f you’re a Seattle Mariner apologist, a breed that’s steadily descended in population the past several years, you give M’s general manager Bill Bavasi a big pat on the back for not caving in to the temptation of the uninhibited spending practices of his Major League Baseball brotherhood.
We give you the Boston Red Sox, who spent $70 million on J.D. Drew. We give you Chicago Cubs manager Jim Hendry, who sandwiched his own angioplasty in between throwing $136 million at Alfonso Soriano and $13 mil at Mark DeRosa.
How wacked is today’s market? The Kansas City Royals plucked Gil Meche from Seattle for $55 mil over five years. Gil Meche? He of the 11-8 record in 2006? He of the 4.65 career ERA? He of the middling 1862/3 innings pitched? The guy whose best year was 2003, when he was 15-13?
Bavasi, though, refused to fall for it. In fact, he refused to fall for almost everything. Following the tight-fisted fiscal policy of one George Argyros, Bavasi’s work at the four-day winter meetings in Orlando Fla., is summed up in six words: “Sean White,” “Jose Guillen” and “Horacio Ramirez.”
Huh?
I mean, way to go, Bill, for protecting the boss’ wallet, but hey … DID YOUR CABOOSE EVER LEAVE THE BEACH??
Bavasi must have spent half his paycheck on Coppertone. There sure isn’t a boatload of evidence that he spent much time in meetings. Maybe the most important decisions he made had to do with what color umbrella he chose to put in his pina colada.
Is that it, Bill?
What about the starting pitching? What about a left-handed bat?
“This was one of the most miserable winter meetings I’ve ever been to,” Bavasi told reporters. “Between the lack of activity and the volcanic (free agent) market, it was tough.”
Well, it wasn’t tough for Boston. It wasn’t tough for the Los Angeles Dodgers. It wasn’t tough for the Cubs.
Of course, those organizations understand the market and accept the fact that they have to spend money, a good deal of it, to seriously contend. The Mariners appear skittish from the so-so deals that brought them Richie Sexson and Adrian Beltre for $100 million two years ago.
Low risk. Low expectations. That about sums it up. That’s Mariner philosophy, 2006. Not what you’d expect from someone whose job is in serious question.
So Bavasi signed Guillen, who missed most of 2006 following reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. He also has had significant hamstring and shoulder issues to deal with. Luckily for the Mariners, they spent just $5.5 million to get him, which passes for Salvation Army prices in these insane times.
Guillen is expected to play right field, which frees up Ichiro Suzuki to play center. We’ll see how long Guillen holds up.
I can’t stand the trade for Ramirez. Yes, Rafael Soriano had health problems. Yes, at his best, he’s a clone of J.J. Putz and other hard throwers in the M’s bullpen. The Mariners want Ramirez to fill a spot in the rotation, but he’s erratic and throws more junk than Jamie Moyer, only with worse results.
Why do I get the feeling Bavasi made the deal for White in hopes that a change of scenery might help? White was born in Pullman. That’s the only reason I can think of. White was 5-6 in Class AA last season.
We heard so many rumors about the M’s and Barry Zito. About Jason Schmidt. About Tim Hudson. Only Zito is available and he’s likely going to the New York Mets.
For Seattle, it’s time to either drink or leave the bar.
The M’s have more than $22 million to spend in free agency, not having re-signed Meche. Certainly, they can’t be done dealing. Certainly, they can find a frontline pitcher. Maybe two. Maybe even a left-handed bat.
Isn’t that right, Bill?
Isn’t it?
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