back me up, but I feel like this Stars/Scrubs approach (at least in terms of compensation, not claiming Silva is a “Star”) is materially different from Bavasi’s approach, and having $30M to spend over the off-season, in the hands of Jack Z, seems like a good start.

by el generico on Nov 16, 2009 10:37 AM PST reply actions 0 recs