love the new look! too bad us regulars couldn't get a log-in, instead of this "captcha" stuff...

Silva's a good pickup, the cost is a bit much, but the price is what it is right now. So i'm not real worried about that. The team just got a decent MOR starter who will eat some innings. He's a major upgrade over Weaver.

And it's not like the Ms have a bunch of guys in Tacoma who are even close to stepping up. Plus with Washburn's contract ending after this year, Silva wont be standing in the way of Tillman or any who will be ready the following year.

I just still don't get why Colon Wasn't considered...

Good pick up.

We really need an innings eater and here it is even if the price is hefty. Folks should at least be impressed they are spending especially with the ticket jump.

I know Geoff is all about Bedard along with my 86 year old Pepere who watches him against the Sox every time and says his stuff is better then Santana's but Jones, Clement and Morrow could be a true Trifecta of talent for a decade to lose.

Are there any options at 2nd to push Lopez they are looking at?

What a joke! Another desperation move by Bavasi to save his job! Can we get someone in the front office who's not about dishing out the dough to prove to fans that they're willing to spend money to win. It doesn't matter the amount you spend, but what you spend it on.

ust a FYI: Washburn is signed thru 2009, so we have him for 2 more years! Unless that is he's traded next offseason?!

I think that Chen will be brought up to give Lopez a run for his money, and Clement will be brought up to 50/50 with Johjima & Clement DHing the other 50% of the time. THIS would prevent Vidro's 2009 vested option from vesting...making sure that his $6.5M is off the books next offseason (along with Sexson/Ibanez & Johjima).

I can see us resigning Johjima after next year, but "if" Clement can prove himself in 2008 at the major league level...that will be a HUGE offensive boost at the catcher position for 2009 in itself!

I REALLY want to see what Jones/Wlad/Clement/Chen/LaHair can produce on a MLB level, and see "if" they can truly adjust to MLB level pitching. After 2008, we will DEFINITELY know where are TRUE holes in our lineup are at by doing this! THEN we can address those holes next offseason when we have a boatload of money $31.5M to be exact...coming off the books...

Texeira & one of the top ACE SPs next offseason ANYONE?

"If" we were able to snag Bedard now, then we wouldn't have to worry about signing any SPs next offseason AND INSTEAD do a:

1B Texeira
DH Griffey
OF ??!!

I've heard that the O's have offered Bedard & Luke Scott (LHB) for Jones/Wlad/Morrow/Sherrill!

"If" that is the case I would do that, as long as we can "buyout" Bedards last two arb years & have a 72hour window to sign him to a 4 year extension beyond 2009...to 2013!

I have been admiring Luke Scott since the middle of 2006. And would fit REALLY nicely in RF next to Ichiro. We can run with Ibanez in LF (ouch defensively) for 2008, but LF would definitely be a defensive hole to fill next offseason.

So for all those people out there pushing for Kuroda last week, I would hope you are satisfied with this move. It sounds like the M's had Kudroda (Plan 1a) and Silva (Plan 1b). I like the move, and the more I read about Mel Stottlmyre liking this guy the more this deal could be a good move.

My bottom-line on this one: We were all screaming to give Kuroda the 4th year, right? We didn't sign the guy, but we did give a SIMILAR STYLED PITCHER who is 1. MLB Tested and True (see Keg Igawa) and 2. A MAJOR INNINGS EATER the exact same money that was good for Kuroda.

The last thing I like about Silva is the fact that he is AL adjusted already. He came from the NL and spent the past few years learning the AL hitters at the Twinkies expense! Nice!

For once, this Bavasi move makes sense.

Geoff -

I read a news item on MLB.com (unreliable usually, I know) about how the Mariners might be able to pull off the Bedard deal without including Adam Jones. Maybe by including more quantity?

Any thoughts on that?

I think "if" we need a potential high reward stopgap between now and 2009, I say lets just go get Colon on an incentive laden deal with a 2nd team option year! Put the Incentives in so he can reach $14M/year with a $6M base.

We SAVE all our prospects to give them each a shot at proving themselves in 2008. The ones that don't pan out get sent back down, and we address any holes offensively next offseason!

Lets be honest. Colon is a high-risk SP candidate now. He has been injured and bad for 2 years straight now. Colon will be available on the cheap in mid-Feb for a team like KC who want to take a real big chance on a guy paying off for one year. Did the M's really need another Jeff Weaver situation on thier hands???

If we want to take an injury risk/reward shot on a SP, then lets go balls out for Prior... and if that doesnt work talk to Kris Benson. Those 2 are much better gambles in my book.

Silva = Bullpen Preservation!!! Imagine if our Bully could have held a few leads in early September this year....

Geoff~
ON THE SAME DAY: How does Silva get 4 years 44-48 million and DONTRELLE WILLIS only sign a 3 year 29 million dollar deal??

Does D-train know he is washed up and took the Tigers first offer???

Regarding Detroit? It's all about Leyland! The guy is awesome and works incredible with the Detroit brass!

I give this guy full credit to Detroit's rebuilding process! Ok maybe Dombrowski had something to do with it too!

But they sure soaked Bavasi for Guillen, by giving us Santiago...Ironically did you notice after the Guillen trade to Detroit who was on Detroit's World Series roster that year?

You guessed it Guillen AND Santiago!!! Bavasi DFA'ed Santiago & Detroit went immediately out and grabbed him back for FREE as a defensive replacement off the bench!

It's not to hard to turn around a 100+ losing season when you make a number of these kinds of deals! EVERY DEAL Detroit has done over the past 3 years has been INCREDIBLE...EVERY ONE!!!

Now they got Cabrera & Willis locked up on top of their YOUNG 2008 team & rock solid rotation!

When the offseason started I pretty much gave BoSox the 2008 WS title again...NOT NOW...with Angels/Detroit/Indians/Yanks I now haven't a clue on which one of these teams will go to the WS in 2008?!

Colon is broken down. May as well go after Harden, who'd be quite cheap and is the same.

I like what I heard here, and my instincts tell me this is a good move.

The great move would be for Bavasi to immediately press the Twins for a deal with Santana. I think all the preference he stated to be on the East Coast would be more than eliminated by the prospect of playing on the same team with his close friend, Carlos Silva.

I'm flashin' the V sign. Come on Venezuela. Seattle loves you!

The guy in the last post that talked about the Venezuelan Trifecta of Felix/Silva/Santana was absolutely brilliant. Oh yeah, that was me: ScottM.

I was unhappy when I first heard of the Silva signing, but the more and more I read about him, the better I think he'll be, as a Mariner. He doesn't give up too many walks, gets a lot of ground outs, and can pitch deep into ball games (something the Mariners lacked all of last season).

He's a good addition, but now I want the M's to end up trading for Bedard even more so. Then the Mariners would have something they've never had, a legit five man rotation. Most contending teams, in baseball, have a good one, two punch to head up the rotation. Bedard and Felix could be a great combination.

If they do end up trading Jones for pitching, who do they look at to play right field?

Geoff - This is Adam.

I was the one who brought up Josh Towers, but I didn't say he's "identical" to Silva. Please don't misquote me.

Nevertheless, I would direct you to an analysis done by Jeff over at Lookout Landing:

http://www.lookoutlanding.com/story/2007/12/19/41228/178

(2005-2007 statistics)

K%

Silva: 9.6%
Towers: 13.7%

unintentionalBB%

Silva: 2.9%
Towers: 4.3%

HR%

Silva: 3.5%
Towers: 3.6%

Strike%

Silva: 67%
Towers: 68%

1st pitch strike%

Silva: 67%
Towers: 66%

Swinging strike%

Silva: 8%
Towers: 11%

Line Drive%

Silva: 20%
Towers: 20%

Groundball%

Silva: 47%
Towers: 43%

Flyball%

Silva: 33%
Towers: 37%

HR/FB% (park-adjusted by THT)

Silva: 14%
Towers: 13%

FIP

Silva: 4.76
Towers: 4.71

xFIP

Silva: 4.63
Towers: 4.54

Platoon split

Silva: +.102 OPS vs. lefties
Towers: -.016 vs. lefties

----------

Cost

Silva: $44m/4yr
Towers: pretty much nothing

----------

Carlos Silva is better than Josh Towers when it comes to:

-avoiding walks, getting groundballs, facing righties

Carlos Silva is the same as Josh Towers when it comes to:

-throwing strikes, throwing first-pitch strikes, allowing home runs, allowing line drives

Carlos Silva is worse than Josh Towers when it comes to:

-missing bats, getting strikeouts, facing lefties

--------------

In other words, the difference between Towers and Silva isn't that great.

And for all you who say "Look at the ERA!" - you really don't understand how to evaluate a pitcher.

Silva's not a bad pickup; he's just not worth that kind of cash. The could have had a very similar pitcher (Towers) for a fraction of the cost, but unfortunately, the M's don't understand how to evaluate talent.

As always, I'm posting an updated look at the Mariners lineup, rotation and needs. This contains contains no "shoulds" or "coulds," just an honest depth chart based on who is actually on the roster.

Needs:
1 starter
8th inning righty
Dump Sexson/new 1st Base
Possible upgrade at 2nd

Rotation:
Felix
Silva
Washburn
Batista
Baek/HoRam/Morrow/Dickey

Lineup:
Ichiro CF
Vidro DH
Ibanez LF
Beltre 3rd
Sexson 1st
Johjima C
Jones RF
Lopez 2nd
Yuni SS

Off subject slightly...

Did I miss where George Sherrill has worn #52 the whole time he has been up and down with the M's, yet Silva is now wearing it?

Geoff!! Tell me the details... what did Silva buy Sherrill for the number... or is Sherrill already on a plane to Baltimore??????????

Did Bavasi really say they might use Morrow as a long man in the bullpen? If so, that is the absolute height of stupidity (although not surprising considering the source). They already wasted a year of his development last season, if he does loes a battle to freakin' Horacio Ramirez of all people for 5th starter, you think it might be a sign he needs some development time in the MINOR LEAGUES? Poor guy might never even get a chance to become a decent starter in this idiot-ridden organization.

geoff,

earlier, i think you had stated that the m's are unlikely to go after santana because of his 120m/20+per price tag. could you please shed some light on the logic behind this?

i would much rather have a future young HOF in santana and a rookie rather than bedard and silva.

boy have we cornered the market on 3,4,5 starters. yippee.

Carlos Silva. Settle, settle, settle, and settle some more.

I'm Mr. X, and I approve that message.

And if you think Bavasi's "thrift store" spending spree is over, you're mistaken. He still needs to hit Value Village and a couple of the "big box" stores for another starter and his annual questionable bullpen addition. The most fun though, is seeing the annual NRI list, knowing that at least two of them make the club every year.

I'm still Mr. X, and I also approve this message.

Is Colon out of the picture? Was he ever in the picture? Should he have been in the picture? Will he now be in the picture?

Geoff is right. It will take Adam Jones and more impact prospects to land a Bedard. I am rooting against landing Bedard and scrapping 2008 in hopes Bavasi is fired, and the new GM can land frontline pitching in trades. Not sign backend starters at market inflated value. Silva is a #4 starter.

OK, silva is our man. Get Bedard, get rid of Richie and we are in it.

SUGGESTION: Until the wireheads fix the site and get the bus tunnel working, INCLUDE YOUR MONIKER in your comment.
.
Thanks, byebyeSexson
.
someone please approve of this message!

Did anyone catch what Bavasi said about Morrow - how he's pretty much a lock to start the season with the Mariners?

Does this idiot never learn!?!?!?! Just goes to show that he and Lincoln don't give a rat's arse about building the team properly.

They are ruining Brandon Morrow's career before it even gets started.

Bill Bavasi - the biggest idiot in baseball.

This is Adam - the previous post is mine.

Can you guys please get of Sexson's back? The guy had one bad year. You should be saying "and Sexson has his rebound year we should be ok". They guy consistantly puts up 35 hr and 100 rbi a year. He has not suffered any injuries and should be back next year. Plus he is rail thin so you know it is not the juice. Why does Buhner who was a rally killer also get a free pass? And why on earth would we want to dump him when his value is nothing. You guys have such short memories.

Does my name show up now?

Bavasi says he'll use Brandon Morrow/Ramirez as the fifth starter for now, with the loser of that battle in spring training becoming a bullpen long man. - This is a good plan. Giving up Morrow, Jones and someone like Clemment gives me the shakes. I keep thinking Varateck and the David O., the left handed basher on the Red Sox team. Talk about the big hurt. I say lets keep what we got and give it a year to shake out. Do we really think we can contend with LA this year anyway? Wild card maybe and the future is here with Morrow and Jones. Lets see what they can do - for US, not THEM.

I'm not real excited by Silva but he upgrades the rotation and I'd rather have him on a 4 year contract than Kuroda.

Morrow in the bullpen is a stupid idea. Actually I hope that Morrow is not on the 25 man roster at the start of 2008. He should be in Tacoma developing as a Starter which is where his value to the Mariners is. Not as a long reliever. As someone previously mentioned, the FO sure seems intent on screwing up Morrow's development.

Big Ebu

Wow Silva's a lot fatter than I thought he was. We need to get Colon now, he would thin.

Umm, to the poster from 9:24 AM, Dec 21, 2007, Sexson did get hurt. He was hurt most of the year as a matter of fact. Plus he showed us that if he does get hurt we can't even count on him to tell us so he can go to the DL and get better. Add to that he's on the wrong side of 30 so chance for injury increases and chance for improved skills decreases, and Voila you've got a player worth complainig about. Plus his defense is TERRIBLE, and for all this talk about pitching, there hasn't been much emphasizing that good defense is the key to consistent pitching.

Geez, $48 million for Mr. Carlos Silva, a one-pitch pitcher whose one pitch often deserts him. Here's a guy who, a couple of days before the playoffs two years ago, was trying to learn a new pitch because his sinker wasn't sinking. I'm sure that inspired great confidence.
I'm not saying the guy is a total slug. But if Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson were paid by the hour for all the time he put in with Silva last season, he'd be able to buy the Twins. Or the Yankees. Or Costa Rica. We're talking high maintenance. Plus, Silva is quick to glare at teammates and throw tantrums in the dugout when things don't go his way.
Anyway, I don't know what they're smoking up there in Seattle. But it must be some powerful stuff that slipped in from Oregon. The Seattle "forever 500" Mariners.