<p>Yeah...there was a DEFINITE coaching issue. Kyle Seager was -3 runs in 2915 after a career as an average-solid baserunner. #Austin #Jackson was +3.5 runs on the bases with the Tigers in 2014 then zero with the Mariners and negative in 2015 before being positive again with the Cubs. Dustin Ackley had been a huge positive asset on the bases until McClendon came along and destroyed that value with his horrendous base coaches. We had some guys who could have limited the carnage on the bases...I really think the base coaches were the main problem.</p>
<p>Matt, over the last two years as a Mariner, #Austin #Jackson provided us 1.5 WAR total (B-Ref). Leonys gave #Texas 5.7 during that same time. I see this as a substantial upgrade.</p>
<div class="indented">Reply - SABR Matt - 12/10/15 12:02pm<br><p>Jackson was no great shakes, no doubt...but I think we're all going to be begging for Booger by the end of May.</p>
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<p>As noted...I don't have a problem with the strategy of giving up upside and risk for certainty, so long as the financial terms are reasonable and you're not locked in for 3+ years (because that carries its own risks)...my problem was with Leonys Martin (because I think he will be worse as a Mariner than #Austin #Jackson was) as the guy to supposedly reduce risk...and I had a problem with giving up certainty (C. Smith, T. Wilhelmson) in another area.
<p>.272/.312/.387 was #Austin #Jackson's slash for us in 2015. That gave a 97 OPS+ in Safeco - perfectly league-average hitting - and 4.2 runs a game unadjusted. If you got a 100ish OPS+ from a dominant glove specialist in the middle of the field you really would have Paul Blair. YOU GO, EDGAR</p>
<p>Last week when I said I was encouraged by some pitching 2nd half/short season stats, OBF asked if there were any bats with good 2nd halfs.</p>
<p>#Austin Wilson - 186 ABs - .290/.393/.452/.844<br />
Alex #Jackson - 82 ABs - .220/.375/.488/.863<br />
Tyler O'Neill - 182 ABs - .286/.361/.659/1.020<br />
Tyler Marlette - 144 ABs - .278/.307/.410/.716<br />
Luis Liberato - 181 ABs - .260/.341/.453/.794<br />
Braden Bishop - 219 ABs - .320/.367/.393/.760<br />
<p>I am fully with Matt (and I guess JeDi) on this one. This is and always has been a Player Development issue... We have drafted or bought (Internation FA) Uber athletic guys... Witness probably the MOST athletic guy, the most impressive specimen in the entire MiLB.... #Austin Wilson. The guy could play in the NFL... The guy makes Bo #Jackson look Puny... We drafted him in the 2nd round... and there he is miring away in High A still... What if he had been drafted by #Houston? Would he be belting homeruns in the playoffs right now?
