Taijuan Needs to Make the Team, Eh
.
PhxTerry sez,
OBF - Concerning the M's decision-making in 2014 regarding AA as starting CFer/lead-off batter and Maurer over E-Ram as starting pitcher, we have ongoing, basic incompentence. There is no other explanation. How the M's Brain Trust can look the team's few remaining fans straight in the eye and state that they really want to make the play-offs is beyond me.
Yeah, the lack of urgency has driven Dr. D batty since August 1, 2001. That's not two thousand eleven; I'm talking about spitting away the 116-win season because it's always the title 4 years from now that matters. (In 2018 it will be the 2022 title that matters.)
......
Larry LaRue said something about Shannon Drayer that made me stop and think, "Well, okay, good for her." He remarked that she'd never made any secret of the fact that she has her dream job.
Yep, that's a refreshing lack of cynicism and self-consciousness on her part. It's refreshing. Is it odd, that this remark boosted my enjoyment of her blog?
....
Anyway, she reports M's To Take It Slow With Taijuan.
Manager Lloyd McClendon made it clear that he will not be rushed. There is absolutely no pressure to get him up to the big leagues quickly.
"I don't fight it because I'm always trying to look at the big picture," he said. "And it's my job to also look at his career, protect his career. So, no, I don't fight it."
McClendon pointed out that Walker basically missed spring training and that he will not only need to show that he is healthy, but he will also have to earn a spot.
They need him pitching well when they bring him up.
"If he was healthy in spring training, he'd have to make the club. Nothing was given," he said. "And I think we're under the assumption now that he was given a spot on this club and that's just not the case. He'd still have to compete for a spot. Now, I want him to do good, believe me, I want him here, but he's got to prove that he's healthy, he's got to get the rust off, he's got to be ready to compete at this level on a consistent basis."
......
This reads -very much- like McClendon is backing Zduriencik's decision. :: shrug :: whatever. If so, that means it's not on McClendon. Do we care? We still get Brandon Maurer for our $100 next game.
.
PRO
1. The Mariners aren't the only team to ever decide that "taking care" of a prospect's individual needs are >>>> to winning right now.
2. We all can appreciate the idea that you want a kid swinging the bat well, or throwing the ball good, when he debuts. "Soft landings" have their plusses.
3. If we were talking about his shoulder impingement, that would be one thing.
.
CON
1. When do the Mariners ever decide that winning right now is important? Billy Beane's attitude trickles down, you know.
2. Lou Piniella's idea of a "soft landing" was to get his best cotton-pickin' 25 players onto the roster -- and if a kid takes his lumps, tell the kid that's fine. He's not expected to be Superman.
With a Chris Snelling pre-knee, or a Jose Cruz Jr, or whoever, or ARod, or Freddy, or whoever, Lou would say Get him up here. I'll make sure he knows he belongs here. That's the MANAGER's job. He ain't going to go 20-and-0, but I'll tell him every day he's one of my best five.
3. We ... um, Lloyd ... wasn't talking about shoulder impingements. He was talking about "making the team."
4. Taijuan Walker won't be making his debut. Do you remember his actual debut there, Lloyd? Oh wait. (Taijuan walked only 4 guys in his first 15 innings, whereupon Tampa Bay would have given him not only a rotation slot but a 7-year contract.)
......
No, I realize they didn't use the term "debut." They simply spoke as if it was one. Re-read the pap about "making the team" over a 7.50 ERA starter.
.
Bah humbug,
Dr D