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Golfclap 1:  the strategy was surgically precise.

You've got the #1 pitching staff and the #15 batting order.  You import a legitimate leadoff hitter, a fairly legit cleanup hitter, and a platoon bat.  In theory, that team can win the World Series.  It just has to catch fire.

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Golfclap 2:  the strategy was coherent.

About fourth on the bullet list of problems:  taking on quality LHP's, and taking on ANY kind of pitcher's pitches.

Not only can Jackson and Kendrys do that, but Denorfia is a very positive move towards that as well.  These players snap into positions of need.  They are org guys, or Jackson and Denorfia are, at least.  Honestly, this July was butter-smooth, in terms of the five wideouts running complementary routes.

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Golfclap 3:  You're upgrading 50's into 100's, at very low cost.

In the next article, Dr. D groans about the attitude implied here, over the long term.  But let's say you have a guy whose attitude you don't like.  That doesn't mean he is incapable of doing a great job on Project X, Y, or Z.

Given SSI's opinion that Zduriencik was too afraid of failure and criticism -- the anti-Beane, as it were -- and that he wasn't going to make an Addison Russell for Jeff Samardzija deal -- he did a very impressive job of converting 37 cents into a genuinely impactful July.

Hey.  The M's had 2 legit hitters a month ago.  Now they got 4.  To go with their crazy pitching.

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Golfclap 4:  Austin Jackson is a pretty cool player, at the 2B-CF-C position.

Let's save the POTD, but ... Lloyd said the M's are getting him "at the right time."  Baseball HQ, and Jackson's K trends, strongly agree.  He's got serious upside left.

If the M's somehow re-sign him, they could lock in a 5-WAR player at a glove spot.  This would (in 2015 or 2016) give them three stars at 2B, at CF, and (probably) C.  Give me three 5-WAR players at those positions, and I'll kick your tail all the way down Dave Neihaus Way.

Or if they don't re-sign him, he's either (1) a very good bridge player, or (2) a great bridge player.  Nothing wrong with a Matt Holliday or Frank Thomas who helps you for 1-2 years.

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Golfclap 5:  They maintained the 9-to-make-5 principle.

Well, Austin Jackson and Kendrys Morales become "givens," but ... Denorfia, Miller oops Taylor, and Chavez will be legitimately pressing for PT.

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Golfclap 6:  The stat columns.

To take one example of the stats you could wallow in here ...

Actually here's one more.  As you know, we live to serve.  (Just not as much as Mojician, who would have 24 more hyperlinks for you.)  The last 14 days, the M's have been juggling four outfielders:

That 1:36 EYE ratio gives you a great idea of what pushovers the Mariners have been.  Opposing starters don't break a sweat on M's outfielders.   Now we are back to the year 1958, where a starter can "save his stuff" for the RBI men...

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Q.  So Austin Jackson, Kendrys Morales and a platoon OF could ... pull us back up over Critical Mass offensively?

A.  We'll be excited to find out.   Young teams run hot-and-cold, show "flashes."  If you can get this team on a roll, it will be dangerous.

Objectively speaking, the M's seem to have done what they needed to do.  

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Q.  Big finish?

A.  Maybe they'll bring in Castillo to boot, turn Saunders/Denorfia into the 2014 versions of McLemore and Javier, and start scaring some people.

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Q.  Is that where Dr. D's heart is at?

A.  It's where his head is at.  Where his heart is at, see next.