What we've learned in Week One

bedir than average · April 6th, 2008, 02:37 PM

The Seattle Mariners are one week into their season and they are in last place in the AL West with their 2 and 4 record. What else have we learned in this VERY short period of time?

JJ Putz matters - As I explain in this thread two if not three of the losses are purely on the Putz' injury and the lack of depth in the bullpen. Last season the Seattle Mariners bullpen was among the best in the nation. This year, I questioned why some projected the bullpen to be bad. Now, I fully understand. in 2007 the WPA for the Bullpen was 7.08, this year they are on pace for -22.

The Offense is sporadic. They look quite slappy throughout the lineup and only a few guys look good so far. Looking good are YuBet, Lopez, Ichiro and Beltre. Looking awful despite their infrequent displays of power are everyone BUT Johjima who looks quite average. It is at best an AVERAGE offense as of now with the quite limited data which we have seen.

The Starters - Bedard, Felix and Silva all look extraordinary. Which is a genuine bright spot so far, particularly for the portions of the game which Felix can control. Bedard's injury issue doesn't have me worried yet. Silva needs to show me more games like this. Washburn looks even worse than last year. Lastly Miguel Batista I'm willing to give a short pass due to his odd usage this week.

What have you learned?

Jim Potable · April 7th, 2008, 02:29 AM

I love the solid starts that you refer to, but, man, it's disappointing to see them lose they way they have. (It's only been a week, and I'm patient.) While the bullpen takes the loss, the lack power/offense is my biggest concern and source of irritation. I know we could have said that since last season (and did). It's not something an M's fan learned; it's a weakness that wasn't addressed.

I wanted to believe in Sexson, believe that he could return to that 40 homer, 120+ RBI guy, but (I know I'm late) I give up now. I think.... He could still turn it around, but for a season+, he's been looking like our new Cirillo/Aurilia/Spiezio, I guess. Hit, or back to the NL like the rest of them.

April 6th, 2008, 02:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
bedir than average Hall of Famer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Starbucks Posts: 8,258	What we've learned in Week One The Seattle Mariners are one week into their season and they are in last place in the AL West with their 2 and 4 record. What else have we learned in this VERY short period of time? JJ Putz matters - As I explain in this thread two if not three of the losses are purely on the Putz' injury and the lack of depth in the bullpen. Last season the Seattle Mariners bullpen was among the best in the nation. This year, I questioned why some projected the bullpen to be bad. Now, I fully understand. in 2007 the WPA for the Bullpen was 7.08, this year they are on pace for -22. The Offense is sporadic. They look quite slappy throughout the lineup and only a few guys look good so far. Looking good are YuBet, Lopez, Ichiro and Beltre. Looking awful despite their infrequent displays of power are everyone BUT Johjima who looks quite average. It is at best an AVERAGE offense as of now with the quite limited data which we have seen. The Starters - Bedard, Felix and Silva all look extraordinary. Which is a genuine bright spot so far, particularly for the portions of the game which Felix can control. Bedard's injury issue doesn't have me worried yet. Silva needs to show me more games like this. Washburn looks even worse than last year. Lastly Miguel Batista I'm willing to give a short pass due to his odd usage this week. What have you learned? __________________ I'm sorry I left for a while. I needed a vaction, and then work changed substantially. I'm over 50 hour weeks, plus two hours a day of commuting time. A few weeks ago I launched my own blog about Seattle Sounders FC and Life in Puget Sound. I won't be by these parts often as my focus has changed. Sorry about the unannounced retirement.

April 7th, 2008, 02:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jim Potable Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Aichi, Japan Posts: 205	I love the solid starts that you refer to, but, man, it's disappointing to see them lose they way they have. (It's only been a week, and I'm patient.) While the bullpen takes the loss, the lack power/offense is my biggest concern and source of irritation. I know we could have said that since last season (and did). It's not something an M's fan learned; it's a weakness that wasn't addressed. I wanted to believe in Sexson, believe that he could return to that 40 homer, 120+ RBI guy, but (I know I'm late) I give up now. I think.... He could still turn it around, but for a season+, he's been looking like our new Cirillo/Aurilia/Spiezio, I guess. Hit, or back to the NL like the rest of them.