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This deal in a vacuum ... not such a problemo. But exactly as you say, it is the overall arc of their attitude that galls. Relative to , the Mariners care less about pennants and more about pretty annual cashflow statements.
They're catching a lot of industry flak NOW for signing Robinson Cano and not following up. Their rep for chiseling is not behind them, not by a long shot.
You wonder, in fact, whether they failed to sign guys like Cruz and Jimenez not because of baseball analysis as such, but simply because they preferred to pocket the cash. You wonder if they're passing on a Kendrys-for-LoMo swapout, also in the interest of pocketing a coupla extra million.
This in the context of their shiny new TV deal.