Part 2 is the main part.

If you think Zduriencik get or trade players based on WPA, WAR or WAR/$ you see only 200 of 1000 bulbs.

How was Aardsma's or Gutierrez's WPA or WAR 2008?

How was the projection for 2009 in 2008 when Zduriencik aquiered them?

Just the results;

Aardsma and Gutierrez have been the second best players behind Felix and Ichiro in 2009!

Now let me tell a story about a car dealer. Zduriencik is the GM of a cardealer which sells Lexus. He has 3 managers and 25 salesmen. 23 are OK but 2 are losers with the names A and B. He ask the manager if they can turn the losers to winners through motivation and teaching. The answer was A can turn around but no hope for B. Zduriencik fires B.

Now they must hire a new salesman. There was one salesman jobless sold Civics. His record in selling Civics was not good but Zduriencik sees in him that he has the skills and talent to sell Lexus. He asks the managers if they can teach him how to be successful and hire him.

I think that was the case for Aardsma, Gutierrez, League and Bradley. These players have not been acquired because they had excellent track record. Not for WAR or WPA. (maybe some good WAR for Bradley but he has other minus) They have been good fit to Safeco and the coaches have been asked if they can handle them.

One coach to mention is Steve Hecht the performance coach. He previously played in the MiLB and has a degree in psychology. I think Zduriencik will have many inputs from him about the mental strength of the players. Who is the winner and who is the loser. He will also get input which player can be taught and which not. That is 200 bulbs of 1000 which we as outsiders never know.

Happy holidays all.