This is PAINFUL

Written by Eric Tuttle
June 16, 2008

This is painful. It competes with loosing in the playoffs after Seattle won 116 games in the regular season. Why aren't these guys playing up to
their potential? Why can’t we get a few guys to heat up? Why can’t Bedard pitch 2 good games in a row? King Felix is the only reason to watch the M’s
and he only plays every 5th day. I don't have anything else to say.

Congrats to Griffey on 600!!

Starting To Swing

Written by Eric Tuttle
April 22, 2008

Seattle didn't have the blistering start everyone was hoping for, they lost Putz to the DL in his second appearance and Bedard missed 2 of his first 4 starts due to a hip problem. The bullpen blew multiple games and they got swept by Baltimore. Even Ichiro is having problems at the plate... but don't expect it to last. Putz, Bedard and Brandon Marrow (muscle strain)should all but off the DL by the end of the month and Ichiro won't be under .300 for long.

Luckily with all the problems they somehow won 10 games and are 2 out of first. What's even better is the offense, everyone on the team has started to swing the bats well, moving runners around the bases and being aggressive when they have guys on. Give these guys a few more weeks and I think they will be rolling.

AND as I predicted Sexson is off to a good start. He has been very patient at the plate leading the AL in walks and taking his swings when he gets a chance. His Average is lower than expected but the power is back.

A Good Problem To Have

Written by Eric Tuttle
March 14, 2008

Now that Adam Jones is gone the Mariners have to fill an open position in right field. Before the trade they went out and signed Brad Wilkerson to take the spot on opening day and planned on keeping an extra Outfielder on the bench throughout the season.

Seattle has two great options both that have been tearing it up and turning heads in Arizona (and putting some added pressure on Wilkerson to perform). Enter Mike Morse, a converted Infielder with power and Wladimir Balentien, a guy that could eventually be the true cleanup hitter the Mariners desperately needed.

Mike Morse is out of options and probably in the lead for the spot. In the offseason he reportedly trained with Raul Ibanez and gained the focus and maturity that he has been lacking since moving to the outfield. Entering play on Monday Morse had a Cactus League leading .545 batting average and.600 on base-percentage and was tied for second in homers, RBIs, slugging, and total bases.

Wladimir Balentien has also made a mark on the organization this spring by hitting .357, two homers and a drive to make the team. This guy will be in the outfield soon; this just might be a little too soon.

Seattle has been playing with the idea of carrying 2 extra Outfielders and 11 Pitchers but it’s still too early to tell. My guess is that by the All-Star Break Wilkerson will be on the bench and Morse will be the every day right fielder. Balentien will be next in-line if an outfielder goes down with an injury. If the Mariners have their way, Balentien will stay at the AAA level for more seasoning and you can look for him in September.

I think it’s going to be different this year. Let’s look at the facts, He was hurt most of last year and played through the pain almost everyday. In the past his second half numbers have been very good, he even has a decent Average if you only look at his stats after All-Star break. He’s simply a slow starter but once he gets warmed up he puts up good numbers.

Usually he picks up a bat in January and gets to 200 swings a day by the end of Spring Training. This year he’s healthy and he is already at 200 swings per day (according to the Mariners) and he just got to camp. He has been working hard the entire offseason to ensure that his 2008 numbers are better… much better. He’s healthy, he’s warmed up and he’s dying to prove to the Seattle fans that he belongs on the Mariners. If he gets off to a fast start he will put up big numbers in 2008.

I’m putting it in writing AB: 500 AVG: 278 HR: 38 RBI 98 R:81 SB:0

Anyone Agree?? Disagree?

Stottlemyre To The Rescue

Written by Eric Tuttle
February 11, 2008

With the acquisition of Eric Bedard the Mariners appear to have a fairly strong rotation or at least a pretty scary 1, 2 punch. It sounds like Bedard is going to slide into the 1st position followed by Felix Hernandez. I’m excited to see these guys pitch back to back all season long.

Just as important to the rotation is the addition of Mel Stottlemyre, the new pitching coach for the M’s. This guy is a proven winner; he's a former five-time All-Star with the Yankees, He left them in 2005, after 10 seasons and four World Series titles as New York's pitching coach. He lives in Seattle year round and is excited to be back in
baseball full time. He will only help the rotation get better and hopefully get King Felix to pitch as we all think he should... Lights out.

It’s going to be a fun year in Seattle. They still have some holes, primarily the absence of a true #4 hitter but not matter what happens they should give the Angels a run.