Heraldnet.com
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2009 8:24 am
LocalNorthwestNation & WorldPoliticsSpecial ReportsPhotosColumnistsMultimedia 
Blog
Nick Patterson
Big trade in the WHL, and what it may mean for everyone else
Blog
Kirby Arnold
Who's on third? Let's look at the far-fetched possibilities
Meet the
2009 Silvertips
Latest gallery

Seahawks vs. San Francisco W 20-17
December 6. 2009 (13 photos)
[More Herald photos]
 
WEEK IN REVIEW
Wednesday
Gregoire unveils budget with deep cuts, will pr...
Sultan brothers plead guilty in death of rival ...
Bikini coffee stands to be regulated as adult e...
Tuesday


Arlington brothers’ fight led to death, p...
Burn ban issued in Snohomish County
Woman found dead at Bothell house fire
Monday


Pearl Harbor's voices of the past
Taxes needed to close state's growing deficit?
Grant could help county's residents all be heal...
Sunday


Swine flu lingers, making traditional flu seaso...
Two vie to serve as Snohomish County prosecutor
Families get an early gift: free Christmas trees
Saturday


Gift charity draws Snohomish County families in...
Fears over commercial air service at Paine Fiel...
Donated safe gives Marysville museum a mystery
Friday


From behind bars, pal tells Colton Harris-Moore...
Commercial airlines would cause few problems at...
Fund set up to benefit children of couple kille...
Thursday


5 die of swine flu in Snohomish County
Red Cross honors acts of heroism, many by ordin...
Barista clothing rules delayed by County Council
 

ADVERTISEMENT

Sports   Print This Article  Email This Page  Subscribe Now! facebook digg reddit del.icio.us fark stumble

Associated Press  (click to enlarge)
First baseman Russell Branyan, who signed a free-agent contract with the Mariners, has 133 career home runs in 2,000 career at bats in 11 major league seasons with seven different teams.
 
ADVERTISEMENT

 
 
CONTACT THE HERALD
Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.)
E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com
Kevin Brown, Sports Editor
kbrown@heraldnet.com
 
Published: Monday, January 5, 2009

Mariners: Missions accomplished

Here are some of the key issues the Mariners have dealt with this offseason:

Hire a general manager: Before the Mariners could address any of their problems on the roster, they had to hire someone to make those moves. Jack Zduriencik, the highly regarded scouting director who helped turn the Brewers into a playoff team, got the job based on his ability to judge talent and use modern-day statistical analysis to his advantage.

Hire a manager, coaching staff: Zduriencik sought a man with energy, passion and the ability to communicate and motivate. He interviewed seven finalists -- none with any major league managing experience -- and hired Oakland A's bench coach Don Wakamatsu. The new skipper then assembled an entirely new staff to the M's -- bench coach Ty Van Burkleo, hitting coach Alan Cockrell, pitching coach Rick Adair, third-base coach Bruce Hines, first-base coach Lee Tinsley and bullpen coach John Wetteland.

Left-handed power: Offense is the Mariners' biggest offseason priority, and Zduriencik's first key signing was left-handed-hitting slugger Russell Branyan, who'll play first base. Mariners fans obviously were suspicious, having experienced last year's flop of Brad Wilkerson, who also was signed to provide left-handed power.

Better outfield defense: The 12-player trade with the Mets and Indians brought seven players to the Mariners, including outfielders Franklin Gutierrez and Endy Chavez. Gutierrez will display his defensive wizardry in center field, where he could be the Mariners' best defender there since Mike Cameron. Chavez also has a stellar glove and would be the starter in left field if the season started today, although the Mariners would like to add a better hitter in that position.

Restock talent throughout the system: The previous regime traded away several highly regarded prospects who wound up in the big leagues the past few years. Remember Shin Soo Choo, Asdrubal Cabrera, Adam Jones, Chris Tillman? All were traded away.

One of Zduriencik's first moves to replenish a fairly bare cupboard was the signing of infielder Chris Shelton to a minor league contract. In the big trade that sent closer J.J. Putz, reliever Sean Green and outfielder Jeremy Reed to the Mets, among the minor leaguers the M's got in return were left-handed pitcher Jason Vargas, first baseman Mike Carp, outfielder Ezequiel Carrera and right-handed pitcher Maikel Cleto.

READER COMMENTS
Be the first to comment.
You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet.

To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click hereLog out

1. Teen dies after Granite Falls crash
2. Bikini coffee stands to be regulated as adult entertainment
3. Sultan brothers plead guilty in death of rival gang member
4. Body found after house catches fire north of Bothell
5. Gregoire unveils budget with deep cuts, will press for tax hikes
6. Grief and gratitude expressed for four slain officers
7. Two teenagers hurt in crash near Granite Falls
8. Friends and family honor Clearview couple who loved always
9. Roe appointed interim county prosecutor
10. Arlington's budget is ‘bare bones'
Enterprise Newspaper Snohomish County Business Journal
Zambian woman thanks students for their help
Food banks see rise in use
‘Making Spirits Bright’ in Edmonds
Wolfpack takes aim at state
Seahawks help students smile
95 and still volunteering
Sno-King joined by local TV king
Veterans back for Wildcats
Lynnwood seeks to plug $2 million budget gap
The Enterprise Online Newspaper


15% Off
All Repairs!

Holiday Specials
up to 25% off!

$5 Off
Stylecut

$95 Dryer Vent Cleaning!
$99 Whole House Duct Cleaning!

$2 OFF
at Box Office

Special Rebate Offers!
Plus Additional 30% OFF!

20% Off Re-Upholstery
or Custom Furniture!

25% off Bath & Groom
New Customers

$2.99 Chili Dog
$3.99 Fish Burger

FREE 6 lb. Pad w/
40yd Carpet Purchase

Buy 1 Get 1 FREE
Lube Oil Filter

Over 1 Million Lights
Lights of Christmas

75% OFF
Many Items. Hurry!

Buy 1 Dinner Entree
Get 2nd 50% Off

Nutcracker
Family Packs Available

Always Free
Transmission Diagnostic

Holiday Getaway
$99 dbl Occupancy

20% Off Dinner
Up to $75 Value!

Oil - Snohomish County
Low Prices - Fill Now!

15% Off
All Repairs!
AAMCO Trasmissions
TODAY'S TOP JOBS
 View All Top Jobs 
Top Cars
Top Homes

ADVERTISEMENT