First of all, I've obviously been away from this blog for a long time. Life seems to get in the way of everything, including writing a completely subjective sports blog that very few people read and provides me with no financial support.
On top of that, I have now become the stereotypical writer that people love to make fun of. I am writing in a Starbucks so people can see me writing.
All of the other pieces on this roster are fringe Major Leaguers.
Which brings us to The King.
Felix Hernandez is in his 11th big league season. He's the most marketable player on the Mariners, and he's the closest thing this city has had to a true baseball superstar since the 2001 version of Ichiro. He's been extremely loyal to the only franchise he's ever known - he's signed to a long term deal that, as TV revenue increases and teams start spending more and more money on players, looks to be a freakin' steal. He's 29 years old and arguably the most dominant pitcher in baseball.
The Mariners are such a poorly run organization that they are now left only one option, if they ever want to truly succeed again. They have to trade Felix now. I've been against this for as long as I can remember, but there is no point in fighting it anymore.
Looking around Major League Baseball, teams are bringing up their stud prospects left and right - but there is no help in Tacoma for Seattle. Top prospect DJ Peterson isn't nearly close to being ready, and after that, the cupboard is once again bare. The only way that this team will be able to replenish the coffers with young talent is by parting with King Felix.
So here's what we do. The M's won't want Felix in the American League, but Felix is now a 10 and 5 guy - meaning he's played 10 seasons at the Major League level and at least five with the same team. So he can control where he goes. He'll want to go to a winner where he'll have a chance to pitch in October this season. He'll want to be in a place where he and his family will be comfortable, and he'll need to go to a team with the pockets to afford his contract both now and in the future.
The answer lies 1000 miles to the south in Los Angeles. Trade Felix to the Dodgers for Joc Pederson, Corey Seager and the expiring contract of Zach Grienke.
Immediately you have your center fielder of the future who also happens to be under club control for another six years. Corey Seager is Kyle Seager's brother and has the makings of a future star either at Shortstop or a corner outfield position. Grienke would be a rent a player, but the Dodgers would need to unload his contract for the remainder of the year to pay Felix.
Even without Felix, there is talent in the M's rotation. Paxton and Walker are starting to show that the hype was real (although Paxton can't stay healthy), Mike Montgomery has been a revelation and Danny Hultzen is getting healthy. Pitching seems to be the only thing the M's can evaluate, anyway.
I realize that this is never going to happen - The Mariners would never part with their most marketable players, nor would the Dodgers ever part with both Seager and Pederson.
I'm just saying, if there was ever a time to do something brash to shake things up, this is it. Felix is the only piece the Mariners have that would bring the level of young talent this team sorely needs.
On top of that, I have now become the stereotypical writer that people love to make fun of. I am writing in a Starbucks so people can see me writing.
Not that I particularly care that people see me, but still.
So much has gone on since the last time I wrote anything, it doesn't make sense to try to recap it all - the last time I put something up here was December of 2012.
Instead of rehashing the past two and a half years, I'll do something different and focus on the future. In particular, the future of our beloved Seattle Mariners.
Right now, the team that was a chic pick to win the division and play in a World Series is seven games under .500. The $240 million man is hitting less than .250 and has hit for about as much power as Kevin Mitchell did in his one season in Seattle.
That's not a joke. Look at the stats for Mitchell in 1992.
Only one position player on the roster is living up to expectations, and it's Nelson Cruz. Kyle Seager has been average at best this year, and is in the midst of a 25 game streak where he is hitting .200.
We have no leadoff hitter, no clutch hitting, no corner outfielders (the trio of Seth Smith, Mark Trumbo and Dustin Ackley is fucking terrible.), a bullpen that has completely regressed and a catcher who is going to have his line replace the Mendoza Line. Soon it's going to be the Zunino Line, and the benchmark will be .150.
I am certain that no bar in Pioneer Square will replicate the Swannies Dave Valle batting average beer price promotion for Mike Z, mainly because it's not even funny. It's just sad.
Which brings us to The King.
The Mariners are such a poorly run organization that they are now left only one option, if they ever want to truly succeed again. They have to trade Felix now. I've been against this for as long as I can remember, but there is no point in fighting it anymore.
Looking around Major League Baseball, teams are bringing up their stud prospects left and right - but there is no help in Tacoma for Seattle. Top prospect DJ Peterson isn't nearly close to being ready, and after that, the cupboard is once again bare. The only way that this team will be able to replenish the coffers with young talent is by parting with King Felix.
So here's what we do. The M's won't want Felix in the American League, but Felix is now a 10 and 5 guy - meaning he's played 10 seasons at the Major League level and at least five with the same team. So he can control where he goes. He'll want to go to a winner where he'll have a chance to pitch in October this season. He'll want to be in a place where he and his family will be comfortable, and he'll need to go to a team with the pockets to afford his contract both now and in the future.
The answer lies 1000 miles to the south in Los Angeles. Trade Felix to the Dodgers for Joc Pederson, Corey Seager and the expiring contract of Zach Grienke.
Immediately you have your center fielder of the future who also happens to be under club control for another six years. Corey Seager is Kyle Seager's brother and has the makings of a future star either at Shortstop or a corner outfield position. Grienke would be a rent a player, but the Dodgers would need to unload his contract for the remainder of the year to pay Felix.
Even without Felix, there is talent in the M's rotation. Paxton and Walker are starting to show that the hype was real (although Paxton can't stay healthy), Mike Montgomery has been a revelation and Danny Hultzen is getting healthy. Pitching seems to be the only thing the M's can evaluate, anyway.
I realize that this is never going to happen - The Mariners would never part with their most marketable players, nor would the Dodgers ever part with both Seager and Pederson.
I'm just saying, if there was ever a time to do something brash to shake things up, this is it. Felix is the only piece the Mariners have that would bring the level of young talent this team sorely needs.
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