Oh goodie. When the M's said that they were going to give HoRam every opportunity to make the club, I didn't realize that meant pitching him against little leaguers. Brilliant!

What's it matter how they blend as a unit? They aren't going to change anything. It's like they've told themselves that this team is perfect and are doing whatever it takes to convince themselves that they are right. This is a good team, but it can be better! Locking into your entire roster this early with the weak bench that they're planning on taking isn't a good thing. Take a look at some things, try out some guys and see how they fit. Don't mail in all of spring training, some of these guys are too complacent and need to be really pushed, and I don't mean Ordonez or Cairo pushed. Promote some serious competition and light a fire under guys.

Manny - That seemed a little reactionary to "one or two more regular players" appearing in the A game. Who exactly do you think should be getting a look for the ML roster that isn't already in the mix?

It may have been a little overreaction to the "see how the players blend in as a unit" line. It's just that under Bavasi, Hargrove and now John this team sets the lineup and never considers anything else. They've let guys like Brousard rot while they run out guys that are struggling. This team lacks a sense of urgency, and I think letting guys like Balentein, Morse, Jimerson, and even Chen and LaHair have a chance creates some energy. Are they better longterm than guys we have? Maybe, maybe not. But they hand guys jobs and there is little to no accountability.

So, yeah, I was overreacting and I admit it. But it's getting frustrating to hear from Hargrove and now Mac about playing real baseball (ie. running, using the bench and playing hard) and seeing the same stale thing over and over.

I don't understand what the significance is of ramirez pitching in a minor-league game.

no biggie, but it's too easy to rip the team for having him pitch against minor leaguers while the others competing for a job are pitching against mostly major leaguers.

Hey MooselakeManny,

I totally agree!! Why it took so long to bench Sexson last year and play Broussard, I will never understand. The Mariners have a lot of time and effort invested in our young position players.
We are out of options on part of them, Morse and Jimerson. Common sence would dictate to now give them a real chance. The Mariners need to suck it up and eat Vidro salery, we NEED POP in the DH bat. I contend we put Ibanez in the DH spot. Now put Morse/Balentien in his spot, giving us better better defense. Then put Reed as the fourth OF. He could platoon and back up all of the OF positions. As far as the IF positions go we should keep only Willie or Cairo. Having just one would give us the flexibility of using Morse as IF backup. Thus, allowing us to keep Balentien on the roster as well. Having this nice blend of emerging young player would help energize the rest of the Mariner players.

Maybe the M's are trying to showcase HoRam and get something for him in a trade.

A lot of teams could actually use this guy.

Shows how tight pitching is in the big leagues.

Hey this is the Mariners we're talking about! Only old, over-the-hill veterans like Cairo and Vidro can bring energy to our team, not some punk youngers like Balentien, Clement or Morse ;)