Mariners Baseball: Ready to Play

The first week of the season has been really disappointing to all Mariner fans. Many of the frustrating things we’ve seen were largely expected. For example, we have watched some young guys in the bullpen get roughed up a bit in games; and, the offense has struggle, as it did pretty much all last year. Now, we are 2-7, losers of seven straight.

The boo-birds are already out at Safeco during home games, and frankly, the fans have good reason to express their irritation over the current level of play.

Yet, as expected as the struggles from a shaky offense and young bullpen were from the get-go, one dimension of the Mariners’ shortcomings is far more alarming: what appears to be a lack of concentration involving baseball’s most basic fundamentals. Manager Eric Wedge was brought in following the second 101-loss season in the past three years, and one of his tasks was to have his guys playing smart, fundamental baseball—something noticeably absent from recent Mariner teams. Wedge has a reputation for managing smart, fundamentally-sound baseball teams. But, to this point in 2011, we are seeing a lack of fundamentals out of players from whom we, as Mariner fans, have come to expect more.

We see Jack Wilson making two errors at second base in one inning. I realize he is a shortstop by trade, and second base is a new position for him. But Jack Wilson, who has won a Fielding Bible Award at shortstop, should be capable of catching feeds from shortstop and making throws to first base.

Another player whose defensive fundamentals have lapsed in the early stages of the season is Ichiro—a ten time all-star and ten-time American League Gold Glove recipient. We are nine games into the season, and he’s already made two errors from the outfielder. Last week, he misjudged a ball lined at him and ended up with his glove turned the wrong way, as the ball ricocheted off the heel of his glove, then off his chest. Then, yesterday afternoon, he airmailed the cut-off man on a throw to home, forcing cut-off man Justin Smoak to jump into the air and extend his arm for it. The ball tipped off the top of his glove and trickled away, allowing runners to advance. These are the types of things fans may expect to see from outfielders like Milton Bradley or Jack Cust (if he were to get a start in the OF), but not Ichiro. We expect more from our perennial Gold-Glover, and manager Eric Wedge must demand the same.

Ichiro may not make another error for weeks, and he may finish the season just those two. He and Jack Wilson may very well earn Gold Gloves at their respective positions when all is said and done. But for now, Mariner fans need to see more from their defensive stars.

The lack of fundamentals from an offensive standpoint are even more numerous. For a further breakdown, complete with examples, read through a play-by-play account of Saturday night’s 2-1 loss to the Indians.

The Mariners Call on Chris Gimenez

Adam Moore injured his knee scrambling for a ball that got away from him in the eighth inning against the Rangers during the series finale Wednesday afternoon down in Arlington. It turns out Moore suffered a tear of his menial meniscus in his right knee. The tear will require surgery and Moore has been placed on the 60-day disabled list for now.

With Moore’s injury, many Mariner followers believed the team would call up Josh Bard, who spent significant time with the club last season (39 games), to serve as Miguel Olivo’s backup. But, instead the Mariners went in a different direction. They opted to call up super utility man, Chris Gimenez.

Typically, the most “versatile” utility players can play different infield spots, and maybe a corner outfield position. Some guys, like Willie Bloomquist, can do all that, plus play centerfield. Gimenez, though, is unique, in that, in seven seasons of professional baseball, he has logged innings playing corner outfield positions, corner infield positions, and catcher. At the MLB level, in 73 games over the past two seasons, Gimenez has played both corner outfield positions, first base, and catcher.

Eric Wedge knows Gimenez well, as Gimenez spent the entirety of his seven-year professional career, prior to 2011, in the Cleveland organization, before joining the Mariners organization this offseason.

As versatile as he is defensively, though, Gimenez hasn’t been able to stick around at the MLB level because of his bat. In 169 career MLB at-bats, he’s batted .160, with a .267 OBP and .272 SLG. In almost 600 games spanning various levels in the minor leagues, he’s batted .268/.377/.463.

Here, Gimenez is being called up from Tacoma to backup Miguel Olivo at catcher. And on paper, he appears a competent backup catcher. Gimenez, over his MLB career, has thrown out 12 of 39 potential base-stealers, a 31% rate. To put this into perspective, Josh Bard has thrown out 21% of would-be base-stealers, Miguel Olivo has thrown out 35%, and Adam Moore has thrown out 17%. Granted, a pitcher’s ability to hold on base-runners, or the pitch on which a runner attempts to steal, is just as significant as the catcher’s “defense” in evaluating this statistic, but the numbers do demonstrate that Gimenez is capable of doing the job behind the plate twice a week. Finally, over his MLB career (32 games behind the plate, and just under 225 total innings caught), Gimenez has allowed a single passed ball and committed just one error.

Welcome to Seattle, Chris Gimenez.

Finding Signs of Improvement

Today, at the Oakland Coliseum the Mariners played more like the 2010 Mariners than the team that has found ways to win its first two games of the season this weekend. On six hits, the M’s scored only one run—a Ryan Langerhans solo HR. Unfortunately, at the plate the M’s looked reminiscent of last year’s offensive struggles: in six at-bats with runners in scoring position, the Mariners went hitless. On top of that, defensively, the outfield had problems tracking flyballs in the high Oakland sun, and by the seventh inning, the game had unraveled.

Despite today’s ugly loss, however, the Mariners faired pretty well in their opening series on the road, in Oakland, particularly compared to last year’s opening set in Oakland. Last season, the Mariners went 1-3 in a four-game series to open the season, and the ballclub wouldn’t win their first road series until the end of April in Kansas City.

Moreover, so far, the Mariners appear a more patient team at the plate. Over this three game opening series, Mariner batters walked fourteen times and accumulated an on-base percentage of .346. To put this on-base percentage in perspective, last season, Mariners’ hitters accrued an on-base percentage of just .298, twelfth in the American League. Granted, the Mariners will not walk seven times each game, like they did on opening night; but still, if the team continues to prioritize patience at the plate, the offense, as a whole will improve.

Over the first three games, the Mariner starting pitching has also looked good. Felix threw like a defending Cy Young winner, Jason Vargas pitched like a rotation’s number-two should. And, Doug Fister was one out away from notching a quality start. The rotation, at this early juncture, seems prepared to continue from its successes of last year. But, the staff will be tested this week, as the team will travel to Arlington to take on the Rangers, a red-hot ballclub fresh off a sweep of the Red Sox and currently tearing the cover off the baseball. While the Mariners have clubbed two homeruns in their first three games, the Rangers already have two players that have knocked three homeruns apiece.

Stay tuned this week, as the Rangers will be taking their hacks against Erik Bedard, who hasn’t pitched in an MLB game since the summer of 2009; Michael Pineda, who will be making his MLB debut; and King Felix, looking to repeat from an Opening Day complete game.

Opening Day Post-Season Predictions: National League

Yesterday, I predicted who would win each of the American League divisions. Today I move to the National League.

National League West: Los Angeles Dodgers

I’m going with the Dodgers to win the West, as I expect them to really turn the corner this year in a big way. When they can roll out 3-4-5 hitters entering their primes like Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp and James Loney, and then add in a rotation with guys like Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, Ted Lilly, and Hiroki Kuroda, they appear poised to capture the West from the defending-World-champion Giants. Hong-Chih Kuo is an outstanding lefty out of the bullpen, though Dodger fans will hope Jonathon Broxton regains the touch he had the first half of last season. Adding Juan Uribe and Matt Guerrier should bolster the LA offense and bullpen, and when Vicente Padilla and John Garland return from injuries, they will provide a boost to an already relatively-deep pitching staff. The Giants, too, have an exceptional rotation, but I’m still not totally sold on their offense. For example, as easy as things appeared to have come for Buster Posey last year, I expect him to face some growing pains this year as the National League does its homework and makes adjustments.

National League Central: Chicago Cubs

The NL Central could be a three way race. I would have gone with the Cardinals, but with the season-ending injury to Adam Wainwright, Matt Holliday’s emergency appendectomy, and lingering bullpen concerns in Saint Louis, I’m going with the Cubs. They are a veteran team, which may make them more susceptible to injuries as the season progresses, but if they can stay healthy, with Matt Garza, Ryan Dempster, and Carlos Zambrano starting games and Carlos Marmol finishing them, I think the Cubs will match up well in the NL Central. Starlin Castro, now a second-year player, will be expected to step up his consistency both offensively and defensively, and Cubs fans will hope Carlos Pena makes a seamless transition to the National League. The Brewers will be another team to watch, particularly after acquiring Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum; but, I’m still not entirely sold on them at this point. So, by a sort of default, I’m going with the Cubs.

National League East: Philadelphia Phillies

Two words: starting pitching. With the R2C2 combination of Halladay, Oswalt, Hamels, and Lee, they will certainly be a team against whom it will be tough to score. Plus, they’ve got momentum on their side. These guys know how to win, with a key core of veterans: Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, Shane Victorino, Placido Polanco, and Raul Ibanez. Yes, Chase Utley may not be the same player with his knee issues, and Jason Werth’s departure will be significant, as their offense was already lefty-heavy. And, the bullpen seems really iffy, especially so long as Brad Lidge is sidelined; but, if the Phillies’ rotation covers the innings it is projected to, that should ease the strain on the bullpen. Even considering all those factors, Charlie Manuel will have his guys playing with the necessary confidence to win the NL East.

National League Wild Card: San Francisco Giants

I didn’t pick them to win the NL West, but the Giants are still a good-looking team. They still have Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez and Madison Bumgarner. Brandon Belt could emerge as this year’s version of Buster Posey. Aubrey Huff’s rally thong may still have some magic in it, and Pablo Sandoval apparently lost forty pounds. Thus, San Francisco will be in the playoff hunt throughout the season. They could take the West, though I have them securing the Wild Card.

Opening Day Post-Season Predictions: American League

Today marks the 2011 Major League Baseball’s Opening Day. The Mariners will kick off tomorrow in Oakland with Felix taking the hill against Trevor Cahill, he who won eighteen games and logged a 2.97 ERA in thirty starts last year. Speaking of Oakland, the A’s are my pick to win the AL West.

American League West: Oakland Athletics

Cahill leads a young Oakland A’s rotation that is among the best in baseball. Imagine playing a four-game set in Oakland and having to face Cahill, Brett Anderson (2.80 ERA over 19 starts), Gio Gonzalez (15 wins, 3.23 ERA in 33 starts), and Dallas Braden (3.50 ERA in 30 starts, including a perfect game). Add Andrew Bailey to the back end of their bullpen and you’ll likely have problems. Largely because the A’s pitching staff appears so good, the A’s will win the American League West. The Cliff Lee-less Rangers will surely hit, but the A’s will pitch. I’ll take pitching over hitting in this one.

American League Central: Minnesota Twins

The Twins will come back in 2011 to defend the AL Central titles they won in both 2009 and 2010. They will take the Central again this year. Ron Gardenhire always has his guys playing to the best of their abilities, and with Joe Nathan coming back after missing 2010 because of Tommy John surgery, and Justin Morneau cleared to play following a concussion that sidelined him last season, they should keep control of their division. The White Sox added Adam Dunn, and Paul Konerko is coming off a career year, but with recently-injured Jake Peavy beginning the season on the disabled list, and questions as to who will certain roles in their bullpen after the departure of Bobby Jenks, I’m not sold on the White Sox.

American League East: Boston Red Sox

A Red Sox squad that already has lots of star-power (think Youkilis, Pedroia, and Ortiz) added a number of impact players during the offseason, including LF Carl Crawford, 1B Adrian Gonzalez, and RP Bobby Jenks. And, as far as starting pitching is concerned, the Red Sox know they’ll get quality innings from Jon Lester, John Lackey, Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz. Daisuke Matsuzaka will be the fifth guy in the rotation, and who knows whether he’ll ever be as effective as he was in 2008, or more like the inconsistent and repeatedly-hurt hurler of 2009 and 2010. But for a fifth starter, he’ll be okay, even if overpaid. Tim Wakefield and his knuckleball, of course, will be on call to fill in as needed. With the uncertainty surrounding the Yankees starting rotation after Andy Pettite’s retirement and the Yankees’ inability to lure Cliff Lee to the Bronx, the Red Sox appear to have the upper hand in the East.

American League Wild Card: New York Yankees

The Yankees still have the power of the Steinbrenner regime, and they still have guys named Sabathia, Jeter, A-Rod, Texeira, Granderson, Swisher, and Rivera. Any gaps in the roster will be filled as needed. For that reason, the Yankees will win the Wild Card.

Figgy’s Spring Training Track Record May Indicate a Good Sign

It’s no secret that, generally, Spring Training statistics mean nothing. For example, Mariner fans have watched Matt Tuiasosopo tear the cover off the ball the last few Springs, and never has his Cactus League offensive prowess translated to his regular season.

The Mariners’ Cactus League schedule wrapped up today, and so concluded Chone Figgins’ 2011 Cactus League season. In what may be an auspicious sign for Mariner fans, Figgins has experienced his best Spring, statistically, in stark contrast to last Spring.

In 2010, Figgins had a relatively poor offensive Cactus League season. He compiled a .254 AVG, .421 OBP, and .390 SLG for an OPS of .811. He struck out ten times in fifty-nine at-bats, and was caught stealing five times in eight attempts. It was his worst Cactus League season in terms of batting average, and near-worst in terms of his on-base and slugging percentages. He followed his offensive struggles in the Cactus League with offensive struggles throughout the regular season.

His 2011 Cactus League campaign was everything his 2010 campaign wasn’t. He hit far better this season and appears far more comfortable. This Spring, Figgy hit .396, with a .473 OBP and .521 SLG, for an OPS of .994, over 150 points higher than last Spring. Also, in eleven fewer at-bats than last Spring, he notched more hits, runs, total bases, RBIs, and stolen bases.

But, what may give hope to Mariner fans is that Figgins’ recent history demonstrates that, his regular season performance seems to follow his Cactus League efforts.

In 2009, when Figgy was an All-Star and received MVP votes as an Angel, he batted .380, with a .443 OBP and .535 SLG (.978 OPS). He then accumulated his best regular season stats offensively: .298 AVG, .395 OBP, .393 SLG (.789 OPS).

In 2007, another season in which Figgy received MVP votes, he hit .330/.393/.432 (.825 OPS); that .825 OPS is the highest of his career. Interestingly, during his 2007 Cactus League, Figgy logged his highest Cactus League OPS, at 1.114.

Ultimately, Figgins’ Cactus League statistics seem to indicate his regular season numbers. If so, Figgy’s outstanding Spring this year may be a sign of good things to come.

Why Ryan Langerhans Makes a Great 4th Outfielder

Today, Ryan Langerhans started in centerfield for the Mariners as they took on the Angels in Peoria. He had two hits, including a double off the wall in centerfield, raising his Cactus League average to .375.

As the battle for roster spots continues, Ryan Langerhans will again make a compelling case for making the ballclub out of camp as the 4th outfielder, a roster spot he’s occupied for the better part of the last two seasons.

He should earn that spot on the roster for at least six reasons.

First, he is capable of sitting for three or four days, then coming off the bench to pinch hit against a tough righty late in a game. He’s had nearly 100 pinch hit at bats over his eight-season career, so he’s experienced pinch-hitting in pressure situations.

Second, he’s also a very capable defender in the outfield, where he can play each of the outfield positions, as well as first base. While many reserve outfielders are strictly corner options (think Tui, Jack Cust, Mike Carp), Langerhans can play the corner spots as well as centerfield.

Third, Langerhans works counts and takes pitches. He walked 24 times in 132 plate appearances last season, logging a .344 OBP, despite a batting average below the Mendoza Line.

Fourth, he has potential to hit the ball out of the park. He’s hit thirty career bombs and four career pinch hit homeruns.

Fifth, Langerhans can steal a base, either when he gets on base himself, or when he replaces a teammate as a pinch-runner. Last year, he stole four bags in five attempts.

Sixth, and probably most importantly, Langerhans is no longer a prospect. He is what he is at this point in his career—a veteran role player. Teams don’t want young, developing hitters to take bench roles. Guys like Michael Saunders and Mike Carp need to get consistent at-bats. They can’t waste away on the bench five days a week, as they need to continue to develop as hitters, if not at the MLB level, then in Tacoma. Langerhans at thirty years old, can sit for days at a time.

For these six reasons, the Mariners should choose to carry Ryan Langerhans as their fourth outfielder. Of course, if he continues to hit well through the remainder of the Cactus League schedule, his presence on the roster should be a near guarantee.