Corey Brock Mailbag with my comments

[bpj]

Cruz just take a decent offer, he isn't going to be in high demand

Agreed, I'd put the chances of Cruz to Seattle about 99% higher than any top free agent. What, they need a better look at Torrens?

Did watching Haniger whiff last night make anyone think, "Gee, why don't we just DH him when he isn't in the field!"

No. We need Cruz as much as he needs a suitor. I'd fill his contract with incentives based on plate appearances with a vesting option for 2023 at 500 plate appearances.

Want a spot on a team fighting for the playoffs? Here ya go.

[Michael K.]

No. We need Cruz as much as he needs a suitor.

And you really think when he looks at all of his offers this year, Seattle will be the place he decides makes the most sense to go? I doubt he really needs money, and I doubt he loved it so much here he just can't wait to get back. My guess is he doesn't have a ton of years left and would probably think his playoff chances are better in about 65% of the others cities in the Majors.

He probably won't go to an NL club, but the Dodgers took on Pujols. Maybe some contender thinks they can make him a 1st Baseman? I highly doubt it, but even if he is just restricted to AL teams, you think his best suitor is going to be Seattle? Why? Would it be the intrigue of batting in a lineup with no protection? The thought of going somewhere that hasn't contended in two decades? The fact that they are not highly regarded amongst players? I am thinking the answer to all of those things is a resounding no. So, what makes Seattle the best option for a guy like Cruz?

[bpj]

No. We need Cruz as much as he needs a suitor.

And you really think when he looks at all of his offers this year, Seattle will be the place he decides makes the most sense to go? I doubt he really needs money, and I doubt he loved it so much here he just can't wait to get back. My guess is he doesn't have a ton of years left and would probably think his playoff chances are better in about 65% of the others cities in the Majors.

He probably won't go to an NL club, but the Dodgers took on Pujols. Maybe some contender thinks they can make him a 1st Baseman? I highly doubt it, but even if he is just restricted to AL teams, you think his best suitor is going to be Seattle? Why? Would it be the intrigue of batting in a lineup with no protection? The thought of going somewhere that hasn't contended in two decades? The fact that they are not highly regarded amongst players? I am thinking the answer to all of those things is a resounding no. So, what makes Seattle the best option for a guy like Cruz?

Yes, it wouldn't be the first time he did it.

He will have 2-3 options, if that. We'll see. Not many teams looking for a DH.

If the NL adds one, sure, the chances of him signing in Seattle would be lower.

[bpj]

The defeatist attitude can apply to any free agent.

What, you think HE will sign HERE?

No, probably not.

So maybe Dipoto should just assemble a team full of guys he's had to trade spare parts for like France, Haniger, Torrens, and Toro's.

Oh wait. You guys complain about that too...

Nope, you're right, we should just get used to what Dipoto is doing. Nobody's gonna sign here after all, why would they.

Pick a side.

[Michael K.]

Did watching Haniger whiff last night make anyone think, "Gee, why don't we just DH him when he isn't in the field!"

It would seem that you enjoyed Mitch's HR less than what the future of the franchise did -

Crawford. Strikes out before Mitch, goes 1 for 5.
Toro. 0 for 4, including a double play.
Torrens. 0 for 3 with 2 Ks
Kelenic. 0 for 4 with a K.

Cal Raleight got a HIT! Outstanding. His average jumped to .175. Bauers got a hit. His jumped to .214. Kelenic is .149. Fraley is .224. Moore is .182. Torrens is .206. Which one of these juggernauts is due to carry us next season? Or, is it some guy that has never taken a swing in a Major League ball game?

Let's move on...why not? Mitch and Kyle have 36 doubles, 51 hrs, 138 RBIs, 124 Runs and 74 walks. That is 23% of the team's doubles, 36% of the team's HRs, 30% of the team's RBIs, 26% of the team's Runs and 20% of the Walks. So, the game is now about power, and we are ready to get rid of 36% of the entire team's HRs and 30% of it's RBIs....by getting rid of TWO BATS!?

Haniger didn't finish well last night. But, before his double play ball? He was 2 for 3 with a bomb. France and Mitch combined for 5 of our 10 hits. Lots of guys made lots of outs last night. Shit, if not for the two bombs hit by two guys you all can't wait to get rid of? The 9th inning wouldn't have mattered much anyway! Too bad they didn't bench those two bums last night....then we would have lost 3 to 1 and we never would have had to worry about those shit heads making two outs in the 9th!

We have tradeds for two young guys that show a lot of potential. But, besides France and Toro? What makes any of you think 2022 is going to be better than what we watch right now?

[Michael K.]

The defeatist attitude can apply to any free agent.

What, you think HE will sign HERE?

No, probably not.

So maybe Dipoto should just assemble a team full of guys he's had to trade spare parts for like France, Haniger, Torrens, and Toro's.

Oh wait. You guys complain about that too...

Nope, you're right, we should just get used to what Dipoto is doing. Nobody's gonna sign here after all, why would they.

Pick a side.

You know EXACTLY why I don't think anyone wants to come here. Having your players say you don't give a shit about winning is a HUGE reason. Proving them right? Sure didn't help.

[bpj]

Another year of progression from one of the youngest rosters in MLB.

Plus an added bat and an ace will push us across, just like if we had had an extra bat and ace this year.

Get a grip.

[D-train]

Usually I'm not a "do they want to be here" guy but guys that have been here might be even more unlikely to return that guys that have never been here.

And, why would that be? I mean, doesn't this organization always put winning first, and the players are a bunch of whiners if they say otherwise? Why would we want those whiners? I heard that for two weeks, trade them all. So, if a guy has been here, and doesn't see that Dipshitto knows best? Screw him, right?

I am one of the biggest critic of Dipoto on earth so I can understand why players wouldn't want to come back.

[Michael K.]

Another year of progression from one of the youngest rosters in MLB.

Plus an added bat and an ace will push us across, just like if we had had an extra bat and ace this year.

Get a grip.

Jesus. You listened to the national media talk at the trade deadline, you read the comments from our own players, statements from guys like John Smoltz, who just might know a thing about winning organizations....and you feel that I am the one that needs to get a grip. It blows me away that many of you in here think you know more than guys that get paid to cover the sport, or better yet, a freaking HOFer like John effing Smoltz!

Fine, ANOTHER year of progression. That means NO ONE signs this off season...because we need another year of progression. And to top it off, we are minus 20 to 35% of our doubles, homers, rbis, runs and walks from last year. BUT, we will again be in a position to contend at the deadline? How?

And I read about how THIS offense aint playoff ready. Let's take away 20 to 36% of those stats and see how fun it is to watch!

[D-train]

If Bryant or Semien cost $25M/yr for 5 years i think we would be better off with:

Seager 1 yr/$10 M (or a 2/20 most likely)
+
Cruz 1 yr/$13M


For one year and complete flexibility going forward.

Someone mentioned they wanted to sign guys that will be here the next several years. Which is great in theory.

But how many of these 5/$125M type guys are a guarantee, or even likely not to be a flop in Seattle? I'd stick with short term guys personally.

I'm not even a Seager fan. But, for less money I think Seager+Cruz brings more depth and production and less of a future contract impediment than a guy like Kris Bryant or Marcus Semien.

Usually I'm not a "do they want to be here" guy but guys that have been here might be even more unlikely to return that guys that have never been here.

Might be! And might be more likely to return.

Seagers wife doesn't want to move when it comes down to it..

Nelson didn't have anything negative happen here except for a bad team, and he just left Minnesota.

I'd say Cruz is more likely to re-sign in Seattle than Seager is, we need him more than Seager. Both have a higher chance to sign here than, Semien, for example.

We never would have wanted Kendrys back is the difference.

Sure Cruz may be open to coming back but JD doesn't want exclusive DHs so it isn't happening no matter how much it makes sense or how hard we wish for it.