Go flip Lonnie some grief for enabling 60 minutes of my incoherent paranoia. MC link here has the embedded audio.
One topic of discussion: how the Mariners will configure this big flotilla of talent. Bill James, in his 1980's abstracts, used to talk about teams like the Mariners' ... okay, you've got a collection of new players; how do you turn this unruly heap into a ballclub?
One problem is this. Did you notice which two players finished the 0H 2012 the strongest? It was Kyle Seager and Alex Liddi. And by a long ways.
Seager had an EYE around 1.00 down the stretch -- while at the same time raising his ISO near .200. The last 2-3 weeks, he was everything Chris Snelling ever hoped to be ... if Snelling ever hoped to play shortstop, that is.
If Seager were to hit like that, you wouldn't have any choice about starting him. You can't keep a 6.0 RC/27 player on the bench. It's against the rules.
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Liddi kept his own EYE within reasonable limits while flashing an ISO more like -- wait for it -- .350. Lonnie axed pointedly, Does Liddi get to compete for a job in March, or doesn't he?
Well, if he doesn't, why was he up here? Are you going to investigate a player, have him score straight A's, and then decide you shouldn't have investigated him?
I'm not saying he should have the job; I'm saying he was the most helium-filled balloon at Safeco in September.
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So, what then. Are you really going to play Liddi 3B and Seager SS? That would be two things: (1) a weirdly bat-first configuration of your "ballclub," and (2) an acknowledgement that these two players are the ones who have been shouting "I wanna start for the Seattle Mariners!"
Amplifying the problem: the SSI solution to center field is now to put Casper Wells there. Just about as fast as Michael Saunders, could probably run a + UZR there, and Wells can hit. (Trayvon needs more time in AAA, and you can't take your ballclub's K's past critical mass.)
Liddi, Seager, Carp, and Wells all hitting together? Huh.
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Other topics: When Taijuan could pitch in the majors, per historical comps for him. Michael Pineda and Justin Smoak for Joey Votto (hey, I'm not the emcee at MC). The Moneyball movie, which Lonnie hates, and Bill James, which Lonnie likes. My scathing review of Lookout Landing ;- ) ... Lonnie even blackjacks me behind the head with a prepared question from G-Moneyball.
Lemme know where we went wrong. :- )
Cheers,
Jeff