A Move of No Clear Purpose; Branyan Returns to Seattle

It seems really far-fetched, but it might just be Jack signaling to whichever teams are lowballing him at this stage in the process that he won’t accept eighty cents on the dollar for the best player available at this deadline.

If Bradley doesn’t correct his hitting, we’ve potentially got 1B and DH up for grabs. If Branyan demonstrates his health and continued ability to hit the shit out of the ball, why not pick up his option? It may be one of the cheaper solutions to our lack of hitters in the lineup. And if Bradley’s hitting picks up, we can let Branyan walk and not lose much at all.

It may be a move solely for 2010, but there are plenty of scenarios where Branyan at 1B for 2011 isn’t a terrible decision.

And couldn’t we have traded for someone who’d be useful in the future?

I also can see this being enough to get this team wellover 600 runs on the year.

Doesn’t look like we actually lost anything. I have no idea why the hell we did this. Z showing us he can get anybody for any price?

Although I would imagine this is an unrelated bullpen depth move for the next few games. Maybe Olson goes away for a little while?

Branyan is a piece in a Lee trade to the Mets to t

Now, with his team scoring just two runs per game on many nights, he felt he had to do something to boost the offense. Not necessarily because he thinks the team can overcome a 14 game deficit to win the AL West — he won’t speculate on that one way or the other. But because winning still matters, whether a team is going for it or still developing.

“If you look at our team, as we move forward, just about every player who is here now will be here again next year,‘’ he said. "We’re committed to the development of our players and that goal, that objective has never changed for us. But part of that development process is also winning games. We want our players to be able to experience winning games this year. And we’re trying to do what we can to give them what they need to get there.’’

" YAY!!! "

As with the case of Russell Branyan, it may be that Z wants to see how the team would do with an actual power hitter in the lineup.

Relying on Bradley, Lopez, and Sweeney to hit hasn’t worked out too well. Although the lineup we had at the beginning of the year should have been an improvement, this team’s overall offensive approach consists of manufacturing runs and bunching hits together with the occasional homerun. Adding Branyan certainly boost the power aspect of the team.

But that’s just me trying to see what the FO sees. I get the impression that Zduriencik doesn’t want to put forth a less than stellar product willingly (Sweeney and Griffey jokes aside). My first reaction to this move was that of befuddlement but it came cheap. We’ll see what happens I guess.

this team needs some manly manliness once more.

For the life of me I cannot figure it out.

In theory, giving up two minor-league guys without high ceilings for a needed upgrade is a good move. But of all the OFs we could have traded, I wanted to trade Carrera least. He has an above-average eye, excellent defense at a premium position, and wreaks havoc on the basepaths. In my mind, he can be someone who posts gaudy defensive numbers while hitting enough to be a solid asset.

Matthew, I don’t buy it when you say

I was fond of Carrera because of his walks and left handed bat, but they were never supplemented with any other useful Major League skill.

I guess we differ on his projection here a little bit, but I believe the Mariners just gave up their biggest hidden asset. True, Carrera’s got no power but he makes solid contact, walks at a good clip, and plays stellar defense combined with plus plus baserunning. As a 22 year old last year in AA, he posted a .402 wOBA. In my opinion, his floor is a reserve outfielder, his likely projection a tick below-average starter, and ceiling a 3-4 WAR player.

As you can see, I’m a little bit obsessed with Ezequiel Carrera, which might lead me to an exaggerated overforecasting. But either way, I had him penciled into the 2012 roster as someone who could legitimately contribute if Guti/Saunders/Ichiro! had an injury. Carrera’s past performances and skill set suggest strongly that he can be a solid contributor on a major league team, and you don’t throw a guy like that away when you’re 14 games out of a playoff spot.

They will also either pay the remainder of Branyan’s $2 million contract or send the Mariners a player to be named later.

Not that it really means anything but hey, free money!

I love the regime

Best part of the season.

What exactly is the down side?

They’re selling? They buy buy buy!!

Right as our pitching implodes.

Love it. Welcome back.

It’s somehow comforting.

Is Carp getting sent down, Kotchman being released, or Sweeney going to the DL?

so if he doesn’t come back to the club next year we may get a delicious sandwich.

That Jack had called about Branyan a little while ago and this whole thing developed at a slow pace. Maybe Z was looking for a bat when he still thought there was a chance and by the time they agreed on the moving pieces just said “To hell with it, the price is right.”

Inevitably the Indians and Mariners are just going to merge into one frustrating, smart, shitty team. Then we don’t have to have these swap meets all the time.

Enjoy the Muscle, guys.

Branyan is the type of guy we should be dealing for prospects

paraphrasing here— Jack has been talking with Shapiro for a while about Branyan, the financial numbers began to align better, it gives the young players more support to better their maturation, it gives them a player that could be in play next year as well.

We’re not winning the division, but at this point if we can finish .500, this season will be a success. Branyan is not in the long term plans of this team, but he also is not blocking anyone at 1B. And as a fan, my rooting interest just went up a lot on non-Cliff and non-Felix days.

Welcome back, Muscle.

A lot of this current line-up & staff is in place for next year; this gives them a chance to see if adding a power bat is enough

Welcome back Russell.

Your mammoth sex blasts do make for a more compelling team to watch.