Polling The Reader

by Jeff Sullivan on Nov 19, 2009 3:31 PM PST in Miscellaneous

Help me out here. I can't decide how best to handle this part of the offseason.

Poll

What do you want to read about?

I want to read about as many Mariner rumors as possible! Rumors!

300 votes

I only want to read about Mariner rumors that you determine to have some validity

858 votes

I don't want to read about anything until it happens, or is on the verge of happening

57 votes

1215 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 31 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I wouldn't mind hearing analysis of some of the players that are meant to be involved in the trade.

But otherwise, no reason to give them extra validity if there isn’t any.

...and now I'm here

by CapSea on Nov 19, 2009 3:36 PM PST reply actions

I don't find the rumor mill annoying, but I also just shrug off most of it.

I have zero problems with people discussing trades that have been suggested by writers — even if they’re just that: possible trades in a writer’s opinion — as long as everyone involved understands it’s most likely bullshit, and even if it isn’t, it’s still unlikely to happen. It’s a waste of time, but so is a lot of the shit I do in my life.

by Teej on Nov 19, 2009 3:37 PM PST reply actions

90% of voters are going to be ignored.

At least by me.

by Matthew on Nov 19, 2009 3:38 PM PST reply actions

I usually ignore rumors entirely because they're mostly baseless and stupid

by pdb on Nov 19, 2009 3:39 PM PST reply actions

I love rumors!

Especially that new 3-way deal with the Tigers and Rays that brings us BJ Upton and sends Morrow, Johnson, and Saunders to Detroit.

Last.fm me!

by lailaihei on Nov 19, 2009 3:41 PM PST reply actions

You should write more stories like the M's signs Derek Lowe.

You got slurved!

by Slurvey on Nov 19, 2009 3:46 PM PST reply actions

I'm okay with either #2 or #3

It’s kinda nice to have some idea of what options the team is exploring as long as there’s actual evidence that that’s what they’re doing and it’s not just some writer. I guess any baseball news is better than no baseball news, as long as it’s actually news.

But either the trade’s going to happen or it’s not, and it won’t matter whether we knew ahead of time or not. So I can take it or leave it really.

by OlSalty on Nov 19, 2009 3:47 PM PST reply actions

I love the rumors, I want to hear about as many as possible.

WIth the addition that part of what I want to hear about is whether or not the rumor has any validity, or whether we should not expect it to happen.

by ARock on Nov 19, 2009 3:49 PM PST reply actions

My sentiments exactly

My life has no meaning without Mariners baseball and I’m about to lose my mind from boredom this offseason. But smear some LL analysis on the rumor…even if it’s just to mock its stupidity.

by short on Nov 19, 2009 4:09 PM PST up reply actions

Yes!

I want to be able to talk about some Mariner news beyond that we have Griffey.

by ARock on Nov 19, 2009 4:39 PM PST up reply actions

I'll take whatever I can get.

In the worst case scenario, the rumors turn out to be ridiculous bullshit, and I’m fine with that.
I like reading about the M’s. I like thinking about the M’s.
Any fresh content in the blogosphere helps.

by DaCheez on Nov 19, 2009 9:47 PM PST up reply actions

See that's the problem I see with it

If 95% of them turn out to be ridiculous bullshit then they’re no better than the tabloids of the sports world, aren’t they? Just a bunch of sensationalist bullcrap to lure in people who believe in dumb things. And I think the only way you show your protest of that kind of stuff is by not buying into it or giving it a voice in a legitimate blog.

by OlSalty on Nov 19, 2009 10:53 PM PST up reply actions

But then

even if the rumor is crap, I’ve spent five minutes reading instead of staving off seasonal affective disorder with hard liquor and a loaded .38 with two loaded chambers pointed at my head. So…more M’s rumors…wheee!!

by short on Nov 20, 2009 1:13 AM PST up reply actions

Baseball rumours are boring and mostly useless.

Especially Mariner rumours, we never hear anything interesting about the team any more until a few hours before it is going to happen. Which is a testament to the professionalism of our FO.

by EnglishMariner on Nov 19, 2009 3:50 PM PST reply actions

#3

Plenty of places for rumors, stupid or otherwise.

by stupidquestions on Nov 19, 2009 3:51 PM PST reply actions

I voted for rumors that you believe have some validity, but upon further reflection I would like to change my answer.

When trades happen, they rarely happen the way we expect them to. No need to waste time guessing what minor leaguers will be packaged with what Mariners regular for what minor star from what cash-strapped team.

When it comes to rumors about potential free agent signings, I just don’t know how much analysis you really need to provide. Anyone here can go to FanGraphs, conclude the potential signee’s presumed WAR over the X number of seasons he’s rumored to be looking for, compare that to the league average cost of dollars/win, and then decide whether to be happy or not if the deal comes to fruition. No need for you to sweat that.

#3. When a trade comes, then let’s get excited. Otherwise we’re all on the edge of our seats until mid-February.

by katal on Nov 19, 2009 3:52 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

After some thought, I'd also change my vote.

by Sinking Away on Nov 19, 2009 9:51 PM PST up reply actions

If the rumors have some validity, then they aren't rumors so much as discussions that are actually happening

In which case it’s good to hear about them

Determined, Jonesing Commentor | Proud proprietor of Wyomingroutes.org & Washingtonhighways.org

by Corco on Nov 19, 2009 3:52 PM PST reply actions

Rumours! Rumours! Rumours!

I want to hear it all. Obviously I’ll take it with a grain of salt, but why should my wife be the only one who gets to gossip?

by Buckyfan on Nov 19, 2009 3:54 PM PST reply actions

I'd be happy with anything but Buster Olney produced rumors

by Gihyou on Nov 19, 2009 3:54 PM PST reply actions

If you think of something that allows you to explore an interesting angle or espouse the values of a random player, go for it.

by abender20 on Nov 19, 2009 3:55 PM PST reply actions

A mix of #1 and #3

Stuff that’s actually on the verge of happening.

But if something comes down the pipe that’s so ridiculous that it deserves public mockery, then that seems like something you guys do well.

by skjes on Nov 19, 2009 3:56 PM PST reply actions

Another way to put it is that if it's a completely baseless rumor that you really want to write about for some reason, then go for it because it will be worth the read

If it’s something with a little bit of validity that’s boring and you don’t care about, then don’t write about it

Determined, Jonesing Commentor | Proud proprietor of Wyomingroutes.org & Washingtonhighways.org

by Corco on Nov 19, 2009 3:57 PM PST reply actions

Agree with this

Have fun with the offseason..

by Edgar for Pres on Nov 19, 2009 4:06 PM PST up reply actions

I suggest everyone take a 3 week sleeping pill and when we wake up there will be something

to talk about.

by Sec 108 on Nov 19, 2009 4:00 PM PST reply actions

I generally start taking rumors seriously once I see an articLLe so I would keep doing as you've been.

by Robert on Nov 19, 2009 4:01 PM PST reply actions

I'll take it all...

I’m excited for this next year and eager to hear and find out what the Mariners are planning for this off season and very hopeful for the direction we’re continuing to go. It’s killing me to not have much to read…I know the rumors are dumb and unlikely to be true, but it’s fun to dream and imagine what might happen (however unrealistic).

Yep, I’m that desperate…kinda sad and pathetic.

by mwalter on Nov 19, 2009 4:17 PM PST reply actions