Mariners Offseason Thread 2014-2015

[HawkFan72]

Anyone expecting 40/100 this year is just setting themselves up for disappointment. I'd be thrilled with 30/80, which would both be above his career averages. And that would be a great boost for the Offense.

 

[Uncle Si]

Anyone expecting 40/100 this year is just setting themselves up for disappointment. I'd be thrilled with 30/80, which would both be above his career averages. And that would be a great boost for the Offense.

agreed, 25/75 would be just fine in reality

 

[jkitsune]

Averages, by definition, are not significantly influenced by number of at-bats. A .300 average is the same 'average' regardless of if the person went 3/10 or 30/100. Counting stats, such as hits, home runs, and RBIs (which you like), -are- significantly influenced by number of at-bats. Averages have their own problems, and are prone to being misread (i.e., one might argue that a player with a .500 average is better than a player with a .260 average, while ignoring that the former individual only had 2 at-bats).

The fact that Nelson Cruz hit 40 HRs last year is remarkable. His other power metrics are excellent. He undoubtedly brings the lineup a significant upgrade. RBIs are a bit of an odd stat to me, because Nelson Cruz (or anyone) batting after Cano/Seager will have more RBIs than the same person batting after Brad Miller, simply because Cano/Seager are on base more.

Arguing about WAR when talking about monetary value is just a way of attempting to take into consideration defense, plate discipline, and other aspects of a person's game which increase their team's odds of winning other than simple counting stats. Adam Dunn and Alex Rodriguez can both hit 40 HRs and 100 RBis, and Adam Dunn is nowhere near the quality of player that A-Rod was.

 

[davidonmi]

40-50 range is still high for someone who has no defensive value and is just coming off a PED suspension and a career year at age 34.
I could go into projected war and all that, but I'll just say that I can see the argument from either side.
A lot of money, but they filled a need.
As for hunter his defense fell off a cliff last year, I'd prefer Saunders in rf

His projected WAR is something like a 6 win improvement on who he is replacing (Ive seen anywhere from 2-3.5 for next season).

I look at this deal in the same terms as what happened with Sexson. Value on the front end. the last year will suck. But 4 years from now we've no idea what this team will look like. Its a win now move and I think the value is reflective in the first 2 years. I guess thats the debate though, isnt it. if it was only a 2 year deal i doubt anyone would be concerned at all.

I meant I preferred Saunders and find him undervalued. I'm not a huge fan of Hunter. Would prefer Rasmus if it came to it. (it seems the Ms are deadset on moving Saunders, for reasons I cant fathom).

I think the sexson comp is accurate.
If he can produce like that it will validate the contract imo

 

[hawkfan68]

The M's lineup could look like this:

Austin Jackson, CF
Dustin Ackley, LF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nelson Cruz, DH
Kyle Seager, 3B
Mike Zunino, C
DJ Peterson or Logan Morrison, 1B
Logan Morrison or Whoever, RF
Brad Miller/Chris Taylor, SS

That top to middle of the lineup looks pretty good on paper.

 

[HawkFan72]

I really hope Austin Jackson can bounce back. His career has been trending downward the last couple years, but he has so much potential. And hopefully Ackley can keep going with whatever spark he found in the 2nd half last year.

Our top half of the lineup would be scary good if those two guys can live up to their potential. Ackley gives me confidence he might, Jackson not so much.

 

[m0ng0]

I read somewhere that Safeco is more of a hitters park for righties then Camden is these days.

 

[dumbrabbit]

The 2014-15 Mariners offseason is the same as the 2012-2013 Seahawks offseason - trying to get over the hump.

 

[davidonmi]

The M's lineup could look like this:

Austin Jackson, CF
Dustin Ackley, LF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nelson Cruz, DH
Kyle Seager, 3B
Mike Zunino, C
DJ Peterson or Logan Morrison, 1B
Logan Morrison or Whoever, RF
Brad Miller/Chris Taylor, SS

That top to middle of the lineup looks pretty good on paper.

no chance peterson makes the roster and no chance morrison is in RF.
It will be morrison at 1b and either Saunders or whoever they acquire in RF

 

[Uncle Si]

Hunter back to the Twins.

Very interested to see what outfielder(s) they bring in

 

[Sports Hernia]

The M's lineup could look like this:

Austin Jackson, CF
Dustin Ackley, LF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nelson Cruz, DH
Kyle Seager, 3B
Mike Zunino, C
DJ Peterson or Logan Morrison, 1B
Logan Morrison or Whoever, RF
Brad Miller/Chris Taylor, SS

That top to middle of the lineup looks pretty good on paper.

no chance peterson makes the roster and no chance morrison is in RF.
It will be morrison at 1b and either Saunders or whoever they acquire in RF

I wouldn't be so sure of DJ not making the club. Jack has said if he has a good spring he wouldn't hesitate to put him on the 25 man roster if he looks ready, 1st base is open.

 

[jkitsune]

I think it's reasonable to think he could play himself into a roster spot, but with the way LogDog finished up last season, I really doubt he'll be cast aside, particularly since the team has a solid roster as it is currently constructed and there may be less urgency to 'rush' prospects (like Zunino), and LoMo would be unlikely to end up in RF on any prolonged basis in the event that Peterson did make it (JMHO).

Personally, I wish the Mariners would take it a lot slower with their prospects. I can't prove that 'rushing' prospects has any impact on their development, but it has felt like pushing Zunino and Ackley as quickly as possible to the major league level may have taken a toll on their batting.

 

[jkitsune]

Mariners trade Michael Saunders for J.A. Happ, according to Twitter.

 

[SeatownJay]

Mariners trade Michael Saunders for J.A. Happ, according to Twitter.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/11974 ... ys-ja-happ

 

[Blitzer88]

Mariners trade Michael Saunders for J.A. Happ, according to Twitter.

...............ugh.........................dang...................our outfield depth was bad already and it just took another hit.

 

[m0ng0]

hmmm, does this mean a starting pitcher is going to get traded for another bat?

 

[jkitsune]

Mariners trade Michael Saunders for J.A. Happ, according to Twitter.

...............ugh.........................dang...................our outfield depth was bad already and it just took another hit.

For reasons entirely unclear to me, Saunders has been clearly in management's dog house for quite some time. I know the guy couldn't stay healthy, but he was a pretty productive player for us, and one of our only decent OF to start last year.

Let's hope now that they definitely get a Melky Cabrera.

 

[MizzouHawkGal]

It must be for some future trade, maybe one the works?

 

[jkitsune]

It must be for some future trade, maybe one the works?

I'm hoping they feel confident about signing Cabrera. IMO, the cost of giving up prospects is going to be too high for the avilable outfielders. Not saying I'd hate it, but if they could sign Melky and just give up their 2nd round draft pick and more money, rather than pay Matt Kemp AND trade away players, while getting similar production?

 

[Ziggyy108]

Im a die hard Jays fan and I can tell you right now that like 98% of fan base on Forums/Blogs are extremely excited about this.

Happ should be good for the Mariners. He has a great fastball. Made some adjustments this year that seemed to help him become more consistent. Safeco will absolutely help him out. I think he could actually have a career year this year. He was my least favourite player on the team though. Just comes across as an unlikeable guy. We kind of bounced him back and forth from the pen and rotation and he made some comments about not being happy with it. Thats where most of it comes from.

For the Jays ... Saunders will definitely be the starting LF. Huge defensive upgrade for us over Melky. I think many Jays fans are going to be relieved that we didn't invest big money and long term to Melky. Moving to the Rogers Centre should improve Saunders number some as well. We actually save money in the deal and should still have quite a bit to play with the rest of the offseason which is exciting. We have some great young pitching that will all be fighting for Innings in the big leagues this year so Happ was just another arm that was making too much money at the back end of the rotation.

Fun trade for both teams. I think the Mariners definitely have another move coming for an impact outfielder.