I think I have my FanFest Question...

by PositivePaul on Jan 13, 2007 12:36 PM PST

Just a quick jot down before I forget my train of thought amidst the hustle and bustle of having to be a family guy today...

If I do attend FanFest (I'm still waffling), I think I've come up with the question to ask Bavasi during the Q&A. I'd like your help to polish it, perhaps.

Here's my question:

"With the acquisitions, and subsequent dismal failures resulting in DFA, of veterans Rich Aurilia, Scott Spiezio and Carl Everett -- what is it about Jose Vidro, whose legs are no better than Edgar's, that leads you to believe he won't go down the path those guys did?"

How does that sound? Help me wordsmith that. Thanks!

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Here's my edits...

...based solely on my belief that assaulting people with negative adjectives like "dismal failure" leads them to not take your question seriously (even though it's true...):

"What was it about Jose Vidro that made you think he would be a more successful Mariner than Rich Aurilia, Scott Spiezio or Carl Everett, given Vidro's age and the fact that he can't run particularly well?"

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

by pdb on Jan 13, 2007 12:43 PM PST reply actions

I'd change

"can't run particularly well" to something like "considering his power has declined the past three years" or something about his injury history.

Can't run well just leads to a "he's still a professional hitter" type of answer.

by abelard on Jan 13, 2007 12:46 PM PST up reply actions

How about this?

In order to acquire the proven veteran experience of Jose Vidro, you traded away young prospects Chris Snelling and Emiliano Fruto. Considering the failures of similar veteran acquisitions -- namely Aurillia, Spiezio and Everett -- in addition to Vidro's injuries and price tag, what leads you to believe Vidro is such a safer bet to succeed in Seattle than the prospects you traded for him?

by Slozbury Stouvre on Jan 13, 2007 1:09 PM PST reply actions

Don't forget

Played in the NL, hasn't been good for a couple years, and wasn't even that good of DH material when he was. Oh, he's a groundball hitter w/ bad knees. That takes away the "professional hitter" argument.

by chrisisasavage on Jan 13, 2007 2:04 PM PST up reply actions

I think

that the way you worded the question gives them too many options of dodging the question.

I'd word it something along the lines of:

With the failures of Rich Aurilia, Scott Spiezio and Carl Everett, how can the team rationalize trading a young player with superior hitting abilities in Chris Snelling for Jose Vidro, a player whose abilities have been significantly diminished due to significant leg injuries and is no longer statistically and physically the player he was 5 years ago? And as a follow-up question, why is the team, which is in desperate need for another big bat, relying on a player with said diminishing abilities and a career slugging percentage under .460 to fill the DH role, a role reserved for players with the ability to collect RBI's and post slugging percentages in the high .500's or higher?

by Trent on Jan 13, 2007 2:46 PM PST up reply actions

I like all suggestions

I think a nice melding of all would work well something along the lines of

Given the Mariners recent history with players acquired well past their prime, namely Rich Aurillia, Scott Speizio, and Carl Everett, what is it about Jose Vidro, whose bad legs have been a major cause of him posting declining offensive numbers the last 3? seasons, as well as contributed to declining defensive skills in the field, that makes you believe he is a better fit for the long-term success of this club than a 24 year old kid, who hits left handed, has the potential to hit for power and plays above average defense?

Or another option, equally longwinded but that might net an interesting answer, and that I would actually hope to get answers to.

Why are you such a fucking idiot? Do you watch baseball? Do you even know that you are a BASEBALL GM? Why do you believe that oft-injured old guys will suddenly resurect their careers in a cold damp climate such as seattle which is scientifically proven to be harder on ailing joints and soft tissues than other climates? Are you trying to make the Mariners worse? Do you realize that this is not golf and it is the HIGHEST tally (wins) not the lowest that wins?

Lifelong M's fan

by grizant05 on Jan 13, 2007 10:07 PM PST reply actions

It has to be laconic,

Not long-winded.

Don't swamp it in a sea of words, how about: "Mr. Bavasi, what makes you think a no-power second baseman with bad knees will make a good DH?"

by John Morgan @ Lookout Landing on Jan 13, 2007 10:17 PM PST reply actions

Word it this way

"Which one of you did Jose Vidro have to suck off to get traded here?"

by Gomez on Jan 13, 2007 11:27 PM PST reply actions

DING DING!

We have a winner

by Slozbury Stouvre on Jan 14, 2007 8:39 AM PST up reply actions

cut to the chase

just say
&^%!!! #%^$!! Vidro #&^%$!$ you ignorant sack of #%^$@ with %^$!&* and some **&^% in it, how could you %^@##$ing @@#!$& for snelling that no good #%^$@#% *&^^@#$, sir?

by Bearskin Rugburn on Jan 14, 2007 7:13 AM PST reply actions

How about

"Are you stupid, or still on the Angels payroll?"

by Jerry on Jan 14, 2007 1:31 PM PST reply actions

What about....

Given Vidro's health issues, inability to run well and declining numbers, why would you trade Snelling, who had a far less expensive price tag and far more upside for Vidro, who runs worse than Edgar and hits about half as well....does this stem back to fetal alcohol syndrome or did you grow up in a house filled with lead based paint?

I killed a 12 pack just to watch it die...

by Dollar97 on Jan 15, 2007 7:51 AM PST reply actions