YourThoughts

Michael Kaiser

The story says, “Vargas, . . . is Seattles first Pitcher of the Month since Cliff Lee in June 2010.” How telling that Lee was traded shortly after and Vargas was a hot trade topic in July.
Michael Kaiser

The story says, “Vargas, . . . is Seattle’s first Pitcher of the Month since Cliff Lee in June 2010.” How telling that Lee was traded shortly after and Vargas was a hot trade topic in July.
Old Goat

That’s just what I was afraid of Michael. An award like this almost guarantees a trade, but what the heck, a couple more third or fourth level prospects keeps the tide rolling on the only Major League farm club.
Old Goat

That’s just what I was afraid of Michael. An award like this almost guarantees a trade, but what the heck, a couple more third or fourth level prospects keeps the tide rolling on the only Major League farm club.
RadioGuy

Things are a little different now than they were in 2010, guys. Two years ago, Lee was dealt because everyone knew he was going to be getting a huge contract from someone as a free agent in the offseason, and that he wasn’t interested in signing with Seattle because he saw what a major rebuilding job was there. Zduriencik was still in stockpile mode to rebuild the farm system after Bavasi AND Gillick (loved Pat, but he wasn’t a “build-from-within” GM) had let it deteriorate over the years.

Now, in August 2012, the Mariners have arguably one of the ten best minor league systems in baseball and a daily lineup in Seattle that may be starting to show signs they can play at the MLB level (I won’t get too giddy over a 7-game winning streak at the expense of KC or Toronto, but still…). I know I’M a lot more optimistic about the Mariners’ future than I was two years ago and so is Vargas, who has indicated he’d like to stay.

If I were Zduriencik, I’d make damn sure upper management understands how hard it is to find quality lefty starters just entering their 30′s, especially those who want to be in Seattle, and then make a serious effort to sign Vargas. Winning 30+ games over less than three seasons for a last-place team isn’t easy for anyone not named Felix Hernandez.
- Michael Kaiser
  
  Lots of people want to be in Seattle, that does not at all mean they are that interested in winning. In fact, it arguably means closer to the opposite. And I am glad the Mariners have ”arguably” one of the ten best farm systems in baseball, thus “arguably” putting them into the mighty top 1/3. And I also am ecstatic over the fact that Vargas is averaging ten wins a season, but I am still trying to keep it a bit in check. We had pitchers on pathetic Mariners’ teams of yore that did better than that. I know, it is hard to pin down exactly which “pathetic Mariners’ teams of yore” I am referring to, as there have been so many. And as for our youngsters, I am not seeing much right now that causes me to think the Mariners are headed toward being a power, or even a playoff contender. That, however, could change. We will have to see how the next two or three managers do with this bunch over the next three to five years. I will say, though, that your optimism is inspiring. I was like that myself up through probably the mid 80′s.
  - RadioGuy
    
    Well, Mike, I guess being optimistic isn’t for everyone.
RadioGuy

Things are a little different now than they were in 2010, guys. Two years ago, Lee was dealt because everyone knew he was going to be getting a huge contract from someone as a free agent in the offseason, and that he wasn’t interested in signing with Seattle because he saw what a major rebuilding job was there. Zduriencik was still in stockpile mode to rebuild the farm system after Bavasi AND Gillick (loved Pat, but he wasn’t a “build-from-within” GM) had let it deteriorate over the years.

Now, in August 2012, the Mariners have arguably one of the ten best minor league systems in baseball and a daily lineup in Seattle that may be starting to show signs they can play at the MLB level (I won’t get too giddy over a 7-game winning streak at the expense of KC or Toronto, but still…). I know I’M a lot more optimistic about the Mariners’ future than I was two years ago and so is Vargas, who has indicated he’d like to stay.

If I were Zduriencik, I’d make damn sure upper management understands how hard it is to find quality lefty starters just entering their 30′s, especially those who want to be in Seattle, and then make a serious effort to sign Vargas. Winning 30+ games over less than three seasons for a last-place team isn’t easy for anyone not named Felix Hernandez.
- Michael Kaiser
  
  Lots of people want to be in Seattle, that does not at all mean they are that interested in winning. In fact, it arguably means closer to the opposite. And I am glad the Mariners have ”arguably” one of the ten best farm systems in baseball, thus “arguably” putting them into the mighty top 1/3. And I also am ecstatic over the fact that Vargas is averaging ten wins a season, but I am still trying to keep it a bit in check. We had pitchers on pathetic Mariners’ teams of yore that did better than that. I know, it is hard to pin down exactly which “pathetic Mariners’ teams of yore” I am referring to, as there have been so many. And as for our youngsters, I am not seeing much right now that causes me to think the Mariners are headed toward being a power, or even a playoff contender. That, however, could change. We will have to see how the next two or three managers do with this bunch over the next three to five years. I will say, though, that your optimism is inspiring. I was like that myself up through probably the mid 80′s.
  - RadioGuy
    
    Well, Mike, I guess being optimistic isn’t for everyone.

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