Despite his offensive struggles and recent clubhouse napping controversy, Ken Griffey Jr. is not thinking about retirement according to MLB.com's Jim Street.
"I haven't gotten to that point," said Griffey. "What would it take? I don't know. I haven't thought about anything but coming here and getting ready for a game."
The 40-year-old Griffey is hitting .200/.270/.225 with just two doubles and zero homers in 89 plate appearances this year. He and Mike Sweeney have combined to form the least productive designated hitter in baseball, and because of that GM Jack Zduriencik is looking to add offense. Seattle reportedly has interest in Jose Guillen.
There was some talk that the Mariners could release Griffey before the end of the month, but that was refuted.
“the KID” making David Ortiz look good.
This is a team only two years removed from paying Richie Sexson more than Ortiz not to hit.
How could you go into the season with Griffey and Sweeny as your DH? I’m all for defense/run prevention, but the DH gives you the advantage to hide a bad defensive player who has a good bat, use it.
This has been the mystery from day 1. Even if you bought into the all defense model (which I didn’t) you are spot on with their decisions around 1st base and the DH. I like Kotchman but he is not good enough to be a starting 1B for a good team. And a DH combo of Sweeny and Griffey had trouble written all over it from day one. The M’s had plenty of cheap options for both positions but passed. It’s not too late. Dye is out there. Sheffield is out there. Luke Scott is apparently available. There are players that can contribute and who don’t cost much. Make the call M’s or be satisfied with a sub 500 season.
I hate when these guys don’t know when to quit.
Of course King Griffey Jr hasn’t thought about retiring, his EGO wont let him. That is why the Mariners Front Office and ownership HAVE to grow a pair and TELL KGJ he is done. If that hurts his wittle feelings, then fine.
THe Reds were in the SAME position back in 2008 with KGJ and Adam “one tool” Dunn. What they gave the team on offense they subtracted with their defense AND their large contracts. After BOTH were traded away, the team had a HIGHER winning percentage than when they were on the team.
In 2009, the Reds scored fewer Runs than in 2008 BUT they had a BETTER defense and won more Games than they did in 2008. This, even though, they had a ton of injuries to the team.
Again, getting rid of KGJ will hurt the team as far as Public Relations go, but the longer he is ON the team and NOT producing the more chance it is he is killing the team’s chances of winning.
Ownership doesn’t like attendance figures now, just wait until the Mariners are out of contention and Cliff Lee has been traded away because of it. Then it wont matter how many King Griffey Jr bobblehead nights there are….
Jack Z’s hands have to be tied on this one. I’m a lifetime M’s fan and believe we are a lot better than how we are playing right now. This DH tandem is killing the offense. We don’t need an all or nothing home run threat at DH we just need a legitimate RBI threat. Kotchman doesn’t bother me at first, it’s the Designated Hugger tandem we have. Again, I’m a lifetime Mariners fan and grew up watching Griffey, one of the reasons I loved the Mariners. But, Griffey should also realize he is hurting this team. I know he wants to ride off in the sunset and all, but I have a feeling he is going to do this next year too. This is not his last year folks, I do not believe that for one second.
Well, I don’t think that he should totally be released. If anything, they can demote him as a pinch hitter instead of playing him as a DH. While, yes, he’s definitely done, I would think that a demotion to a strictly full-time pinch hitter would signal to Griffey that his time is done, and maybe after this season, he’ll consider retiring. This way, the Ms can still look plenty nice and pull off those KGJ bobblehead nights, and finally get some production at DH.
If anyone needs to be released, I would say it should be Mike Sweeney. This will make room for adding a real DH. Like someone said, there are cheap options still available, like Dye or Sheffield. Then there are the trade options, like Scott, Guillen, heck, even Ortiz.
He is only killing himself as he continues to kill his reputation
Many of todays age will just remember his last few years of injuries and terrible showings on the field
He is only killing himself as he continues to kill his reputation
Many of todays age will just remember his last few years of injuries and terrible showings on the field