Last year, I did a blog on issues and questions surrounding the team (see it at
http://briguy17-briguy17.blogspot.com/2012/06/current-seattle-mariner-issues.html). While it may be a bit premature to do one
this year, I still feel there are already a ton of questions and issues
surrounding this year's team. Here they
are:
Should Wedge be fired?
If the Mariners regress and have fewer wins than last year, then yes. This team has more talent and experience than last year's team, and if they aren't able to improve, it comes down to coaching. The only way these guys will get going is if Wedge is able to light a fire under them and keep them motivated and confident. Wedge seems like a good coach for a team that's already good, but not a good coach for a team trying to improve.
What if guys like Ackley, Smoak, and Montero don't perform this year? What should we do with them?
Each of those three players was highly regarded when we acquired them and we gave up a lot to get each. In Ackley, we used our 2nd overall pick to get him. The last time the Mariners drafted that high they got Alex Rodriguez. In Smoak we traded Cliff Lee, and in Montero we traded Michael Pineda who made the All-Star team in his first year as a starter.
If Ackley struggles (bad enough), I expect him to be sent down to work on his mechanics. The team won't give up on their 2nd overall pick so easily. If he can't improve anywhere by the end of the season, I would expect a trade of some sort in the offseason.
If Smoak struggles, he could be traded before the trade deadline this season. He could also be benched and only given spot duty for the rest of the season (put Morales at first and Montero at DH). If he can't improve, he won't be given a shot next season. He's had his chances.
If Montero struggles, I look for them to move him back to DH so he can focus solely on hitting. Which means if Montero struggles it could mean the end for Smoak. If Montero still struggles at DH the team could demote him or trade him in the offseason.
It would be such a shame to have to do any of those things. It's also such a shame that none of them have panned out yet. Hopefully at least one will.
When should the Mariners call up Mike Zunino?
When he's ready. He has to understand the game of baseball, get some experience. It also depends on how Montero and Smoak do in the bigs. If they struggle and Zunino does really well at Tacoma, we'll have no choice but to promote him. If come May, those things are true, then promote him. Don't wait until August.
Which of the "Big Three" if any, will appear in the majors this year?
Maybe not any. While they were having success for a while, the pitching trio of Paxton, Walker, and Hultzen have sort of struggled recently. There's still plenty of time to improve, but I could see Hultzen making his big-league debut with the September call-ups. Paxton and Walker might take more time.
Is this Jack Zduriencik's last chance?
It just might well be. Of course, if the team shows improvement, he will remain as GM. But if the Mariners regress and possibly (heaven forbid) finish behind the Astros, he's probably gone. If the M's do poorly enough, both he and Wedgie will be shown the door, and the team will start over... AGAIN.
Anyone going to be trade bait this season?
Smoak could be packaged in a deal if he struggles. If the team struggles and decides to sell, then Brendan Ryan could go to a contender looking for a shortstop. Gutierrez could be gone if the team decides they can't put up with his injuries anymore. But the most likely to be traded is Brendan.
Mariners All-Star(s)?
Obviously Felix, if he pitches like his usual self. Morse could be a selection if he continues raking like he has. Stephen Pryor has had a great start and could make it if he is able to continue his dominance into June. Other than that, anyone else would be a bit of a surprise.
Ok, so how will they do this season?
Too soon to tell. As I write this, they are 6-8. Not horrible, because one more win and the team is at .500. The team has suffered early injuries to Guti, Morse, Saunders AND Pryor, so if they can get healthy and stay healthy, we should be in good shape. A tough month of May looms, but if they can stay near .500 throughout May, they have a shot... at improvement. Go Mariners.
Should Wedge be fired?
If the Mariners regress and have fewer wins than last year, then yes. This team has more talent and experience than last year's team, and if they aren't able to improve, it comes down to coaching. The only way these guys will get going is if Wedge is able to light a fire under them and keep them motivated and confident. Wedge seems like a good coach for a team that's already good, but not a good coach for a team trying to improve.
What if guys like Ackley, Smoak, and Montero don't perform this year? What should we do with them?
Each of those three players was highly regarded when we acquired them and we gave up a lot to get each. In Ackley, we used our 2nd overall pick to get him. The last time the Mariners drafted that high they got Alex Rodriguez. In Smoak we traded Cliff Lee, and in Montero we traded Michael Pineda who made the All-Star team in his first year as a starter.
If Ackley struggles (bad enough), I expect him to be sent down to work on his mechanics. The team won't give up on their 2nd overall pick so easily. If he can't improve anywhere by the end of the season, I would expect a trade of some sort in the offseason.
If Smoak struggles, he could be traded before the trade deadline this season. He could also be benched and only given spot duty for the rest of the season (put Morales at first and Montero at DH). If he can't improve, he won't be given a shot next season. He's had his chances.
If Montero struggles, I look for them to move him back to DH so he can focus solely on hitting. Which means if Montero struggles it could mean the end for Smoak. If Montero still struggles at DH the team could demote him or trade him in the offseason.
It would be such a shame to have to do any of those things. It's also such a shame that none of them have panned out yet. Hopefully at least one will.
When should the Mariners call up Mike Zunino?
When he's ready. He has to understand the game of baseball, get some experience. It also depends on how Montero and Smoak do in the bigs. If they struggle and Zunino does really well at Tacoma, we'll have no choice but to promote him. If come May, those things are true, then promote him. Don't wait until August.
Which of the "Big Three" if any, will appear in the majors this year?
Maybe not any. While they were having success for a while, the pitching trio of Paxton, Walker, and Hultzen have sort of struggled recently. There's still plenty of time to improve, but I could see Hultzen making his big-league debut with the September call-ups. Paxton and Walker might take more time.
Is this Jack Zduriencik's last chance?
It just might well be. Of course, if the team shows improvement, he will remain as GM. But if the Mariners regress and possibly (heaven forbid) finish behind the Astros, he's probably gone. If the M's do poorly enough, both he and Wedgie will be shown the door, and the team will start over... AGAIN.
Anyone going to be trade bait this season?
Smoak could be packaged in a deal if he struggles. If the team struggles and decides to sell, then Brendan Ryan could go to a contender looking for a shortstop. Gutierrez could be gone if the team decides they can't put up with his injuries anymore. But the most likely to be traded is Brendan.
Mariners All-Star(s)?
Obviously Felix, if he pitches like his usual self. Morse could be a selection if he continues raking like he has. Stephen Pryor has had a great start and could make it if he is able to continue his dominance into June. Other than that, anyone else would be a bit of a surprise.
Ok, so how will they do this season?
Too soon to tell. As I write this, they are 6-8. Not horrible, because one more win and the team is at .500. The team has suffered early injuries to Guti, Morse, Saunders AND Pryor, so if they can get healthy and stay healthy, we should be in good shape. A tough month of May looms, but if they can stay near .500 throughout May, they have a shot... at improvement. Go Mariners.
