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Griffey Signs (With Us)

Hms_surprise_tiny by Graham on in Regular News Comment 298 comments

The money is unknown at this point, but it's a one year, incentive-laden contract. Link. Another link. MLB.com link.

Update: Jim Street reports $2M in base salary with more in incentives based on appearances and attendance. The wording is poor, so I can't figure out whether the incentives are worth $2M or $4M total.

We've been talking about this nonstop for the better part of a week now, so all I have to say is this:

Welcome back, Junior. You were missed.

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Thank you

If the Braves got a Diaz-Junior platoon they might have eked out a few more wins.

"I got my pregnant wife (the Yankee fan) with me. Hoping my kid learns to kick her everytime the Mets score." -Schifftis-

by future on Feb 18, 2009 5:31 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

And somewhere

Dave “Softy” Mahler weeps tears of joy.

by BrianL on Feb 18, 2009 5:32 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

All over his pile of Little Debbie Snack Cakes.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 6:02 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Thank gawd it's over.

Or at least this round of hoopla. It will now continue its second stage of life well into May.

"We are a bad defensive team" -B. Cashman

by Big Jared on Feb 18, 2009 5:33 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

To be honest, it's been well discussed how little this actually mean in term of wins and losses..

but I think it’s pretty damn cool, that he turned down a chance to play close to home and LF… to come back to Seattle and finish up

by Rudy4three on Feb 18, 2009 5:34 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

He's not disagreeing with you.
he turned down a chance to play close to home and LF

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Feb 18, 2009 5:48 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

GOD I WISH HE'D MAKE A DAMN DECISION ALREADY

oh, sorry. Reflex.

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

by pdb on Feb 18, 2009 5:34 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

When don't they though?

They are about as dumb as you can get in the journalism world. I have an ex-girlfriend attending U. Florida and she had an internship offer there over the summer and she turned it down to go back and work for a smaller newspaper.

by Fuzz on Feb 18, 2009 5:51 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Umm

Is there a link to this story? After all, this was supposedly a “done” deal last weekend.

"I lof to hit de home ron!"

by Tekboy on Feb 18, 2009 5:35 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Sorry

I will attempt to be more observant in the future.

Thanks.

"I lof to hit de home ron!"

by Tekboy on Feb 18, 2009 5:41 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Interesting Side Note...

The Seattle Times got scooped by a paper that is, in all likelihood, going out of business. Goodness.

Alvin Davis, your legacy is no longer tarnished.

by Doug Taylor on Feb 18, 2009 5:35 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Well this was all first reported by Atlanta television.

The PI article was clearly a hastily-retooled “How Griffey Got Away” postmortem that had to be adjusted in light of the happy ending.

Patriotism, Pepper, Professionalism

by esoteric on Feb 18, 2009 5:41 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I can't help

but be really happy right now.

Maybe this is a bad decision for us… but its probably the best bad decision our team has made in a very long time.

by zeeehjee on Feb 18, 2009 5:36 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

What, Sexson wasn't a thrill?

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Feb 18, 2009 7:48 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Me too.

I was not a fan back in the 90s, so I have no emotional attachment and am just really hoping he is okay with the part-time DH role. If there is drama then I will be pissed. It will be cool if I get to see him hit a HR in person though…I usually go to about 16 games/season so it’s possible. Actually this year I will probably go to more since I bought 10 games in a good seat at season ticket prices and will probably hit several more games with cheaper seats.

by appleshampoo on Feb 18, 2009 5:46 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

What if he has a really good season?

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Feb 18, 2009 7:49 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

That's the thing, though.

80 percent of the smile on my face is rooted in the idea of Griffey playing his last game in a Mariners uniform. If he leaves and goes somewhere else, it makes things a lot less awesome. In my irrational opinion.

by Teej on Feb 18, 2009 7:59 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

this season Opening Day

by Graham on Feb 18, 2009 5:50 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I feel your fear

Since there is no good choice left, I’m just going to go with irrational optimism……….
Last year was just the knee.
DHing will save his legs for hitting.
Coming ‘home’ will magically roll back the odometer 10 years.
Feed him a steady diet of righties and he’ll hit pretty well.
etc. etc. et al
Pushing all rational concerns of injury/age/sucking aside.

There are many stages of Griffey thought and I’ve reached the resignation stage.
I just hope he stays healthy and reasonably productive.

"We are a bad defensive team" -B. Cashman

by Big Jared on Feb 18, 2009 5:59 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

This has to happen

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

by I'm NOT Corco on Feb 18, 2009 6:01 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Is that legal?

Seems odd, especially since depending how much the incentive was, he could purchase a bunch of cheap seats to help pad the numbers and get the extra money.

by hcoguy on Feb 18, 2009 5:53 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Probably something along the lines of 2% of revenue over last season's average attendance.

Not including Opening Day and holidays.

In other words, if the average attendance was 18,000, anything above that number Griffey would receive 2% of the revenue. This is the way I would have drawn it up.

by Wilder. on Feb 18, 2009 5:56 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I heard Mark Mcgwire had something like this after the season he hit 70 HRs.

Like a dollar from every ticket sold or something.

But I could be miss-remembering.

by mark sobba on Feb 18, 2009 5:55 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I'm going to pretend that this is a reply to Fuzz's shocker graphic.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 6:06 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I Was At His First Game Back With The Reds...

1) His batting practice performance was just nuts…he was really into it.
2) The ceremony was incredible.
3) Most Griffey fans at that game were absolutely obnoxious, booing their own team just because Griffey was back. They booed in his first at-bat, because Feierabend was throwing to first. They thought Feier was ducking him, completely oblivious to the fact that Brandon Phillips, known base stealer was on first. It was infuriating.

Alvin Davis, your legacy is no longer tarnished.

by Doug Taylor on Feb 18, 2009 5:55 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

I still blame that moment on breaking Feierabend

After that start he was never the same

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

by I'm NOT Corco on Feb 18, 2009 6:38 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I blame his mediocre stuff

I'd rather know a little about a lot than a lot about a little

by Sportszilla on Feb 18, 2009 11:41 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Well this made a sucky day awesome

Sorry I was just excited

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

by I'm NOT Corco on Feb 18, 2009 5:59 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

MLB.com also said matter of factly we had completed the trade for Omar Vizquel

This isn’t over until the fat lady sings

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

by I'm NOT Corco on Feb 18, 2009 6:04 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I see that now

Holy buckets that’s too much in terms of incentives

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

by I'm NOT Corco on Feb 18, 2009 6:06 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I'm pretty sure it's $4M in incentives

it sure would be nice to see a breakdown of it.

by seattlebruin on Feb 18, 2009 6:08 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

This.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 6:11 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, I'm not worried.

If he ends up being a half-win to one-win player who earns $5 or $6 million, whatever. The ticket sales should make up for that.

by Teej on Feb 18, 2009 6:16 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Not like we were going to spend the money on Manny.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 6:17 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I read it as $4 Million

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

by I'm NOT Corco on Feb 18, 2009 6:08 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Incentives = Griffey playing well

if he plays well, then he’ll have earned the incentives in terms of value added to the team. I like it.

by seattlebruin on Feb 18, 2009 6:07 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Incentives are almost always based on plate appearances

Given that this is Griffey odds are he’s going to get most of them

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

by I'm NOT Corco on Feb 18, 2009 6:09 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I heard a funny comment about ARod today:

Officials are scrambling to investigate why steroids don’t seem to work in October…

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 6:13 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

And M's fans should be PISSED

A-Rod didn’t care enough about them to use ’roids while in Seattle…

This signature space for rent.

by PositivePaul on Feb 19, 2009 4:02 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

If he sucks and we're out of contention, big deal if he gets more PAs

if he sucks and we’re in contention, they’ll bench him (this isn’t going to happen).

If he’s good and we’re in contention then sweet Jesus will I be happy.

by seattlebruin on Feb 18, 2009 6:11 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

This is the happiest I've been in quite some time

Please excuse me while I go find some Mariners tickets to buy

by seattlebruin on Feb 18, 2009 6:05 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

ACL, MCL, PCL, and LCL

Only 4 different ligaments in the knee that could potentially go bad!!!

by Fuzz on Feb 18, 2009 6:08 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

2 knees, as well.

Not to mention there are always the muscles that connect to those knees that would go bad from compensation.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Feb 18, 2009 6:13 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Well....considering the muscles don't directly connect to the knees

They use those ligaments to keep themselves together.

Ligament=muscle to bone
Tendon=bone to bone

I think cartilage is the word you were looking for. I’ve done enough damage to my left knee that this is all back stored knowledge now

by Fuzz on Feb 18, 2009 6:19 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Replace "knees" with "ligaments" in there.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Feb 18, 2009 6:21 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

It's all good.

Kids, don’t comment while working!

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Feb 18, 2009 6:23 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Use less syllables Graham

You know I don’t speak intelligent person

by Fuzz on Feb 18, 2009 6:23 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I'd like to think this is intentional.

(Is the “in” an English thing?)

Also, your’re.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Feb 18, 2009 6:25 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Provided he doesn't prevent us from reaching the post season

This is great. I’m excited. I watched him suck it up as a red, so watching him suck as a Mariner is A-Okay with me.

...and now I'm here

by CapSea on Feb 18, 2009 6:07 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

I'm new relatively new here.

Is the general consensus that we have an outside shot at the postseason?

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Feb 18, 2009 7:54 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Small chance.

We’re looking at a team that should be projected to win around 75 games. But with a few breakouts (Clement, Gutierrez, perhaps even Wlad) and some good luck, we could push that to 85, which just might be enough to top a shitty division.

by Teej on Feb 18, 2009 8:01 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

If he hits I'm fine with that.

I just worry that won’t be the case. I want to be optimistic so I’ll say he’s never been a DH. We shall see.

"We are a bad defensive team" -B. Cashman

by Big Jared on Feb 18, 2009 6:18 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

The gods say Girffey in ATL = 75 HRs, Griffey in SEA = 12.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 6:19 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Who is Girffey?

Is that the Toys R Us Giraffe?

by Fuzz on Feb 18, 2009 6:20 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I have a huge bandage on my finger. Sorry.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 6:23 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I'm a little more assholish than usual today.

I didn’t have a chance to get into Robert and I’s daily yelling session because he got to work and disappeared

by Fuzz on Feb 18, 2009 6:25 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Spank him in the backroom for me.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 6:27 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Good point.

Spank him in the backroom for me.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 6:28 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Now you're confusing me as to if this is a good thing or not

Is this punishment for him or pleasure for you guys?

by Fuzz on Feb 18, 2009 6:30 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Both.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 6:31 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Oh I've seen in posted on here.

Damnit now I have to look again

(unless the above was a request not to).

by Omerta on Feb 18, 2009 7:33 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Er nevermind.

If you can’t find it here I never will.

by Omerta on Feb 18, 2009 7:35 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Jesus Christ, that's disturbing.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 7:52 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

That's because Robert made it.

Back when he was JFOJL.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Feb 18, 2009 7:53 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

This is why I hate and love Robert.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 7:56 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

While I am not proud of my past

I understand that its made me the mod that I am today.

by Robert on Feb 18, 2009 7:56 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

By mod you mean hipster.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 7:57 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

So, like a modified human being?

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 8:03 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I would just like to say, that was an amazing thread.

You just don't know when to keep your mouth shut, do you Saxy boy?

by oc on Feb 18, 2009 9:12 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Shhhhhhhhhhhh

I know this is why pinch hitting is so hard. Many guys don’t ever really adjust to the DH thing.

His seeing 600 PA would be either a really good or really, really bad sign.

"We are a bad defensive team" -B. Cashman

by Big Jared on Feb 18, 2009 6:24 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Gas also chided the local media and those darned blogs for hyping the story last week

and then promptly threw the phones open for callers to respond to the news that Griffey maybe said he was picking Seattle

by msb on Feb 18, 2009 6:35 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I have a soft spot for Gas, but don't always get where he's coming from.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 6:48 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

That's funny

Because Gas also has a lot of soft spots.

Actually, I like him too

I'd rather know a little about a lot than a lot about a little

by Sportszilla on Feb 18, 2009 11:45 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Love, American League Style

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 6:15 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Has Ichi ever been on the DL?

"We are a bad defensive team" -B. Cashman

by Big Jared on Feb 18, 2009 6:19 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Didn't think so!

"We are a bad defensive team" -B. Cashman

by Big Jared on Feb 18, 2009 6:24 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

He done been on da down low many time.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 6:24 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

At this point I don't even care about the baseball ramifications.

I’m just going to be giddy as a schoolboy for a few days.

Fear the NPE

by thewyrm on Feb 18, 2009 6:19 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

This move has been coming for a while.

Though, in typical Mariner fashion, they were LaHair late in making it.

I will smash your face into a jelly.

by Phildopip on Feb 19, 2009 8:08 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Has this actually been confirmed by Griffey yet?

I’m holding off on feelings until then.

(Female)

by krb on Feb 18, 2009 6:20 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Just wait until ARod's reunion signing when he turns 42 at the end of his NYY contract.

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Feb 18, 2009 6:27 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

They'll never take ARod back.

They’re too busy waiting for Aurilia to return.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 6:30 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Rich Aurilia will always be a Mariner in my heart

He got a bum rap here

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

by I'm NOT Corco on Feb 18, 2009 6:30 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

This

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

by I'm NOT Corco on Feb 18, 2009 6:28 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Oh screw it

I need to find tickets to the first home game in the worst way now.

by BrianL on Feb 18, 2009 6:26 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

I have to do that anyway. I waited in line for 6 hours last year when tickets went on sale...

This year I will do it internet style. But by hook or by crook, I’m going to Opening Day.

by royalcurve on Feb 18, 2009 6:28 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

LL meetup?

I’m planning on going if I can get tickets.

I will smash your face into a jelly.

by Phildopip on Feb 19, 2009 8:09 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I'm screenshotting this.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 6:31 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Never mind

MY FATHER SOMEHOW UNDERSTANDS THE VALUE OF OUTFIELD DEFENSE THIS IS INCREDIBLE

Hi David,

I see on the ESPN website that Griffey will be signing a one-year contract with the Mariners, over Atlanta. Should fill some seats early in the season. I hope he gets 20 HR and 75 RBIs and plays very little outfield.

 Love Dad

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

by I'm NOT Corco on Feb 18, 2009 7:45 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I wonder how rapey he looks interviewing KGJ?

It's hard to convince people to let you eat them if you're an asshole. - Thingray

by Faux on Feb 18, 2009 6:32 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

And the funny thing is they really should be happy.

Even in all my nostalgia I would be mortified if we were bringing Griffey in to play the field.

by Omerta on Feb 18, 2009 7:21 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I don't think they're paying attention

I’m not into the in-depth numbers most of you use, but I can even seen when something is broken. I don’t think duct tape can fix this one

by Fuzz on Feb 18, 2009 7:24 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Z was just on KING 5. He seems happy.

I have to admit, I am too.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 6:58 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Huh.

Chuck claims that Willie Mays helped talk Junior into returning to Seattle.

by BrianL on Feb 18, 2009 6:58 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Where there's a will, there's a Mays.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 7:00 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

the weird part of the story

is that it was Mays who wanted to talk to Griffey, and not Armstrong siccing Mays onto Ken.

by msb on Feb 18, 2009 7:55 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

That's pretty frickin' cool, if you ask me.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 7:57 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I must admit, the stalling took some of the shine off of the signing for me...

…but I have a feeling I’ll forget about it by opening day. Welcome back, “Kid.”

by Omerta on Feb 18, 2009 7:22 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Replace the teal with yellow, and you've got a deal.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 7:51 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

This.

They were ugly as sin but they’re my favorite of all time.

by Double06 on Feb 18, 2009 8:13 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Good lord, no. Give me the Trident, and get the hell off of my lawn.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 8:30 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

It's funny that

after all of the self-searching I had to do after I admitted to being against a Griffey acquisition, I would be lying through my teeth if I said I wasn’t excited to see Griffey back. I’m sure once he get’s injured playing LF and/or plays a lot against rhp my excitement will level off, but right now I’m happy.

Concerning tickets, this was the deciding factor in whether or not I was buying tickets for opening day. I’ll definitely be there. Can’t wait to hear him announced over the loudspeaker.

by Zwakamatsu on Feb 18, 2009 8:45 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Durrr

or against LHP. I would love to see him play a lot against RHP.

by Zwakamatsu on Feb 18, 2009 11:50 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

A guy called in earlier to KJR and said,

“I am a father of three children. If Griffey is signed, I will go to three games this season. If they don’t sign him, I’ll never attend another Mariners game.”

Dear sir,

I heard your call to KJR this evening. Please do those of the rest of us here a favor, and teach your children to never, ever blog. If you blog yourself, please stop.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 8:49 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

11th. Behind Yuni.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 9:14 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I meant to type 12th, but my bandage finger thwarted me.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 9:16 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I'm getting error messages left and right from SBN tonight...

Anyway, yes – you seem to be in a bad mood. Sorry.

61/755: KGJ's homer totals, or Rosie O'Donnell's age/weight in 2019?

by kevin_ess on Feb 18, 2009 11:35 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

!

Ichiro
Cedeno
Griffey
Beltre
Branyan
Lopez
Clement
Guiterrez
Chavez

by JI on Feb 18, 2009 10:13 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

He's at .323 from the 2-spot

and for whatever reason, he hits the best when he hits #2 (or maybe #5) and his numbers drop precipitously at the back of the order. Now a lot of this is probably the result of him hitting 2nd during his good 2008 and good 2006 first half, but without being able to clearly separate cause and effect, I’m loathe to move him out of the two-spot.

Cedeno’s career OBP is .289 anyway.

by seattlebruin on Feb 19, 2009 10:05 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah but Cedeno has a much higher on-base ceiling

He could be league average if he plays up to his potential. Lopez would need to hit .320.-330 just to reach the .340-.350 mark.

by JI on Feb 19, 2009 10:34 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I'm just a little bit concerned about his psyche, since he's hit so poorly when demoted to the bottom of the lineup

and after what happened in 2006 and 2007 it seems like he might be a little bit fragile. I’d really want Cedeno to prove something before I’d move into the 2-spot.

by seattlebruin on Feb 19, 2009 10:49 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Seattle is now a 72-win team!!

Congratulations Mariners’ fans, your team will be in contention until August 3rd instead of only being in contention until July 29th. This is a complete PR move. It’s not about money (Griff comes cheap), but why bother with this when all you’re doing is delaying the decision on whether Balentin is your LF of the future. You slow Balentin’s development (and possible alter it) to bring in a 40-year-old future HOF’er who can’t hit LHP anymore and who has lost significant power… Makes very little sense.

"It is the mark of an educated mind to expect that amount of exactness which the nature of the particular subject admits." - The Not Big Aristotle

by Uncle Charlie on Feb 19, 2009 2:57 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Balentien isn't good?

He’s 24 years old, and he has a grand total of 246 career MLB ABs. You’re willing to give up on him that easily? I’m not arguing that Balentien is a bonafide superstar, but he regressed for one season after being fairly decent the two seasons before. He may end up being a total chump, or he could be the next Richard Hidalgo, who wasn’t half-bad for a few seasons there. Doesn’t it make sense to find out what he is? Especially when you’re likely to finish the season under .500 and miss the playoffs anyway?

I admit, the answer could be no from a business perspective: Griff puts butts in the seats; the M’s are a losing team with Balentien or Griff; why not make more money?

But, from a baseball perspective, I don’t see any justification for this move. Griffey isn’t that good anymore.

"It is the mark of an educated mind to expect that amount of exactness which the nature of the particular subject admits." - The Not Big Aristotle

by Uncle Charlie on Feb 19, 2009 3:11 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Balentien is still going to get ABs, though.

Griffey is the DH against RH pitchers. Balentien will get time at DH against LH pitchers and split time in LF with Chavez.

And it’s possible that Wlad develops into a good player, but I (and plenty of others) just don’t see it.

by acblue on Feb 19, 2009 3:21 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Fair enough

It’s your opinion and the opinion of many others that Wlad won’t develop into a good player. I actually happen to agree with you, but… if I’m in the Mariners’ situation (where the playoffs are in the distant future), I’d rather just find out whether Wlad can become a good player, rather than relying on a crystal ball or scouting reports or sabermetrics or whatever.

Anyway, I’m beating a dead horse. I think you get what I’m saying, and I know I get what you’re saying…

"It is the mark of an educated mind to expect that amount of exactness which the nature of the particular subject admits." - The Not Big Aristotle

by Uncle Charlie on Feb 19, 2009 3:35 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

You're totally ignoring my larger point, which is that this signing is not really going to effect Wlad's playing time in any meaningful way.

And no one has given me a decent reason to believe that the Mariners can’t be legitimate playoff contenders in 2010.

by acblue on Feb 19, 2009 3:49 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I guess I'm confused...

… how signing Griff doesn’t affect Wlad’s PT in any meaningful way. Is Griffey Jr. not going to play LF at all? If he’s not, then I suppose you are right, but… then the Griffey signing cuts into Clement’s PT, which is an even worse move for the Mariners. So, either you cut Wlad’s ABs or you cut Clement’s ABs. Neither seems smart.

As for a good reason to believe the M’s can’t compete in 2009 or 2010, I think you could just look at the PECOTA projections posted this morning… based on current rosters, PECOTA projects the AL West to finish as follows: Angels (84-78), A’s (82-80), Rangers (72-90), and Mariners (70-92). You may beg to differ with PECOTA’s projections, or you may hope that the Mariners can play way above their projected heads this season, but that’s at least a “decent reason to believe the Mariners can’t be legitimate playoff contenders” this season.

"It is the mark of an educated mind to expect that amount of exactness which the nature of the particular subject admits." - The Not Big Aristotle

by Uncle Charlie on Feb 19, 2009 4:13 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I don't love PECOTA as a predictive tool for teams, and I said 2010.

Griffey probably isn’t going to play in the OF very much at all, and Clement will get the majority of his ABs at catcher.

by acblue on Feb 19, 2009 4:17 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

So the M's signed Johjima to a 3-year deal...

… to park him behind Clement as a backup. Or, are Clement and Kenji going to split time, in which case, why pay Johjima so much damn money?

"It is the mark of an educated mind to expect that amount of exactness which the nature of the particular subject admits." - The Not Big Aristotle

by Uncle Charlie on Feb 19, 2009 4:58 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Gotcha

As a non-M’s fan, I have to remember that this is an organization built by two separate regimes. The Kenji contract is a holdover from the Bavasi Administration…

"It is the mark of an educated mind to expect that amount of exactness which the nature of the particular subject admits." - The Not Big Aristotle

by Uncle Charlie on Feb 20, 2009 9:48 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

PECOTA doesn't evaluate defense properly, or slot playing time properly.

…Team defense is one of the Mariners’ biggest assets.

it’s a useful tool for evaluating individuals (except for their defense), but I wouldn’t take any of their RA projections seriously.

by JI on Feb 19, 2009 4:51 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

*Also a great question for the next PAQ thread would be

Why are BP’s defensive evaluations crap?

by JI on Feb 19, 2009 4:53 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

OK...

So assuming the M’s aren’t 140 runs better than the Halos, and 120 runs better defensively than the A’s…

The A’s are pretty darn good defensively. The Angels might be a little behind the A’s, but not that much. Tough to argue that the M’s defense, which is admittedly good, is that much better than those two teams.

"It is the mark of an educated mind to expect that amount of exactness which the nature of the particular subject admits." - The Not Big Aristotle

by Uncle Charlie on Feb 19, 2009 4:57 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Yes, but...

… you could put eight fire hydrants out in the field and they wouldn’t be 140 runs worse than the M’s defense. You simply can’t make up that many runs on defense, no matter how bad the Angels D may be.

And… the A’s defense is right there with the M’s defense (A’s infield is probably better than the M’s; M’s outfield is probably better than the A’s), so you basically have no advantage there.

"It is the mark of an educated mind to expect that amount of exactness which the nature of the particular subject admits." - The Not Big Aristotle

by Uncle Charlie on Feb 20, 2009 9:47 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Incidentally

the difference between the best and worst defensive teams last year by UZR was 141 runs.

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 20, 2009 9:55 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

No shit?

I stand corrected.

"It is the mark of an educated mind to expect that amount of exactness which the nature of the particular subject admits." - The Not Big Aristotle

by Uncle Charlie on Feb 20, 2009 10:57 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Obviously those are the extremes

but defense matters an awful awful lot.

by Jeff Sullivan on Feb 20, 2009 12:20 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Who are they planning on starting?

When I went through the Marcels, their infield looked a bit above average, but most of those guys were utility players.

by JI on Feb 19, 2009 6:52 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

At second glance those four look slightly better than neutral

to go along with their clusterfuck of an outfield. (I know you can express that in a much more meaningful way)… in other words root for a lot of Abreu/Hunter/Vlad.

by JI on Feb 19, 2009 7:23 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Also...

… if you’re willing to spend $4.5 million on Griff, why not outbid the Nats on Adam Dunn or outbid the Angels on Abreu? It’s possible Dunn and Abreu didn’t want to play in the northwest, but you have to think that there was some price where it would have been impossible for those guys to turn down Seattle’s money. The fact that the M’s settled for Griff rather than spending on Abreu or Dunn suggests this was all about keeping fans happy… but keeping fan happy generally is not a good reason to make a baseball decision, especially one that involves slowing the development of two of your young players (Balentin and Clement). I like most of the moves that Seattle made this offseason, but this one is just dumb.

"It is the mark of an educated mind to expect that amount of exactness which the nature of the particular subject admits." - The Not Big Aristotle

by Uncle Charlie on Feb 19, 2009 3:04 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

It's not for $4.5 million.

There’s also the fact that ownership was willing to spend on Griffey and not other players.

Seriously, you’re making way too much of this.

by acblue on Feb 19, 2009 3:06 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

We wanted Bradley but Bradley didn't want us

I think all parties would have been ecstatic about Bradley.

by JI on Feb 19, 2009 3:56 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

This isn't a logical argument.

The Ms were under a severe budget constriction. If you refrain from making value judgments on moves before you attempt to find out all the relevant circumstances, you will come out far more ahead than when you make leaps of faith and then deride someone for not agreeing with you.

by Matthew on Feb 19, 2009 6:26 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Say what?

“If you refrain from making value judgments on moves before you attempt to find out all the relevant circumstances, you will come out far more ahead than when you make leaps of faith and then deride someone for not agreeing with you.” Uhh… what?

"It is the mark of an educated mind to expect that amount of exactness which the nature of the particular subject admits." - The Not Big Aristotle

by Uncle Charlie on Feb 20, 2009 9:50 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

You did not take the time to get all of the information.

Therefore your assertion about this move was wrong due to you being uninformed. In this case being uniformed was your fault and not the fault of someone else.

Did that help?

by Sec 108 on Feb 20, 2009 9:56 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

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