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Blog Gets Through To Felix Hernandez

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If you’ve watched any Felix Hernandez starts prior to today, you probably noticed a pattern.  He tries to establish his fastball early on, throwing the pitch constantly.  His heater is a fine pitch and plenty fast, but he leaves it up in the zone sometimes.  And a 96 mph fastball can be easy to hit when you see ten of them in a row (relatively speaking – obviously I still couldn’t hit it).  Hernandez has an amazing offspeed repertoire, especially his curveball.

The die-hard fans at U.S.S. Mariner have been painfully aware of this trend for quite some time.  Frustration boiled over on June 27th, when Dave Cameron wrote a post: An Open Letter To Rafael Chaves.  Chaves is the Mariners’ pitching coach.  The letter pleaded for Chaves to make Felix mix up his pitches early on.   

Cameron probably never anticipated that Chaves would actually read the letter.  But he did, and the pitching coach actually gave a copy to Felix for him to read.  Chaves has been trying to hammer this point home with Hernandez, but the letter helped reinforce the need for better pitch selection.  Hernandez tossed eight scoreless innings today, crediting the letter for his early success.  How cool is that?  Blogs actually can make a difference.  Open sentence to Dave Cameron: Mariners fans, fantasy baseball owners, and baseball fans in general thank you for getting through to The King.  Next up, teach Rich Hill a third pitch.

Buehrle Cleans Out Locker

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And in other news, I tidied up my desk today.  Mark Buehrle’s housecleaning, however, is just barely newsworthy.  It could be a sign that a deal is impending, or it could just be plain old cleaning.  I can speak from experience: I only cleaned out my high school locker when school was out for summer.  And I found an old sandwich.  Just saying.

Ken Rosenthal mentioned today that various execs still expect Buehrle to be traded.  The Dodgers, Mets, and Mariners seem to be the top contenders. 

Buehrle, for his part, is as sick of the constant rumors as you are.  He’s planning on testing free agency if he doesn’t stay with Chicago.

UPDATE: Jayson Stark is reporting that Williams is asking for three players for Buehrle, two of which must be premium prospects.  Ultimately I think KW will settle for just one top prospect.  Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times would begrudgingly surrender center fielder Adam Jones.

Stark adds that the Red Sox are back in the Buehrle sweepstakes, trying to push Julio Lugo on the White Sox as part of the deal. 

Hargrove Resignation Could Help Ms Retain Ichiro

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Today’s surprising resignation by Mariners manager Mike Hargrove could have a major effect on our world.  That is, the trade and signing world of MLBTR.

Ken Rosenthal has a new video up at FOXSports discussing the Hargrove resignation.  Rosenthal mentions the well-known fact that Ichiro did not have a great relationship with Hargrove.  He speculates that the resignation could affect Ichiro’s decision on whether to stay in Seattle after this season.

Rosenthal adds that Ichiro likes new Mariners manager John McLaren.  The bigger factor, though, has likely always been Ichiro’s desire to play for a winning team.  The Mariners, at a surprising 45-33, are just one game out of the Wild Card (trailing the Tigers).  It’s starting to look like there’s a good chance the Mariners retain Ichiro.  Which player would be shifted to right field, Ichiro or superprospect Adam Jones?   

By the way, if the season ended today, the playoff matchups would be as follows:

AL:
Tigers vs. Angels
Indians vs. Red Sox

NL:
Brewers vs. Dodgers
Mets vs. Padres

Forgotten Trade Candidates

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Amidst all the Buehrle/Jacque rumors floating around this week, we’ve neglected to write about the many other players who could be traded in July.  Let’s give a little press to three forgotten players who could be on the move.

Kyle Lohse, SP, CIN – I was pretty high on Lohse after April, thinking he was about to go all Bronson Arroyo on the NL.  Good Bronson, that is.  But Lohse followed up his first four starts by going 2-10 with a 6.27 ERA and 4.4 K/9.  And that actually included a shutout against the Pirates.  It’s hard to see how Lohse can help a pennant contender this year, but as a Boras client and impending free agent earning $4.2MM, Wayne Krivsky should dump him off somewhere.  OK, so now that I think about it, he’s more of a DFA candidate than a trade candidate.

Joe Kennedy, SP, OAK – Billy Beane might be able to move the 28 year-old southpaw and free agent-to-be for something useful.  Kennedy makes only $2.8MM and has an ERA under 4.  That might not last with his microscopic strikeout rate though.  With Esteban Loaiza on the shelf and Rich Harden questionable, Beane might have to hold off and take the draft picks for Kennedy.  But given Kennedy’s strong groundball tendencies and the Phillies’ lousy starting pitching, maybe they could match up.

Jose Guillen, RF, SEA – Guillen is earning $4MM this year with a $9MM club option for ’08.  The Mariners are just 2.5 games out of the wild card, and their rotation could use a boost.  Guillen has posted a subpar line for a right fielder – .257/.330/.412.  I’m not sure how much trade value he has, but the Mariners already have a superior player ready to go at Triple A in Adam Jones.  Guillen is on pace for about 20 homers and 90 RBIs, so maybe some GM would bite on that.  Teams looking for an outfielder with some pop could include the Royals, Twins, Mets, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, and Padres.

Griffey Hopes To Retire A Mariner

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Ken Griffey Jr. finished his return to Seattle with a flourish, smacking a pair of home runs off Miguel Batista in the final game of the Mariners-Reds series.  The performance moved him past Mark McGwire to seventh on the all-time list.  Here’s how it looks now:

1.  Aaron – 755
2.  Bonds – 749
3.  Ruth – 714
4.  Mays – 660
5. Sosa – 601
6.  Robinson – 586
7.  Griffey – 584

Junior should move into sixth very soon.  Griffey has more staying power than Sammy Sosa, and should pass him in due time.  I can see Griffey retiring fourth on the all-time list, passing Mays as well.  He is the man America wishes was chasing Aaron right now. 

Let’s be realistic about Sosa, by the way.  He has a .305 OBP.  He’s having a terrible year, well below average for his position.  Sosa is about the 200th best hitter in baseball right now, based on VORP.  His performance has been roughly on par with that of Alex Cora.  He has been out-hit by many pitchers.  He is a sideshow and should not be starting for any team.   

Anyway, back to Griffey.  He recently created a stir in Seattle, saying he’d like to retire as a Mariner.  However, it was unclear whether he wanted to play another season or two in Seattle or if he just wanted a one-day contract on his last day.

U.S.S. Mariner likes the idea, but hopes it happens in 2009 instead of anytime soon.  Adam Jones and Wladimir Balentien comprise two-thirds of the Tacoma Ranier outfield right now, and the tandem will remain together in Seattle for many years.  There are better ways for the Mariners to spend money and talent right now than bringing Griffey back, even as a DH.

Rosenthal’s Latest – Buehrle To Brewers?

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Ken Rosenthal has a new article, and as usual he’s broken several brand new trade rumors.  A brief summary:

  • Here’s a good one: the Brewers have "kicked the tires" on Mark Buehrle.  You can never have too much pitching, I guess.  It’s a long shot that Doug Melvin could pull it off without involving Yovani Gallardo or Ryan Braun, and he won’t trade those two.  Without either player, the Brewers would pretty much be offering quantity over quality in terms of prospects. My own speculation: Corey Hart might intrigue Kenny Williams, but he’d be hard to part with.
  • Rosenthal estimates ten teams are looking at Buehrle.  He names the Mets, Braves, Mariners, and Cardinals.  Add the Brewers and we’re still five short.  The five Rosenthal doesn’t mention could include the Red Sox, Yankees, Marlins, Rockies, Dodgers, and Phillies.  Just guessing on the last five.
  • The Blue Jays have changed their tune on Troy Glaus – they’ll now listen to offers for him.  It is believed Glaus might waive his no-trade clause to play close to home for the Padres, Angels, or Dodgers.  Glaus is owed about $5.9MM more this year and $12.75MM in 2008.  He also negotiated an $11.25MM player option for ’09 when he was traded to Toronto.  Perhaps to agree to a trade he’d want his deal extended through ’09 for $13MM or so.  Rosenthal says the package for Glaus would likely involve a young third baseman, like Chase Headley, Brandon Wood, or Andy LaRoche.  Such a deal would be hard to ignore for J.P. Ricciardi.  Of the three teams mentioned, Ricciardi has only previously dealt with Bill Stoneman (on the Brad Fullmer trade).
  • Rosenthal says the Cubs are not involved in a trade for Ken Griffey Jr.  The ownership change will prohibit them from taking on his contract.  Rosenthal also mentions that the Cubs are having difficulties finding a taker for Jacque Jones.
  • The Angels still like Adam Dunn, though I still don’t see how he fits into their roster.
  • The prospect going to the Tigers for Mike Maroth won’t be anything special; the point was to unload his $3MM salary. 

Latest From Gammons

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The man himself, Peter Gammons, had a blog posting on Saturday that I neglected to mention here.

  • Gammons mentions some suitors for Mark Buehrle: the Mets, Cardinals, and Mariners.  He draws the Jermaine Dye/Padres connection we have seen in the past.
  • Gammons believes the Astros will move one of Brad Lidge, Dan Wheeler, or Chad Qualls.  However, that was written before Lidge hit the DL for a strained oblique.  Houston would also love to move Morgan Ensberg, but that’s nothing new.
  • The Dodgers are looking for a corner infield slugger, but aren’t interested in Troy Glaus or Scott Rolen.  Adam Dunn isn’t in the Dodgers’ plans, either.  Dunn’s defensive limitations really seem to be hindering a deal.  If they are going to give up multiple young future stars, it’s going to take Mark Teixeira.  In other words, they’d go all-in. 
  • Bill Stoneman is "cautiously looking for a bat."  Cautious is the name of the game with Stoneman.  It’s a seller’s market for power hitters.  Imagine what the Marlins could get for Miguel Cabrera. 

Colletti Talks To Ichiro’s Agent

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Word via the San Diego Union-Tribune yesterday was that Dodgers GM Ned Colletti spent an hour talking to Tony Attanasio, the agent for impending free agent Ichiro Suzuki.  Attanasio also represents Giants manager Bruce Bochy. 

The Dodgers won’t have an opening in center field next year given the Juan Pierre contract.  But Ichiro, of course, can play a fine right field.  It wouldn’t be hard to replace Andre Ethier’s .711 OPS, though it would lock the Dodgers into two powerless players in their outfield.

Several NL West teams may go toe-to-toe for Ichiro, including the Dodgers, Padres, and Giants.  All could make room for him.  Still, it seems a long shot that Colletti and Attanasio were discussing Ichiro.  That seems like tampering.  Attanasio has, in the past, suggested that the Mariners trade Ichiro this summer if they don’t plan on signing him.  We’ll be keeping a close eye on this situation in the coming months.

   

Cards Won’t Reacquire Weaver

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While previous reports indicated the Cardinals had interest in Mariners starter Jeff Weaver, Cards GM Walt Jocketty firmly debunked the rumor when asked by Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times.  Jocketty seems mildly bitter about Weaver’s decision, and won’t give him a second chance.

Weaver currently sports a 14.32 ERA in six starts for the Mariners, and he’s on the DL for shoulder tendinitis.  That’s historically bad.  Worst ever performance (six start minimum) belongs to Jaret Wright in 2002 (15.71 ERA).  Hayden Penn comes next with a 15.10 ERA in six starts last year, and then Weaver’s ’07.  Worst performance with a ten start minimum: Roy Halladay in 2000 with a 10.64 ERA in 13 starts. 

USA Today Interviews Ichiro

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Jon Saraceno of USA Today was granted an extensive interview with the Mariners’ Ichiro Suzuki, through an interpreter.  While Ichiro doesn’t say anything groundbreaking regarding his future after the 2007 season, a few quotes have negative connotations for Seattle.  For example:

The Mariners say they want to extend his deal and have him retire in a Seattle uniform. Asked if he prefers to stay, Ichiro demurs: "It’s a very touchy subject right now, so I’d prefer not to answer."

It doesn’t sound like Ichiro is going to grant the Mariners a discount, either:

"How much a team would offer a player is an expression of how much the team cares — respects — him," Ichiro says. "It’s very important. How important? Hard to say."

He did have one particularly odd thing to say about his future, though.  Ichiro wants to become a pitcher when he’s 40 and is "kind of serious about it."  Still seems like a joke, but it would just be cool to see him switch to the mound.  Or play center field most of the time and pitch on occasion.  We need more guys like that, and to see a superstar do it would be incredible.  The article says Ichiro might play until he’s 45.

Back in February, Ichiro’s agent publicly discussed the possibility that trading him might make the most sense this summer.  Feel free to speculate wildly on that one.

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