Mariners Make Dual Improvement By Adding Ryan Langerhans, Ditching Mike Morse

by Jeff Sullivan on Jun 28, 2009 12:28 PM PDT in Seattle Mariners News, Great

Title says it all. Dave just wrote a post on Langerhans the other day, which at this point is required reading. What it comes down to is that the M's have dealt a worthless player - worthless to them, at least - in exchange for an awesome outfield gloveman with a career batting line of .233/.335/.378. It's like bringing in another Endy Chavez, except this one comes with more upside, given that Langerhans has a good idea of the zone, decent lefty power, and a track record of producing in AAA. He probably won't be quite as good as Chavez in the field, but few people are, and he swings a better bat.

Langerhans is exactly the sort of player we needed to add once Chavez went down, and as Dave suggested, he was for all intents and purposes freely available. And, sure enough, we got him for nothing. I'm not yet sure what his role is going to be, but I'd imagine he'll do what Chavez did, which means we'll get to see an awful lot of him. Which is great news, for us, for the team, and for Michael Saunders' stress management.

This is how you add now without subtracting from the future. What an excellent, excellent trade.

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I don't know anything about Langerhans past what Dave wrote.

Does his glove compare that favorably to Endy’s?

Awaiting the day I catch a Russell Branyan foul ball. I will make love to it.
Preserved In All His Greatness - R.I.P. The Reignman 1989 to 1997

by JLProck on Jun 28, 2009 12:31 PM PDT reply actions

Endy might be 5 runs better

but honestly, I’m not sure. All the evidence we have suggests that Langerhans is magnificent.

by Jeff Sullivan on Jun 28, 2009 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions

I watched nearly every game Langerhans played defensively over the last few seasons with Washington.

And he really is that good. It often doesn’t show up to the naked eye (perhaps one of the reasons Washington buried him so deep on their depth chart, although his age and lack of serious upside — sorry Jeff — is another), because he’s one of those guys who combines flawless instincts with great speed in the OF. Usually he’s a corner guy — I presume he slots into LF — but I suspect he would acquit himself well enough in CF as well.

Without referring to the numbers to refresh (or revise!) my memory, I say: + glove, + speed, ++ instincts, but mediocre throwing arm.

As a batter, well, he knows how to draw a walk, and USED to have power.

A good acquisition for the M’s, another confirmation that Jack Z knows WTF he’s doing, but not a franchise-builder, obvious. And old. But for a team on the cusp of contention? A smart move.

I don't know how to stop.

by esoteric on Jun 28, 2009 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Old? He's only 29

I’ll grant he’s not a young prospect anymore, but “old” seems to be putting it rather too harshly; yeah, he’s past peak age, but not by much.

by The Ancient Mariner on Jun 28, 2009 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions

He's at least 15 runs better than his replacements

who would be Wlad or Griffey.

by philosofool on Jun 28, 2009 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Hey guys, I’m from True Blue LA, and I’m sitting in the press box at Dodger Stadium today covering the game. I just wanted to point out what I overheard from one of the Seattle beat writers about this trade:

He noted, "I’d hate to think the front office is listening to Dave Cameron [of U.S.S. Mariner]."

I thought that was kind of funny.

by Eric Stephen on Jun 28, 2009 12:32 PM PDT reply actions 10 recs

I can imagine who said that

by Jeff Sullivan on Jun 28, 2009 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Seriously.

If any blogger/beat writer, it should be Geoff Baker that Z and Co. should be asking advice for.

2009 Safeco Field Record: 4-0 ; Overall Safeco Field Record: 8-4

by Fin on Jun 28, 2009 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Geoff isn't with the team in LA

by Jeff Sullivan on Jun 28, 2009 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Oops.

Who could it be then?

2009 Safeco Field Record: 4-0 ; Overall Safeco Field Record: 8-4

by Fin on Jun 28, 2009 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Stone?

by Poochie on Jun 28, 2009 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions

It could be alot of people - Divish, LaRue, Stone, someone on the radio. I don't really feel like speculating.

by Decatur on Jun 28, 2009 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Don't forget Street, Greg Johns, etc etc

by msb on Jun 28, 2009 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions

I doubt it was Divish.

He seems pretty cool.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett http://mvn.com/marinersminors/

by JY on Jun 28, 2009 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Divish and Stone are good people

by Jeff Sullivan on Jun 28, 2009 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Do you not like Larry LaRue?

Or was that omission inadvertent?

by The Ancient Mariner on Jun 28, 2009 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Larry LaRue is not Ryan Divish or Larry Stone

I’ll leave it at that.

by Jeff Sullivan on Jun 28, 2009 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Are you Sancho?

Larry LaRue is not Sancho.

Nor is Scott Baio Sancho.

Only I am Sancho.

by Jordan of Boise on Jun 28, 2009 4:18 PM PDT up reply actions

I simply meant that there were many potential people who could qualify as "M's beat writer" at the M's-Dodgers game.

by Decatur on Jun 28, 2009 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Stone and USSM seem to be BFFs, though.

by katal on Jun 28, 2009 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Stone making a joke would be my guess

by Zack on Jun 28, 2009 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Because they certainly wouldn't want to make improvements to the team.

God forbid.

Not that Jack and Co. can’t make improvements on their own, but listening to Dave certainly woudn’t hurt.

Awaiting the day I catch a Russell Branyan foul ball. I will make love to it.
Preserved In All His Greatness - R.I.P. The Reignman 1989 to 1997

by JLProck on Jun 28, 2009 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Maybe they were listening to Dave Cameron of the WSJ?

or that Fangraphs guy.

by msb on Jun 28, 2009 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions

He must be jealous the front office isn't listening to him.

by Wilder. on Jun 28, 2009 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Because it worked so well when the FO listened to the local beat writers and traded for Bedard.

by katal on Jun 28, 2009 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm glad that this particular person does not have control over personel moves.

I don’t want more relievers.

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Jun 28, 2009 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions

This also makes me wonder.

Could J/M/G potentially get press box access? I mean, I know Jeff doesn’t live in Seattle, but Matthew and Graham do.

2009 Safeco Field Record: 4-0 ; Overall Safeco Field Record: 8-4

by Fin on Jun 28, 2009 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions

We probably could but I don't think we want it

by Jeff Sullivan on Jun 28, 2009 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Afraid you'll learn by osmosis?

Awaiting the day I catch a Russell Branyan foul ball. I will make love to it.
Preserved In All His Greatness - R.I.P. The Reignman 1989 to 1997

by JLProck on Jun 28, 2009 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Access corrupts

by Jeff Sullivan on Jun 28, 2009 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions

This is very true.

But would you have limitations on what you can write if you are just given access to the press box?

2009 Safeco Field Record: 4-0 ; Overall Safeco Field Record: 8-4

by Fin on Jun 28, 2009 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions

The M's won't try to tell you what you can and can't write.

Not to speak for Jeff, but the worry is that all the free food and access to players and other personnel corrupts one’s ability to be 100 percent objective when writing about the organization. You make friends, you get delicious sandwiches, etc.

by Teej on Jun 28, 2009 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions

I would seriously consider taking the sandwiches.

The payoff is much better.

by Wilder. on Jun 28, 2009 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Having spent a game in the press box, I can tell you

there is nothing in the dining room except old hot dogs and flat soda.

by shinallsrevenge on Jun 28, 2009 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Nibs.

by msb on Jun 28, 2009 8:33 PM PDT up reply actions

I think Jeff would be afraid of soaking up all the bullshit that I'm sure is constantly spouted out in the press box.

Awaiting the day I catch a Russell Branyan foul ball. I will make love to it.
Preserved In All His Greatness - R.I.P. The Reignman 1989 to 1997

by JLProck on Jun 28, 2009 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions

I want interviews with players

by Edgar for Pres on Jun 28, 2009 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Neither Matthew nor Graham have the people skills to pull those off and I'm nowhere close

by Jeff Sullivan on Jun 28, 2009 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions 4 recs

You guys seem like such people-persons(?) though!

Awaiting the day I catch a Russell Branyan foul ball. I will make love to it.
Preserved In All His Greatness - R.I.P. The Reignman 1989 to 1997

by JLProck on Jun 28, 2009 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions

There are some Mariners I would pay to see Graham interview.

by katal on Jun 28, 2009 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Graham: So we're here in the clubhouse with Rob Johnson

Rob: Good to be here
Graham: So I hear you’re a gigantic faggot. Confirm/deny?
Rob: Excuse me?
Graham: Also you’re such a huge clubhouse cancer that you somehow killed Jose Lopez’s sister. Shame on you
Rob: What the fuck?
Graham: Let’s take a brief moment to ponder which side of Mr. Johnson’s ancestry involves the Atlantic Cod. As you can see from his appearance and demeano…
Rob: You son of a bitch.
Rob Johnson swings wildly at our intrepid hero, misses
etc.

by Graham MacAree on Jun 28, 2009 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions 11 recs

Yeah, you need to do interviews.

by Wilder. on Jun 28, 2009 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions

So much comedy to be had from fake conversations.

Awaiting the day I catch a Russell Branyan foul ball. I will make love to it.
Preserved In All His Greatness - R.I.P. The Reignman 1989 to 1997

by JLProck on Jun 28, 2009 9:16 PM PDT up reply actions

See

by Jeff Sullivan on Jun 28, 2009 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions

If pissing flks off is a people skill I have that in spades

by Graham MacAree on Jun 28, 2009 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Use an old school Larry King philosophy

Introduce the guest, let the guest talk. Ask an open ended question. Let the guest ramble on as long as they want.

The secret is the open ended question, then patience. It’s amazing how much people will continue to ramble on if you just sit back and let them. They literally interview themselves.

Fans are typically idiots.

by The Typical Idiot Fan on Jun 28, 2009 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

The other thing is don't interrupt them or rush the time they have.

If you just sit there and look at them, they’ll start adding things because they think they’re supposed to keep talking. It’s amazing. I do it in all my employee interviews. It’s how you can figure out who they are.

Fans are typically idiots.

by The Typical Idiot Fan on Jun 28, 2009 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions

I have zero interest in listening to athletes ramble on about stupid shit

by Graham MacAree on Jun 28, 2009 5:16 PM PDT up reply actions

You don't want to hear about how they went out there...

and gave 100%, day in, day out?

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett http://mvn.com/marinersminors/

by JY on Jun 28, 2009 5:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Why didn't they add an extra 10%?

50!

by joof on Jun 28, 2009 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions

You could have just said interview skills :(

by Matthew on Jun 28, 2009 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions

You are perfectly amiable when drunk

by Graham MacAree on Jun 28, 2009 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions

I could have said a lot of things

by Jeff Sullivan on Jun 28, 2009 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Wait till September!

by Robert on Jun 28, 2009 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions

I want to interview Langerhans :(

by Jeff Sullivan on Jun 28, 2009 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions

So then he'll leave?

Or is that only when Devin interviews them?

by Mariner John on Jun 28, 2009 7:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Hmmm....

That’s SOOOO 2005!

This signature space for rent.

by PositivePaul on Jun 28, 2009 8:23 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm an engineer, Matthew's a software developer, and Jeff is a chemist

We’re not journalists and I don’t think I’m overstating things when I say none of us want to be journalists.

by Graham MacAree on Jun 28, 2009 8:56 PM PDT up reply actions

No wonder you guys are so great at figuring things out.

You guys basically could do all the R&D involved in an entrepreneurial venture.

2009 Safeco Field Record: 4-0 ; Overall Safeco Field Record: 8-4

by Fin on Jun 29, 2009 1:48 AM PDT up reply actions

But the beauty is

this was a zero cost trade. You can listen to me when it cost you nothing!

by philosofool on Jun 28, 2009 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions

NOW DO THE SAME BUT WITH ROB JOHNSON!

You got slurved!

Free Tommy Hanson! [FREED]! Free Jeff Clement! Free Michael Saunders!

by Slurvey on Jun 28, 2009 12:33 PM PDT reply actions

Awesome

by abender20 on Jun 28, 2009 12:37 PM PDT reply actions

Is he a good platoon match with Balentien?

by waldo rojas on Jun 28, 2009 12:37 PM PDT reply actions

He's a lefty, so yes

by Jeff Sullivan on Jun 28, 2009 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions

MIKE MORSE IS FINALLY DEAD!

by Robert on Jun 28, 2009 12:41 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

GRIFFEY!!!

by Kirk on Jun 28, 2009 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions

I love Johjima!!!

by Spoomeister on Jun 28, 2009 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions

.

This signature space for rent.

by PositivePaul on Jun 28, 2009 8:26 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

300 pixels AT MOST please.

by Matthew on Jun 28, 2009 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

This is freaking amazing... it still feels so weird that we are smart now

by Zack on Jun 28, 2009 12:42 PM PDT reply actions

I think Dave and DMZ might crash the USSM server themselves just to celebrate.

by Decatur on Jun 28, 2009 12:43 PM PDT reply actions

I'm confused why we don't have Brignac yet

by abender20 on Jun 28, 2009 12:43 PM PDT reply actions

Because the Rays aren't fond of trading good young shortstops?

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 28, 2009 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions

That's just selfish. Bartlett, Zobrist (sort of), Brignac, Beckham

by abender20 on Jun 28, 2009 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions

cont.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

by Omerta on Jun 28, 2009 12:48 PM PDT reply actions

It's about time.

Glad to see Langerhans will finally be on a roster.

---
http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com
http://www.rightfieldbleachers.com

by Jack Moore on Jun 28, 2009 12:55 PM PDT reply actions

I hear he is just a placeholder,

Gonna flip him for Snelling.

by hcoguy on Jun 28, 2009 12:56 PM PDT reply actions

I heard we are flipping him for Brent Lillibridge

since we need a Yuni replacement.

50!

by joof on Jun 28, 2009 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Awesome.

The Rise of a Superstar:Justin Upton-.425 wOBA, 21 years old.

by Goose on Jun 28, 2009 1:00 PM PDT reply actions

I am still not used to a FO that actually makes good decisions.

I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me.

by wadswerth on Jun 28, 2009 1:04 PM PDT reply actions

But But But, who's going to play third?

I am no longer in Spokane, but I think I'll keep the name anyway.

by InSpokane on Jun 28, 2009 1:06 PM PDT reply actions

I just turned on FSN and they said that we traded him for Ryan Zimmerman

I nearly went insane, but came here to find out that it was a cruel, cruel typo

I want to poop at your house - Thingray

by tootthekazoo on Jun 28, 2009 1:08 PM PDT reply actions

Langerhans, Zimmerman tomato, tamato they ryhme so FSN could mess it up...

You got slurved!

Free Tommy Hanson! [FREED]! Free Jeff Clement! Free Michael Saunders!

by Slurvey on Jun 28, 2009 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions

"Yeah we sent Mike Morse to the Nats for some guy named Ryan"

“We got Zimmerman? For Morse! Hoooray!”

I want to poop at your house - Thingray

by tootthekazoo on Jun 28, 2009 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions

by The Ancient Mariner on Jun 28, 2009 5:07 PM PDT up reply actions

The Stein Deal it is, then.

Awaiting the day I catch a Russell Branyan foul ball. I will make love to it.
Preserved In All His Greatness - R.I.P. The Reignman 1989 to 1997

by JLProck on Jun 28, 2009 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions

It's turned into two deals now.

The Putz deal last winter, and this lesser deal.

2009 Safeco Field Record: 4-0 ; Overall Safeco Field Record: 8-4

by Fin on Jun 28, 2009 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Rizzo’s been sending every indication that this priority is upgrading the defense, especially in the outfield and bringing in more good “clubhouse guys.” Based on that, Josh Willingham, Adam Dunn, Lastings Milledge and Elijah Dukes all seem like bad fits.

Morse on the other hand doesn’t provide much if anything more than we already have in Kory Casto and Pete Orr. He doesn’t have the glove for the middle infield anymore, and he doesn’t have the bat to be an asset at the corners. He rarely walks (career MLB 7.1% walk rate) and has basically no power (career .097 ISO power).

I guess there’s some value in depth, and we don’t have much in the infield organizationally, but I doubt very much that Morse could provide even replacement-level value at any position on the diamond.

I pity Nationals fans, I really do.

Is that the light at the end of the tunnel, or the headlights of an oncoming train?

by Benne on Jun 28, 2009 9:22 PM PDT reply actions