[dmack]

For 2.75 million.. Ho-Ram will add depth in the competition for the 5th starter. I'm sure with new pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre, Ramirez will be an upgrade over last years version of himself.

 

[DBAppraiser]

Maybe, it is more of an insurance policy in case the Bedard trade doesn't go through. The M's have until mid March if they want to cut Ramirez and they would be on the hook for 1/6 of his salary so it really isn't a big deal.

 

[dmack]

Your exactly right DB ... The M's did the same thing with one of the Brian Hunter's in 2000.

 

[Chuck S]

Depending on how much he costs I dont think the Bedard trade is worth a whole lot for a guy who has a 3.83 ERA. Cant we do better than that?

Last 3 years Team G GS W L SV CG SHO IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP BAA
2005 BAL 24 24 6 8 0 0 0 141.2 139 66 63 10 57 125 4.00 1.38 .260
2006 BAL 33 33 15 11 0 0 0 196.1 196 92 82 16 69 171 3.76 1.35 .258
2007 BAL 28 28 13 5 0 1 1 182.0 141 66 64 19 57 221 3.16 1.09 .212
Career 114 111 40 34 0 1 1 658.0 627 308 280 58 254 639 3.83 1.34 .249

 

[DBAppraiser]

Career 3.83 in the AL is pretty good. Anything under 4.25 these days is All Star type numbers. Plus he is young and left handed which is a bonus. Also he has improved every year pitching in a band box for a poor team in Baltimore. We aren't going to get Santana and he won't come here anyway. Starting pitchers don't become available through free agency until they are in decline and our farm system isn't exactly churning them out either.

 

[Chuck S]

I guess it depends on what cost DB. We sure could use him but I would hate to see us forfiet the future on him alone.

 

[DBAppraiser]

I understand your point. I guess it depends on where the Mariners think they are. Meaning, if they think they have a legit shot to win the division by adding him, then I say yes. Also there are no guarantees on the future either. 5 years ago this organization was supposed to be stocked with can't miss prospects. Ryan Anderson and a few others that never panned out. I would do the deal if Bedard agrees to a contract extension. If he won't then I think the deal is much harder to do.

 

[Chuck S]

Maybe Bavassi has finally figured it out and the master plan comes together this season? If not he better get his resume' updated. :evil:

 

[dmack]

DBA, your always saying their is no guarantee for the future on prospects.. Frank Thomas, Manny Ramirez, Derek Jeter, Andruw Jones, Erik Chavez and Josh Beckett were all Minor League Player of the Year winners since 1990. Ryan Anderson didn't really pan out this is true..Just in Seattle JJ Putz, Felix, Yuni, Raul, Lopez all came from their own farm sytem..Heck, just look at the M's own Jerrod Washburn, Sexson, Beltre even Ho-Ram as examples of past performance at the Major League level doesn't always equal future performance. I'm sure you could add many examples to that list your own self.

That being said Adam Jones could very well flame out, and Chuck Bedard could win 5 Cy Young awards..Or Adam Jones could become Andrew Jones, and Bedard could become the next Darren Dreifort, Carl Pavano, Mike Hampton, Jared Wright, Barry Zito hy-brid..only time will tell..

 

[Chuck S]

I agree Dmack but with Bedard his #'s are ok but not stellar and the $ potential that goes with that these days can be huge. It will be interesting to see if the pull the trigger.

Guess it really depends on how bad Seattle wants a Title. I say assemble the best team and lets rock the house down. I'm friggin tired of hearing about the damn Yankees Heck I still got my 95 mojo posters :mrgreen:

 

[dmack]

REFUSE TO LOSE..... Pitchers and catchers report in 21 days!!!! :!:

 

[DBAppraiser]

If you think you are close to making the playoffs and competing for a title, then it makes sense to trade prospects for veterans. If you aren't close, then you don't trade prospects for veterans. The problem here is that it isn't very easy to tell where the Mariners are right now. It could go either way.

 

[dmack]

I'll say it, I don't think they are close..You already have question marks at first and second base, a rookie rightfielder, an aging leftfielder that is a defensive liability, an inexperienced manager, a slow dh with no power, and lots of highly rated prospects...

 

[kingcracker]

If Seattle adds Bedard then the Title will go to Seattle. Having a starting rotation of; Hernadez, Bedard, Silva, Batista, and Washburn is a very solid rotation. the first 4 pitchers will win 15 plus games a year. Washburn is good for at least 10 or 11. Our bullpen proved last year to be one of the best. (say what you want dmack its a solid bullpen). With Putz at the end of it too. The defense of Beltre, Betancourt, and Lopez, not to mention the bats of Raul, Beltre, Betancourt, Ichiro, Jojhima and yes I will say it, Sexson. I know Sexson will do fine this year. All we need is Bedard to add to the mix and we have a SOLID team. SODO MOJO!!!!!!

 

[DBAppraiser]

If Seattle aquires Bedard then we have the best starting rotation in the AL West.

 

[Uncle Cory]

As long as Bedard can play 1st, RF, LF, and DH we"ll be in great shape.

 

[dmack]

If he could be the right and left handed setup guys like morrow and sherrill too would be nice..Wait no, it's easy to find good outfielders, dh's and set up guys!!!!

 

[dmack]

Cracker, your delusional, Sexson is done!!! We have a solid team without Bedard with Adam Jones in LF , Raul at first, Balentien in right field and Clement and Vidro platoon at DH..With first round draft pick Brandon Morrow starting every fifth day.. That's why you draft guys in the first round like Jones, Clement, and Morrow..

 

[DBAppraiser]

There is a small problem with your plan Dmack. You will inhibit Clements development by platooning him at DH. He would be better served to catch a full year at Tacoma. You also don't waste 1st round draft picks on DHs. Sexton might be done but he will play this year because he is getting a big chunk of change. If we don't aquire another decent starter it will be the same as last year with the bullpen burned through by August. You also are putting a lot of faith in Brandon Morrow being able to step right in and start. While he throws hard, the knock on him in college was control and there is a big difference between being able to get major league hitters out for 1 inning and being able to go through the line up 3 times over 7 innings.

 

[dmack]

I agree about Clement with you. I just think the M's are so lacking of lefthanded power that DH ing Clement and having him catch once a week would be best for their current situation..I'd love to see Morrow starting in Tacoma and the knuckleballer somehow be the fifth starter.. But thats a different M's dream.. Your right, barring injury, Richie is the starting first baseman.. I hope he hits 45 homers. That would make 1B a solid position.. Go M's