The Seattle Mariners: Where Promise and Offense Go to Die

The Seattle Mariners: Where Promise and Offense Go to Die

Since the 2004 season, the Seattle Mariners have continually been one of the most disappointing franchises in baseball. In that time they have only compiled two winning seasons, and have starved a rabid fan base of a product to get behind. When trying to figure out the reasons behind such dismal performances, many come to mind, but the overall conclusion is that this organization needs a complete overhaul.

 

1.      Development

 

The Seattle Mariners have had the unfortunate honor of drafting at or near the top of the board most years. They’ve gotten to pick from the top players available year in and year out so there should be no reason why these top prospects don’t pan out for them. Also, the team has acquired some top notch prospects in trades when dumping off salary or above average players that they can get something in return for. Dustin Ackley and Justin Smoak were supposed to be franchise building blocks, along with Jesus Montero who came over to the club this season. All three guys however have been absolutely abysmal. Ackley is one of the worst hitters among everyday players in baseball, Smoak has never been consistent with the bat, and Montero has been sent down to Triple A because of his inability to handle right handed pitching, along with a poor work ethic and being one of the slowest people to call themselves a professional athlete. Swinging and missing on so much young talent speaks volumes to the team’s ability to develop players. Guys like Mike Zunino, Taijuan Walker, Nick Franklin, and Danny Hultzen wait in the wings for their opportunity, and for the sake of the franchise I hope the results are a lot different from what’s become the custom.

 

 

2.      Manager

 

I don’t know Eric Wedge personally, he’s probably a very nice guy, but based on his managerial track record he’s not the guy I want leading my team. Aside from one good year in 2007 when the Indians won the division and made it to the ALCS, Wedge has not been a very good manager. He does not seem like the guy who will hold players accountable and lights a fire under them to get the best results. Now, at the same token, it’s not to say that most other managers would miraculously turn this team around. There’s too much wrong here for that to happen, but a managerial change, preferably to someone who has never managed in the big leagues and has that fire to succeed and get the most out of his players could bring about some positive change for the present and then in turn the future. There’s an old adage that coaches or managers are doing their best with what was given to them, and that rings true here to an extent, but in this instance the players are doing their best with what was given to them also.

 

3.      Front Office

 

In an effort to add more power to his lineup, GM Jack Zduriencik signed Mike Morse and Kendrys Morales in the offseason. This was a huge mistake on his part as these two guys are not the type of players who can succeed at Safeco Field. Yes, Safeco Field is a cavernous desert of a ballpark, so why go about signing guys who are strictly home run hitters? Morse or Morales are never going consistently hit doubles or extra base hits, they can’t hit gap to gap, and there’s too much of a home run or bust mentality with both guys. Add in the fact that Morales has not been the same player since breaking his ankle, and you have a recipe for disaster. The team has to build its roster around the stadium in which it plays and they have done a bad job doing so. The Mariners since 2004 have compiled a .500 record at Safeco Field. While that’s not exactly something to write home about and get excited over, considering the circumstances and the talk of Safeco Field and its dimensions, they should consider themselves lucky. Also, another questionable move was the signing of Jason Bay. This is a guy whose confidence has been shot more times than 50 Cent, there’s probably no situation where he would thrive and provide results. Having watched him in New York he is nowhere near the player he used to be, and shown no signs of being able to shake off that experience and move on.

 

Despite all these problems all hope is not lost in Seattle. It’s a wonderful city that can attract free agents, they have one of the best fan bases in the game, and there are guys who can be built around in Kyle Seager, Michael Saunders, and the best one-two punch in baseball King Felix and Hisashi Iwakuma. There is talent in the minors also, as described above, but with a GM who cannot construct a team to succeed and a manager who isn’t the right fit, all these positives are moot. Change needs to happen, and quickly, if this franchise wants to return to glory.