Seems like it already might be the BEST offseason ever (although Ichiro+Boone turned out to be pretty hot back in 2000-2001)... even if it's not the most complete.
You don't count Bradley as a MOTO thumper? Potentially?
While I doubt we can get both a legit SP and a MOTO guy without magic and animal sacrifices (not that I'm saying it's impossible, mind you), we may have to settle for one now and one midseason. And yet, even if we're not 'DONE' going into ST... I think I can't help but be ecstatic with where this offseason is right now.
I'd have called this offseason a success two weeks ago, and that's before the no-discussion-allowed #1 priority of the offseason (resigning Felix) had even been TOUCHED upon publicly. That's one heck of an offseason, my friends...
- Sign Felix Hernandez long term. CHECK
- Add a legitimate #2 starter to back the King. CHECK
- Upgrade the bullpen and add depth. CHECK
- Upgrade the infield defense. CHECK
- Find your shortstop. CHECK
- Acquire a thumper for the MOTO. NOT CHECK
- Replace Branyan at first. CHECK...ISH
- Ditch Silva's bad contract if possible. CHECK!
- Keep one of Griffey and Sweeney to keep the clubhouse vibes positive. CHECK
- Replace Beltre. CHECK
- Add starting pitching depth. NOT CHECK...YET
That's a lot of stuff Z had to do this winter to make his plan work and he has managed to do almost all of it!
Felix Hernandez is signed for 5 years at a fair price (!)
Cliff Lee is acquired in trade without giving up the farm (!)
Morrow has been traded for a better relief pitcher and an interesting prospect - I'm coming around on the idea that League is just a better pitcher than Morrow, period, and the trade will be good if League can pitch as well as I think he can. We also added an interesting rule V pitcher named Kanekoa Teixeira who's got some potential and some nice stuff.
The infield is now staffed with three gold glovers (Figgins, Wilson and Kotchman) to go with all the golden leather in the outfield.
The aforementioned Wilson is signed for two years, buying us time to develop Franklin, Triunfel or someone else for that spot.
We picked up several options to play first base including the interesting Everidge and the aforementioned Kotchman, who does still have upside despite the lack of results to date.
We managed to trade Silva for Parker Brothers, who will add spice to the line-up and the post-game show.
Griffey is here for another year and hopefully, his role will be appropriate for his productive output and his clubhouse presence will continue to be strong.
Figgins is in to replace Beltre and will likely be a small offensive upgrade and a push on defense.
Now all we need is to acquire more starting pitcher (Ben Sheets was impressive yesterday and the Mariners are interested...there are some other options as well...Garland, Washburn, Pinata, etc) and get a little more offense if we can and it's going to be the most complete offseason in Mariner franchise history.
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No doubt about it KC. This has already gone far past my wildest dreams as far as how fast Zduriencik could remake this club when we first hired him. It's just that he's now so close to having a perfect off-season that it would be mildly painful if he didn't go those last coupla baby steps and pick up at least a solid incremental offensive upgrade and a solid MOR starter. If he can do that...there's really nothing more I could ask for.
12. Do all of the above without a long-term deal with someone lilkely to age poorly. CHECK
13. Do all of the above without really blocking any prospects with a good chance for MLB success. CHECK
14. Put Dustin Ackley in position to have the most long-term benefit to the franchise. CHECK
My favorite thing about this offseason?
The M's are behaving like they want to own baseball, for the first time since... ever. Really even in the Gillick days, they were making some very savvy moves, but not moves that made the competition quiver.
The M's moves have evil intent. Need a #2 starter? How about let's get one of the best 5 pitchers in baseball over the past couple years. Let's get players who aren't just good defensively, but the absolute best. Let's go get a reliever who has nuclear stuff with command. etc.
The M's have some players in Lee, Hernandez, Ichiro, who can and will on occasion beat the opposition single-handedly. Figgins, Gutierrez, Bradley, Lopez... all will almost certainly be average or above, and could be serious impact guys.
They have a bullpen that has a few question marks -- it's not Nelson-Rhodes-Sasaki reliable -- but it has a good chance to be as good as that bullpen, or better.
And the stoploss is there too. There is talent behind almost every player that can step in and be effective if we lose some through injuries.
All in all, it's being built in extremely ROBUST fashion. Even if it doesn't translate to wins ;-), you gotta admire the coherence and the logic with which it is being put together.
That could be added to my list easily as a strong positive move.
They also managed to avoid players who were bad fits for the park for the most part and they avoided crippling long term deals, so they are going to be built with enough salary flexibility long term thrive in any environment.