The Mariner Memorandum – Mariners Links – September 30

Sep 27, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners manager

(22) sits in the dugout during the ninth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

In an oft repeated headline this summer, the Mariners were shut out at home again yesterday. Only this time, it will be months before we can try to redeem ourselves.

As tradition dictated, I went to Fan-Appreciation night on Friday night. I just had to see the Mariners one last time before winter hits. Unfortunately for me, I was treated to exactly the type of game I’ve grown accustomed to this year. Felix Hernandez got hit early, but settled down after that, but my personal favorite part was when the bullpen took over and promptly ruined my night…again. If it wasn’t for the post-game fireworks I would have been out of there faster than Dustin Ackley fans jumping off the bandwagon.

I’m sick of it; giving up ill-timed home runs, three consecutive strikeouts with a guy on third, walking in the game winning run. It’s all just hard to stomach. On the other hand, before I get too worked up, Jeff Sullivan provided some perspective:

So at the very least that’s something to be positive about.

(/end rant)

Mariners Links

And So It Ends – USS Mariner

I’m not alone in being completely fed up with the Mariners this season. According to Dave, this is the worst, most hopeless feeling he’s had with the M’s since the 80s. They’re bad, maybe even hopelessly bad. Here’s a laundry list of things that need changing this winter (pretty much everything).

Wedge says contract not the reason he’s leaving – Mariners Musings

The title might as well be “Eric Wedge doesn’t like Jack Zduriencik.” While he never came out and said it, it seems pretty obvious that Wedge and Zduriencik are on two completely different pages when it comes to rebuilding. Wedge was already under a lot of heat and was probably not coming back next year anyways. Wedge took the initiative on this one and pulled the ol’ “You can’t fire me, I quit!”

Howard Lincoln, Chuck Armstrong and the passion to win—this isn’t a black and white issue – Lookout Landing

Forgetting about Wedge and Zduriencik for a second, there’s some other big problems that need to be addressed in the front office. Everyone keeps saying that Howard and Chuck ‘have the desire to win’, but Colin O’Keefe took a look at them and has come to a bit of a different opinion.

One thing Seattle Mariners must blow up for 2014 – Balls and Strikes

The bullpen is bad…very, very bad. That’s not a secret at all. In an off-season that is going to be filled with speculation, acquisitions, trades and eventual disappointment, the bullpen should be the first place that gets attention. On the other hand, picking up a middle reliever just doesn’t have the same star power as signing Shin Soo Choo.

3 Things We’ve Learned About Seattle Mariners’ September Call-Ups – Bleacher Report

September offers a chance for Mariners fans to pretend to be optimistic about the upcoming season. 2013 was no different. I’m impressed with this year’s call-ups. The Mariners are a team of young guys, so it shouldn’t be a huge surprise that other new guys fit in well in Seattle. How many of them are we going to see come back next spring?