Possible return of SAFECO JOE

[cezero]

possible minor league deal

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/02/mariners-interested-in-minor-league-deal-for-joe-saunders.html

 

[cezero]

It's official

 

[NWinAZ]

Ug! It's official.

 

[unlvmariners]

no way he makes the team right?...

 

[cezero]

no way he makes the team right?...

LH middle relief is actually lacking on our team, so maybe?

 

[NWinAZ]

LH middle relief is actually lacking on our team, so maybe?

Unfortunately you are probably right. Another GMZ type move. Low cost, but....blah, blah, blah.

 

[EVille3]

he should replace beilmel which could be ok. beilmel couldn't really go more than inning. I wonder what beilmel is looking to get since he didn't resign...

 

[NWinAZ]

A 2 year deal per GMZ. Sounds like M's would talk with him again if he goes 1 year.

 

[wazzu31]

IMO, this isn't a bad move unless Jack is really retarded and having him come in to compete for the rotation. If he is competing for the long relieve role then it isn't a bad move.

 

[NWinAZ]

No the move isn't bad just like the 100 moves just like it before. Problem is it isn't much of anything even if he makes it. So time to negotiate and money paid out once again like the other project signings before it are just a move. Still waiting for the move that moves the needle that I seem to be waiting for every year at this time. I think we just don't have the money just like last year and that keeps me .

 

[wazzu31]

No the move isn't bad just like the 100 moves just like it before. Problem is it isn't much of anything even if he makes it. So time to negotiate and money paid out once again like the other project signings before it are just a move. Still waiting for the move that moves the needle that I seem to be waiting for every year at this time. I think we just don't have the money just like last year and that keeps me .

I hear ya, we were led to believe the budget would be higher and I would've figured that meant a few guys to make the budget be raised not just one guy. I don't love or hate this move but it doesn't bug me cause it's an actual need that he is competing for unlike the stupid move of signing Weeks.

 

[NWinAZ]

I don't get the Weeks move, but if someone goes down in spring it may work out....silver lining. Saunders move doesn't hurt, but I am sooooo tired of 'doesn't hurt' moves for this organization when we desperately need 'does help' moves at a few positions.

I mean as using him as a lefty specialist lefties hit .288 off him last year in 52 AB's. Oh well.

 

[SeattleCoug]

I mean its basically a try out so whatever. I hope one of those other lefties are better so he doenst make it or it just go 6 righties, 1 lefty in the pen.

I like the Weeks deal as long as he is used in the OF and 1B. I know he has never played there before but maybe he can learn in spring. If he cant learn then I agree the deal will be useless. But I am all for having someone that can take time from Ackley and backup a guy who hasnt played 100 games the last 3 years

 

[NWinAZ]

I don't mind these kind of moves once you have your lineup stacked as best you can, but with so many holes it just gets me as a waste of time and money. Why not sign Beachy who has upside and can be stashed in the minors til healthy? And if you want a LH specialists for the pen, then why not sign the guy that pitched in that role and succeeded and not a converted guy?

I know it is a whatever move, but I want more talented moves to enable us to rid the team of the slackers. I know...no money.

 

[unlvmariners]

Joe Saunders competing for a relief job.... Here is my thought. The signing doesn't make the team better. It doesn't necessarily make the team worse. If he just pitches in long relief as a garbage innings eater to save some BP arms then I really don't give a fuck. But (and this is a huge but) if he was brought in to do Joe Beimels old job then the move is dumb and it does make the team worse.

 

[Mariners_44]

If he was brought in to pitch at Safeco only, I like this deal.

 

[wazzu31]

Joe Saunders competing for a relief job.... Here is my thought. The signing doesn't make the team better. It doesn't necessarily make the team worse. If he just pitches in long relief as a garbage innings eater to save some BP arms then I really don't give a fuck. But (and this is a huge but) if he was brought in to do Joe Beimels old job then the move is dumb and it does make the team worse.

I did not even think of that as that is a role that they will need. They need a garbage time pitcher to save the arms of the bullpen which I think if Joe wins a spot on the roster he can do. Outside of Felix (and maybe if Kuma returns to his former self) none of the other guys competing for the rotation are going to be throwing complete games and they can't burn the entire bullpen in April.

 

[cezero]

Joe Saunders competing for a relief job.... Here is my thought. The signing doesn't make the team better. It doesn't necessarily make the team worse. If he just pitches in long relief as a garbage innings eater to save some BP arms then I really don't give a fuck. But (and this is a huge but) if he was brought in to do Joe Beimels old job then the move is dumb and it does make the team worse.

We won't know if it's "dumb" or "smart" until we see how he does as a reliever, which is something new for him.

Bullpen success is ephemeral, and you don't usually know what you have until spring plays out.

Considering the absolute dearth of good relievers available (we seem to have the majority of them ), a lot of teams would like to have signed Saunders to audition for a bullpen spot.

The best thing that could happen after ST is a very tough choice between who to put in both bullpen and starting rotation spots. We're setting up for exactly that to happen.

 

[NWinAZ]

If he was brought in to pitch at Safeco only, I like this deal.