Mariners Media Event Ongoing
So follow the usuals for twitter updates. Encouraging one:
"Trainer Rick Griffin reports that Franklin Gutierrez has gone from 183 pounds at end of year to 197 and no stomach issues remaining."
4 months ago
Matthew
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I really really want to believe that this means Guti can be good
That would make me so very happy. Smoak too.
at this rate he's the new Prince Fielder
oh no
by valencia on Jan 26, 2012 10:45 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Please stop making fat jokes
They’re not funny, they’re not original, and did I mention they’re not funny? Also, they’re against the rules.
by pdb on Jan 26, 2012 10:48 AM PST up reply actions 18 recs
And if I may further add
All this talk about fat jokes is not an invitation to make MORE fat jokes.
by ThundaPC on Jan 26, 2012 11:06 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
This comment is excellent
and I think an example of how to actually stop this sort of thing.
by Snuffleupagus on Jan 26, 2012 11:14 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
Damn, Edgar looks like he could still get out there.
by the other side on Jan 26, 2012 11:01 AM PST up reply actions
This picture makes me smile for some reason.
Probably due to how excitedly Jesus was talking about Edgar during the HSL interview.
by Cascadian Man on Jan 26, 2012 2:36 PM PST up reply actions
Yep
you basically have to re-learn how to eat, and learn (sometimes by trial and error) what foods work and what don’t. And you can’t really work out (at least not to pro athlete standards) until your body’s more stable.
I can't think...
…of how this COULDN’T have affected his batting last year.
And as Rick Gritth pointed out
during a season you really can’t add weight/muscle and play every day.
How about road trips?
Does travel and living out of a suitcase pose problems?
by nathaniel dawson on Jan 26, 2012 3:32 PM PST up reply actions
Usually the night before any extended traveling I will eat as little "offensive" food as possible
I usually stick to grains and vegetables the night before. When I travel I usually just drink water to stay hydrated, no soda or juice.
Some tweets from drayer:
“Gutierrez now 197 lbs. ‘Everything he put on was muscle’ said trainer Rick Griffin.”
“Griffin-Smoak’s body fat down 4%”
Please be true, Please be true, Please be true...
Healthy Guti is one of the key pieces for the team this year and going forward.
Aww Yea!
Zduriencik: “This will be a challenging year at the big league level. Let’s not kid ourselves.”
by ThundaPC on Jan 26, 2012 11:04 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
We can't do anything about the cards we're dealt, just how we play the hand.
And let’s be honest here, we couldn’t have done anything to stop the Angels and Rangers from getting good. We just need to get better ourselves.
"You are the molders of their dreams." - Clark Mollenhoff
Well, I suppose
we could have signed Pujols, C.J. Wilson, and Darvish to keep them from getting better, but yours is a better way to think about it.
exactly
We dont control the other teams and we have to assume that they are working hard to be a better team.
All we can do is stick to our plan. Our team has its own strengths and weaknesses and we just have to keep making our small cost-friendly improvements
by briwas101 on Jan 26, 2012 1:42 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
I like to view it as a kind of Nietzschean trial
(That which does not kill you…) Once the M’s reach the point where they’re winning the AL West, the post-season won’t look that daunting. They may have lower odds of getting there (but hey — in-division Astros and extra wild card, who knows) but as we’ve seen, getting there only counts for so much. Being built to win the AL West means being built to win the whole enchilada.
I wonder which version of Guti is sexier at those different weights.
I mean, how do we decide which version is a 10, and which is an 11?
follow @casetines
by Kenneth Arthur on Jan 26, 2012 11:09 AM PST reply actions
While it is awesome to see Guti back at a healthy level, I think I'm more pumped to see Smoak in better shape.
I now fully expect him to beat out Pujols, Fielder, Gonzalez, and Tex for the starting first baseman spot at the All-Star game.
I can't tell if you're joking or not.
by InSpokane on Jan 26, 2012 11:13 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Well let me be more clear.
I can’t tell if you’re expecting pre bereavement, pre screwed up thumb, pre broken face performance. Or if you really expect him to compete the All-star Public Relations game.
Pre breavement, pre screwed up thumb, pre broken face performance.
I won’t be expecting All-Star consideration in the least bit.
The first half of your statement seems like an authentic statement. The second half seems joking.
The juxtaposition is odd. My brain usually wants to read uniformity in tone in a comment (whether it makes sense or not), so, yes, it’s a little confusing because I think your intent was to make a joke after saying something you meant.
by ChristopherA on Jan 26, 2012 11:40 AM PST up reply actions
I understood it without any hesitation.
Aaron Curry is the first Seahawk since Walter Jones to have a legitimate shot at Hall of Fame induction - John Morgan
by Fearless Frog on Jan 26, 2012 9:27 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
I didn't realize there were concerns about Smoak's weight.
His thumb and face and emotional well-being, sure. But he always looked in decent shape to me.
he needed to lose a few pounds
Im not sure how much it will help him, but i dont imagine it will hurt
by briwas101 on Jan 26, 2012 1:44 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Speaking of which, somebody's fan base is going to feel robbed at the ASG
Meanwhile, in the NL, Joey Votto must be feeling pretty stoked
by J0SER on Jan 26, 2012 2:59 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
I think he aged back 10 years with that thing on him.
"You are the molders of their dreams." - Clark Mollenhoff
I miss his moustache intensely.
Mariners/D Broncos/BSU Broncos fan in Seattle
The first rule of Lookout Landing is...
by appleshampoo on Jan 26, 2012 12:56 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I'm hoping Wedge's 'stache is like the team makeovers
Where they plan to do them when they think the team has turned a corner (see “Rays” for example). So I prefer to think that the appearance of facial hair on Wedge will indicate the team is about to go on a roll.
This makes me very happy.
I have lost significant weight as a consequence of being unable to eat, and it’s awful. I can’t imagine trying to compete athletically during that.
Guys, I don't know much about Catricala, just that he was invited to Spring Training. What are the odds he breaks camp with the team?
I’m guessing it is probably low.
"Definitely porbably" is an understatement .
by wetzelcoal on Jan 26, 2012 11:29 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs
It will be nice to see him in some meaningful games*
*not meaningful at all
by the other side on Jan 26, 2012 11:32 AM PST up reply actions
He needs to settle on a position, play regularly
It would take some tricky lineup shuffling to get regular ab’s for Montero, Carp and a guy like Catricala in 2012. Unless you are counting on full time C and LF gigs for Montero/Carp which seems pretty unrealistic at present.
Gosh I hope he gets better on defense at 3B.
We could really use his bat if it even translates to 85% of what he did in the minors last year.
He was just invited to spring training too...
along with Nick Franklin, Taijuan Walker, Erasmo Ramirez, James Paxton, Stephen Pryor, Forrest Snow… it seems like they were holding out on us for a while.
I absolutely love Eric Wedge
He could get a brick wall fired up.
by Kyleo84 on Jan 26, 2012 11:36 AM PST reply actions 1 recs
Wedge on Ichiro
StoneLarry Larry Stone
“We’ve talked about him in the three hole, I’ve contemplated him hitting second, and there’s still a chance he could lead off.”
by the other side on Jan 26, 2012 11:36 AM PST reply actions
It seems so weird to see him only have a chance
But weird in a good way. Like, "whoa, this is weird, ichiro will have to earn the leadoff spot."
by briwas101 on Jan 26, 2012 1:47 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
I don't see why.
One bad year after a decade of historic excellence and he’s out of the leadoff spot? Ichiro may be declining but I’d much rather bank on him rebounding over letting Chone fucking Figgins take over.
Aaron Curry is the first Seahawk since Walter Jones to have a legitimate shot at Hall of Fame induction - John Morgan
by Fearless Frog on Jan 26, 2012 9:30 PM PST via mobile up reply actions 2 recs
Quick, name someone you would not have expected to see at Media Day
Michael Saunders!!
I forgot that he was still in the organization.
by Coach Owens on Jan 26, 2012 11:49 AM PST up reply actions
And apparently the media have forgotten he's on the stage.
by Eyeball Kid on Jan 26, 2012 11:51 AM PST up reply actions
He is probably behind Ichiro, Guti, Carp, Casper, and Trayvon.
Maybe even Wilson. But who the hell knows, when guys like Peguero get extended playing time.
by the other side on Jan 26, 2012 12:20 PM PST up reply actions
i had almost forgotten about peguero
You owe me a good memory to balance it out
by briwas101 on Jan 26, 2012 1:48 PM PST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Also second base winning RBI past Aybar.
by Aussie Mariner on Jan 26, 2012 5:01 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Me too.
It would be a nice surprise if he was able to pull his head out of his ass. Obviously at this point someone else would have to fail for him to get a chance, but we never seem to have any shortage of failures.
Mariners/D Broncos/BSU Broncos fan in Seattle
The first rule of Lookout Landing is...
by appleshampoo on Jan 26, 2012 12:58 PM PST up reply actions
Thanks to mariners.com for putting that online.
That was a great mid-winter baseball oasis. I’m excited about the future of this team!
So according to Wedge, Ackley and Figgins are the two most realistic options to replace Ichiro at leadoff.
Do you really want to move Ackley’s bat out of the middle of the lineup?
So that would be: 1.Ackley 2.Ichiro 3.Guti 4.Montero 5.Smoak 6.Carp?
versus: 1.Ichiro 2.Guti 3.Ackley 4.Montero 5.Smoak 6.Carp that I would do?
Not that much of a difference really.
He mentioned Guti as a possibility too.
As the roster currently stands, I really don’t like any of those options. Unless Chone has a crazy resurgence.
by the other side on Jan 26, 2012 12:22 PM PST up reply actions
As much as I try to convince myself otherwise, I still have hope for him.
Weirdly though I’m totally over Saunders. He’s so much more likeable, it makes no goddamn sense.
by the other side on Jan 26, 2012 12:51 PM PST up reply actions
There are a ew loons who insist moving Chone out of the lead-off spot is what "broke" him
Of course if he does now lead off and continues to suck, they’ll insist the damage has been done and he is just permanently broken now.
But man, what a difference it would be for roster construction if his bat came back.
Gut reaction is I don't want to see Ackley there
Strange at it is to say, the M’s may need to make a run at a leadoff hitter in FA next year. Barring a miracle resurgence from Figgins (which nobody is counting on). I’m not really seeing any other in house candidates with a 2013 eta.
I don't mind Ackley at lead off.
He’s most likely our best overall hitter, and has great OBP skills and not enough power to really waste up there. If he hits a double, woo hoo, scoring position!
Dave had a post about batting order today, it was interesting.
Mariners/D Broncos/BSU Broncos fan in Seattle
The first rule of Lookout Landing is...
by appleshampoo on Jan 26, 2012 1:01 PM PST up reply actions
Honestly, I wouldn't have a problem with it.
I just don’t think he has enough power skills to really worry about him being further down.
Lineups are so stupid anyway. He’s probably our best hitter. Might as well get him as many PAs as possible.
Mariners/D Broncos/BSU Broncos fan in Seattle
The first rule of Lookout Landing is...
by appleshampoo on Jan 26, 2012 2:24 PM PST up reply actions
Why not?
That would just mean more opportunities for the middle of the order guys to drive him in, and maximize his plate appearances.
I assume by "middle of the order guys"
you mean Montero, Smoak, Carp. In a perfect world all three of those guys would live up to their potential and be the future heart of the lineup. In the imperfect world we Mariner fans live there stands reasonable chance Ackley is clearly the best hitter on the team and is needed to drive in baserunners as opposed to just being one.
Drive in which baserunners?
Guys with low on-base percentages who bat in front of him? Because he’ll have those in the 7, 8, and 9 spot already after the first inning.
Ackley should be fine leading off.
It means he will get more PAs. I can’t say I wish the same for Figgins.
Totally on board with the idea of Ackley at leadoff.
The more times he comes to the plate, the better.
by destroy my sweater on Jan 26, 2012 1:10 PM PST up reply actions
Ackley's bat can stay in the middle of the order.
I sincerely want to see what Figgins can do at lead off. Being that this is a consolidation year, there’s no harm in giving him the chance, and he may shock everyone and flourish.
Why would he do suddenly be better as a lead off hitter.
He was one of the the worst hitters in the league last year, why would you wan’t him to get the extra at-bats? Even if he does have better results, how much of that would be simple regression? And if it is the case that he is truly better leading off, wouldn’t we expect an equal negative effect for Ichiro being taken off that spot?
The only benefit would be to see if he does bounce back a little so that he doesn’t have quite so much negative value in a trade. You can say to other teams, “See! He just needed to lead off.”
Exactly.
The only benefit would be to see if he does bounce back a little so that he doesn’t have quite so much negative value in a trade. You can say to other teams, "See! He just needed to lead off."
My use of the word “flourish” may have been too strong a choice, but Figgins can still bounce back enough to be worth something in a trade.
I'm not totally against it if they do it for that reason,
however there is no chance they let him lead off for a full year if he is hitting like he did last year. Just no fucking way they let a 32 wRC+ hitter lead off. And at this point I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t perform as badly as before. So if they try it and it doesn’t work after the first month, I’d be hugely pissed if they keep giving him those PAs over Ackley or Ichiro.
I've always seen Ackley as a #2 hitter
Like God was sitting around one day and decided to craft the most perfect #2 hitter ever imagined and Ackley was born. Walks a lot, good bat control, some doubles power, decent speed.
It seems like the general consensus for lineup construction is that the highest OBP hitter should go leadoff.
Ackley is likely this. I don’t think lineup construction is terribly important though.
by Mariner John on Jan 26, 2012 1:58 PM PST up reply actions
Seems like it would be nice to have more of a stolen base threat at the top though
Call me old fashioned, but it’s just nice to envision someone getting on and stealing second and Ackley knocking in with a base hit. People are right that it’s basically a matter of semantics though.
Anecdotally I’m also not sure that we should under estimate Ackley’s power potential. He just looks like he’s capable of knocking in 20+ dingers at some point in the near future and coupled with the decent-but-not-elite SB totals that doesn’t seem like the typical hitter you put at leadoff.
I guess we’ve just been spoiled by having been able to pencil in an elite leadoff hitter into the #1 hole for the last decade. Sort of odd to even have to worry about it. RIP Ichiro.
It's not like he's useless on the basepaths though.
He’s a decent baserunner from what I can tell, which is probably more important in the long run. If he can get on base as much as he looks to be capable of, that will help us out a lot more than having someone who can steal but gets on base less.
by Mariner John on Jan 26, 2012 2:40 PM PST up reply actions
The baserunning statement is from the admittedly small sample from Fangraphs and just from watching him.
Which isn’t scientific by any means but there’s not much more to go on.
by Mariner John on Jan 26, 2012 2:41 PM PST up reply actions
RIP? Ichiro isn't dead, last I knew.
(Note: Not an invitation to make a lame Kawasaki stalker joke.)
I agree with you on Ackley. I think there are better uses for him. I don’t think the true successor to Ichiro is in the organization yet (well, for leadoff purposes… plenty of possible right fielders around).
Having a runner on with speed is probably less helpful with good hitters coming up than with bad hitters coming up.
If you’re toward the bottom half of the lineup, you don’t expect to string together a few hits to score a run, so any advancement you can get from a baserunner can be a big help. If he gets thrown out, so what? You probably weren’t going to score anyway. At the top of the lineup, it’s great if you can get an extra base, but you may not need it when you have hitters that can drive runners home from first or string together a few hits. Or hit a 2 or 3 run jack. And if that aggressiveness causes you to get thrown out, that can really screw you. You don’t want to take runners off base in front of your best hitters.
by nathaniel dawson on Jan 26, 2012 3:53 PM PST up reply actions
Not to mention
Opening up first base (whether the steal is successful or not) just invites an IBB if you do happen to have a fearsome hitter coming up in the next couple of spots.
I already love Montero
Montero says 63 was number he had with Yankees when he was called up, says “it’s a power number. It has a lot of home runs.”
Montero has a playful side. Asked if he’s set goals for this season, he said, “Yeah, 300 home runs.”
I just want him to hurry up & hit his first here
If nothing else so I can stop hearing John Sterling in association with someone I am currently a fan of.
Am I the only one that loves how Montero has such a weird number?
Dustin Ackley, Earl Thomas, Gary Payton
Best part of making the majors: free wardrobe!
I like how for Carp someone probably asked him to put a jersey on over his shirt, but for Saunders it is his shirt.
That's good, I was worried because you can never tell with stomach issues like this whether they can be successfully resolved or not because if managing diet habits/stomach acids doesn't work
There’s not a whole lot else they can do for you at the moment. Glad to hear that it’s no longer causing him problems. Hopefully that’ll translate to a bounceback year.
Z on what's left:
Zduriencik said he may still add a “little chip” in free agency, but doesn’t see anything imminent remaining on the trade front and the club is close to being set heading into camp, which begins with pitchers and catchers reporting on Feb. 11.
Well, shit.
Any chance he just doesn't want to show his hand when it comes to possible trades?
Or does this pretty much mean the roster is set?
From what I've seen, no, no chance - roster's close to set
He makes definitive statements so seldom that I’d take them at face value. If he was still in talks he probably would have avoided the question. He tends to flat out give no comment, or otherwise have nothing to say, if something might be ongoing. Part of the no-drama, no-leaks front office he runs.
If there’s a counterexample (e.g. if he had made some offhand comment about how quiet it is, then 48 hours later bam Cliff Lee) I’m not remembering it.
To be fair, there are no good FAs left this year
The only one I could see us signing at this point would be Edwin Jackson (and that’s doubtful). There aren’t any decent hitters left.
Agreed.
The only guys left who would be upgrades are older DH types and there just isn’t a roster spot for them. No reason to spend money just for the sake of spending it if it won’t make the team any better.
Looking at Cots, next years FA class could be pretty beefy.
How come you can do all this other great shit, but you can't lie the fuck down and sleep?
Just in time for our large contracts to be freed!
"You are the molders of their dreams." - Clark Mollenhoff
A friend of mine says there are no good free agents next year.
And then went on to mention a bunch of really good free agents that he just doesn’t want because he doesn’t like the teams they currently play for.
Seems like Jackson's destined for Boston.
Jack might be able to nab Oswalt, but if he thought he could pull that one off the Millwood signing would have been a little silly given that Oswalt would be a rotation lock.
by ThirteenOfTwo on Jan 26, 2012 9:21 PM PST up reply actions
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