Mariners are insulted again

[ryan36]

Let me preface this by saying I live in Seattle. My family bought season tickets after their first winning season ever. (Mgr, Bill Plummer : 64-98. Ick).I have a couple friends who cover the Mariners in the media. They both say that the Mariners franchise is a joke, in the eyes of players and agents. Beyond the long travel schedules, and living in the almost far NW corner of the country, nobody with a "win now " attitude (AKA most free agents) wants to play for this organization. Players don't believe Mike Hargrove can win anymore. Players believe that if they sign here for big money, Bill Bavasi isn't good enough to surround them with the athletes to win games. Bill Bavasi's teams have never had a winning record while he was the GM. He's a scouting director. I heard literally some names the M's went after...their agents simply didn't even call back.
I love my Mariners. But if you look at the "hot stove" part of the baseball preview section, the "cold plate" in the Manager, and GM category was Mike Hargrove and Bill Bavasi. Am I the only one frustrated here!

[RoyalBoyle78]

Re: Mariners are insulted again

Let me preface this by saying I live in Seattle. My family bought season tickets after their first winning season ever. (Mgr, Bill Plummer : 64-98. Ick).I have a couple friends who cover the Mariners in the media. They both say that the Mariners franchise is a joke, in the eyes of players and agents. Beyond the long travel schedules, and living in the almost far NW corner of the country, nobody with a "win now " attitude (AKA most free agents) wants to play for this organization. Players don't believe Mike Hargrove can win anymore. Players believe that if they sign here for big money, Bill Bavasi isn't good enough to surround them with the athletes to win games. Bill Bavasi's teams have never had a winning record while he was the GM. He's a scouting director. I heard literally some names the M's went after...their agents simply didn't even call back.
I love my Mariners. But if you look at the "hot stove" part of the baseball preview section, the "cold plate" in the Manager, and GM category was Mike Hargrove and Bill Bavasi. Am I the only one frustrated here!

players just don't go because it rains to damn much...LOL. J/k. I feel bad for Suski.

[GBrushTWood]

Re: Mariners are insulted again

I feel bad for Suski.

(Assuming you are talking about Ichiro) His contract is up after the 2007 season, so he may be getting out of there soon.

[SPTO]

Re: Mariners are insulted again

Well i'm glad the Mariners have taken over the Jays spot of being the redheaded stepchild of MLB

[Thrasha]

Re: Mariners are insulted again

(Assuming you are talking about Ichiro) His contract is up after the 2007 season, so he may be getting out of there soon.

I think the rumor around USS Mariner was that Ichiro made some comments to a Japanese newspaper along the lines of being frustrated with the direction of the franchise.

I'm not sure if it was confirmed or denied by Ichiro. So take it for what it's worth.

[SPTO]

Re: Mariners are insulted again

I thought I heard a couple years ago how Matsui would love to see Ichiro in NY or the other way around (Matsui in Seattle)

[Gary Armida]

Re: Mariners are insulted again

It always baffled me that Seattle was not a better franchise. The stadium is gorgeous, the city is as well. Their problem is that they don't develop anything anymore. For a while they did with Griffey, Arod, Edgar (I believe) and trading for good, young talent like Buhner, RJ, etc. It's all about management. Once those guys became good, they lost the focus that got them there in the first place. Now they just throw money out there. They need to take a Twins approach develop their arms.

There is so much wasted potential on that franchise.

[Scottdau]

Re: Mariners are insulted again

(Assuming you are talking about Ichiro) His contract is up after the 2007 season, so he may be getting out of there soon.

He is coming to San Francisco. He will be bigger than Godzilla here. Think about it, it will be a great fit.

[WazzuRC]

Re: Mariners are insulted again

Unless a miracle, I think Ichiro is as good as gone. And different from ARod, I wouldn't hold anything against him. Hargrove is a horrible manager, Bavasi is an even worse GM, and the management as a whole is awful. They need to focus on getting as much young talent as possible because the minor league teams have good managers and pretty good development systems.

I miss 1995.

[GBrushTWood]

Re: Mariners are insulted again

I thought I heard a couple years ago how Matsui would love to see Ichiro in NY or the other way around (Matsui in Seattle)

It's possible. Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon are under contract for 2008 with the Yankees, so those spots are seemingly occupied. Bobby Abreu, however, has a $16M option in his contract for 2008, or a $2M buyout. It's possible the Yankees might think Abreu is not the right fit for them in right field, buy him out, then pursue Ichiro.

In case anybody is wondering, the Red Sox have all of Manny Ramirez, Coco Crisp, and J.D. Drew under contract for 2008 and beyond. Crisp's contract is easily moveable, however, and after this upcoming 2007 season, he will have 2 years and approximately $10.5M remaining on his contract (not too much for any team really). Of course, the other thing with the Red Sox is alleged stud prospect CF Jacoby Ellsbury rising up through the minor league system. If he is projected to be as good as everybody claims he is, then I can't see the Red Sox throwing money at Ichiro. Of course, he could have a terrible 2007, along with Crisp, and the Red Sox could then be in the running.

Still plenty of time to see how this Ichiro thing plays out. I'm sure more than half the teams in the majors would love to have Ichiro manning one of their outfield positions..

[dieselboy]

Re: Mariners are insulted again

Seattle better trade Ichiro at the break.

[The Chef]

Re: Mariners are insulted again

Seattle should have never signed Richie Sexson, not sure what they saw in him, horrible average, injury prone and isnt the greatest on defense either. Beltre started to show signs last year but he wont ever get close to the #'s he put up in LA and their pitching is horrible also. What was the big pitcher they signed this offseason, Jarrod Washburn?

[WazzuRC]

Re: Mariners are insulted again

Seattle should have never signed Richie Sexson, not sure what they saw in him, horrible average, injury prone and isnt the greatest on defense either. Beltre started to show signs last year but he wont ever get close to the #'s he put up in LA and their pitching is horrible also. What was the big pitcher they signed this offseason, Jarrod Washburn?

It was Jeff Weaver. But they're all the same anyway.

[dieselboy]

Re: Mariners are insulted again

Just looking ahead to the Adam Jones era...