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Indeed, even in LA there are options. If you don't get on the road you have no traffic jam. The M's don't have to have one either. Time to rearrange the commute, Jack.
Thanks for Keeping My Chair Warm
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Thanks for keepin' the chair warm, Mr. Montero, but the catching situation now has somebody else on the hot seat. If he wants to win the most games possible, that is.
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=== Thought #1 ===
Olivo arrives in the clubhouse, and the Red Sea parts for Olivo's passage. He taps Montero on the shoulder, and everybody moves down one chair -- Jaso and his 115 OPS+, 6:8 EYE lefty bat to "deep freeze."
There is one thing, and one thing only, that chaps my keister about this situation. It is that the Seattle Mariners are hotter than a firecracker.
Not only have they won 6 games in a row, give or take three feet on a fly ball, but the pitchers are all A-L-L acclimated to Montero's and Jaso's catching. The pitchers were just now grooving in. The ballclub looks like a juggernaut and SCRREEEEECH SCREEEAAAAMS SHATTERED GLASS the ballclub is over.
Tonight we get a new ballclub.
That's my gripe.
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=== Thought #2 ===
Wells goes down to Tacoma. The takeway here is that Jay-Z, and especially Eric Wedge, are sky-high on Alex Liddi.
It's a funny thing, because just prior to the grand slam, Liddi had suffered 4 consecutive multi-strikeout games, no walks. Dr. D was beginning to think it was time for a few bounces, like Mike Carp had before he jelled.
But Alex stepped in against Texas, took a good short cut at the ball, had some looooong at-bats, and .... once again showed that every time he squares a ball up, the pitcher is in deep deep trouble.
Some guys will emphasize his defense in LF. Note well that if Liddi's glove weren't in LF Wednesday, we get no grand slam and we lose the game. You gotta take the good with the bad. If you enjoyed the grand slam, realize that you bought a Liddi-LF ticket to get there.
Wedge is talking about Liddi at SS, where he played quite a bit at Tacoma last year. Matty, do you have any stats or impressions of his minors glove at short?
If there is any feasible way for Liddi to play SS on the OF grass, using his arm to ascend to "really bad" shortstop, I'll take him over a 54-OPS+ Brendan Ryan.
Alex Liddi may need another bounce or two, but he is a whale of an exciting player. Take a bow, Lon-Man.
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=== Thought #3 ===
It is very cool to be able to play with Montero at DH and no 3rd catcher. A whole extra roster spot. And Eric Wedge, personally, is fine with it.
I'm massively stoked about that. Jesus Montero and John Jaso and an extra roster spot, slap me silly.
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=== Thought #4 ===
Jason at Prospect Insider has a piece up wondering whether it's time for Nick Franklin at shortstop now. Have you seen his slugging average the last two weeks?
When it is Casper Wells you have to flush, the traffic jam has officially hit L.A.-freeway proportions. Two hours to move half a mile. And it's going to get worse.
Thank you, Jack Zduriencik.
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Cheers,
Dr D