.

IGNITION SWITCHES

Several reports had it that the Mariners players didn't like the Leonydas offload, not one little bit.  But see where it leads.  A lot of times it is good to communicate your expectations.  Especially if those expectations do not involve 7-12 records.

Speaking of which (W-L records), the M's are now +90 runs -85.  It also says the M's position players are #8 of 30 teams in WAR, #3 in the American League.

So we get a thunderous win, a day off to bask in it.  Then we get Felix, throwing really quite well, followed by Zeus.  With Jean Segura joining the offensive festivities.  That's 31 runs in 5 games, 75 in 14 games since the first week.  All without our MVP! MVP! MVP! leadoff hitter and shortstop.  Ah, what a difference a win (and a new center fielder) can make in your outlook on life, love and the national pastime.

Seriously, does anybody else feel totally re-invigorated?  You gotta think this is a best-case outcome day off when you hit the EJECT button on your starting center fielder.

.

TAYLOR MOTTER

Has a HR-per-Flyball rate of ... whaaaa?  Why doesn't Fangraphs have his 2017 stats up?  Anyway, like 50% or 80% or "e" or something.

A statgeek from Los Angeles might hit the internet.  And might surmise Taylor Motter has gotten lucky.  He ain't.  When you sink your weight, pull the ball into your power alley in the air, and most notably when you scatter the popcorn vendors in the upper deck, that ain't luck.  That's getting your pitch.

Can he continue this, on any level?  Let's watch and find out.  He's going to play until he has proven to everybody's satisfaction that it was all a fluke.

....

Motter's PITCH TYPE RESULTS mirror the ballclub's.  He is way negative on sliders and changeups.  He is positive on fastballs and way positive on curve balls as well as splits and forks.  You notice that about the club?

So!  Can people just throw him sliders?  Not so fast!  Motter is doing a good job checking his swing on cambios and sliders.  They're trying to sucker him and he is not going for it, much.  Then he gets a 1-0 count, with the Big Boys already on base, and they assume they can challenge him.  He is averaging 104.7 MPH on his five home runs.

There are guys who do that, long term.  They hunt fastballs, keep the zone tight on everything, and make you throw quality offspeed.  Tom Glavine said that's not nearly as easy as it sounds.  Tom GLAVINE?  Yeah, he said I don't throw many first-pitch curves or changeups because it's too hard to get ahead in the count.

....

Just for fun now:  Taylor Motter reminds me of Alvin Davis as a rookie.  They didn't believe it, and they didn't believe it, and they didn't believe it.  And AD just kept hitting them into that short-porch third deck :- ) in the Kingdome.

... AH!  We can get at it thu this link.  How does an 18% fishing rate grab you?  Thirty percent is league average.  Maniger is also still in the teens for at least one more day.  Aint That Somethin

.

JEAN SEGURA BACK TUESDAY?

You think and I think that Jean Segura really is a 200-hit man.  You and I also think that Mitch Haniger is a Best Bet.  If he's even still a bet?  Or have they closed the books on that wager?

The people around the Mariners are making noises like they are Really. Optimistic. that Taylor Motter could emerge as a McLemore-, Zobrist-type move around the field player.  That would be a nice lineup even IF Dan Vogelbach can't hit...

.

JARROD DYSON

I thought was kinda struggling, but Diderot pointed out that his component stats are good.  He's right.  Maybe the kid really can score us 3, 4 WAR as a center fielder.  How conVEEEENient :: church lady ::  And if not, anybody else up for a Heredia/Dyson platoon in CF along with a Gamel/Motter thing in left?  Or no?

Yet one more pleasant thought for the offday:  Nelson Cruz isn't pushing it about glove time.  Big plus considering the gloves available.

.

'BACH

Is he ready?  Most Denizens think not.  Dr. D asks this:  what more is he going to learn in AAA?  At a certain point "the best place, and the only place, to learn to play Major League baseball is --- > in the major leagues."

It may cost us a half a season's worth of Adam Lind production.  But I like Vogelbach's ability to tell a ball from a strike, and like his contact ability, and like his ability to defeat the shift with Wade Boggs / Chris Snelling liners to left.  For me it is a sound investment.

.

BABVA,

Dr D