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Life has not been so great for the fans of the PAC NW of late. The Mariners have regressed in the last decade of baseball – and are withering with the lowest attendance teams in the game of baseball. This followed the 1st 5 years of Safeco Field’s existence, where they were drawing over 3 Million fans – and competing in the AL West every year. It is imperative this team spends money on quality Free Agents this winter. Loaded with a multitude of young arms, and position players. this franchise should be seeking power bats in the OF and 1B/DH positions.
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Nothing is more a waste of time, than watching a premiere talent like Felix Hernandez, have to suffer in the haphazard city of Seattle, while the team has entered a new generation of futility.
This is a franchise that was abysmal from 1977 – until the time that Ken Griffey JR. came to the rescue.
A few years later, armed with some good drafting – and Randy Johnson from trading away Mark Langston, and the team was ready to compete.
Of course I can always quote “Seinfeld” – where Jay Buhner was also acquired for DH Slugger Ken Phelps.
But since Lou Pinella followed ALL – Stars out the door in 2004, Johnson, (1998) Griffey (1999) and Alex Rodriguez in (2000), the club has fallen on some hard times.
At first the team was stoic with the players leaving the nest, as Jamie Moyer and Ichiro Suzuki helped lead the charge for a record winning 116 Games in 2001.
Suzuki was the right infusion when the other guys left, and he stayed graciously with the team until mid 2012.
Raul Ibanez Highlights:
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James Paxton looked great in his 4 September starts for the Mariners. In 24 Innings thrown in, he featured an ERA of 1.50 ERA and a WHIP of 0.917. If he can step up as a quality LH Starter in the Rotation for the Mariners, then look the hell out. He can throw in the upper 90′s and has great command for only being 24 (25 in Dec of 2013).
When Edgar Martinez and Jay Buhner became too old to contribute anymore, the team started to trend down.
Seattle’s once full Safeco Field, began a decade worth of declining attendance, and now the team barely draws over 20,000 fans a games.
So what does the management do?
The team is blessed with the best Pitcher in the American League in Felix Hernandez. At just Age 28, they have locked him up on the books until 2020.
Japanese hurler Hisashi Iwakuma was the most underrated and under-appreciated Starter in the AL for the 2013 year, finishing with a 14 – 6 record – and a 2.66 ERA (3rd in the AL.)
The club also has a plethora of young fireballers in: James Paxton, Taijuan Walker and Danny Hultzen set to be regulars in the Rotation over the next few years.
When you throw in fringe MLB’ers Brandon Maurer and Erasmo Ramirez into the fold as guys who have had great success in the Minors, then you can see they are dealing with some serious young talent for the staff.
This team might have had a poor season in 2013, but the young players have given the club a reason for optimism going forward.
1B: Justin Smoak has started to show signs he could be a long term ‘baller’ – with a 3 Slash Line of .238/.334/.746 – with 20 HRs and 50 RBI in 450 AB.
While the percentages are not really becoming of a great 1B in the AL, his power numbers are fine. He should be able to develop into a guy who can mash 30+ HRs and drive in 80 RBI. All he has to do is continue to Walk too.
Just a note here, it was extremely stupid to give away Mike Carp for nothing fellas. In fact, let’s give them crap for a bunch of transactions!
Carp had a .740 OPS with 18 HRs and 71 RBI in 545 AB for his Seattle Career. The guy was versatile to DH, play 1B or even the OF position. All he did was be a super power threat off of the World Series Champion Red Sox
Instead…the club went with Mike Morse (traded away a great player in John Jaso to do it). Brutal move Jack Z. as Jason hit for an .850 OPS in 2012 from the Catchers position, and the dude walks a lot.
Oakland got themselves a great offensive player that is under Team Control til 2016.
But yeah.. I digressed.
C: Mike Zunino got his feet wet with the big club, by seeing 173 AB this year. While he struggled, it is more important he learns how to call a good game behind the plate.
The 22 Year Old player, (will be 23 next year), hit for an OPS of .937 in the Minor Leagues. You can possibly project this guy to hit you 20+ HRs every year – and carry decent averages. Seattle will take that.
DH: Jesus Montero had a bad calendar year across the board, but maybe a new year in 2014 will change this. If he can revert back to his 2012 numbers, he will come in at about the league averages for the position.
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The Mariners have made Morales a Qualifying Offer of 1 YR/$14.1 MIL. If he signs elsewhere, the club will receive a compensatory pick. The Seattle club could also still negotiate a long term deal with the DH.
The club did throw out a qualifying offer to Kendrys Morales (.277/.336/.785 – with 23 HRs and 80 RBI), but I bet that guy tests the Free Agency Market.
I think Morales would be perfect to remain with the club. If he is willing to negotiate, the club should try to sign him to 3 – 4 year contract. He is exactly what the team needs.
2B: Nick Franklin played so well for the team, that transitioning Dustin Ackley to the OF was made possible.
The 22 Year Old had some poor play Post ALL – Star (.613 OPS in 60 GP), which took away a little from his Pre ALL – Star numbers at (.788 OPS in 40 GP). He showed good power and should continue to improve.
SS: Brad Miller: At 8 HRs and 36 RBI for just over 300 AB is decent production at the position, however it was light years ahead of the guy he replaced in Brendan Ryan.
Among his totals were also 30 Extra Base Hits, which is fantastic power and speed combined.
3B: Kyle Seager may be the most underrated 3B in the AL. This guy is steady – and should be a solid force for the club during the next decade.
The young 3B hit for a 3 Slash of .260/.338/.764 (his OPS jumped 26 PTS higher than his 2012 output. The guy clubbed to his 2nd straight 20+ HR campaign.
Coming off of the heels of his 86 RBI in 2012, he only mustered 69 RBI In 2013, but that was due to his teammates not having as productive of years.
OF: Franklin Gutierrez: It is a crying shame this guy gets hurt all of the time. Power-wise, he actually did okay in his 41 Games Played, where he hit 10 HRs, drove in 24 RBI – with a .503 SLG. Here is the nasty part – had a .273 OBP.
The team bought him out at 500K – and start over at the spot. Don’t even bring him back as a 4th or 5th guy.
CF: Mike Saunders: It was a regression year for the Canadian (after his 20/20 campaign in 2012). The 26 Year Old still tallied 12 HRs and 46 RBI in 406 AB.
Saunders has improved on his Walking totals, and held a modest .323 OBP. I may give the guy a chance to earn a spot on the grass in the 2014 year.
OF: Abraham Almonte: You know, the guy they brought back in the Ichiro Suzuki deal from the Yanks. He is a depth guy who can take a Walk. Is a great 5th OF at this point.
OF: Dustin Ackley: The move to the OF certainly worked for the Mariner’s 1st RD Pick of (2nd overall) in 2009, where he hit .304/.378/.809 during the 2nd half of the season.
The bad news is that he doesn’t have the kind of power you need from an Outfielder. The club can stick him in CF, and let Saunders play one of the other 2 positions.
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Ibanez proved to be a Free Agent bargain for his $2.75 MIL 2013 deal. The 41 Year Old, gave the team 29 HRs and 65 RBI in his 450 AB. if he is willing to take on a part-time role, the team should dish out a similar deal to bring him back again for 2014.
Raul Ibanez LF/DH: The clutch dude put back ‘Father Time” for one more campaign, driving 29 HRs and 65 RBI in just 454 AB. He doesn’t look he can ever play the field, but he finds a way to help.
As the Indians have shown with Jason Giambi, having a quality Veteran, who can mash the ball out of the yard in DH/PH duties is crucial to a contending team. I would try to bring him back again for a couple of Million bucks.
The Bullpen was pretty good for the Mariners again in 2013, and the team has plenty enough young arms to keep up the Relief Core in 2014 – with Carter Capps, Charlie Furbush, Danny Farquhar, Yoervis Medina, Lucas Luetge and Tom Wilhelmsen.
It is my belief they should go and sign an established Closer to take over the role. Possibly a Jose Veras or Fernando Rodney. Just don’t break the bank. They could always trade for a Stopper later in the year.
Most Pressing Need – OF help
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Ellsbury would be a great FA singing, however he missed 88 Games in 2012 (and also missed 144 Games in 2010), which brings into question his long – term durability. Heck, even this season, he was limping around in a walking boot just before the playoffs. The 30 Year Old, originally from Madros, OR - has a Career 3 Slash of .297/.350/.789 – and averages 57 XBH, 55 SB, 198 Hits and 108 RBI for every 162 Games Played.
Definitely 2 OF on the open market. 1st on their hitlist should be Oregon Native Jacoby Ellsbury. They should be willing to sign this guy to 6 or 7 Years at about $18 MIL per year (Jayson Werth-like cash).
The unfortunate part about this deal is that Ellsbury fights the injury bug. This is the biggest move to make. The Mariners have to take this risk – and especially if the player is willing to come to the Pacific North West.
Even if they get this guy, they should also make a play for Ex-Mariner Shin-Soo Choo.
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Shin-Soo Choo is just the kind of player the Mariners lack in the OF. The one time M’s player was dealt from the club for Ben Broussard, in a colossally bad move in 2006. Could the Mariners correct it in Free Agency by making the guy an offer he can’t refuse? Choo hit for a 3 Slash of .285/.423/865 with 21 SB, 20 HRs and 107 Runs Scored. He led the Major Leagues in HBP (26). Choo is a 3 time 20/20 guy, and he could easily roam over the LF area at Safeco Field.
What I like about both of these guys, is simply they work the counts, Walk, have nice OBP, score plenty of runs – and are consistent.
A distant 3rd on this list should be Jason Kubel. In particular, if you can’t re-sign Kendrys Morales, or additionally if you do, this guy is the kind of player the Mariners could use.
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Jason Kubel was one of the better RBI OF/DH from 2009 – 2012, with 375 RBI in only 2145 AB. This works out to be about 100 RBI for every 600 AB. This was great production yet he doesn’t see that much respect. Kubel should revel in coming back to the American League permanently again – where he can primarily DH. The man has a Career 3 Slash of .264/.330/.785 – even though he was only .216/.273/.610 this recent campaign – split between Arizona and Cleveland. His RBI production, and keen eye at the plate should be appealing to the Mariners.
Another guy to look at could be Cory Hart. The guy can play 1B or RF, and this kind of versatility would be nice to have on the team. Again, injuries have to be considered, but at the right price he may help.
For Infield help, they should take look at trying to sign Jhonny Peralta. If I am repeating myself then sorry, but he could play SS or even OF. With Miller and Franklin up the middle, both with under a year experience, versatile players would be a good idea.
For Starting Pitcher, how about bringing back a guy like Jason Vargas?? The guy lugged 217 IP for the team in 2012, and held an ERA under 4.
I would not spend the farm on Starting Pitching help, and there are not many great Pitchers for depth. If they miss out on the offensive FA’s, then it could be a possibility.
I like the idea of taking a flier on Phil Hughes, Josh Johnson and Scott Kazmir. Having a pitchers ballpark should help attract some guys looking for a change.
Whatever the Mariners do, they should spend money for the most talented guys they can bring in for Free Agency.
Safeco Field is a beautiful ballpark – that has proven to be full if the team competes. Perhaps the Seattle, Toronto and Baltimore clubs feature the biggest swings of attendance based on the teams competitiveness, out of any other clubs in the Majors.
The next tier of that conversation would be Pittsburgh, Washington and Texas.
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Felix Hernandez has been the face of the Seattle Mariners since 2009 when he won 19 games for the Mariners. He followed up with a CY Young season in 2010. This year, the King was having another typical Hernandez campaign – 12 – 6, with a 2.63 ERA – before losing his last 4 decisions, and his ERA rising to 3.04 to end the campaign. He was recently handed a 7 Year/$175 MIL extension. The club has also never given him ample run support. Hernandez has a career 3.20 ERA – but is only 110 – 87 (.561). he is also a workhorse. Hernandez topped the 200 frame mark for the 5th straight year. It would be nice if the franchise could get to the point where they compete around him.
*** The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of mlbreports.com or their partners ***
A big thank-you goes out to Our ‘Chief Writer‘ Hunter Stokes for preparing today’s featured article. Hunter is a Baseball Writer for MLB reports.
Hunter grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia and played baseball with Sheldon Bream (Sid Bream‘s son) at Liberty University in the NCAA.
His favorite player is Brian Wilson (how could you guess?), and he hates when people can’t think outside the box!
His favorite expression – is ‘drive that one out that out and you have 110 LBS worth of crap in a 100 pound sack!
You can reach Hunter on Twitter Follow @stokes_hunter21
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