Dave Cameron’s Argument for Keeping Aardsma.
http://ussmariner.com/2009/09/21/aardsmas-command/
I may be convinced. This is not to say we should build around building now, but Dave brings up the point that Felix is going to want other good players on the team if he’s going to re-sign with Seattle, and Aardsma fits in that category.
I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad thing to have an abundance of quality, cheap, right-handed relievers. Kelley, Lowe, Aardsma, White, and later on, Josh Fields. Add Garrett Olson to that mix, and that’s a pretty good bullpen. Kelley can pitch 2+ innings, so he could fill the long relief role. However, if George Sherrill was still around, life would be even better….
The M’s seem to have a knack for pumping out quality relievers, but losing someone like Aardsma would still be a blow. It all depends on how good Zduriencik thinks the 2010 team can be.
I have been saying that for a while now. It’s really not up to the Mariners if Felix signs or not. The only thing they can control is trying to persuade him into signing by making there team alot better. He has to see moves early on in the off season to sign. He has already said multiple times that his number one priority is to get to the playoffs. If I remember correctly, Griffin, you told me that Jack Z does not plan on making any relatively big moves to help the offense. If that is the case, I don’t see Felix signing. I would love for him to but I don’t see it happening if that is the case.
September 21st, 2009 at 2:49 pmAnother thing….Colin Cowherd mentioned that he felt that if we were to go after any players then he believes we would be very interested in grabbing Crawford, Bay, or Fielder. Not all three but one obviously. I know you guys have said that Fielder is not a possibility but I was wondering why he would not be a possibility in your guys opinion. If not those guys, who could you see us going after? You guys mentioned Hardy and a couple of florida pitchers, but who else to help this offense. Cuz it definitely cannot go through another year like this.
September 21st, 2009 at 2:53 pmWell, to be fair, our offense has already improved fairly significantly since the beginning of this season. We got rid of Yuni, we gained Jack Wilson, Hall, as well as calling up Tui/Saunders/Moore. Even without any further moves, our lineup is going to be stronger next year than it was this year.
Hardy would be another offensive upgrade if we were to acquire him. When it comes for big name guys like Fielder, Bay, Crawford – it’s not that we can’t sign them, it’s that big name signings like those don’t seem like the type that Jack Z is big on. I think he’s more likely to look for diamonds in the rough like Russell Branyan and Franklin Gutierrez.
Also, the 3 guys you named are either left fielders or first basemen – we probably don’t need either of those things. 2010 Should be Saunders year in left field – if they give him a chance that is (which they definitely should), and we’re probably going to have Branyan back at first base. The positions we’re really going to need to look at upgrading are starting pitching and third base. Both of which may be mainly handled by players we already have – guys like Tui, Lopez, Hannahan, Hall, etc. all are possibilities for fitting into the third base scheme next year.
Just because I don’t expect a big name signing doesn’t mean I don’t think this offense is going to be significantly better next season – it is, no doubt about it. But I don’t see us signing a Fielder, a Bay, a Crawford, a Holliday, whatever big name you want to throw out there, because it just isn’t something that’s necessary in my opinion.
Sorry if this comment rambled – I’m a bit out of it right now. Hopefully Taylor or Harrison can clear up anything I missed.
September 21st, 2009 at 3:04 pmI understand for the most part, but I don’t see how playing with the players we already have which did not produce very well will make us alot better then this year. Tui showed promise before his injury, and if Bill Hall can show up like he did putting up 30+ homers for the Brewers then that would be huge (but im not sure I see that happening with his patience). We will see but alot of players are going to have to come into there own and show up huge such as Saunders, Moore, and Tuiasasopo
September 21st, 2009 at 3:13 pmAbsolutely – Saunders, Moore, and Tui all have a ways to go, but they also all have the potential to be solid major league players (especially Moore and Saunders). I just don’t see any reason to believe Hall is going to return to 2006 form, but even finding a happy medium (is .240, 20 HR too much to ask) would be very helpful to this ball club.
September 21st, 2009 at 5:18 pm