The 2014 Seattle Mariners

[blstoker]

Positives:

Felix Hernandez - Should win his 2nd AL Cy Young and despite a rocky September, he set a new personal best in ERA (2.14).

Robinson Cano - His .314 batting average is the highest since Ichiro had a .315 in 2010, and his OPS is the highest since Russell Branyan in 2009. Maybe they overpaid for him, but he had a good year.

Kyle Seagar - After a really slow start, he picked it up and had a very solid year. a new career high in HRs (25) and RBI (96) and he should be looking at a deal that will at least get him through arbitration.

Hisashi Iwakuma - His 15 wins tied Felix for most on the team. Though he wasn't as solid this year as last, he was still a more than capable #2 starter.

James Paxton - Despite missing significant time, he still showed that his future can be bright if he stays healthy.

Roenis Elias - A little inconsistent, but since a lot of people didn't even know who he was, it was a great year. He is a good example of the M's getting great pitching from unlikely places.

Logan Morrison - Though he didn't even get to 100 games played, he had some big hits down the stretch and gave the M's a decent bat at 1B.

Mike Zunino - His bat needs a lot of conditioning, but he showed some solid power and a very good glove. He needs to get better at the plate, but I was happy with his performance this year overall.

James Jones - His speed brings energy and covers some holes in his game. He could use some help at the plate overall, but I'm not sure picking up Jackson actually upgraded the OF (or the lead off spot).

The Bullpen - Considered a possible weakness coming into the season, it turned out the be one of the best in baseball. Congrats to Rodney for setting the team single season saves mark.

Negatives:

Lloyd McClendon - Yes, the team won a lot of games, but there just seems to be something high school politics about the way he manages. Favorites play, players he has an issue with never sees the field. Not sure the team wouldn't have done better had he always just played those who should play without worrying if he had a personal problem with them.

Justin Smoak - I've waited for him to turn the corner, and had great hopes that this season would be the one to do it. He let the entire organization down with his performance, and I will not be sad if the team doesn't pick up his option, even if he does go somewhere else and becomes who I always thought he would be.

Corey Hart - He was a risk when he was signed, and I don't feel he earned his $6 million.

Kendrys Morales - Sitting out instead of playing for the M's all season really hurt his ability to play during this season. In the end, he made $2 million more by going this route, but his lack of production may have cost him much more than that in the long run.

Austin Jackson/Chris Denorfio - The two outfielders picked up at the deadline both fell flat in Seattle. They were so bad that the guys they were replacing had better seasons, despite being replaced.

Offense - Getting shut out 1 in every 8 games is horrible (or close to). If the team can find a way to have next years staff come even close to what this staff did, then concentrating on getting 2 bats this year will be key to success next year.

Overall:

A good year. Not as bad as it could have been, but not as good as it could have been either. I hope Lloyd doesn't become Wakamatsu (winning record first year, and then nothing after). Hopefully, falling 1 game short of the playoffs has the same effect on the M's players as losing in Atlanta did for the Seahawks. Hopefully, these guys start working tomorrow to be better next season (especially Miller, Zunino, Jones, Paxton & Walker) and let's hope the team is more consistent in 2015.

 

[SeattleCoug]

Negatives:

Lloyd McClendon - Yes, the team won a lot of games, but there just seems to be something high school politics about the way he manages. Favorites play, players he has an issue with never sees the field. Not sure the team wouldn't have done better had he always just played those who should play without worrying if he had a personal problem with them.

Glad you brought this up because I agree 100%. I cant help but wonder how much production he left on the bench when he refused to play Lomo and Saunders against left handed starters. Finally he gave in with Lomo but still made Saunders ride the pine in crucial games down the stretch for Denorfia because of handedness. It did seem like there was something going on there because he was barely playing in April until Lomo got hurt.

 

[blstoker]

Glad you brought this up because I agree 100%. I cant help but wonder how much production he left on the bench when he refused to play Lomo and Saunders against left handed starters. Finally he gave in with Lomo but still made Saunders ride the pine in crucial games down the stretch for Denorfia because of handedness. It did seem like there was something going on there because he was barely playing in April until Lomo got hurt.

I've scratched my head from nearly game 1 with the decisions that McClendon made as a manager (Abraham Almonte), and I have not been impressed with the strategies employed by the M's managers for years now. I'll overlook the interesting decisions as long as the team keeps getting better, but I fear that Lloyd is purposefully playing poker with 4 cards, while everyone else is playing with 5.

 

[wazzu31]

Glad you brought this up because I agree 100%. I cant help but wonder how much production he left on the bench when he refused to play Lomo and Saunders against left handed starters. Finally he gave in with Lomo but still made Saunders ride the pine in crucial games down the stretch for Denorfia because of handedness. It did seem like there was something going on there because he was barely playing in April until Lomo got hurt.

I think that's where Zona was coming from in his other post was that there were a few that were questioning some of his moves and people harped on him for it. Lloyd had the midas touch with alot games but it did seem like there is some issues with him and players that need to be addressed because you can't have a coach, gm or owner making decisions in the organization based off of personal issues.

 

[PolarVortex]

Rick Waits and Mike Rojas are the true heros of the coaching staff. They managed the bullpen almost to pefection this year. Lloyd might have been the guy who waddled out to the mound and took the ball, but it Waits and Rojas who were calling all the shots. And the only guy who showed any signs of wearing down was Medina, and he really wasn't that bad.

 

[BSUSeahawk]

I strongly disagree with Jones being a positive. Outside of a late-inning pinch runner, I didn't see anything there. No plate discipline, no power, no OBP, poor instincts on defense, etc.

Jackson will start 2015 as the CF, but then he's a FA. We still have not found our future CF.

 

[blstoker]

I strongly disagree with Jones being a positive. Outside of a late-inning pinch runner, I didn't see anything there. No plate discipline, no power, no OBP, poor instincts on defense, etc.

Jackson will start 2015 as the CF, but then he's a FA. We still have not found our future CF.

Well, Jones' energy came from hustle. He needs to be better at the plate, but when he was inserted into the line up he brought the entire team energy. If Jackson is still here, then he most likely will be the starter, but if you think Jones is undisciplined, then what is Jackson? I couldn't care less about power from the lead off stop. Jones had 5 triples and 27 stolen bases in a little over 100 games (only 72 were starts).

Hopefully, Jackson fixes his issues with Seattle, maybe just the change in routine threw him off and playing a full spring will do him some good, but he's always been a guy who struck out too much (his best average of AB being SOs is .233). As it stands at the end of this season, Jones outplayed Jackson in Seattle.

 

[wazzu31]

I strongly disagree with Jones being a positive. Outside of a late-inning pinch runner, I didn't see anything there. No plate discipline, no power, no OBP, poor instincts on defense, etc.

Jackson will start 2015 as the CF, but then he's a FA. We still have not found our future CF.

I will have to disagree with your assessment of Jones. Is he the answer, we don't know. All of those things you listed are valid but I just think that is the side effect of him being so raw. At least I can cut some slack to Jones because there is a ton of potential (IMO) if they don't pigeon hole him. Jackson's performance for the Mariners had zero excuse.

 

[BSUSeahawk]

Well, Jones' energy came from hustle. He needs to be better at the plate, but when he was inserted into the line up he brought the entire team energy. If Jackson is still here, then he most likely will be the starter, but if you think Jones is undisciplined, then what is Jackson? I couldn't care less about power from the lead off stop. Jones had 5 triples and 27 stolen bases in a little over 100 games (only 72 were starts).

Hopefully, Jackson fixes his issues with Seattle, maybe just the change in routine threw him off and playing a full spring will do him some good, but he's always been a guy who struck out too much (his best average of AB being SOs is .233). As it stands at the end of this season, Jones outplayed Jackson in Seattle.

Jackson is much better defensively than Jones, and his track record in Detroit says he's a much better hitter too.

I'm not saying he's worth a long term extension or anything, but I don't think we have a viable CF for the future right now.

I will have to disagree with your assessment of Jones. Is he the answer, we don't know. All of those things you listed are valid but I just think that is the side effect of him being so raw. At least I can cut some slack to Jones because there is a ton of potential (IMO) if they don't pigeon hole him. Jackson's performance for the Mariners had zero excuse.

We'll see. Jones will have to have a lot of improvement to be a decent CF. If he is going to hit for zero power (which is fine), he can't get on base sub-.300.

 

[gowazzu02]

Also on McClendon. The fact that Hart and Smoak were getting meaningful AB's in the biggest road trip of the year, which our crapping the bed in ultimately lead to us missing the playoffs, is squarely on his shoulders. No way shape or form did they deserve AB's. I dont care if the pitchers a lefty, righty, or pitches with his forehead.

 

[wazzu31]

Jackson is much better defensively than Jones, and his track record in Detroit says he's a much better hitter too.

I'm not saying he's worth a long term extension or anything, but I don't think we have a viable CF for the future right now.



We'll see. Jones will have to have a lot of improvement to be a decent CF. If he is going to hit for zero power (which is fine), he can't get on base sub-.300.

I agree that Jones has a lot of improvement but I still think that it is that he is raw. He has some god given gifts that with proper coaching can be molded. I also don't think he has zero power, just hasn't been properly coached. I saw alot encouraging things in terms of possible power, I saw at least a few balls he hit deep the opposite way. Not saying he will ever be a big power guy but IMO if he is coached properly he could be a viable player. I see alot Coco Crisp in him where it in 95% athleticism and 5% actual baseball skills. Either way, as a fan, I'd prefer to give him a shot to grow that watch Austin Jackson be a full time starter, his defense is good but not exceptional or he would've made that catch in Toronto.

 

[PolarVortex]

When you compare Jones to Jackson, you have to consider value of talent. Jones will be making about $520,000 next year. Jackson will be in his last year of arbitration and will probably make at least $8 million. On a team with limited cash resources would you rather give Jackson $8 million or pay Jones $500,000 and spend the $7.5 mill you save on other roster spots on the team?

My answer is easy. I go with Jones. There is no way in hell that Jackson is worth $7.5 million more than Jones is.

 

[wazzu31]

When you compare Jones to Jackson, you have to consider value of talent. Jones will be making about $520,000 next year. Jackson will be in his last year of arbitration and will probably make at least $8 million. On a team with limited cash resources would you rather give Jackson $8 million or pay Jones $500,000 and spend the $7.5 mill you save on other roster spots on the team?

My answer is easy. I go with Jones. There is no way in hell that Jackson is worth $7.5 million more than Jones is.

That's actually a lot better way to look at it than my little mini rant against Jackson. This is one time I think I would think it is better to be fiscally responsible. I don't think there is a question Jackson is the better player which means he conceivably has more trade value on a team that is going to need to trade to get the extra pieces to get over the hump.

 

[Banned 10x]

When you compare Jones to Jackson, you have to consider value of talent. Jones will be making about $520,000 next year. Jackson will be in his last year of arbitration and will probably make at least $8 million. On a team with limited cash resources would you rather give Jackson $8 million or pay Jones $500,000 and spend the $7.5 mill you save on other roster spots on the team?

My answer is easy. I go with Jones. There is no way in hell that Jackson is worth $7.5 million more than Jones is.

I would really like to see them package Jackson with another top prospect and get a legit right fielder. Don't know what's out there at the moment though...

 

[BSUSeahawk]

I agree that Jones has a lot of improvement but I still think that it is that he is raw. He has some god given gifts that with proper coaching can be molded. I also don't think he has zero power, just hasn't been properly coached. I saw alot encouraging things in terms of possible power, I saw at least a few balls he hit deep the opposite way. Not saying he will ever be a big power guy but IMO if he is coached properly he could be a viable player. I see alot Coco Crisp in him where it in 95% athleticism and 5% actual baseball skills. Either way, as a fan, I'd prefer to give him a shot to grow that watch Austin Jackson be a full time starter, his defense is good but not exceptional or he would've made that catch in Toronto.

To this point, his defense is pretty poor in CF. He can make an occasional highlight reel catch, but overall his instincts are really poor. His range rating was one of the worst in baseball. It's not too surprising considering how new he is to the position.

Crisp also gets on base a lot, which Jones doesn't. And has a bit of pop, where Jones has shown none.

I dunno, when I see Jones I see a guy who is very gifted and fast, but I don't see a quality baseball player. We'll see.

 

[BSUSeahawk]

When you compare Jones to Jackson, you have to consider value of talent. Jones will be making about $520,000 next year. Jackson will be in his last year of arbitration and will probably make at least $8 million. On a team with limited cash resources would you rather give Jackson $8 million or pay Jones $500,000 and spend the $7.5 mill you save on other roster spots on the team?

My answer is easy. I go with Jones. There is no way in hell that Jackson is worth $7.5 million more than Jones is.

Jackson is under team control next year via arbitration. Zero chance the M's let him walk.

I know he disappointed with the M's, but he's a much better player than he showed.

 

[blstoker]

To this point, his defense is pretty poor in CF. He can make an occasional highlight reel catch, but overall his instincts are really poor. His range rating was one of the worst in baseball. It's not too surprising considering how new he is to the position.

Crisp also gets on base a lot, which Jones doesn't. And has a bit of pop, where Jones has shown none.

I dunno, when I see Jones I see a guy who is very gifted and fast, but I don't see a quality baseball player. We'll see.

I don't think that Jones is a Coco Crisp type player, I compare him more to Otis Nixon. A guys who is extremely fast, doesn't hit bad but also has no power, doesn't walk a whole bunch, doesn't make many errors in the field, but also doesn't always get to the plays either. If the M's can develop him into a .280/.330/.350/.680 player with 10 three baggers and 50 SB a year, then they will be in great shape with that. Hell, I'd take .250/.300/.300/.600 and 50 SB out of that lead off spot right now.

Jones is still learning center field as a defender. He's played a lot more right field than center, and 2014 was only the second time since becoming a pro that he played center more than right. I'm not entirely sure what he played in the field at college (he also pitched) but I do believe it was RF. Be that as it may, he's only played 200 games in center field as a pro, he'll learn the position as he gets more experience.

 

[BSUSeahawk]

I don't think that Jones is a Coco Crisp type player, I compare him more to Otis Nixon. A guys who is extremely fast, doesn't hit bad but also has no power, doesn't walk a whole bunch, doesn't make many errors in the field, but also doesn't always get to the plays either. If the M's can develop him into a .280/.330/.350/.680 player with 10 three baggers and 50 SB a year, then they will be in great shape with that. Hell, I'd take .250/.300/.300/.600 and 50 SB out of that lead off spot right now.

Jones is still learning center field as a defender. He's played a lot more right field than center, and 2014 was only the second time since becoming a pro that he played center more than right. I'm not entirely sure what he played in the field at college (he also pitched) but I do believe it was RF. Be that as it may, he's only played 200 games in center field as a pro, he'll learn the position as he gets more experience.

Regardless of speed, I don't really find a player who can't get on base much very useful.

We'll have to agree to disagree on this one. Unless AJax is re-signed (which I find doubtful), I don't see our future CF in the organization right now. JMO.

 

[Msfann]

I think they kinda gave up on Jones too quick this year but they were expecting a lot more from Jackson. If Jones wants to play for years without having to worry about his job he just needs to change his name to Smoak or Ackley then he'll get a ton of playing time!

 

[wazzu31]

To this point, his defense is pretty poor in CF. He can make an occasional highlight reel catch, but overall his instincts are really poor. His range rating was one of the worst in baseball. It's not too surprising considering how new he is to the position.

Crisp also gets on base a lot, which Jones doesn't. And has a bit of pop, where Jones has shown none.

I dunno, when I see Jones I see a guy who is very gifted and fast, but I don't see a quality baseball player. We'll see.

And which is where I get my Coco Crisp comparison. Coco wasn't some stud outfielder, he just used his great athleticism while forming into one. Crisp still has one of the worst throwing arms in baseball nor do I think his instincts are that great either.

The getting on base thing is true, but like I said he is raw. When Crisp first came he basically stood at the plate looking for a walk or trying the Ichiro style of batting. His power came with more repetition and I still believe Jones has shown he has potential for some power because a few balls I saw him hit the other way. Driving the ball the other way is a much better sign of potential power for a younger player than having pull power IMO.