I had not focused much on the January 24 article on mlb.com in which new Mariner President Kevin Mather explained his approach to his new job.
Most folks had focused on how baseball legend Tony LaRussa had applied for the job — actually sent a cover letter and resume! — but was not even given an interview by Mariner Chairman Howard Lincoln.
Or focused on how Mather’s prior job title — Executive Vice President for Finance and Ballpark Operations — seemed to dovetail perfectly with the “business as usual” Mariner ownership priorities of “not risking much” and “providing a nice experience at the park.”
And Mather’s comments in the mlb.com article easily could have been par-for-the-course corporate-speak platitudes.
We didn’t know.
Full article at Mariner Brainstorm: here.
This said as one who moaned "business as usual" when Mather was named.
Of course, we cannot assume that is it BECAUSE of Mather that the recent signing of Rodney and the potential signing of Cruz have hit the news. Still, when it comes to the Mariners I'm in "show me" mode. As I've been saying for a decade, I'd be more than thrilled for the "showing" to start "showing up." Help make it so, Mr. Mather, and you have my undying gratitude.
Which is better than getting discouraging signs. :- ) Good post Spec.
We can say they really tried this offseason. Or more accurately, we can't say (any more) that they DIDN'T try. Whether their plan, or their moves, in retrospect will prove to be effective or not, can be argued. That they tried cannot. I'm not particularly wild about Cruz compared to some, but I've got to admit that Cano, Hart, LoMo, Buck, Rodney, and Cruz represent a truly significant effort this offseason.
Not only this, but one can envision a scenario if a few things break right that the team might truly surprise. If it turns out that all some of the young players needed to reach their potential was more veteran help (and I myself strongly argued that point of view going into the Twenty TWELVE season), then things will be much more than a little different in 2014. .