The Mariners' acquisition of Russell Branyan last night came as the first major surprise of this year's trading season, given Seattle's place in the standings. Here's a collection of a few early reactions to the move, examining both teams' perspectives:
- When Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times heard about the trade, he thought it was a hoax. After hearing the rationale from GM Jack Zduriencik, Baker suggests that, in addition to improving this year's lineup, the move is also about Seattle's front office restoring credibility in the clubhouse.
- ESPN.com's Rob Neyer calls the move "deeply weird" for the Mariners, though he concedes that they probably didn't give up much.
- With Matt LaPorta playing so well in the minors, it was time for the Indians to stay on the phone until they found a taker for Branyan, writes Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
- Larry LaRue of the Tacoma News Tribune is glad that opposing pitchers will finally have "someone to think about" in the Mariners' lineup.
- The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Paul Hoynes discussed the deal with Indians GM Mark Shapiro, who said: "Russell held up his end of the bargain…. The season just isn't what we envisioned."
I actually for one like this move by the M’s they give up Diaz who is playing in one of the most if not the most hitter friendly parks in affiliated baseball which inflates his numbers and Carrera who really doesnt have any spot on the Mariners and hasnt been really impressive any year except really 09.
For the Mariners they got back a fan favorite who actually hit for power for barely anything and it shows the rest of the team that while they aren’t going to contend this year they see what is wrong and still think that the underperformers can pull it together.
Thats just my opinion anyway.
I think JackZ just got a Type B free agent for two C-list prospects.
Not sure Diaz even makes a list.
“Larry LaRue of the Tacoma News Tribune is glad that opposing pitchers will finally have “someone to think about” in the Mariners’ lineup.”
Retarded. Just about every time pitchers are polled on guys they dread facing, Ichiro is mentioned.
Ichiro could have a 1.000 OBP and opposing pitchers still wouldn’t have to think of him because nobody would ever drive him in for a run with the lineup they have right now.
You know that “leadoff hitter” doesn’t mean “hits first every inning”, yes?
Ichiro’s hitting .323 with RISP this year, which is ten points lower than his career average. Go look at this Clutch Stats columns on baseball reference. He has always been and continues to be an absolute monster with runners on base.
Ichiro is probably one of the most feared batters ever and he’s already collected over 100 hits this season… the problem is no one can bring him home cause no one else is considered a threat. With Russell back, they do have someone who can add some pop and would probably follow “we dont want Ichiro on when Russell steps to the plate” but I agree, Ichi is the one everyone hates to face.
Woo! Exciting stuff! After all, it’s not everyday you see a bag of poo traded for a bucket of puke.
ATTN: Jack Z…the Mariners are bad. Start playing teams against each other and create a bidding war for Clifford Lee. He ain’t staying with us next year and 2 draft picks won’t help us out by the time Felix is a free agent.
I’m sure Philly will give them Aumont, Gilles and Ramirez back :)
The Mariners are bad because they lack offense. Branyan’s offense cost them nothing.
There is no doubt he already playing teams against each other for Lee. He didn’t miss out on anything during the five minutes it took to talk Cleveland into sending Branyan over.
“Russell held up his end of the bargain…. The season just isn’t what we envisioned.”
I wonder what Mark Shapiro envisioned, because the Indians are pretty much exactly what I envisioned them to be this year.
I often wonder if its just lip service when these GMs make comments like this. Surely Shapiro didnt think he was even putting out a .500 team, much less a championship team, with the garbage he put together for this year, did he?
He probably didn’t expect to lose two of his best players in Sizemore and Cabrera.