Series Thread: M's @ Orioles, May 17-19

[EVille3]

I didn't realize Karns wasn't even arb eligible until 2018.

This made me smile this morning...sweet

 

[JMR]

Karns continues to be a pleasant surprise.

The team continues to be terrible at "manufacturing" runs and stealing, even with the speed we have at 9, 1, & 2. Wish we would hold up a little on running into outs (2 CS, SS tossed out trying to stretch a single into a double) and just the hitters do their thing.

Aoki not giving us a whole lot, but if we are winning then I think that is going to allow Servais to be patient with him just like with Lind.

 

[Destroydacre]

Karns continues to be a pleasant surprise.

The team continues to be terrible at "manufacturing" runs and stealing, even with the speed we have at 9, 1, & 2. Wish we would hold up a little on running into outs (2 CS, SS tossed out trying to stretch a single into a double) and just the hitters do their thing.

Aoki not giving us a whole lot, but if we are winning then I think that is going to allow Servais to be patient with him just like with Lind.

The offense is going great right now, well by Mariners standards anyway. The Mariners are 4th in the AL in runs scored, only trailing Cleveland and Texas by 2 for second, with the Red Sox blowing everyone away. If Aoki and Lind can get things figured out then it will get even better, but I am also hoping that the FO talking about improving this team wasn't a bunch of hot air and that the M's pick up another bat at some point in the summer.

The Mariners are also third in the AL in runs allowed, only 4 behind the White Sox and Rays and their run differential of +38 is second in the league behind the Red Sox.

 

[SeattleCoug]

Solid response to the sweep last weekend.

I didn't realize Karns wasn't even arb eligible until 2018.

Depending on what happens with Kuma/Paxton, the rotation is on the books the next couple of years. Barring injuries shouldn't have more then 1 spot to fill which is nice.

 

[JMR]

The offense is going great right now, well by Mariners standards anyway. The Mariners are 4th in the AL in runs scored, only trailing Cleveland and Texas by 2 for second, with the Red Sox blowing everyone away. If Aoki and Lind can get things figured out then it will get even better, but I am also hoping that the FO talking about improving this team wasn't a bunch of hot air and that the M's pick up another bat at some point in the summer.

The Mariners are also third in the AL in runs allowed, only 4 behind the White Sox and Rays and their run differential of +38 is second in the league behind the Red Sox.

Yep, best road record in the AL too. Just need to get the home performance on par and we have something serious.

Cano, Cruz & Seager are all on pace for 100+ RBI, and Martin is on pace for 20+ HR. If that and our pitching hold up, I'm willing to bet whatever Aoki and Lind end up doing is just gravy.

 

[PolarVortex]

Yep, best road record in the AL too. Just need to get the home performance on par and we have something serious.

Cano, Cruz & Seager are all on pace for 100+ RBI, and Martin is on pace for 20+ HR. If that and our pitching hold up, I'm willing to bet whatever Aoki and Lind end up doing is just gravy.

Martin is also on pace for 170 strikeouts. I'd rather see him hit in a way that utilizes his speed rather than hitting in a way that utilizes his power. His speed is a far better asset for both him and the team than his power is.

 

[JMR]

Martin is also on pace for 170 strikeouts. I'd rather see him hit in a way that utilizes his speed rather than hitting in a way that utilizes his power. His speed is a far better asset for both him and the team than his power is.

And yet he continues to get gunned down trying to steal. If Cano, Cruz & Seager continue to produce on current pace, we can easily overcome 170 Ks from Martin while he's hitting for power as well. This team simply hasn't been successful playing small ball pretty much any time this season so far.

EDIT: and I'll add, while Martin is not only hitting for power but also playing gold glove caliber defense in CF.

 

[cezero]

An upgrade over Martin is on my wish list for pretty obvious reasons.

I realize he's an upgrade over what we've had, but in our park, I think we need something even better if we want to contend perennially.

 

[PolarVortex]

And yet he continues to get gunned down trying to steal. If Cano, Cruz & Seager continue to produce on current pace, we can easily overcome 170 Ks from Martin while he's hitting for power as well. This team simply hasn't been successful playing small ball pretty much any time this season so far.

EDIT: and I'll add, while Martin is not only hitting for power but also playing gold glove caliber defense in CF.

He's on pace for 28 steals. That would be the most by a Mariner since 2011. He's stealing successfully 70% of the times so I don't know what drives your 'continues to get gunned down comment'. 70% is not great, but it is enough to distract the pitcher and catcher, which helps the hitter.

He's struck out 43 times. If he tries to put the ball in play rather than over the fence, he can cut his strikeouts in half, and increase his opportunity to get on base or make a useful out.

A 7/43 homerun-to-strikeout ratio is not what we acquired Martin for. A ratio like that is acceptable from a guy like Nelson Cruz because he can still maintain a decent OBP. But it is unacceptable from Martin. His OBP is .284.

 

[JMR]

He's on pace for 28 steals. That would be the most by a Mariner since 2011. He's stealing successfully 70% of the times so I don't know what drives your 'continues to get gunned down comment'. 70% is not great, but it is enough to distract the pitcher and catcher, which helps the hitter.

He's struck out 43 times. If he tries to put the ball in play rather than over the fence, he can cut his strikeouts in half, and increase his opportunity to get on base or make a useful out.

A 7/43 homerun-to-strikeout ratio is not what we acquired Martin for. A ratio like that is acceptable from a guy like Nelson Cruz because he can still maintain a decent OBP. But it is unacceptable from Martin. His OBP is .284.

70% is fine. I know we suck as a team overall so far at stealing, and Martin got thrown out attempting last night, so maybe I erroneously projected too much of that on him. I stand corrected.

He's the #9 hitter. If he continues to play gold glove D, hits for power, and steals successfully 70% of the time, I think we can absorb the Ks from that 9 hole if our 3-4-5 guys are driving in 100+ runs, especially if Lind & Aoki pick it up a bit. Do you disagree with that?

Would it be ok to cut down on the whiffs some? Sure. But it's just not that big of a deal right now. And if it does turn into a big deal that our #9 hitter strikes out too much, we have more pressing problems.