updates anyone ?

**Rennie Stennett** · 04-05-2009, 02:14 PM

The 2009 season is here. This will be the fourth year for updates and we welcome any and all ideas and thoughts. As most of you know, it's a real loose thread and we only ask that you be kind to all, particularly those new to baseball and Baseball Fever.

updates, 2008:

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=75550

updates, 2007:

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=59049

updates, 2006:

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=41532

Opening Series: M's @ Minnesota:

Monday 4/6 @ 5:05pm; Hernandez vs Liriano. FSN-Northwest

Tuesday 4/7 @ 5:05; Erik Bedard vs Nick Blackburn. FSN-Northwest

Wednesday 4/8 @ 5:05; Carlos Silva vs Kevin Slowey. FSN-Northwest

Thursday 4/9 @ 10:10a.m. Jarrod Washburn vs Glen Perkins FSN-NW

25 man roster:

PITCHERS (12) RHP David Aardsma, RHP Miguel Batista, LHP Erik Bedard, RHP Roy Corcoran, RHP Felix Hernandez, RHP Chris Jakubauskas, RHP Shawn Kelley, RHP Mark Lowe, RHP Brandon Morrow, LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith, RHP Carlos Silva, LHP Jarrod Washburn.

CATCHERS (2): Kenji Johjima, Rob Johnson.

INFIELDERS (7): Adrian Beltre, Yuniesky Betancourt, Russell Branyan, Ronny Cedeno, Jose Lopez, Mike Sweeney, Matt Tuiasosopo.

OUTFIELDERS (4): Wladimir Balentien, Endy Chavez, Ken Griffey Jr., Franklin Gutierrez. 15-day DL: Ichiro.

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showth...18#post1484518

Rotation:

King
Bedard
Silva
Washburn
Ryan Rowland-Smith

Ichiro will be due off the DL April 15th, which will be the middle game of the Angel series in the first homestand. With the day of Monday the 13th, Ichiro will miss eight (8) games. The 15 day DL sounds scary, but Ichiro's stay is retroactive to March 31st and it doesn't look too bad.

My guy, Matt Tuiasosopo, made the big club, after a big Spring. He deserves it. I'm pulling for him. Ryan Rowland-Smith made the starting rotation, after working his way thru the bullpen from mop up, situational lefty and starter the past couple of years. Way to go ! Others making the club are Mike Sweeney, who was signed to a minor league contract in January, David Aardsma, who the M's picked up from Boston for lefty, Fabian Williamson, and Chris Jakubauskas, who I believe was an invite to Spring Training. Certainly this roster is not etched in stone and we can expect many changes this year. The M's have question marks in the bullpen, in the rotation and will the offense score enough runs and will the two old guys hold up. The defense appears to be better, but dispite all the talk about Yuniesky Betancourt getting pushed a SS, it appears he will start the year there and bat ninth.

**Rennie Stennett** · 04-07-2009, 04:18 AM

King Felix tossed one run five hit ball for eight innings, striking out six and walking three, in 97 pitches for the win. Francisco Liriano gave up four runs on four hits and went seven innings but it took four Minnesota pitchers to record the final six outs, which could work in the M's favor the rest of this four game series, as Batista finished up the ninth.

Most of the M's scribes wrote about Ichiro's Jersey hanging in the dugout as a sign of togetherness and unity. They talked about how the M's scored a run with a Adrian Beltre double followed by a Griffey groundout 4-3 (M.R.) and then the master, Jose Lopez, hit a sac fly to bring him home. Lopez had three RBI's in this one and as Luis Sojo said in March, "Lopez is going to have a big year."

It appears with this team that the M's will not have to count on the same guys getting it done at the plate all the time. I liked how the top four guys in the lineup looked at pitches, as this list shows:

Chavez: 4 a.b.s; 18 pitches
Gutierrez: 4 a.b.s; 21 pitches
Sweeney: 4 a.b.s; 17 pitches
Griffey: 4 a.b.s; 17 pitches

Tuesday 4/7 @ 5:05; Erik Bedard vs Nick Blackburn. FSN-Northwest

**Rennie Stennett** · 04-08-2009, 07:30 AM

The Mariners played a great game last night until the ninth in which Brandon Morrow suddenly could not find the plate and he walked a bunch of guys and then Batista gave up a astroturf bouncer single and a looper over the infield and that's all she wrote. Morrow, who had some arm troubles in Spring and only had four innings of work going in, lost his control and he was all over the place. In the past, he was effectively wild, by keeping the hitter off guard who worry about the high gas, but in this case the Twins made him (Morrow) throw a strike in which he could not.

I"m not worried and at the same time I'm sick of hearing how he should be a starter and how we could have had Lincecum (3.0 innings 4 hits, 3 runs, opening day) and all the name calling of Morrow, that he has no heart, blah, blah, blah. He has two years of big league service. He has done everything asked of him by management. Set up, Close, and start. He's gone down to the bush leagues on more then one occasion. I don't blame him for wanting to stay in the bigs and to be the closer. He's a big leaguer. It's not his fault the former M's management team mis-handled him. We can't change the past. Bavasi and Grover are gone. Can we move forward on this ? Yea, yea, I keep hearing how the M's management has not developed starting pitching in their organization. Big deal ! Let's move forward !

On the bright side, Chavez went 3-5,Gutierrez 2-5,Balentien and Betancourt 2-4. Bedard, Corcoran and Aardsma pitched well. In fact, Bedard was on for the win. Ichiro who ? The guys at the front of the line up the past few games are doing well taking pitchers, which is something that has always bother many about Ichiro. Here are last night's numbers of pitches viewed:

Chavez: 17 pitches, which includes his sac bunt
Gutierrez: 19 pitches
JR: 23 pitches

The question is when Ichiro comes back, will he take on this idea of taking pitches and the speed offense that Wak (Wak Ball) is employing or will Ichiro go on with his swing early and often ?

Will Chavez and Gutierrez move back a spot when Ichiro returns ? There is so many ways to spin this lineup. With Jr in it. With Sweeney in it. With the speed guys in there.

The small advantage that the M's held after the first game of the series slipped away Tuesday. Not only did they lose a game they figured to win, they used Batista and Morrow back to back nights. I know Morrow didn't come in during the opener but he got up and tossed in the pen and I count that as work. Batista has a rubber arm and I'm not worried too much about him.

Batista in 2005 with Toronto: 5-8 record with a 4.10 era. 71 appearances. 31/39 saves. 74.2 innings pitched.

Chad (Chief) Cordero tossed a thirty pitch bullpen session and some say he could be ready in April, after shoulder problems. His career numbers: (20-14) 2.78 era in 305 games, 128 for 152 in save opprotunities, 117 BB, 292 SO.

Wednesday 4/8 @ 5:05; Carlos Silva vs Kevin Slowey. FSN-NW

**Gravy Train** · 04-08-2009, 12:24 PM

I saw quite a bit of Aardsma with the Red Sox last year, and I was very impressed with him. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he turns out to be a solid setup guy (at least) for the M's.

**Rennie Stennett** · 04-08-2009, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by Gravy Train

I saw quite a bit of Aardsma with the Red Sox last year, and I was very impressed with him. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he turns out to be a solid setup guy (at least) for the M's.

The cool thing this year is nothing is etched in stone. Guys are still finding roles. Aardsma looked good last night.

**Rennie Stennett** · 04-08-2009, 01:24 PM

AAA Tacoma:

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/m...d=milb&cid=529

AA West Tennessee:

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/m...d=milb&cid=104

A High Desert Mavericks:

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/m...d=milb&cid=504

Clinton LumberKings:

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/m...d=milb&cid=500

Everett Aqua Sox:

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/m...d=milb&cid=403

**Rennie Stennett** · 04-09-2009, 08:23 AM

Kevin Slowey went six for the Twins and the M's score five runs on nine hits which includes two bombs; one by Branyon and one by Lopez, but it was enough as Carlos Silva gave up six earned in five innings, with one BB. The Twins bullpen was tough as was the M's.

"If he throws those down, it's a different story," Wakamatsu said. "He came out and competed. We have to be somewhat pleased."

"I felt great," he said. "Besides the two change-ups, I don't take anything back. The sinker was working really well. The two homers with two changes are the only two I'd take away. I got a lot of ground balls."

- Silva

groundballs/fly balls for Silva: Carlos Silva 8-5

Chris Jakubauskas pitched two innings with one hit for the M's and Yuniesky knocked three hits.

Today @ 10:10a.m. Jarrod Washburn vs Glen Perkins FSN-NW

**mrakbaseball** · 04-09-2009, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by Rennie Stennett

Carlos Silva gave up six earned in five innings, with one BB.

3 more years of Carlos Silva.

**Rennie Stennett** · 04-09-2009, 02:26 PM

Jarrod Washburn gave up five hits in eight innings and Brandon Morrow got his first save of the season to lead the Seattle Mariners over the Minnesota Twins 2-0 Thursday.

Washburn (1-0) struck out four with just one walk to get his first victory since July 27. Adrian Beltre and Rob Johnson had RBI singles as the Mariners split the four-game set.

Seattle's offense no doubt gave Washburn plenty of stomach problems as well. He received just 4.10 runs of support per game last season, which was the fourth fewest in the AL. Since his final season with the Angels in 2005, Washburn's 4.29 runs of help are the fewest among all AL starters.

I've been harping here for years that Washburn doesn't get any run support, but it's easy for people to beat him up. Again, he recieved little support but he pitched great.

Beltre and Balientien with a couple of hits each and a big rbi single by Wash's personal Catcher, Rob Johnson for some insurance. Gutierrez made a nice diving catch and Cedeno made a nice play on a ball that was mashed off Wash's leg. All in all the defense has been great.

Wak shows he's got moves late when he moved the guys around. Beltre the starting DH moved to third. Cedeno the starting three bagger moved to second and Lopez (I don't want to play first) moved to first base. Yuniesky Betancourt made some slick plays at SS.

The M's split this four gamer with the Twinkies and fly to Oakland for a set with the A's, who the M's always have trouble. The A's played the Angels pretty tough and with some new offensive parts, figure to do the same with the M'. The M's have some new players as well. It should be fun.

Friday @ 7:05, Ryan Rowland-Smith vs Josh Outman
Saturday @ 1:05, Felix Hernandez vs Dallas Braden
Sunday @ 1:05, Erik Bedard vs Trevor Cahill

**mrakbaseball** · 04-09-2009, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by Rennie Stennett

Gutierrez made a nice diving catch and Cedeno made a nice play on a ball that was mashed off Wash's leg. All in all the defense has been great.

Franklin Gutierrez has been outstanding defensively. Defense matters. Can't wait to see the OF of Chavez, Gutierrez and Ichiro take the field for the 1st time.

**Rennie Stennett** · 04-10-2009, 07:37 AM

The discussions at places like USS Mariner, Lookout Landing and Mariner Central -- all cool sites that are well worth checking out -- have focused more on who'll play right field for a few days than Oh My God, Ichiro is Out!

What are the chances the Mariners won't miss Ichiro a bit in the first eight games? What if manager Don Wakamatsu's small-ball approach takes hold right away and the Mariners hit, bunt, run, hit-and-run and succeed with a more daring brand of baseball without Ichiro?

Kirby Arnold, Everett Herald

http://www.heraldnet.com/section/BLOG05

**Rennie Stennett** · 04-10-2009, 07:49 AM

By CASEY MCNERTHNEY, SEATTLEPI.COM STAFF

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/40502...tml?source=rss

**Rennie Stennett** · 04-10-2009, 03:30 PM

For the M's and A's Saturday and Sunday are day games and the highs will be in the 60's with some wind, but tonight, it will be clear with record lows (45) with winds 5-10 mph. Right now, 3:30pm pdt, its 59 degrees with a 17 mph wind out of the West. Bundle up. Will the old guys, Griffey and Sweeney, sit tonight ?

**Bobby_Ayala** · 04-10-2009, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by Rennie Stennett

Bundle up. Will the old guys, Griffey and Sweeney, sit tonight ?

Nope. Sweeney DH, Griffey RF.

**Rennie Stennett** · 04-11-2009, 01:04 PM

Chavez went 3-5, Branyon had two hits Jakubauskas picked up the win and Aardsma with a two inning save.

the rotation rolls over:

Saturday @ 1:05, Felix Hernandez vs Dallas Braden

**Rennie Stennett** · 04-12-2009, 07:21 AM

Early on in the season guys are taking pitches and giving themselves up by bunting or moving them over and getting them in. I have followed the pitch counts and Chavez, Branyon, Gutierrez, Griffey and Sweeney have been total studs in this department. They are making the starters work and building pitch counts, which is important, particularly early in the season but also later on. We won the first game at the Twins and they used their pen often, which the M's didn't. IF that one come back doesn't happen by the Twins, the M's had a shot of winning the series.

Oh I know, some are saying, get used to this Rennie. This bullpen blow ups will continue and you will see much of this. The M's won't win more then 70 games. It's difficult to improve 10 games in the win column in one year.

The M's are showing that if you play good defense, get some pitching, take some pitches, work the counts, get into the other guys' pen, get them on, move them over and get them in, you have a shot every game. Even, as Shannon Drayer, KIRO's beat writer-reporter said Saturday after the game:

"...(paraphrase) the other free swingers on the team are buying into Mak and Jack's concept of the above mentioned. Yuni is taking some pitches, as is Lopez and Kenji..." No these guys won't suddenly become Griffey in taking pitches but they are trying. Shannon also went on to say that when a hall of famer like Griffey is doing the little things, the other guys see it they buy into it. Griffey, who we all know is way past his prime, is getting pitched around. It's early, I know and we have only faced a couple of teams, but he walked three times the other night, which cracks me up.

http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=373

The M's came back in the late innings for this win. Sweeney knocked three hits, Lopez had a big double to drive in two and Kenji had a big hit. Branyon hit a bomb. Batista pitched well and we know he has a rubber arm and he will be able to trot out there for 75 games this year to clean up, close or whatever is needed. Morrow picked up a save. The M's won in Oakland which is always a tough place for them to play and the M's are guaranteed a winning road record going into today's afternoon game. Monday is an off day and Tuesday the Tuba players arrive for the seventh inning stretch.

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/40502...tml?source=rss

Sunday @ 1:05, Erik Bedard vs Trevor Cahill

**Rennie Stennett** · 04-12-2009, 03:33 PM

Bedard - W

M's sweep away the A's. Bedard pitches into the ninth. The M's arrive home for a set with the Angels after going 5-2 on the first road trip of the year.

3:40 pm Tuesday: Fox NW, Shane Loux vs Carlos Silva

7:10 pm Wednesday: Fox NW, Jered Weaver vs Jarrod Washburn (Ichiro due off the DL)

7:10 pm Thursday: Fox NW, Joe Saunders vs Ryan Rowland-Smith

following the Angels the Tigers come in for four games and then it's the Rays for three more. A big homestand indeed !

**d32123** · 04-12-2009, 03:34 PM

Lovely game for Bedard. Hopefully this means the old Bedard is back.

**Rennie Stennett** · 04-12-2009, 07:40 PM

I read a summary of an interview Bedard did recently but I can't find it now. It's pretty interesting. He wasn't happy being named number one starter at the first day of camp last year by Johnny Mac. The local media hates him because he was short with them last year and this and the expectations because of what the M's gave away for him by fans caused a crazy situation. Now, everyone figures that he will automatically leave after this year or get dealt somewhere. yea, he looked good today.

**d32123** · 04-12-2009, 08:18 PM

If Bedard keeps this up and the Mariners are not in contention, I see a trade involving him being very likely. Mariners could get some real value for him I think.

**mrakbaseball** · 04-13-2009, 04:04 PM

Today is a great day. Seattle has started the season by winning 5 of their 1st 7 games.

**Edgartohof** · 04-16-2009, 09:06 AM

As of today, the M's are 7-2 and are on top of the AL West!!!

With the last night, much on the support of Ichiro's GS and Washburn's fabulous pitching, they now have won 6 in a row!!!