Sunday, April 27, 2008
DH I'd like to see
With Greg Norton breaking out a big game yesterday, and the blogosphere pushing hard for Jeff Clement, it seems like everyone is talking about improving the M's DH productivity.
We know that Greg Norton is not a long-term answer, but I agree that he is an improvement on the reanimated corpse of Jose Vidro.
I just wanted to throw another name out there for a part time DH candidate who should be available on the cheap.
Russell Branyan.
Yes, that Russell Branyan. He is currently sporting a 406/465/734 line for the Brewers AAA Omaha affiliate. He epitomizes the Three True Outcome hitter, and his power/lefthandedness would be a great fit for Safeco field. He is Norton with pop, and could spell Beltre, Ibanez, Wilkerson, or Sexson with much more possibility for scoring than Willie Bloomquist. Heck, Richie could take nights off and we wouldn't be able to tell!
That's my vote for a short term solution at DH and the bench.
Then, in June, bring up Clement and Wlad, when the M's are ready to give them every day playing time.
We know that Greg Norton is not a long-term answer, but I agree that he is an improvement on the reanimated corpse of Jose Vidro.
I just wanted to throw another name out there for a part time DH candidate who should be available on the cheap.
Russell Branyan.
Yes, that Russell Branyan. He is currently sporting a 406/465/734 line for the Brewers AAA Omaha affiliate. He epitomizes the Three True Outcome hitter, and his power/lefthandedness would be a great fit for Safeco field. He is Norton with pop, and could spell Beltre, Ibanez, Wilkerson, or Sexson with much more possibility for scoring than Willie Bloomquist. Heck, Richie could take nights off and we wouldn't be able to tell!
That's my vote for a short term solution at DH and the bench.
Then, in June, bring up Clement and Wlad, when the M's are ready to give them every day playing time.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Yoda Can NOT Catch a Break
Just five days after hitting a pinch-hit home run to ignite a Phillies rally and re-ignite the imagination of Seattle sports fans who worship at the Cult of Doyle, this comes on Rotoworld:
Phillies placed outfielder Chris Snelling on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 17, with left knee inflammation.
The Baseball Gods SUCK.
Phillies placed outfielder Chris Snelling on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 17, with left knee inflammation.
The Baseball Gods SUCK.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Knuckleballer Goes Tonight
I am pretty darn excited to watch the first Mariner start of newborn knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. If you're like me, then you may just be learning about Mr. Dickey, so I thought I'd put in a few links in one handy place.
His wikipedia page mentions that he had been unsuccessfully sued for stealing the pitch that he used to call "The Thang", and has now become his bread and butter pitch. More impressively, he has no ulnar collateral ligament (the ligament replaced in Tommy John surgery) in his pitching arm!
In late February, he got some national attention with this article in the New York Times which is a must-read for any Mariner fan. His story is fascinating, and if he can get batters out with his fast-knuckleball, we may have a third must-watch pitcher in the rotation and a tougher decision on what to do when Erik Bedard returns.
Most of the blogosphere seems excited about the arrival of a knuckleballer. USSM sees it as a low-risk, high-reward move. Dr. Detecto does its usual good job with his Player of the Day writeup (POTD).
I'm a longtime fan of the knuckleball, and I can't wait for tonight and can only hope that its the start of a long love affair between Seattle and Mr. Dickey.
His wikipedia page mentions that he had been unsuccessfully sued for stealing the pitch that he used to call "The Thang", and has now become his bread and butter pitch. More impressively, he has no ulnar collateral ligament (the ligament replaced in Tommy John surgery) in his pitching arm!
In late February, he got some national attention with this article in the New York Times which is a must-read for any Mariner fan. His story is fascinating, and if he can get batters out with his fast-knuckleball, we may have a third must-watch pitcher in the rotation and a tougher decision on what to do when Erik Bedard returns.
Most of the blogosphere seems excited about the arrival of a knuckleballer. USSM sees it as a low-risk, high-reward move. Dr. Detecto does its usual good job with his Player of the Day writeup (POTD).
I'm a longtime fan of the knuckleball, and I can't wait for tonight and can only hope that its the start of a long love affair between Seattle and Mr. Dickey.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Will 2008 Be the Year of the Optimist?
2-5 start says... no.
But a weakened Angels team and the 1-2 punch of Bedard and Felix means this team could eke out a playoff berth, and from there be a nightmare to face. If the Marlins can win two World Series, then I say, why not us?
Bats will emerge this year - its just a question of who? Jose Lopez is the early candidate, but don't count out Richie Sexson having a return to relevence. Or a surprise candidate like Jeff Clement or the Wladinator.
And if we are hanging out near the playoffs come July, we have plenty of talent available to trade, and you know who will be dangled by the Reds? Well, besides Adam Dunn? Ken Griffey returns to the Mariners for their first World Series title.
Its gonna be one heckuva ride.
But a weakened Angels team and the 1-2 punch of Bedard and Felix means this team could eke out a playoff berth, and from there be a nightmare to face. If the Marlins can win two World Series, then I say, why not us?
Bats will emerge this year - its just a question of who? Jose Lopez is the early candidate, but don't count out Richie Sexson having a return to relevence. Or a surprise candidate like Jeff Clement or the Wladinator.
And if we are hanging out near the playoffs come July, we have plenty of talent available to trade, and you know who will be dangled by the Reds? Well, besides Adam Dunn? Ken Griffey returns to the Mariners for their first World Series title.
Its gonna be one heckuva ride.
