M's set to start spring with bounty of questions
SEATTLE (AP) — When the Seattle Mariners report for spring training on Tuesday, they'll immediately start trying to answer whether their starting rotation has enough depth and how they will shuffle a glut of players between left field, first base and designated hitter.
And why exactly there was a delay in an expected new contract for ace Felix Hernandez.
Seattle's pitchers and catchers will report Tuesday morning, likely the first time Hernandez will be available since news broke last week of the Mariners working on a new contract for their star. Hernandez and the Mariners were working on a deal that would pay him $175 million over seven years and make him the highest-paid pitcher in baseball.
But there has been no formal announcement, leading to speculation there was a snag. ESPN.com and USA Today reported Sunday, citing unnamed sources, that the condition of Hernandez's pitching elbow could be a future issue and was delaying the contract.
Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik reiterated Monday the organization's policy of not commenting on negotiations and Hernandez's representatives have not returned messages seeking comment. If completed as originally structured, Hernandez's new deal would encompass the final two years of the contract he signed in 2010 and cover through the 2019 season, paying him $134.5 million under the additional five years.
Hernandez pulled out of pitching for Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic late last week. He took to Twitter to defend his decision, writing it was not an easy one but that his family comes first. He's expected to report to the Mariners facility on Tuesday morning.
The lingering question about Hernandez's deal is just one of those surrounding Seattle's pitching. The rest of Seattle's starters all have question marks, part of the reason the team is reportedly close to a deal with veteran left-hander Joe Saunders.
Hisashi Iwakuma, who was buried in the bullpen and pitched just five times the first two months of last season, is Seattle's presumed No. 2 starter to begin the year. Blake Beavan and Erasmo Ramirez will likely be given chances at rotation spots, along with a handful of spring training invitees.
The buzz about Seattle's young arms in the minors remains, but the likelihood of James Paxton, Taijuan Walker, Brandon Maurer or Danny Hultzen starting the season with the Mariners is slim. Only Hultzen pitched above Double-A last season and he struggled in his 12 games at the Triple-A level.
"We'll make the decision when all these kids come to spring training, with all the front office, the coaching staff, and what's best for each individual part," Zduriencik said. "So the door's wide open."
Eric Wedge will also be trying to figure out how to balance the situations he'll face in left field, first base and at designated hitter. Seattle's moves in the offseason left them with an overabundance of players with similar roles.
The best scenario for Seattle would be that first baseman Justin Smoak builds off a strong close to last season and finally shows the consistency that made him the centerpiece of the trade that sent Cliff Lee to Texas in 2010.
If that happens, Kendrys Morales would slot into the designated hitter role for the most part and Michael Morse would play in the outfield, with Raul Ibanez and Jason Bay taking spot roles off the bench. That lineup would likely give the Mariners their most potent offense. Seattle has ranked last in baseball in batting average each of the past three years.
In his 2½ seasons in Seattle, Smoak has shown very little consistency at the plate. Before a stint in the minors last season, Smoak hit just .189 with 13 homers and 38 RBIs in 90 games. When he returned in mid-August with a noticeably shorter swing, Smoak closed the year hitting .288 over the final 42 games.
"I have a clear idea of how I see it playing out, but they'll ultimately determine that," Wedge said. "Players make decisions for you. They decide how much they're going to play by their performance and how they act, how they handle both the good and the bad. In regard to our numbers, I look at it like a healthy thing. You're one trade or injury away from being another injury or trade from getting thin again."
And why exactly there was a delay in an expected new contract for ace Felix Hernandez.
Seattle's pitchers and catchers will report Tuesday morning, likely the first time Hernandez will be available since news broke last week of the Mariners working on a new contract for their star. Hernandez and the Mariners were working on a deal that would pay him $175 million over seven years and make him the highest-paid pitcher in baseball.
But there has been no formal announcement, leading to speculation there was a snag. ESPN.com and USA Today reported Sunday, citing unnamed sources, that the condition of Hernandez's pitching elbow could be a future issue and was delaying the contract.
Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik reiterated Monday the organization's policy of not commenting on negotiations and Hernandez's representatives have not returned messages seeking comment. If completed as originally structured, Hernandez's new deal would encompass the final two years of the contract he signed in 2010 and cover through the 2019 season, paying him $134.5 million under the additional five years.
Hernandez pulled out of pitching for Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic late last week. He took to Twitter to defend his decision, writing it was not an easy one but that his family comes first. He's expected to report to the Mariners facility on Tuesday morning.
The lingering question about Hernandez's deal is just one of those surrounding Seattle's pitching. The rest of Seattle's starters all have question marks, part of the reason the team is reportedly close to a deal with veteran left-hander Joe Saunders.
Hisashi Iwakuma, who was buried in the bullpen and pitched just five times the first two months of last season, is Seattle's presumed No. 2 starter to begin the year. Blake Beavan and Erasmo Ramirez will likely be given chances at rotation spots, along with a handful of spring training invitees.
The buzz about Seattle's young arms in the minors remains, but the likelihood of James Paxton, Taijuan Walker, Brandon Maurer or Danny Hultzen starting the season with the Mariners is slim. Only Hultzen pitched above Double-A last season and he struggled in his 12 games at the Triple-A level.
"We'll make the decision when all these kids come to spring training, with all the front office, the coaching staff, and what's best for each individual part," Zduriencik said. "So the door's wide open."
Eric Wedge will also be trying to figure out how to balance the situations he'll face in left field, first base and at designated hitter. Seattle's moves in the offseason left them with an overabundance of players with similar roles.
The best scenario for Seattle would be that first baseman Justin Smoak builds off a strong close to last season and finally shows the consistency that made him the centerpiece of the trade that sent Cliff Lee to Texas in 2010.
If that happens, Kendrys Morales would slot into the designated hitter role for the most part and Michael Morse would play in the outfield, with Raul Ibanez and Jason Bay taking spot roles off the bench. That lineup would likely give the Mariners their most potent offense. Seattle has ranked last in baseball in batting average each of the past three years.
In his 2½ seasons in Seattle, Smoak has shown very little consistency at the plate. Before a stint in the minors last season, Smoak hit just .189 with 13 homers and 38 RBIs in 90 games. When he returned in mid-August with a noticeably shorter swing, Smoak closed the year hitting .288 over the final 42 games.
"I have a clear idea of how I see it playing out, but they'll ultimately determine that," Wedge said. "Players make decisions for you. They decide how much they're going to play by their performance and how they act, how they handle both the good and the bad. In regard to our numbers, I look at it like a healthy thing. You're one trade or injury away from being another injury or trade from getting thin again."
I simply can't wait for my Bret Boone booblehead!! I got one 4 years ago but it broke after the excitement of seeing the dancing groundskeepers come out. Â I hear this year they are gonna dance gangman style!. Â I'm also hearing rumors that they are gonna add a 4th Hydro..a purple one since they have the new big screen-so exciting! Â "After 7, White Sox 8, M's 1." Â The tradition continues. Â
Here's the main question...
Is Mariner ownership ever gonna open the checkbook and pay for a contender?
Here's the answer...
Um, no.
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Now that we've overpaid for a pitcher with elbow problems, the owners will now go surfing through the Mexican and California Penal Leagues ['Major League' movie reference, folks] for a bunch of broken-down rejects who couldn't donate their bodies to science without having to pay the carting fee to staff the rest of the team with. And even though we paid Hernandez so the ephn-Yankees wouldn't try to sign him, we will eventually trade him to the them as a closer for a couple of failed prospects and a ham sandwich. Then, and only then, will Felix get a taste of post-season baseball.
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Just like Ichiro. Rinse and repeat, season ticket holders!
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The Seattle Mariners: basement dwelling bus league farm club of the NY Yankees since 2002.
 @svensson more like since 1977. Â
My hope for the Mariners in 2013 is to finish .500 and continue getting closer to being a playoff contender! Go M's!!
Wish the M's the best this year, but it's not going to be a repeat of '95, '97 or '01, doesn't mean I won't hope for that though!
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GO M'S!
I love King Felix, but these 7-10 year high priced contracts for players is getting out of hand and are insane! Â All they do is lock a team into paying a player at the risk that the player becomes ineffective or seriously injured. Â I know the Mariners are currently negotiating insurance language in the contract, but that is only if he is injured. Â It doesn't protect the team from a player being ineffective and makes them difficult to unload. Â A-Rod should be the poster boy for not doing these stupid long term contracts.
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With that said, I am not overly impressed with the offseason bats that were added and I am not overly confident that the team's hitting will improve this season. Â It is looking like it will be another long season of mediocrity. Â King Felix and the rest of the pitching staff better get used to no run support again this season.
 @UWGrad_96 I agree. Overpaid big time! The additions to this team so far are making me think it's gonna be another lackluster year as a Mariners Fan.