Mariners News: Jones Gets The Call

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James Jones is back (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports).

Yesterday, before the 5-1 win over the Giants, the Mariners announced that they have called up OF James Jones to take the place of Danny Farquhar, who was taking place of the recently DFA’d Rickie Weeks.

Jones played 108 games for the Mariners in 2014, hitting .250 with a .278 on-base percentage. He also stole 27 bases in 28 chances. He had been hitting .264 with a .338 OBP in Tacoma this year, also swiping 15 bases.

He earned the promotion over Franklin Gutierrez, who is hitting .327 for the Rainiers.

My thoughts, in no particular order:

1. James Jones is really fast. If he’s able to get on base, he can help the Mariners with a running game they don’t really have. If he just pinch-runs, he becomes a weapon late in games off the bench.

2. James Jones is LH. The M’s got rid of Justin Ruggiano, and now have gotten rid of Rickie Weeks. They lost both right-handed bats that were supposed to help a lineup that’s been almost entirely left-handed in recent memory. Mark Trumbo cancels out one loss, but I wonder if Gutierrez would have helped keep the balance.

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3. I feel bad for Guti. “Death to Flying Things” was one of my favorite Mariners in 2009-10. His injury and health concerns have hampered what could have been a great career with the Mariners. It’s just a sad turn of events. I hope he’s healthy enough for us to at least see him in September.

I hope to see Guti again this season (Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports).

4. Danny Farquhar needs to right himself. We know that reliever is a volatile position. We’ve seen Tom Wilhelmsen struggle in the past and get back. We’ve seen Fernando Rodney go from really good to not really good. The M’s need Farquhar and I hope that Tacoma does him well.

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