Corey Brock Mailbag with my comments

[ddraig]

All this talk about signing Cruz! OK, I'm for it, but think. How many years on a contract do DH's usually get? I'm thinking for most of them, one year. It makes sense if you think about it. Most good DH's are older players who really shouldn't be playing much in the field any more. You pay them for a year and see if they can keep being productive. If they don't seem to be able to, you Puljols them and let some other team take chances with them. It's not like you are on the hook for a lot of money. Usually less than 10% of your total payroll. If your team is primarily made up of younger players, ala the M's.

[desbcoach]

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?

Cash as it may be the only appeal and has always been more money

[Michael K.]

Cash as it may be the only appeal and has always been more money

So, knowing what you know about major league baseball contracts, and also what you know about this organization, we are going to offer more money than anyone else, and if he is looking to contend, it will be enough more to over look the fact that it is unlikely we contend? Look at what Harper, Trout and Machado are making and tell me if a guy is really good, we are going to overpay enough to get him here? I have my doubts.

[desbcoach]

Cash as it may be the only appeal and has always been more money

So, knowing what you know about major league baseball contracts, and also what you know about this organization, we are going to offer more money than anyone else, and if he is looking to contend, it will be enough more to over look the fact that it is unlikely we contend? Look at what Harper, Trout and Machado are making and tell me if a guy is really good, we are going to overpay enough to get him here? I have my doubts.

My comment simply states as with Cano and others we got them by offering more money. Will we, I know as much as the rest of you, not speculating but certainly hope the Dip will follow up his words with something. I personally don’t like Lindor, Cano or similar contracts because they end poorly. Middle ground and 3-5 year higher AAV like altuve took

[bpj]

So, you can talk about signing them, but we can't counter? I have given you my reason for why they won't. You counter with "another year of progression". So, if it will take another year to prove it is worth it, how do we contend next year without the two bats, and all of that production I mention? Instead of answering that, I am a loon. Got it.

You're confusing "another year of progression" with "throwaway year to see how the kids turn out".

Progression year just means they're expected to improve next year, which, with a key signing (two), they will be easily better than they sit now.

So, what you have seen from all but France, with the kids they had in the system this year, you believe next year will be a ton of progression, and that a Vet will see that? Don't you think that is a little bit of wishful thinking?

You're nonstop with the complaining. Can't sign a free agent because they won't come here. But Dipoto's a fool for trading two months of a reliever to avoid having to sign a free agent by trading for Toro.

It isn't complaining. I am telling you this organization hamstrung itself with that trade....because wether Toro turns out to be a stud next year? Current players and people around the league know that the organization gave up, one game out. Not only that, the two most productive bats in the middle of the lineup are probably gone. Progression? How? Sorry, I don't see what you see.

You're being a troll. Give up on the team, fine, nobody cares, but bitching about everything they do from both sides is a waste of everybody's time.

How am I bitching from both sides? I have one very clear side. These players deserved an organization that would take a shot one game out. These fans, who have watched this shit longer than any other fan in North America? Deserved it too.

Can't sign free agents because they won't come here. But Dipoto's an idiot for filling a hole with a trade move. For the TIMING of the trade nonetheless, because some frantic fans think the window- which is just opening, which they've been waiting for for 3 years now has finally arrived- is now somehow closing before it starts!? The sky is falling! The sky is falling! Get a grip.

He filled a hole....but I suppose he KNEW we would get THIS Toro? No chance. This move was made with both eyes towards the future, and you have even admitted that. I think that is a bad look for an organization that is going to need to convince players to come here to compete. At the time of the deal, his own players revolted, baseball snickered and guys that know what they are talking about spoke poorly of it. But, what would they know, right?

Of course nobody knew Toro would work out any more than they did France or Haniger. Dipoto got them right though, Toro seems in the same mold.

A ton of progression? It wouldn't take that at all. Basically they just need to do what they're doing now. They're at the right age to enter their peak years.

I think the following guys will play better next season:

France
Toro
Crawford
Raleigh
Murphy
Kelenic

I expect similar from:
Haniger
Lewis
Seager (if he's here)

I expect worse from:
Fraley
Torrens

Our pitching is what it is right now, with the exception we're adding Giles and Munoz to the already crowded bullpen.

Zero reason we should be worse next season.

The last people who should be complaining about not going for it at the deadline are the people like you who thought they would win 70 games going into the year and thought adding free agents would be a waste.

Now you want to bitch and moan? I'm happy they didn't waste any bullets from the farm system to chase it with short term guys when there are teams that are obviously significantly better. They shouldn't have to chase it, that's what free agency is there for, don't waste it this time around.

Where we sit- the team is nearly complete going forward and the farm is full. "THE SKY IS FALLING!" doesn't work when everything is pointing the same direction- UP.

The biggest argument you guys had was the timing of the Toro trade.

Once you get it through your thick skull that they're not chasing 2021- and never were- it's pretty easy to understand.

The team is better and more complete now than it would have been.

You say it's hard to get free agents- so, Dipoto made sure he got a guy he was happy with for the vacant infield spot in Toro. Of course he didn't know he would start off hot, but it's obviously a guy who fits his plan.

You can keep wailing about not going for it in 2021, welcome to the club. But boo-hooing about things looking bleak is a losing argument.

The Mariners looked like a near-playoff team going into 2021 (to some of us), I would grade them better going into 2022 even if they don't make any moves, that's the long and short of it.

Nelson Cruz got paid $13M this season. Yeah, I think if the Mariners paid the most he'd be back in Seattle.

[AZOldDawg]

There is no question we have significant issues. We have arguably the worst offense in baseball and if it were not for the home run there would be no argument. Our management is perceived by most to one of the worst in baseball. Our playoff drought is the worst in baseball. Our fan base might be the softest in baseball. Our travel schedule is the worst in baseball. Downtown Seattle is a mess right now. Our players aren't real excited about our management team. None of our prospects appear to be the second coming of Junior and most are still hovering around the Mendoza line. That is not a pretty picture to present to a free agent so I'm guessing we will have to over pay. Having said that I agree that a couple of solid bats and a decent starter put us in the mix but it's going to be expensive. One more time: You lose with potential . . . you win with performance. My biggest fear down the stretch is that there is going to be a lot of "learning how to lose".

[Michael K.]

The biggest argument you guys had was the timing of the Toro trade.

I have answered this for the last time, and then I am absolutely done. My biggest issue is they made this trade with zero thought towards making THIS year's team better.

Once you get it through your thick skull that they're not chasing 2021- and never were- it's pretty easy to understand. '

My thick skull gets it. And that is why I am pissed. They are chasing 2021 with a bunch of guys hitting under their weight in 2020. And you say they just need natural progression? What, is it natural to add .100 points to your average in year two? Damn, Griffey Junior would have won a batting crown! Just think, if JK adds .100 points per year, maybe he can win a batting crown in two years! Maybe, I mean, .200 points still has him under .380!

The team is better and more complete now than it would have been.

And it won't be next year once it loses all the production I already broke down for you.

You say it's hard to get free agents- so, Dipoto made sure he got a guy he was happy with for the vacant infield spot in Toro. Of course he didn't know he would start off hot, but it's obviously a guy who fits his plan.

So, who else do we trade to be better next year? Did you really just say they are going for it in 2022, and still admit they aren't a playoff team in 2022...but you are OK with them giving up one game back in 2021? Huh?

[ddraig]

There is no question we have significant issues. We have arguably the worst offense in baseball and if it were not for the home run there would be no argument. Our management is perceived by most to one of the worst in baseball. Our playoff drought is the worst in baseball. Our fan base might be the softest in baseball. Our travel schedule is the worst in baseball. Downtown Seattle is a mess right now. Our players aren't real excited about our management team. None of our prospects appear to be the second coming of Junior and most are still hovering around the Mendoza line. That is not a pretty picture to present to a free agent so I'm guessing we will have to over pay. Having said that I agree that a couple of solid bats and a decent starter put us in the mix but it's going to be expensive. One more time: You lose with potential . . . you win with performance. My biggest fear down the stretch is that there is going to be a lot of "learning how to lose".

Expensive is relative. I've seen roster payroll for the M's hovering between $80 million and $100 Million. Average MLB payroll is somewhere around $144 million. Should we bump payroll to "average," that gives us $44 million to play with. Drop Seager and we could add $15 million to that total. Just to get to "average" it means we have $60 million to play with. That's enough to buy you two pitchers and a pretty good 3B to replace Seager. Our market is above average. So why do we spend like we're Miami or Cincinnati? According to sources, we are ranked 15th out of 30 teams.

https://armchairmedianetwork.com/small- ... -baseball/

[D-train]

Our DH tonight is Jake Bauers because JD didn't want a DH that wasn't a slick fielder. Its like they are trying to piss off the fan base just like Mitch tried to K last night.

[bpj]

The biggest argument you guys had was the timing of the Toro trade.

I have answered this for the last time, and then I am absolutely done. My biggest issue is they made this trade with zero thought towards making THIS year's team better.

Once you get it through your thick skull that they're not chasing 2021- and never were- it's pretty easy to understand. '

My thick skull gets it. And that is why I am pissed. They are chasing 2021 with a bunch of guys hitting under their weight in 2020. And you say they just need natural progression? What, is it natural to add .100 points to your average in year two? Damn, Griffey Junior would have won a batting crown! Just think, if JK adds .100 points per year, maybe he can win a batting crown in two years! Maybe, I mean, .200 points still has him under .380!

The team is better and more complete now than it would have been.

And it won't be next year once it loses all the production I already broke down for you.

You say it's hard to get free agents- so, Dipoto made sure he got a guy he was happy with for the vacant infield spot in Toro. Of course he didn't know he would start off hot, but it's obviously a guy who fits his plan.

So, who else do we trade to be better next year? Did you really just say they are going for it in 2022, and still admit they aren't a playoff team in 2022...but you are OK with them giving up one game back in 2021? Huh?

Yeah. They didn't try to win this year from the beginning (which you were perfectly ok with). Not sure why it surprises you at the trade deadline.

Look around, not every contender has a solid 1-9. You really want to act like they're in the hunt this year but may be worse next year? Be my guest.

They're not losing any production next season besides Seager, if he goes.

Nobody needs to add .100 points. Don't be a drama queen, look around the league.

They are absolutely going for it in 2022.

As they sit they're contenders even if they add only Cruz, Seager and an ace. Same thing they should have done this offseason.