SECTION 331

Taken from an article on mariners.com today, emphasis mine:

“Other players who could help the offense are free agents such as first baseman Jason Giambi, third baseman Joe Crede, outfielder Pat Burrell and outfielder Adam Dunn. But don’t expect the Mariners to make a play for high-priced stars such as CC Sabathia, Manny Ramirez or Mark Teixeira…And don’t discount the idea that Mariners could trade one of their high-priced players such as J.J. Putz, Jarrod Washburn or Adrian Beltre to bring in prospects and to trim a payroll that reached a club-record $120 million last season. ”

I wouldn’t mind having Pat Burrell on our side. During the World Series whenever he came up to bat, I knew it meant trouble for the Rays pitchers. We need someone to put the fear o’ God into the opposing team. I am gradually coming to terms with the fact that I am not going to win my dream date with Mark Teixeira this year; not that deep down I didn’t know it, but that corner of my brain that held out a bit of hope has closed up shop now.

A lot of opinions are floating around on local blogs regarding what free agents would be cheap, easy to obtain, and good for the Mariners. There are several mentions of people who seem to have spent a lot of 2008 injured. After the Bedard trade, I am gun-shy at the prospect of taking on another easily- or often-injured player. Granted, we would most likely not be giving up all that we gave up for Bedard, but still, what’s the point of taking that chance, especially in the position we’re in currently? I’d rather lose because everyone on the team is young and relatively inexperienced, than lose because we made another weak trade for someone who spends most of the season in bandages on a bench somewhere. There was that one shining game this year against the Red Sox where Bedard completely owned them, and it gave me so much hope that he would be able to continue playing, and made me really, really like him – and then we know how the rest of that story goes. I just don’t want to repeat that. I’d also like to be able to wear my jersey to get-togethers with my friends this next year, without having everyone I run into say “the Mariners SUCK!” as if somehow I missed the boat there. “Oh, really? I wouldn’t know: I haven’t spent all my time this summer watching every game and annoying my husband. Thanks for the heads-up!” And then of course possible bad news about JJ; I’m not even going to go into it, at the risk of broken-recording.

Our first base situation is a bit of a dilemma for me. Not knowing what Zduriencik has in mind, but knowing full well that we need a first baseman, I can see them going for a cheaper free agent. Bryan LaHair is a nice kid, I’m sure, but unless he suddenly explodes during Spring Training, I’m not sure I see a reason to keep him at first base for an entire season, or maybe at all; what was a vaguely promising start for him last year descended into ‘eh’ the more the season wore on. And while the platooning thing is entertaining (like a grab bag full of Circus Peanuts at a candy store– ew), it hasn’t been reliable for us. Maybe platooning was semi-successful in the outfield with Reed and Willie, but our first line of protection at that base position has got to be far better and more stable than we’ve had. Some folks that know more than me have mentioned the possibility of putting Jeff Clement at first base, because of his knees. Clement can’t come out of the crouch fast enough at the plate, that is for sure; but I don’t know anything about his fielding skills. Maybe he would be a good fit; only Spring Training will tell.

I occasionally listen to 1090AM on the way to work, and this morning during a “celebrity news” segment on the Stephanie Miller Show, they were talking about Alex Rodriguez and Madonna. Apparently, word on the street is that he’s been writing poetry about her. Not that public people aren’t also human, but privacy should remain private. Also, the guy’s 33 years old, and that is an action I normally associate with a 16-year-old lovesick goth girl (and I know from whence I speak, I used to BE one). This is just making him look like a chump, and it’s making her look even control-freakier than everyone already thinks she is. If I was in the Yankees front office, I might ask him to tone it down a bit…and by “tone it down” I mean “DFA”. Seriously, though, as if fans of other teams don’t already have enough reason to be anti-Yankees, and if Mariners fans don’t have enough reason to be anti-A-Rod. I guess the up side is that it does give the moronic article responders over at starmagazine.com something to write in misspelled ALL CAPS about. Everyone needs a hobby.