M's In the 2000s: A Series of Fun Facts

Everyone has some sort of decade in review of their own. Time to add mine to the masses. Staying true to this blog's title, this post is a true Mariners musing. Here is a review of the decade that was for the Seattle Mariners, in a series of fun facts:

• Average regular season record (rounded to the nearest win) in the decade: 84-78
• 9-10 record in postseason games in the decade
• Three general managers and five managers in the decade
• Two Rookies of the Year (Kazuhiro Sasaki in 2000, and Ichiro in 2001)
• One MVP (Ichiro in 2001)
• One Manager of the Year (Lou Piniella in 2001)
• One All-Star Game hosted (2001)
• No Cy Young awards or World Championships

Here are some fun facts about the hitters:

• Ichiro played the most games (1,426). Raul Ibanez played the second most (847).
• Ichiro had the most hits of any Mariner in the decade with 2,030. Not a big surprise. What's incredible is that he had almost 400 more than #2 and #3 combined.
• Ichiro had more intentional walks (142) than #2 through #4 combined (130)
• Ichiro had more triples (68) than #2 through #5 combined (67)
• Ichiro had more steals (341) than #2 through #5 combined (325)
• Ichiro also led the team in at-bats, plate appearances, runs, doubles, and hit-by-pitches
• Most RBIs in the decade? That's Ichiro too, with 515.
• Bret Boone hit more home runs than any other Mariner in the decade (127)
• Dan Wilson had more sacrifice hits (a.k.a. successful bunts) than any other Mariner (37)
• Mike Cameron struck out the most times (601)
• John Olerud drew the most walks (418), had the most sacrifice flies (36), and grounded into the most double plays (83)

The pitchers aren't quite as fun to look at as the hitters. Their biggest problem is that none of them are Ichiro:

• Jamie Moyer had the most wins (93), complete games (10), and innings pitched (1,371.1)
• Arthur Rhodes made the most pitching appearances (312)
• Aaron Sele pitched more complete game shutouts (4) than any other M's starter this decade
• Kazuhiro Sasaki notched the most saves (129), though J.J. Putz finished the most games (207)
• Felix Hernandez struck out more batters (810) and threw more wild pitches (46) than any other Mariner
• Ryan Franklin balked the most (six times)

Finally, my personal favorite, which is hard to believe but true...

• Ken Griffey Jr. started and ended the decade a Seattle Mariner

Weren't those fun? They were definitely facts.

Opening Day Roster Set

During the broadcast of the M's/Cubs game today, the 2008 opening day roster for the Mariners was announced. Here they are:

STARTING LINEUP

• C - Kenji Johjima
• 1B - Richie Sexson
• 2B - Jose Lopez
• SS - Yuniesky Betancourt
• 3B - Adrian Beltre
• LF - Raul Ibanez
• CF - Ichiro
• RF - Brad Wilkerson

Analysis: There is not much to say here. The lineup was for all intents and purposes set before spring training began. There was little competition here, and no surprises either.

STARTING ROTATION

1. Erik Bedard
2. Felix Hernandez
3. Carlos Silva
4. Jarrod Washburn
5. Miguel Batista

Analysis: Much like the starting lineup, the rotation was set before spring training started. John McLaren even announced the order before spring training games began, so there was absolutely no competition all spring. To say there are no surprises here is an understatement.

BULLPEN

• Cha Seung Baek
• Ryan Rowland-Smith
• Sean Green
• Eric O'Flaherty
• Mark Lowe
• J.J. Putz

Analysis: This is the first place where there were a few surprises. McLaren was not sure whether he would go with a six or seven man bullpen the entire spring, and all along I thought the odds were the M's would go with seven, though any six-man scenario would include R.A. Dickey. In the end, McLaren surprised me twice, both with the bullpen and taking Baek over Dickey. Instead, the team "traded" C Jair Fernandez to the Twins for Dickey, allowing the team to keep him in AAA and not lose him. Listening to Bavasi on the telecast today, it was clear that Baek's lack of remaining minor league options was a major factor in the decision, and I am fine with that. Baek and Dickey are different pitchers, but one is not much better than the other. Preserving depth is certainly worth something, and because of that I am happy to see Baek in the bullpen.

The other interesting bullpen story is Mark Lowe. He has looked fairly sharp in spring training, and that coupled with Morrow's arm injury and overall lack of control opened up a spot for him. However, it is clear that the M's are planning on bringing Morrow back up once he is ready to go, so Lowe may have to hit the ground running to stay around.

Another player worth watching is Arthur Rhodes. He did not make the team, but he has looked good in the spring and he will continue to rehab from arm surgery. If he looks good in the minors, McLaren is going to have a hard time keeping him off the team. If either O'Flaherty or Rowland-Smith falter, he could be up soon.

BENCH

• Willie Bloomquist
• Miguel Cairo
• Mike Morse
• Charlton Jimerson
• Jamie Burke

Analysis: I am quite pleased with this bench. Keeping one less man in the bullpen allowed for one more bench player, which opened up the space needed for Mike Morse. However, after listening to the telecast today, it sounds like the last man on was actually Jimerson or Cairo. McLaren has been so impressed with Morse's spring that he now thinks he will platoon with Brad Wilkerson. Though looking at the numbers it would make more sense to have Morse platoon with Ibanez, I like that McLaren is rewarding such a great spring training peformance.

As for the rest of the bench, there is lots of versatility and speed. Both Bloomquist and Cairo can play virtually everywhere and grab a bag when needed, but Jimerson will likely be the primary pinch-runner. It is obvious that McLaren really wants to run this year, because he kept these three players and did not keep either Greg Norton or Jeremy Reed, both left-handed hitters but not as big of threats to steal. Personally, I probably would have kept Greg Norton and not Miguel Cairo (well, if I really was running the team I never would have signed Cairo to a major league contract), but I credit McLaren for a thinking a little outside of the box and starting the season with no left-handed hitters on the bench.

All in all, the final opening day roster excites me. The Mariners rewarded the good spring performances that Baek and Morse turned in, which I really like. They also went with less proven players, like Charlton Jimerson and Ryan Rowland-Smith, over more experienced guys, like Greg Norton and Arthur Rhodes. John McLaren has a clear vision of what he wants the 2008 Mariners to look like, and he built the roster by picking the 25 guys that fit his vision best. He did not just favor experience, or just talent. This team has a good mix of both, and also has a little depth in the minors too at all positions. This is the best roster the M's have put together under Bill Bavasi.

Mariners Announce Spring Invitees

Yesterday the Mariners announced that they had invited 18 players not on the 40-man roster to spring training. For any of these players to make the team a player would have to be dropped from the 40-man roster and thus potentially lost to another team for nothing, so it stacks the odds against any of them. However, just last year P Brandon Morrow (75/81), P Arthur Rhodes (76/72), and C Jamie Burke (69/70) were in these players' shoes and made the opening day roster.

Every year three types of players are on this list: prized prospects that will not make the ballclub, but that the team wants to introduce to the major league environment, prospects the front office wants to take a closer look at, and veterans of either the majors or minors who could make it on the opening day squad, but more than likely are ticketed for AAA as needed organizational depth. Though prospects tend to get the headlines, I enjoy looking at the veterans because they have the best chance to make the team, and also because it showcases what I believe is Bavasi's greatest talent - finding players cast away by other teams that probably should not have been set free. He drives much nuts as a GM much of the time, but I admire his exceptional ability to find quality role players for cheap. Here is this year's list of spring training invitees:

P Phillipe Aumont (-/-) - Aumont definitely falls into the category of prized prospect with no chance to make the team. He will likely be compared to Morrow at some point, especially if he looks good in his first couple appearances, but he is much younger and even more inexperienced than Morrow was at this point last year. That being said, I am eager to get a chance to see how he does.

P Phillip Barzilla (59/63) - Barzilla is a 28-year-old lefty that had been in the Astros organization his whole career until now. He has major league experience, though only one-third of an inning's worth. I do not think he is much, but he was switched to the bullpen mid-season last year and posted a sub-1.00 ERA. I am guessing that is what prompted the Mariners to extend him an invite.

P Roy Corcoran (65/70) - Corcoran got cups of coffee in the majors in three different seasons with the Expos/Nationals, but spent all of last year in AAA at Albequerque, Florida's affiliate. He is a classic example of the kind of player Bavasi is great at finding. Corcoran is not a guy I would like to see working the late innings, but he is good enough to be a middle reliever on many ballclubs.

P Brodie Downs (56/66) - Downs is somewhere between "unique" and "intriguing." At 28 years old and a former 23rd round draftee, he does not seem to be exactly a prospect. However, he was drafted just last June, making him the only player besides Aumont invited to camp from the most recent draft class. His rating is the reflection of only 25.1 innings worth of work last season, so I do not know how well it reflects his actual ability. He is worth keeping an eye on.

P Stephen Kahn (50/68) - Kahn missed all of last season thanks to reconstructive knee surgery, so his rating is based on his 2006 numbers. A reliever, Kahn struck better than a batter per inning and kept his home run rate low, but also walked a bunch of batters and gave up a fair number of hits too. Much like Downs, he is a prospect the Mariners want to take a closer look at, but is quite unlikely to make the team.

P Kameron Mickolio (65/76) - I really like this guy, and so do the Mariners. He was drafted in the 18th round in 2006, but logged ample time in AAA last year and excelled. At 6'9" he is an imposing presence on the mound and has a bright future. Of all the prospects on this list, I think Mickolio has the best chance to make the team.

P Chris Reitsma (50/50) - Reitsma has really fallen off the table the last couple season, thanks in large part to injuries. If he has truly healed he may have some gas left in the tank and make a run at a spot in the bullpen. I think his chances are slim, but the real question is how much allegiance John McLaren has to him. If McLaren wants Reitsma on the roster, he will get every opportunity to make it.

P Arthur Rhodes (72/68) - Wisdom says that a pitcher in his late 30s coming off of major elbow surgery that made him miss all of last season would have almost no chance of making the team. However, this is Arthur Rhodes, and he is an exception for two reasons. First and foremost, McLaren remembers how dominant Rhodes was for the M's back in his prime, and without a doubt he would like to add Rhodes to the bullpen. However, beyond that, the numbers indicate that if he has recovered from the elbow surgery, he still has something to offer. Of all the veterans invited to camp, Rhodes has by far the best chance to stick.

P Robert Rohrbaugh (65/75) - Rohrbaugh has torn through the minors the past couple years rather quietly, only garnering attention the second half of last year when he was promoted to Tacoma and ultimately was named the Rainiers Pitcher of the Year. He was one of my darkhorses for the fifth starter spot until the M's signed Carlos Silva (75/74), but even without a spot to compete for on the roster, he will probably survive several cuts in spring training.

P Chris Tillman (46/78) - Many people are high on this former prep star, including the Mariners. They are treating him like a big-time prospect by inviting him to camp this year, though I think he is ultimately going to start the year in AA. I am not as sold on him as most, though I like his potential and do think he could take a big stride forward in 2008.

P Jake Woods (51/57) - He was a quality middle reliever in 2006, but struggled mightily in 2007. If he is sticking in the M's organization past March, he will be in Tacoma.

C Jair Fernandez (42/71) - Jair got invited most likely because the Mariners needed more catcher to handle all the pitchers. He is only 20 years old, but did not log even 200 at-bats in low A Wisconsin last year. He will likely be cut once enough pitchers are cut.

C Adam Moore (52/71) - Moore also gets an invite because of a need for catchers, but he may very well have received an invite regardless. He opened many eyes with an impressive season at Inland Empire, though it should be noted he was a bit old for the league at 23. He should open up the season in AA, and if he duplicates his performance last year he will become an even more interesting prospect.

C Brant Ust (56/61) - Much like Fernandez, Ust is here just for the pitchers. He is a 28-year-old utility player who did not even play much catcher last year in Tacoma. Still, it is a nice gesture by the team to give this career minor-leaguer a chance to play in a major league camp, even if it ends up being for only a few weeks.

2B Tug Hulett (66/72) - Hulett is a new-comer to the organization acquired in the Ben Broussard (73/72) trade. Hulett is not a star in the making, but he would be a good bench player. I would not be surprised if he hung around until one of the final cuts.

3B Mark Kiger (63/74) - Though Kriger has never appeared in a regular season MLB game, he has appeared in the playoffs with the A's in 2006! In fact, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, Kiger is the only player in major league history to make his major league debut in the playoffs. Last year he was in the Mets organization, where he spent most of his time in AA. He posted great numbers, though at 27 years of age he was rather old for the league. Kiger has played mostly third in his career, though he has played some at all infield spots. Kiger is another example of a quality role player that Bavasi has a knack for finding. He likely will not make the M's, but he should provide depth down in Tacoma.

3B Matt Tuiasosopo (51/70) - Tui has been invited several times to major league camp now, and it would still be stunning if he made the team. With that being said, I expect the team to give him a longer look this spring training, because I think he will ultimately start the year in Tacoma.

OF Bronson Sardinha (62/68) - Sardinha is a former first-round pick of the New York Yankees, and finally made the majors last year as a September call-up, appearing in only 10 games. His numbers were disappointing in AAA last year, but his combination of power and speed is intriguing, and at 24 years old he certainly could bounce back. Bronson is this year's version of OF Charlton Jimerson (59/69), except a little younger and a little better.

That Cereal Better Be Delicious and Filling

In case you missed it in all the hype surrounding Coco Crisp going to Boston, Coco Crisp was actually traded to Boston on Friday. In the deal, Cleveland traded away MLB's best cereal along with backup catcher Josh Bard and reliever David Riske for third baseman Andy Marte, catcher Kelly Shoppach, reliever Guillermo Mota, a player to be named later, and cash. In a related move, the Indians also dealt Arthur Rhodes to the Phillies for outfielder Jason Michaels.

With all the hype surrounding the deal, I was leaning towards not posting anything about it. However, Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro finally came out and spoke publicly about the deal, and was extremely defensive because most Indian fans are livid over it. I agree, the deal is lop-sided - but in the Indians favor. Let's break down the deal from Cleveland's perspective into each of the major pieces:

Kelly Shoppach replaces Josh Bard: Josh Bard was a solid reserve catcher, but Shoppach is one of the better catching prospects in the game. Kelly is ready for the major leagues and was impressive in AAA last year, where he hit for power and average and also threw out a higher percentage of runners than anyone else in the International League. Kelly Shoppach will compete with Einar Diaz for backup catching duties, but Shoppach is clearly the better of the two and should allow Victor Martinez to play some first base or DH much more often than last year.

Guillermo Mota replaces Arthur Rhodes: Mota's stock has fallen after a sub-par 2005, but he was one of the game's better relievers 2002-2004 with a career year in 2003. Furthermore, the drop is most likely due to arm troubles that have had an off-season to heal. Still, the Indians almost nixed the deal because of his health concerns, forcing Boston to add the "player to be named later" and more cash. At 32, it is unreasonable to expect Mota to revert back to his 2003 form, but the odds are he will bounce back and be a quality setup man. Considering Rhodes is in the twilight of his career, Mota should be just as good, if not better.

Jason Michaels replaces Coco Crisp: Easily the most controversial part of the deal, Michaels is much better than many give him credit for. Over the last two years, Jason Michaels has hit 14 home runs, driven in 71, and accumulated a .289 batting average in 588 at-bats. Not spectacular number, but solid. However, he is being asked to replace Coco Crisp, not Babe Ruth and last year Crisp batted .300 with 16 home runs and 69 RBIs in 594 at-bats. Based on these numbers, Michaels should fill in nicely for Coco Crisp. However, digging a little further into the numbers, Michaels has a significantly higher on-base percentage and a better strikeout-to-walk ratio. So, it is very reasonable to assume that Jason Michaels can replace Coco Crisp, or even be a slight improvement.

The leftover parts - David Riske for Andy Marte, a player to be named later, and cash: The Indians did not get a replacement for Riske in the deal, but he was essentially a middle reliever last year and should not be too difficult to replace. On the other hand, Andy Marte is one of the finest prospects in baseball and maybe the best third base prospect in the game today. Based on his minor league career, Marte looks like a perennial threat to bat .300 with 30 home runs, 100 RBIs, and gold glove defense once he fully develops. Even better, Marte will be ready for the big leagues very soon, probably before 2006 is over. Who would not part with David Riske for a prospect like that? Then, on top of that, the Indians will likely get another prospect as the player to be named later, and they even got some cash.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Indians got the best of the Coco Crisp swap. In the short term, the Indians should break even at the very least, but even by next year they will be the clear winners. Don't worry Indians fans; the franchise is in very good hands with Mark Shapiro. He is one of the best general managers in baseball and he proved it once again with this excellent move.

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