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Thanks Danny, you did a great job filling in for Geoff.
The posts continue to be first rate but the comments continue to sink lower and lower. All we have to do is wait till it is bed time for the young um and the comments finally raise off the bottom dwelling mein that has become the norm lately.
Can't wait till they get some better software so I can continue reading decent comments instead of drivel.
Good win for the M's albiet against another low win team but hey, a win is a win.

Good to know.. especially from a fantasy standpoint.

Thanks for the hard work guys.

Maui, I hear what you're saying, but by posting your complaint, you too are adding to the crappy posts. I for one am tired of hearing people whine about poor comments. This is a FREE blog. Take the good the bad and ugly. BUT There is a simple and easy solution.

USE THE SCROLL FEATURE & don't read the idiot posts.

Maui - Couldn't agree more. All it takes are a couple of annoying little punks to ruin this board. You'll see someone mocking me in some way shortly, I'm sure. It's been happening all week.

I have to actually applaud McLaren for putting Lopez in the 3-hole. I think Lopez hits a bit better when he doesn't have to worry about moving runners over and making "productive outs." (I hate the idea of a "productive out," BTW)

I think he's better for down in the lineup, like six or seven, but perhaps Mac is recognizing that Lopez isn't best suited bunting and hitting the ball on the ground to the right side.

Well said, Maui. The problem, Generic, is that the volume of posts from a couple of idiots have overshadowed those interested in talking about the M's. It might be my imagination, but the numbnuts with the Adam fixation seems to be gone. Hallelujia!

McLaren has actually made a few moves this week that make sense.

(1)Jeff Clement needed to be sent back down. It's a real pity, with that sweet swing of his, that he couldn't find a way to relax more and make better contact. All of us clamoring for him to get a chance can't complain. He had plenty of opportunities to produce, and there were plenty of times when he could have been the hero during this pathetic losing slide. Clement had become an extension of the Wilkerson problem. Let's hope he figures it out and comes back up with better resolve and the kind of focus that earns him a long MLB future.

(2) Using Washburn as a closer. It worked and it worked well.

(3) Making the best of the hot bats by putting Beltre in the #2 slot, and Lopez at #3.

(4) It looks like Reed will get his chance again. He stunk in '06, but lets hope his offensive production in Tacoma isn't from the same mirage that Clement's was. (High three hundred average, etc.)

(5) As for Reed, lets hope he plays in games like today instead of Bloomquist. The low point of this game was when Willie grounded into that routine double play. I thought we were done for after that one.

ScottM - Not so fast on Reed. It appears Vidro is getting his DH spot back. You know, because he was really tearing it up since the M's decided he needed to be replaced by Clement.

I mean, he did put up a .214/.241/.286 line during that time, so obviously he deserves to keep the DH spot.

And Raul obviously deserves to remain in LF.

So while McLaren and Bavasi could have killed two birds with one stone, they instead just bashed each other over the head with said stone...

Adam - Yes at first I wondered if you were the "real" Adam or another Adam impersonator, but as I read your post the tone became clear and one could only deduce that you are the one and only Adam. Your shriveled soul shines through and all about you there is negativity, so you must be the "real" Adam here visiting your "wisdom" on us again.

Of course, it could only be you Adam when you resorted to name calling - "punks" is it now?

A bit of advice, there will be a day in the near future when the M's GM position comes open, so have your resume ready. It will be your good fortune to me a nominee for that august position, until then keep your sabermetrics sharp and your manuel at hand. Good luck.

ScottM - Yeah, Clement was puzzling, because he had good ABs. Didn't chase nearly as much as Wlad does. Just coulnn't find contact. Maybe he was a bit too selective, I don't know.

Hopefully he can get back to raking in AAA and force his way up for good.

Adam, you might as well resign yourself to the fact that Raul is in LF for the duration of '08. His is the one bat that is consistently solid, so I don't see McLaren messing with his average glove.

I actually think that Reed will get a shot to play enough to see if his bat is for real. If so, then he will probably DH some and spell each of the Outfielders. In '06, I cringed every time he came up to bat, so I'm not getting my hopes up.

Hey Danny O'Neal,
Thank you for the timely updates and info!
U guys that want to censorship need to get a life.
Everyone gets an opinion and comment.
It's called Democracy!
Two in a row...
Go M's

Send Adam to Tacoma, he's not ready for the bigs.

I had this thought today while I was watching the game that Bavasi got so tired of Richie striking out again and again that he finally decided dfa him. So Ibaniz was slotted at 1st and then, I was wondering who was going to play LF, and voila, I check in at the blog and read that Reed is up. However, it was merely a daydream.

It's nce that Vidro got a timely hit today, but unfortunately that won't last...same old, same old...

Censorship? There's no censorship in here of M's related comments.

This is the Seattle Time's privately controlled blog. It's been very open to a wide array of opinions that are intended to be about the Mariners and MLB.

Scroll up Batter Up. Read: "Help us maintain civil and mature comment threads by reporting inappropriate posts..."

Now read Punks in this thread. His post is one of an onslaught of posts in the last week (probably many by him under other names) written without a clue as to how to be civil, mature, or appropriate to the purpose of this blog.

And Batter Up, since you are so sensitive to the widest array of personal expression, try walking up to strangers and saying the things that have been posted in here of late. I hope you're a big, buff guy and well trained in self-defense, because that kind of freedom of speech is not without consequences.

This isn't about censorship. This is about a few jerks ruining the best blog for talking about the M's.

ScottM - You have a talent for saber rattling that is threatening commentaries - "try walking up to strangers and saying the things that have been posted in here of late. I hope you're a big, buff guy and well trained in self-defense, because that kind of freedom of speech is not without consequences" - Are you better for your threats? Do you really think you are above censorship? How is this kind of reasoning that your present rational and civil?

ScottM - You have a talent for saber rattling that is threatening commentaries - "try walking up to strangers and saying the things that have been posted in here of late. I hope you're a big, buff guy and well trained in self-defense, because that kind of freedom of speech is not without consequences" - Are you better for your threats? Do you really think you are above censorship? How is this kind of reasoning that your present rational and civil?

Adam - Yes at first I wondered if you were the "real" Adam or another Adam impersonator, but as I read your post the tone became clear and one could only deduce that you are the one and only Adam. Your shriveled soul shines through and all about you there is negativity, so you must be the "real" Adam here visiting your "wisdom" on us again.

Of course, it could only be you Adam when you resorted to name calling - "punks" is it now?

A bit of advice, there will be a day in the near future when the M's GM position comes open, so have your resume ready. It will be your good fortune to me a nominee for that august position, until then keep your sabermetrics sharp and your manuel at hand. Good luck.

Idiot & Imbecile - When erstwhile posting someone else's commentary, it is proper to use quotation marks and cite your source, otherwise you are guilty of plagiarism. Of course in such case, you have already acknowledged your intellectual standing via your posting name - that is Idiot and Imbecile respectively. Well done methinks.

ScottM - since when was Raul's glove "average?"

If Raul has in any way intimated that he won't like a switch to DH, then that's reason to trade his butt on the spot (I'm actually all for it at this point regardless). This team isn't going to win the division, but if they at least want to pretend that they have a shot, they need to make the team better. That means Reed in LF, Ibanez to DH, and Vidro to bench. If Raul stands in the way of that, then he's a horrible team player, not the "leader" he pretends to be.

And I love how some think censorship or free speech is an issue on a blog controlled by a private company. Democracy has nothing to do with it..

Adam - You wear your true colors - "I love ... censorship..." - might you be a neocon in training? By maintaining this blog open to all, the Seattle Times is replicating a town meeting environment and therefore subject to First Amendment protections of free speech. But then you and your like would take all that away from the rest of us. Neocon Oligarchy that is your cry.

As for baseball commentary, you made politics a part of the game with your disparaging remarks.

When erstwhile posting someone else's commentary, it is proper to use quotation marks and cite your source, otherwise you are guilty of plagiarism. Of course in such case, you have already acknowledged your intellectual standing via your posting name - that is Idiot and Imbecile respectively. Well done methinks.

Adam - You wear your true colors - "I love ... censorship..." - might you be a neocon in training? By maintaining this blog open to all, the Seattle Times is replicating a town meeting environment and therefore subject to First Amendment protections of free speech. But then you and your like would take all that away from the rest of us. Neocon Oligarchy that is your cry.

As for baseball commentary, you made politics a part of the game with your disparaging remarks.

Adam - as an attorney, one might think you above plagiarism or theft of intellectual thought, but then it just goes to show that you have no honor.

By maintaining this blog open to all, the Seattle Times is replicating a town meeting environment and therefore subject to First Amendment protections of free speech.

LOL. Uh, no. Perhaps you are trying to apply public forum analysis. But alas, that only applies to PUBLIC entities. You know, municipalities, state governments, the federal government. The Seattle Times is a PRIVATE entity, and therefore may maintain this blog as it chooses, which includes censoring any posts it wishes.

A "town meeting environment..." That's rich...

So, feel like talking baseball, or would we get bogged down trying to explain why they use bats to hit the ball?

Adam - as an attorney, one might think you above plagiarism or theft of intellectual thought, but then it just goes to show that you have no honor.

Now you are just embarassing yourself.

Such presumption Adam - you are the embarrassment here with your pseudo intellectual arguments and snide remarks to anyone and all who challenge your presumptive command of baseball and free speech.

As I've said before, Adam, in light of all the other issues this team has had to cause this pathetic start, I just don't view Raul's left field performance as significant. Lopez's glove (or more accurately, his lack of concentration) has cost us several more games this season than Raul has.

This said, I'm wondering how close Richie Sexson is to being DFA 'ed by the M's. Might there be negotiations in the works for a better power hitter?

I think Jeremy Reed is about to get his second chance to show if he belongs in the Majors. If the M's were to get rid of Sexson, then Raul could play first and we would have a new DH. This would allow Reed to be in LF and your wishes would come true.

However, unless Sexson is truly on the hot seat, then the M's will stick with Raul in LF. Moreover, if the M's acquire Griffey with Sexson DFA'ed, then I imagine Balentien shifting over to LF with Griffey in RF and Raul playing 1st base.

In any event, before any trade or dumping of Sexson, I think Reed is about to get a chance to prove whether he belongs in the Bigs. In fairness to all of us howling to bring up Clement and Balentien, Jeff was a bust and Wlad is delivering about what should be expected for a rookie.

Out of curiousity, with Norton going to Atlanta and Wilkerson to Toronto (?), how much will the M's have to pay in those players salaries for '08?

For all your attention to this blog and these presumed insights concerning Reed, Sexson, and Raul, I posted these same ideas in detail this morning in yesterday's post game blog. See 10:25 AM and 10:42 AM So it is not like you have some brilliant new insight here ScottM or Adam, in fact I have been calling for the move for some time.

See alas GM and Samuel Coleridge.

Well bravo to you, MacCricket - don't throw out a shoulder patting yourself on the back. You'll excuse us if we go ahead and discuss the matter anyway.

ScottM - Getting Raul out of LF makes the team better, period. As such, there's no excuse not to do it. It's really that simple. And even though you might not be able to remember a single play that cost us a game, Raul does cost the team hits and runs, which has a cumulative effect.

And he can take a flying leap if he complains.

As for Sexson, I'd love to see him go. I've been calling for Ibanez to go to first in a platoon for a couple of weeks now; if Sexson goes, that's fine by me.

But the more I think about it, the more I'm shocked that they would give Clement all of 15 games to produce. Honestly, they only need 15 games to decide that Vidro is a better option at DH? Really?

This team is run by incompetents.

Adam for GM: He's no incompetent and he has all the answers. Let him discuss these matters with himself and the select few who do not deserve censorship, such are the elite of this blog....

Tried to post this a few days ago, but the blog was being fussy.

Geoff, in my opinion, you're doing a fantastic job being even-keeled about what's turning out to be somewhat of a mess. Keep up the great work!

And remember Bloggers...don't kill the messenger!

Regarding Adam: I sometimes don’t agree with his philosophy or appreciate his tone. But the man knows more about baseball than I do. So I read and try to learn.

As for felix, seems to me he's acting like a man-child instead of a man. All the posturing that worked for him when he was a kid or coming up in baseball to intimidate lesser athletes isn't working now that he's feeling pressure.

Everyone feels pressure. How one deals with pressure is what’s important. And right now felix is dealing with it by pouting and acting like a brat.

I'll return his upper case when he matures a little. UPDATE: Felix is back…threw a good game today.

I'm for signing Griffey...I didn't live here when he was in his prime and would love to watch him even if he's at his twilight.

Players like Griffey bring synergy to a team...that is, the total being greater than the sum of its parts. And, although he's suffered injuries, the younger guys don't want to get outdone by an old guy—at any level.

Clement and Wlad would soak up attitude and pointers--literally living a dream--as they practice and play with one of the greatest.

Seriously...imagine Yuni or Lopez, for example, getting embarrassed during BP by someone more than a decade older.

Perhaps some wagers would occur:
Whack. Whack. Whack.

"That's 3 off the Verizon sign, guys. Yuni, thanks for the Roley. And Jose, I'll take you up on the steak dinner.

His stats don't have to be super. Much like Montana, Rice, Favre and Jordan, I believe he'd increase the level of play around him.

Signing Joh was stupid. A team should wait until the performance arrives before opening the checkbook. Times have changed, however.

The hitting is showing signs of coming around. But Beltre still pulls his head and always seems to overswing. I did see the dinger Beltre hit vs the Padres. Looked like he kept his head in place.

Kenji has always had poor form from what I've seen.

I do wish I could watch more games so I could actually see improvement.

Does anyone here subscribe to MLB.com? Is it worth it?

Anyway, it's late and I'm rambling.

I'll still follow the club because the alternative is to give up Thai food and move back to Montana to watch Pioneer League action. (congrats Lyle Overbay!)

No thanks.

Peace.

Adam - repeated name calling - e.g. "incompetents, punks, jerks- etc. and you call yourself a civil blogger. Add your condescending tone and insulting dismissal of others, one wonders if you are not "the pot calling the kettle black." So if you are the measure of civility, then why should anyone be thrown off this blog. Let the censorship begin with you old fellow.

Hypocrite

"So it is not like you have some brilliant new insight ..."

This made me laugh. Here we are talking about a team that is on the verge of being a colossal failure for 2008. It's a team that has already eaten Wilkerson's salary and is stuck with over $20 million for Sexson and Vidro. At best, all any of us fans can do is hope for an '08 miracle. More realistically, we should expect little this season and discuss the best ways to position the M's to be make the playoffs in '09. To do this, the M's mgmt must make key moves relative to Sexson/Vidro/Ibanez, In other words, in '08, there isn't much "brilliance" that anyone can offer.

Frankly, whether Reed plays or Ibanez plays in LF is of little consequence to the large picture moves that this team needs to make to compete. And anyone who thinks that Reed will have a major impact on the M's offense is dreaming. At best, he will be a defensive upgrade. If Reed bats like he did in '06, then he will be more of a liability than an asset. I hope he proves me wrong and hits .360 like in Tacoma.

The M's are indeed an incompetent organization. Why not at least pretend to appear intelligent to their peers and allow Clement more than 15 games before sending him down for bust prospect Jeremy Reed! Essentially pulling the plug at Clement in the DH role based on keeping the replaceable Jamie Burke/back-up catcher on the roster.

This is a complete act of desperation, the M's value Burke over developing a top prospect's bat. We clearly saw Clement's defense was fine, and those who questioned it earlier were off base.

As stated in previous threads by many, allowing Vidro to vest for '09 is stupid. I mean this a complete joke. Bill Bavasi has no plan, he's done this for years. I am quite angry that the M's would prefer Mr. Pro .207 hitter, (who has been using cortizone shots to keep his body from breaking into pieces) as a better direction at DH.

Doug- Don't let Adam mocking you for providing us with your opinion of having LaHair replace Sexson, discourage you in any way. That suggestion is actually common sense since Jeremy Reed can't play first base to replace Sexson. We are not in contention, so it would be prudent to evaluate LaHair because he will have to be protected on the 40-man roster next year or risk losing him.

With LaHair, you may get a Sean Casey type hitter, and that's a heck of an improvement over Sexson. I'm not surprised seeing Bavasi scramble to veteran experience over young talent based on a 2 game winning streak. This club has historically done well in interleague play, any perception that we are still in contention is not realistic.

If we were smart we would DFA Sexson, keep Vidro on the bench most of the season. If we were a smart organization we would have given Clement way more time. Jeremy Reed is not the answer, least of all the future.

"And we got what in trade for Norton ??" I believe we got a used jock strap and a couple of rolls of adhesive tape. Clement = class act. He will be back in the bigs one day, hopefully as OUR catcher.

We barely beat the worst team in the NL, and the season is saved?

Adam - repeated name calling - e.g. "incompetents, punks, jerks- etc. and you call yourself a civil blogger. Add your condescending tone and insulting dismissal of others, one wonders if you are not "the pot calling the kettle black." So if you are the measure of civility, then why should anyone be thrown off this blog. Let the censorship begin with you old fellow.

Hypocrite

"I think he's better for down in the lineup, like six or seven, but perhaps Mac is recognizing that Lopez isn't best suited bunting and hitting the ball on the ground to the right side." Adam, I agree with most of what you say, but not this. The two spot is tough on any hitter and Beltre struggles to hit .250 in most places in the order. Now he has to concentrate on putting the ball in play, hitting to right, seeing a lot of pitches. It could help him but I think he will struggle even more with the increased burden. Lopez did well in the two spot and has done fairly well in every spot they have hit him.

These two guys will not sink the ship but there are three or four others that have and may continue to do so.

Detroit is about the only team with a lower percentage than the M's...

Go M's!

byebye

With the battle for "who can play the worst ball of the 2008 season" (Mariners with a .367 10.5 games behind and YAWNkees with a .479 6.5 games behind) I don't blame King Felix and manager John McLaren for acting cautiously when it comes to altering the pitching rotation.

I wouldn't want any part of this devisating show displaying such acts as - 116 things to do with a little red threaded round object, three legged races with short wooden walking sticks and protecting fragile nails from breaking by dawning oversize leather mittens. (Why only one?)

After all McLaren began the decision to bail during the second inning in this series opener by getting thrown out of the game. Next time put on a better show... I really miss you Lou.

I don't blame King Felix for wanting to sit this series out... after all this WOULD be possibly his last showing in YAWNkee stadium. The only other possible showing would be if Seattle and New York met in a playoff situation - and with the way both teams are battling for the bottom - I do not see this in the forecast.

Mr, opps I mean King Felix, I don't blame you for wanting to fall out of rotation. Only tell it like it REALLY IS!!

You were scheduled to face off against Mike "the Moose" Mussina who was ranked second overall during the 2007 season with only a mere .5 ERA
behind the GREAT Roger Clemens. Sixteenth ranked 2007 pitcher Jarrod Washburn is scheduled to start in Sundays game facing 80th ranked Chien-
Ming Wang and Carlos Silva ranked 55TH is scheduled to take your place against the Moose.

McLaren stated "We don't think it's serious, (speaking of the King's calf injury) but it's something that if he altered his pitching delivery
or something, he might do something to himself. We'll monitor this day by day, and hopefully with a little treatment, a little rest, he's going to be fine. We'll know something more Tuesday." Of course... that would be AFTER the series with Seattle's all time rivals the YAWNkees is over.

The actual logic behind keeping you from pitching in tomorrows game is MORE THAN OBVIOUS. Your season ending 90th rank speaks for itself.

Too bad manager Mclaren's name wasn't Harlan Sanders because he is "The Colonel" of the biggest CHICKEN the Seattle Mariners has ever signed,

Felix "the KING CHICKEN" Hernandez.