Mariners: True or False? - MarinersVsDodgers's Blog

MarinersVsDodgers's Blog

Mariners: True or False?

Posted on April 22, 2012 at 06:41 PM.

(11)

True or False: Mariners currently have a good team.

True. Now, how can one say that the Mariners are a good team after a year they went 65-97? Well, you have the experience veteran hitter (Ichiro), the fresh, exciting young prospect hitter (Dustin Ackley), the superstar ace (Felix Hernandez), the number one prospect (Montero) and a slew of other players waiting to surprise the world.
That is the only problem that the M's face. All these young players are tasked with challenging the reigning powerhouse AL champs Texas Rangers, the new and improved Los Angeles Angels, and the excitable Oakland A's. The players on the M's are good, they are just not being used the right way.
A. Justin Smoak is the cleanup hitter. People are crying out 'why is he not producing?' Well, while he was with Texas he was stationed in one of the friendliest hitter parks ever, and was suited comfortably in a stacked line-up. Then he was traded, toted the top power prospect, and placed in the least friendliest hitter parks...ever. The M's need to place Smoak in AAA and let him produce against Minor League players. He has been faced with a lot of on and off the field issues, including the passing of his dad, who was an influential part in his playing of baseball. Once he gains the confidence he WILL produce.
B. The M's 'think' they have a lineup that can put up 5 five runs a game. Unfortunately they don't. However, they do have a National League lineup. With a DH. The M's lineup contains some quick players that should be laying down bunts, not swinging for the fences (I'm looking at you, Michael Saunders). Figgins, Saunders, Ichiro, Seager, Ryan, Guti...all are fast players that can really get opposing pitchers sweating. If these players utilize the small ball, take more pitches, draw more walks, Montero and Smoak will drive those runs in and who knows, maybe the M's can start putting up 5 runs a game.
C. Rid of Olivo, Welcome Jaso. Olivo averages about 2 strikeouts for game and thinks hes the big bad homerun slugging catcher. Maybe in New York or Boston Miggy, but not Seattle. Trade/Cut Olivo for a bench player or bullpen help, and have Jaso catch. Hes a left-handed bat that is favored in Safeco, and knows how to hit in the Safe.
D. Smart lineups. I don't want someone who strikes out 2-3 times a game to be the leadoff hitter. Let the table-setter set the table. Once Guti returns, he should be the one leading off.

I really do believe that the M's have a good team. Are they playoff potential? Eh, maybe a year or so off, but being good doesn't necessarily mean make it to the ALCS. With better management, the M's will produce *cough cough Wedge*

Do you think the Mariners are a good team?

Comments

# 1 TheKnack @ Apr 22

Have to disagree. I'm a huge Mariners fan. I don't think the players are MLB quality. I think Saunders, Olivo, Ryan etc... are guys that are not MLB caliber. That being said, if Ackley pans out and Montero and Smoak turn into .280/25/90 guys, we could be looking at a ALCS team in 2014.

# 2 MarinersVsDodgers @ Apr 22

I see what you mean, but when Ryan was with the Cardinals, he was able to lay down key bunts. In Seattle he is more prone to striking out or grounding into double plays, so if he were to drop a bunt down after a single to start the inning, per say, that could lead to the key one or two runs the Mariners continuously lose by.

# 3 PackerBacker123 @ Apr 22

ha ha ha ahhhhhhhhhh..... you guys got no hit against a guy with 11 prior wins.

# 4 MarinersVsDodgers @ Apr 23

Yeah, it was nice to see it happen right after I wrote this blog, didn't publish it until today

# 5 xblake16x @ Apr 25

Should Humbert's perfect game have an asterisk next to hit because it wasnt againt a major league offense?

The mariners have no consistent hitters... and Vargas, even though he is playing well now, isnt a suitable number 2 pitcher in the rotation. He can still prove me wrong though.

# 6 MarinersVsDodgers @ Apr 25

The Mariners are all about potential...they strike in short quick bursts. And they falter a lot (Humber's perfect game...yeah yeah yeah), and I agree with your consistency statement...I just feel Wedge needs to change his lineup to produce that spark.

# 7 DustinT @ Apr 25

You talk about Guti like he's one of the best outfielders in the game. He's not that good. When he's playing defense he's great, but he can't hit.

Wedge's lineup is as good as it can get with the talent on the team.

# 8 MarinersVsDodgers @ Apr 25

I never said he's one of the best outfielders in the game. He's the second best fielder on the team (to Ichiro-who knows how many years are left in his tank) with good speed. What I'm suggesting is a change of scenery at the top of the lineup (Figgins won't be the Figgy of LAA ever again, at least with the M's). With Guti+Figgins at the top of the lineup, those are two table-setters that can then be proceeded with Ackley, Ichiro, Montero, Smoak... it's hard to tell at such an early stage in the season.

# 9 trey2k198003 @ Apr 26

I was just talkin to a guy at work about the mariners....i think there very young and unproven i agree with you. They will get it together this season, all i want or anybody else who lives here in seattle is for us to be competitive in late july and august, not be out of the wildcard in late june. Give us some reason to keep soming to the ball park.

# 10 goblue1523 @ Apr 26

They are a few years away from being a playoff team. With Hultzen, Walker, and Paxton a year or two away. They just need to sign some free agents for the offense.

# 11 MarinersVsDodgers @ Apr 26

Okay, I'm still holding back on the optimism, but sweeping the team that's supposed to win the WS this year is pretty cool, right?