Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto discussed some of his methods of trade mayhem on the latest run of his podcast. (Find the audio and some choice quotes compiled by MLB.com’s Greg Johns.) The team’s acquisition of Dee Gordon came together via texts that Dipoto sent from an airplane, says the executive. He also copped to extensive GIF and emoji usage in his negotiations, when appropriate.
Dipoto, of course, has become known for his sheer volume of moves, which perhaps stands out all the more in a market setting that is still mostly on ice. Here’s the latest:
- The Cubs are “not done” and are focused especially on the pitching staff, president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said today (via ESPNChicago.com’s Jesse Rogers). He said it’s still possible the organization will pursue “depth moves” or that it will add “another real quality pitcher.” Is free agent Jake Arrieta still a possibility? “We’ve never ruled anything out with him,” says Epstein, as MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat tweets.
- Chicago is said to be among a handful or more of teams still in the hunt for top free agent starter Yu Darvish, who has himself added intrigue to the market with some comments from his Twitter account. After musing recently on a mystery team, Darvish again took to the airwaves today to address the interest of the Yankees. After first suggesting the team had not made him an offer, the veteran righty then tweeted he had received one — but that “the numbers are not correct.” That said, MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch reports (via Twitter) that New York has not, in fact, put together a contract proposal for Darvish. The Yanks have long seemed a lurking but less-than-perfect potential suitor, given the team’s interest in staying below the luxury tax line this year.
- Meanwhile, the Athletics seem to be targeting a lefty in the bullpen, as John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Per Shea, Oakland has ongoing interest in Tony Watson and has also engaged Brian Duensing in talks. Both veteran free agents are among the best relievers still left on the open market. Indeed, it’s not hard at all to make the case that they are the two most appealing southpaws still looking for new homes.
I would rather want Watson over Duensing
Only issue is Watson will likely cost more.
I’d prefer Duensing but both guys are very solid relievers and Duensing wanting multi-years isnt a thing the A’s have shied away from recently, especially if he is really awesome like Ryan Madson, then they flip him for prospects.
BTW the Doolittle/Madson trade return was such a haul. Luzardo, Neuse and Trenien was the most underrated haul of 2017 for 2 borderline-elite-but-still-not-elite relievers under control for 1.5 and 2.5 years. I can see Oakland signing Doolittle again in FA because they will most likely be incontention by then.
I could possibly see Oakland resigning Doolittle, after his contract runs out, but I don’t think they’ll be very competitive by then. Houston will still be atop the division, and it’s likely the Angels will still be a good team, with the Rangers and Mariners being somewhere near mediocre…
The Cubs need Duensing back.
I agree, he was a lifesaver in the pen and we need another lefty
A’s biggest hole right now is no left handed relief. They have 1 lefty in the bullpen who is more situational lefty. They need to sign a good lefty that can play all the time and multiple innings.
Our LHRP depth consists of a 30 year old we signed who pitched for the Dodgers Triple A affiliate last year and our top ranked prospect. Not really what you want.
The bit about Dipoto has me more convinced than ever that I could be a better GM than 30% of current GMs.
Lmao
Emojis and gifs? Ugh, I’d block him. Be professional you damn weirdo.
I wonder what emojis or GIFs he uses when his peers remind him, he basically gave up on and gave away Luis Gohara and Alex Jackson…Especially, with basically only Max Povse to show for it…lol
Alex Jackson is garbage that had a decent few months in Single A on his third attempt at the level. When he went to AA he sucked again. Gohara was not part of the Povse/Whalen trade but it sucked to move him and get zero out of Smyly.
The New York Times quoted Minnesota general manager Thad Levine: “The person who has the most expansive library of GIFs that he employs for negotiations is none other than Brian Cashman. He is exceptional. They’re extremely funny.”
nytimes.com/2018/01/04/sports/baseball/general-man…
Would you block the eminent Yankee executive?
Dipoto is an idiot
So true though
No.
Wonder what Duensing will end up costing a team. Had some solid work with the Cubs, wouldn’t mind seeing him return—albeit his price has probably gone up a bit since before.
Being that he had the best season last year out of the entire the market for LHP, I’m guessing a lot more than one might think. It’s fair to call him the #1 LRP option in FA presently.
2 years for $12-18M depending if teams get desperate or if he holds out til ST and then the injuries start happening, if any LHP get hurt on a contender in ST he’s going to the bank.
Personally I would rather see the Cubs sign Arrieta over Darvish. He has less milage on his arm, less surgery and a better track record of success in both the regular and post season. Of course he had to come back to earth from his historic pace during his Cy Young year
The whole team had a slow first half but his second half and post season proved he has plenty left in the tank. I would take him for five years. I could see him winning 15 games or more and posting an ERA in the low threes for at least four of those years. Maybe all five. I think with what we have done if we could resign him and Duensing we are looking at another NLCS or better run. If we somehow added Addison Reed to that mix your talking world series title two out of three years.
I don’t understand why all the hate on Jerry Dipoto. He is a GM for a team that was not good and needed a lot of work, so he is doing what he can to get that team into the playoffs, I thought he did a great job for my Angels, he picked up Frieri in 2012 from the Padres and was lights out till he was done, he made moves that worked and moves that weren’t by his own doing that is to our owner Artie, can’t blame them both.
Dipoto has to do these trades as he sees fit, naturally he has to since he arrived on a team that was not that good. Give him a few years and new moves, he’ll get that team winning again.
Dipoto is a Kiffen like cancer on everything he touches in baseball. Keeps getting chances for god knows why. At least Reagans disappeared after doing his damage. Dipoto was somehow allowed to bury the Mariners after emptying the Angels farm.
Bury the Mariners? The dude got Gamel for nothing, got Haniger as a throw in, pounced on Dee Gordon before my Halos got him. If you don’t like the moves he’s made, fine, that’s your opinion. But don’t tell me that the Mariners were better off before him… no way in hell, they are much better right now than they were a few years ago, and they’re pretty young.. also, at least he is DOING SOMETHING, and at least TRYING to make the team better. The dude takes action. He has balls, he trusts his gut, and isn’t afraid of making moves. Some of these GM’s need to step it up like the Orioles, Jays, Mets, etc. And aren’t doing anything!! I would probably consider the Mariners in the same boat as them if it weren’t for Dipoto. He’s been able to put a team that competes for the wild card all the way up to the last two weeks of the season, every season he’s been in Seattle, while rebuilding on the fly…
Don’t get me wrong, some of the teams I mentioned above isn’t the GM,’s fault, it’s the owners. But you get my point.
Btw, this is coming from a Halos fan who had/has to deal with Hamilton’s and Pujols’s contract. Could be Arte’s fault, could be Dipoto’s, but anyways, I’m still defending Dipoto, the dude is a great GM.
The list of former M’s that are seeing success around the league right now would make a great team.
Chris Taylor, Justin Smoak etc etc
You say etc, but I can’t think of another player. Maybe that they didn’t draft? But please explain to me why your team is far superior in making sure that they don’t lose any players that go on to have better years in other uniforms.
Unlimited payrolls and zero titles, DiPoto is a clown.
BTW Billy Eppler has done such a good job with such a small margin for error.
If Albert plays 1B this lineup is so stacked:
Kinsler-Trout-Upton-Ohtani-Pujols-Calhoun-Cozart-Simmons-Maldonado
The have no depth and the bullpen is horrible and JC Ramirez is in the rotation, so they have to score 10 runs a game, but adding Upton, Kinsler and Ohtani around Trout is easily the biggest upgrade any team made this season.
The Dodgers have a higher payroll and how long since their last title?
JFactor- you give just two names of former Mariners who are seeing success. There are plenty of ex- Mariners around the league but which of them are seeing continued success? You mention Smoak- oK, he had a great 2017 by his standards. He had 3.2 WAR in 17. But he has a total 4.7 WAR in 7 MLB seasons. There’s no guarantee he can produce similar numbers. Chris Taylor? No-one saw that coming, when he came up the Mariners were loaded with below average SS/2Bs ( Inc B Miller, N Franklin, K Marte.) Again, there’s no guarantee Taylor can produce the same numbers. Of the two players however I see him being able to contribute on a consistent basis. For me, that’s one player succeeding in your list of former Ms. What about our trades for Nick Vincent, David Phelps, Erasmo, Mitch Haniger, Segura, Dee Gordon, Ben Gamel? That’s 7 players off the top of my head who are controlled for multiple yrs that have seen success while in an Ms lineup. Don’t let facts get in the way of your debate.
I’m extremely envious of the Angels adding Ohtani. But Kinsler is declining and all but washed up. Angels have had a fun offseason, but I wouldn’t be banking on Ian to be worth a dang.
I think the rotation and bullpen will be underrated , they need to stay healthy, I wouldnt mind the angles trying to get greg holland or addison reed for the bullpen, Won’t be shocked if they add another starter.
1988
@CursedRangers – Kinsler had a .244 BABIP last year, and it was over .300 the previous 2 seasons when he was a 6 WAR player. Washed up? Nope. Merely unlucky in 2017. Now he’s in a walk year too? AND hitting in front of the best player in the game? And another guy who used to be? AND another guy who might have that crown in the near future?
Yeah, I’m betting Kinsler goes off for the Angels this year.
Kinsler still takes walks, hits for power, and plays solid defense. Even with the low BA last year, he was still a useful player. He’s actually an improvement over what they had last year.
Ohtani, on the other hand, probably won’t hit anywhere close to what some people seem to expect. He might be a fine pitcher, but as a hitter, .250/.300/.450 seems a fair, maybe even generous estimate for his first tour of MLB.
Smoak was before Dipoto and it took him seven years to learn to hit which only happened once he got to a hitter friendly ballpark. Taylor examples are tiresome as no team in the league thought he was more than a borderline utility guy. He had literally 22 home runs in over 2000 pro at bats before last year. That was a fluke trade loss when the guy became a star out of nowhere based on swing changes over one offseason. By the way, he was worse with the Dodgers after the trade in 2016.
Let’s all remember back in 2012 when the Angels had Jean Segura and Dipoto had to send him over to get Zack Greinkie (Artie Moreno calling shots) for 2 months and paid Josh Hamilton that money that they were supposed to give to Grenkie. (Artie calling shots again) now looking into the present time, the great GM that Dipoto is he went and traded for Jean Segura and got more then he was asking for. He is a great GM and the Mariners fan should be feeling lucky to have him. I wish my Angels would of kept him but eppler is doing great himself.
Dipoto just became my favorite GM
I don’t understand the hate for Dipoto either. Can someone show me another GM that has retooled as well as he has without a complete tear down? Angels fans cant possibly be mad at him, its been pretty clear that the owner and manager forced his hand with the way he managed that team. Maybe its just me watching 100+ Mariners games annually from 2007 to now that makes me appreciate what hes done, but he’s far and away a better GM than Z ever was.
He’s clearly better than Jack Z was, but Jack was arguably the worst GM in baseball. I went into Dipoto’s Mariners tenure with optimism, but I’m skeptical about the long-term sustainability of this approach. He’s marginally upgraded the MLB roster over the past few years by dumping his entire farm, and it’s not entirely clear that they’ve ever put together a playoff-caliber roster despite one of the league’s higher payrolls. He wasn’t given a great situation (some long-term contracts on the books without much of a farm to work with) by the old regime, so I’m not completely blaming his group, but I’m not sure he’s done much in the past few years to be impressed either
Dave Stewart says hello for that worst GM in recent baseball history bit.
True
Is that a serious question? Uh, Brian Cashman? Also, look at the Mariners and look at the Yankees and let me know who’s better set up for now and the future.
Set up and winning a title are two different things. The LAD are set up too so far 0-3
One thing for sure if the Yanks don’t win a WS this year the world n NY going to be asking why the Yanks got a rf they didn’t need with a crazy contract when they needed a SP n 3rd baseman. Bank it.
The point that Rivera was making is that Cashman had better retooled without tearing down than Dipoto. You know, actually being on-topic with his reply? You just address strawman arguments throughout your entire post.
But to humor you and address your strawmans: They need a SP? Are you sure? Severino, Sonny Gray, Tanaka, Sabathia, and Jordan Montgomery is a rotation that needs a SP to you? I could understand adding another top arm and running a 6 man rotation but if you think that rotation NEEDS a starting pitcher youre out of your mind.
They didnt just get “a rf” either. They literally got the reigning MVP. With that lineup they could afford to have little production come out of the back end of the rotation, 2B, and 3B and still win 90+ games. They also have top prospects coming up to the fill the 2B+3B position, so getting someone to block your top prospects in those positions is stupid. Not that Id expect you to know that anyway.
Their organization is trying to acquire another starter for a reason. Clearly they’d prefer Montgomery in a long relief/spot start role. The rotation is certainly respectable as is, but its not as if Gray and Tanaka haven’t been without struggles. Not to mention, CC may not have much left in the tank.
You are correct about the need for 3B being over stated. They’ve already got Andujar who might beat out whoever they acquire. Yankees are likely to score plenty of runs regardless. Plus Torres is right around the corner as well.
Yeah I’m positive. If they didn’t they wouldn’t be trying so hard to dump a cf with big contract that no one wants. Simple as that.
They wanted Macho if they didn’t they wouldn’t be trying so hard.
Only the O’s won’t deal him to the Yanks wo Torres. So get over that.
On SP no matter what your delusional mind is about the SP it’s not that great. Wino over the hill Sab – who had a good playoff run. That won’t happen this year. Grey is over rated. For a picture who’s ERA been 4+. Will see this year I suppose. So far over 3 years I’m not impressed. I watch him pitch against the Cubs many times. Then whats next. ?
Believe what ever floats your boat. This not hating this is reality which all you Yank fans have a hard time understanding.
They can’t even afford Darvish right now that’s why they wanted Cole so bad. No money spent. Your stuck with a cf with a stupid over paid contract and no trade clause. You got Stranton with no for sure thing he repeat this year. I’m 100% he won’t. There will be no MVP for him this year bank that.
Then you can sit here and honesty tell me the Yanks will sign both Harper n Macho like Yank fans think. Add a SP this year to add to it. Then have to pay Alb to all the young players and also sign them all while staying under the cap over the next 5 years lol. Who’s the crazy stupid one now. NY fans greedy, stupid all talk and have bricks for brains. If you seriously think all that will happen you are really out of touch man. Not hating but being real. Your going to be disappointed soon. I remind you.
Right, I can understand WANTING another SP, but NEEDING one is a a different story. I agree with you that, like every rotation, there are some concerns but Im not sure they want Montgomery coming out of the pen though. I think if they had enough salary cap space they would see Darvish as a perfect fit so that they could run a 6 man rotation. It would help the pitchers keep their innings down for the playoffs because Tanaka and Darvish played in a league prior to MLB which had an extra day off and CC is getting older and probably could use more days off. However, I think i heard something about the MLB is adding more days off so if thats true, having a six man rotation could mean an extra two days off in comparison to last season. Regardless, I think thats the direction the Yankees were trying to go in unless they see something in Montgomery that shows he shouldnt start and should relieve instead. Anyways, the Yankees have high end SP prospects knocking on the door so I can see the Yankees bringing one up midseason if someone gets hurt/performs below expectations so its not like theyre desperate for a SP.
Glad we can agree! People seem to forget a team can have prospects coming up. Its funny because most of production that came from the Yankees players last season came out of homegrown players and then everyone screams and hollers that they didnt sign Frazier or trade for Machado. Its almost as if they have a surface level understanding how to successfully address an MLB teams needs. They dont see an established MLB players so its as if they have no options there. Its funny because even outside of Torres/Andujar, they have people to fill those positions just fine. Torreyes, Wade, Estrada could all hold the fort down for those two positions.
Whatever you want to believe. You think what you want but if that’s the case the Yanks wouldn’t be trying for Darvish, Archer, Cole, Macho I can go on. They must be still still scared.
Cause no one going to be stupid to give them away.
But you will be ok your getting Macho n Harper next year and this year you guys will win 125 games and go 11-0 in post season as Yank fans all say. Lol
100% for sure they sure needed a SP more than Stratton and I can have 25 Yank fans agree with me. That’s is reality. They are Yank fans. Me I could care less what the Yanks do. But I’m going to call everyone on it when they look stupid. So be careful what you post. I screen shoot everything. No excuses now.
michealw, you are a fool. is arguing with strawmans your favorite hobby?
I don’t disagree about your prospects. The Cubs did the same thing. What gets me is all these post about what NY and who they are going to sign. Nothing for sure. You still have to win a title.
I think NY chances are good. I do believe they will fight in the AL again. Do 100% think they will win it all. No. There are more hungrier teams out there.
I’m a fool why because I don’t agree with you. If so your right. But your just a stupid NY Yank fan who thinks his $h it don’t stink. Get over yourself.
Tell you what when you win the WS in the next 3 years will talk. Till then please just be seen and not heard. I’m not impressed.
Oh and I suppose no one “NEEDS” a SP in mlb. Cubs could be fine wo one n save money too.
We’re talking about a WS title in 2018. WO one it’s not happening. For the Cubs or the Yanks.
If you think Stranton n the Yanks are going to home run their way to a WS title you are an idiot.
But whatever makes you sleep lol
Begamin it looks like you are the fool here!
Dealin Dipoto is honestly my favorite person in the MLB
What do y’all think of Darvish being so very public with his contract negotiations? I can remember the last time I’ve heard so much from the player’s side…
Darvish tweeting, it’s a new dawn, even the player who is the free agent is giving false news. Funny! In the end they all will end up someplace.
He has been so private for such a long time. Which makes his tweets even better.
I’m all for signing darvish as long as it doesn’t impact our ability to sign Machado Kershaw and Harper next off season.
lol those three will literally cost a billion dollars.
Like your chances for Harper though.
LMAOO @signing all 3
He didn’t say all sign all 3. He said impacting all 3 which means the possibility of signing one. Dumb NYers all talk no action. I’m more laughing at dumb Yank fans thinking they can sign both Macho n Harper next year. When they can’t even afford Darvish right now. You blew the wad on Stranton good luck lmao
If he didn’t mean all three he should have said or, not and.
All 3 plus Blackmon! Let’s go for broke. (literally)
I agree. All 3 are over a billion. CK not opting out. If so he get an extension. Odds he stays w LA are 98%
Harper is a good good shot. Macho will probably go to the Yanks
I understand the Dipoto hate, but it’s misplaced. The dude is doing everything he can to marginally improve a flawed roster. He likes to trade low ceiling prospects for proven MLB talent. Not a bad strategy especially when the window is now.
I remember all the hate Lunhow got. A World Series has pretty ended that, but people tend to mock GMs who think outside the box. Like Billy Beane in the early 2000s.
Of all the trades, the only one that I truly disliked was Gohara. No one saw Chris Taylor’s break out year, he looked like a serviceable utility player at best, he had multiple chances. While I loved Walker’s potential, his fastball is too straight, and his braking pitches are inconsistent at best. Segura and Haniger will be mainstays in Seattle’s lineup for years.
*breaking
Why can’t he sign a good starting pitcher instead of trading away guys? I’m assuming the owners won’t let him because of cost, but they’re not getting anywhere like this.
Baseball fans should be entertained by listening to Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto, who loves to talk about baseball. This offseason Dipoto has been recorded in these bull sessions::
seattle.mariners.mlb.com/fan_forum/podcasts/index.…
A fan may think Dipoto is an incompetent general manager who makes horrible personnel decisions, but those recorded sessions provide insight into what a baseball executive might consider in making roster moves.
As much as Dipoto likes to talk, the former MLB reliever exercises rare discretion in keeping trade negotiations confidential. Most of Dipoto’s many consummated trades are reported pretty much out of the blue without earlier leaks.
I don’t care whether or not Dipoto uses emojis and GIFs, and whether or not these are professional. All I care about are the results, which have been lackluster so far. And how about signing some talent, instead of trading away prospects? The farm system had few enough prospects when he came here.
Didn’t mean to post twice.