Official Mariners arm-chair GM offseason thread 2018-2019

[SeattleCoug]

Probably could have started this thread over a month ago but nonetheless here's hoping the organization grades this season on what happened the last three months and not the first three.

 

[SeattleCoug]

Jerry Dipoto ‘embarrassed’ by Mariners’ 2nd half, says tough decisions await in offseason

Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto shares the frustration fans have felt during the team’s disappointing second half of the season.

On his weekly Jerry Dipoto Show on 710 ESPN Seattle’s Danny, Dave and Moore, he spoke at length about what has held the team back after a strong first three months of 2018, took accountability for the slide and signaled how the team’s poor record since the end of June will impact their offseason.


“We were in a position to do special things and we had a group that was playing together in a way that was so energizing for everybody around the team, and we watched it methodically and painfully be pulled apart over the course of these last two months – and it’s gotten worse as we’ve gone,” Dipoto said. “That has to be part of our decision-making heading into ’19, and frankly those are some tough decisions. We’re at a bit of a crossroads in looking at where we are as a club and trying to determine how we get to a championship level, because we’ve taken two steps forward and then three steps back – and that’s on us.”

Particularly disappointing for Dipoto is how the offense stopped producing at about the same time the Oakland Athletics made a push in the standings. The Mariners had a commanding lead for the second American League Wild Card spot in late June over Oakland, but now trail the A’s by 9 ½ games in the playoff race.

“It’s not like we had to go out and play .700 ball to wind up in the postseason,” Dipoto said of the team’s second half. “We just needed to do some of the things we were doing and hold serve, and we didn’t do it. That’s on us. We should be embarrassed by it, and I am.

“… We have a group of players, frankly it’s close to half our lineup since the midpoint of the season who just stopped getting on base with any regularity. … We have had roughly half our lineup just effectively disappear for half a season, and it’s really hard to score runs when only half of your lineup is working. Understanding that you can’t put three or four hitters in a position where they have to churn night after night, and that’s what we’ve done – and sometimes it’s not even three or four.”

Dipoto added that another thing that was a strength earlier in the season for Seattle has become the opposite over the past two months.

“In times of struggle you find out a lot about character, how people will answer in times of adversity, and frankly that was one of the highlights of this team in the first half of the season and it’s been one of the lowlights in the second half of the season. We have not responded to that adversity in the same way. … When teams pull apart when they no longer bind together and they don’t fight through the adversity. I’m not telling you anything you’re not watching. You’re seeing it every day and we’re accountable for that and we have to figure out how to get back on track.”

 

[Duders]

Jerry Dipoto ‘embarrassed’ by Mariners’ 2nd half, says tough decisions await in offseason

Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto shares the frustration fans have felt during the team’s disappointing second half of the season.

On his weekly Jerry Dipoto Show on 710 ESPN Seattle’s Danny, Dave and Moore, he spoke at length about what has held the team back after a strong first three months of 2018, took accountability for the slide and signaled how the team’s poor record since the end of June will impact their offseason.


“We were in a position to do special things and we had a group that was playing together in a way that was so energizing for everybody around the team, and we watched it methodically and painfully be pulled apart over the course of these last two months – and it’s gotten worse as we’ve gone,” Dipoto said. “That has to be part of our decision-making heading into ’19, and frankly those are some tough decisions. We’re at a bit of a crossroads in looking at where we are as a club and trying to determine how we get to a championship level, because we’ve taken two steps forward and then three steps back – and that’s on us.”

Particularly disappointing for Dipoto is how the offense stopped producing at about the same time the Oakland Athletics made a push in the standings. The Mariners had a commanding lead for the second American League Wild Card spot in late June over Oakland, but now trail the A’s by 9 ½ games in the playoff race.

“It’s not like we had to go out and play .700 ball to wind up in the postseason,” Dipoto said of the team’s second half. “We just needed to do some of the things we were doing and hold serve, and we didn’t do it. That’s on us. We should be embarrassed by it, and I am.

“… We have a group of players, frankly it’s close to half our lineup since the midpoint of the season who just stopped getting on base with any regularity. … We have had roughly half our lineup just effectively disappear for half a season, and it’s really hard to score runs when only half of your lineup is working. Understanding that you can’t put three or four hitters in a position where they have to churn night after night, and that’s what we’ve done – and sometimes it’s not even three or four.”

Dipoto added that another thing that was a strength earlier in the season for Seattle has become the opposite over the past two months.

“In times of struggle you find out a lot about character, how people will answer in times of adversity, and frankly that was one of the highlights of this team in the first half of the season and it’s been one of the lowlights in the second half of the season. We have not responded to that adversity in the same way. … When teams pull apart when they no longer bind together and they don’t fight through the adversity. I’m not telling you anything you’re not watching. You’re seeing it every day and we’re accountable for that and we have to figure out how to get back on track.”

Not to offend anyone, but just reading Dipoto's quotes from his interview, I don't see ANY information regarding needs and/or resolutions. All he is doing is stating the obvious. So he says they are accountable for the results. No shit Sherlock!! Weird that the wheels fell off after he gets an kudos contract extension and brings his pal along too. Damn, you're the GM-and you haven't figured out WTF to do?? Sounds like a lot of spin and bullshit to me IMO.

 

[SeattleCoug]

Not to offend anyone, but just reading Dipoto's quotes from his interview, I don't see ANY information regarding needs and/or resolutions. All he is doing is stating the obvious. So he says they are accountable for the results. No shit Sherlock!! Weird that the wheels fell off after he gets an kudos contract extension and brings his pal along too. Damn, you're the GM-and you haven't figured out WTF to do?? Sounds like a lot of spin and bullshit to me IMO.

I didn't think this team was good enough to make the playoffs before the year and even when they were winning, it wasn't as if they looked great. What they had going for them was it looked like no other team would challenge until Oakland soared past them. However none of that excuses what happened from July on. When the going got tough they just quit.

 

[SeattleCoug]

First and most obvious thing is Cruz. Do you bring him back? I was yes until about a month ago because I shutter to think what the offense looks like without him, but I don't think that's the right way to look at it. Cano is probably the guy that needs to see a good chunk of time at DH and he isn't going anywhere for awhile, plus that's the best chance of keeping him healthy. Plus I think that money can be better spent plugging other holes.

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

If Dipoto sticks with Servais he's not gonna be a GM for very long...

 

[ulmax]

looking at the stat sheet mariners are 10th in baseball in batting 18th in HR's...if they do not bring back cruz with his 40
HRs it will be worse

team pitching era is also 18th...that cant help any...and i think is the underlying biggest prob

Next Stats


RK Team League G AB R H 2B 3B............................... HR▼ RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS
1 New York Yankees AL 146 4963 743 1233 240 18............234 717 553 1273 60 19 .248 .327 .445 .773
2 Los Angeles Dodgers NL 147 5009 699 1231 265 29 .........205 658 576 1294 68 23 .246 .328 .433 .761
3 Oakland Athletics AL 147 5059 715 1272 301 19 ...............201 685 487 1243 33 19 .251 .324 .438 .761
4 Cleveland Indians AL 146 5016 729 1285 266 15 ...............196 703 489 1073 121 30 .256 .328 .432 .760
5 Toronto Blue Jays AL 146 4940 646 1205 293 14 ................194 620 463 1241 39 27 .244 .313 .427 .740
6 Los Angeles Angels AL 147 4996 663 1230 227 21 ...............191 635 470 1175 81 20 .246 .317 .415 .732
6 St. Louis Cardinals NL 147 5001 689 1253 222 9 ...................191 659 478 1244 61 31 .251 .322 .413 .735
8 Milwaukee Brewers NL 147 5002 661 1255 227 20.................. 189 625 479 1325 112 29 .251 .321 .418 .738
9 Boston Red Sox AL 147 5091 790 1366 319 29 ........................188 749 504 1122 112 30 .268 .338 .453 .791
9 Houston Astros AL 146 4931 724 1262 262 17 ..........................188 695 507 1095 63 25 .256 .329 .430 .760
11 Colorado Rockies NL 146 4980 698 1283 256 38 ........................187 670 444 1260 89 30 .258 .322 .437 .759
12 Texas Rangers AL 146 4934 690 1193 239 24 .............................179 652 525 1339 71 34 .242 .322 .409 .731
13 Washington Nationals NL 147 5002 687 1259 250 22 ....................175 654 549 1181 103 27 .252 .330 .415 .745
14 Baltimore Orioles AL 146 4973 561 1189 216 12 .........................173 539 378 1267 65 18 .239 .298 .392 .689
15 Philadelphia Phillies NL 145 4884 614 1158 219 25 .......................169 592 519 1360 59 22 .237 .315 .396 .711
16 Atlanta Braves NL 146 5062 690 1314 288 28 ...............................165 656 452 1142 80 33 .260 .325 .425 .751
16 Chicago White Sox AL 146 4972 600 1207 238 38 ..........................165 584 382 1412 95 37 .243 .303 .405 .708
18 Seattle Mariners AL 146 4963 598 1260 224 27 ............................161 570 375 1101 75 34 .254 .313 .407 .720


if cano would have done 80 more games then they may be in the top 10
romine ,maybin, and zunino,and seager do not make your ave go up...but Z and seager do hit HR's= 40

they will need all there HRs next year as well..oakland is 3rd in HR's

 

[ulmax]

If Dipoto sticks with Servais he's not gonna be a GM for very long...

another part of the problem .......other than the pitching.......it can be hard to overcome mismanagment
so ya gotta put scott back in the front office

 

[Duders]

I pretty much agree with your assessment. Unfortunately, the organization is really in a sad state of affairs. Too many big money contracts with guys past their prime or just plain mediocre players at best. A GM who has blown the farm system (which he did for the Angels also), an Manager way over his head and doesn't have the skills to be a winning manager, and most importantly, an ownership group that is more interested in making profits than putting together a winning management team that will put together a winning baseball team. Face it, it's been 17 years without a "winning" team and continues with the worse record in professional sports. That's got to tell us something. Baseball in Seattle has pretty much burned out the fan base which once was well established. Hate to admit it, but Tacoma Rainier games feel more like baseball than the Mariners games-both for enjoyment and financially. I think the Mariners over the years have really become pretty much a joke nationally. Until ownership puts their money where their mouths are, things will just continue with the status quo...as it has for almost the last 2 decades. First Avenue Entertainment is the majority owner, with Nintendo (10%) and Root Sports making up the ownership group. Too many fingers in the pie to focus on a professional sports team. The M's owners need to do what Houston did, start over-build a young team from the ground up and spend the dollars needed. The band-aid approach hasn't worked for 17 years and won't work going forward.

 

[ulmax]

lets face it as a team they needed a morale boost...a fire lit under some...your basic manager stuff..keep the team
rolling
next year is felix last with mariners...bull pen/start is my guess and then

mariners free agents
elson Cruz DH 38 SEA 123 89 36 .265 .891 $14,250,000 -
David Phelps RP 32 SEA $5,550,000 -
Adam Warren RP 31 SEA 45 3.40 2 0 $3,315,000 -
Cameron Maybin RF 32 SEA 80 24 4 .245 .658 $3,250,000 -
Hisashi Iwakuma SP 38 SEA $2,500,000 -
Andrew Romine

about 30 mil

the depth of the bull pen is better now...... and will be next year as well

 

[ulmax]

mariners from the eye ball test look like a retrograding planet this year...but they have had improvment
in the out field
with span, healy at 1B,...gordan at 2b/cf...and yes cano as well..cuz now they have a backup 1B and they can switch cano and gordan around
and leblanc pitching as well....just think where they would be without him
and colome as well

and now they have festa coming from AA minors with art warren ,david Mckay, and wyatt mills right behind him
which will add depth to the bull pen

 

[ulmax]

bull pen guys
diaz
colome
vincent


armstrong well have to stay on the 25 man...but he is a closer at tacoma 15 of 17 saves with a 1.77 era...i would keep him if at all possible
Elias..L/L..will also have to stay on 25 man

felix hernandez

these guys can be sent down
pazos..L/L
tuivailala
altavilla
bradford..was a waiver wire god send from mets...and right after tony zych bombed out
festa
rumbelow

that is 12 guys not counting nicasio or phelps

 

[ulmax]

i should have put ramirez in the pen as well...just to slot him there...i know he can start...but i dont think they want
him to start 25-30 games a year.
leblanc has started 24 games this year with an 8-4 reacord..with 3.56 era....nice job wade

marco gonzales..26 games started 12-9 record..with 4.24 era...not bad

 

[ulmax]

mike leake is really a guy i would like as #4 pitcher.. seeing as how..the mariners have L/L guys at 1,3 and 5
and that would leave a #2R/R to get

Nathan Eovaldi #17

• P
• B/T: R/R
• 6' 2" /225
• Age: 28

this is the guy i like....cuz mariners dont really want to trade for a pitcher..and coming off TJ..this is kind of a rehab year
for him...he wont be as expensive as keuchel...and his upside is big...so taking a chance on him would be ok
and with ramirez and hernandez
you would never know who was pitching when...........lololol....i like that...lol

he is better than he is pitching right now..even though his numbers look the same as the rest
of his career right now............take a flyer on this one....his numbers will be better next year

 

[jerseyhawksfan79]

Time to state the obvious...Starting pitching is a must
Open the damn check book is a must.
Since Dipoto is truly embarrassed, then do something about.

 

[ulmax]

Time to state the obvious...Starting pitching is a must
Open the damn check book is a must.
Since Dipoto is truly embarrassed, then do something about.

with felix still on the payroll.....i would not give good odds on it....dispite the embarrassment

2019 MLB Free Agents Tracker.......starting pitching

eavaldi is 29 yo..the rest are older

 

[jerseyhawksfan79]

with felix still on the payroll.....i would not give good odds on it....dispite the embarrassment

2019 MLB Free Agents Tracker.......starting pithing

We're at the point it shouldn't matter since his money comes off the books at the end of next season. Dipoto needs to make a run at Corbin or Keuchel.

 

[ulmax]

Nathan Eovaldi on the Cutter He Took Out of His Back Pocket | FanGraphs Baseball


Nathan Eovaldi Might Be the Best Starter on the Market | FanGraphs Baseball

which is why boston traded for him

 

[ulmax]

and seattle may have been after him at the trade deadline.....but when boston offered.... jalen beeks

tampa biT....hook line and sinker......that blew seattle out of the ball park for the guy

Jalen Beeks #68

• P
• B/T: L/L
• 5' 11" /195
• Age: 25

Jalen Beeks
#68 P
SummaryStatsChartsNewsAwardsSHOP

• Jalen Christopher Beeks
• Nickname: Beeker
• Born: 7/10/1993 in Fayetteville, AR
• Draft: 2014, Boston Red Sox, 12th rd. (374th overall)
• College: Arkansas
• Debut: 6/7/2018

View More Bio Info +

 

[Anointed One]

“… We have a group of players, frankly it’s close to half our lineup since the midpoint of the season who just stopped getting on base with any regularity. … We have had roughly half our lineup just effectively disappear for half a season, and it’s really hard to score runs when only half of your lineup is working. Understanding that you can’t put three or four hitters in a position where they have to churn night after night, and that’s what we’ve done – and sometimes it’s not even three or four.”

Dipoto added that another thing that was a strength earlier in the season for Seattle has become the opposite over the past two months.

“In times of struggle you find out a lot about character, how people will answer in times of adversity, and frankly that was one of the highlights of this team in the first half of the season and it’s been one of the lowlights in the second half of the season. We have not responded to that adversity in the same way. … When teams pull apart when they no longer bind together and they don’t fight through the adversity. I’m not telling you anything you’re not watching. You’re seeing it every day and we’re accountable for that and we have to figure out how to get back on track.”

I feel like he basically called out a few players here that could be finding themselves on a different team next season or on the bench... Zunino could be a bench player next season or find himself on another team... Seager could be gone... Gordon? Will he be traded? He was brought here to be our lead off hitter... Haniger looks the part for a lead off guy and appears to have taken that from Gordon... Cano would then be our permanent 2B...