Add new comment

You'd have to be made of ice, or rock or something to read Wedge's comments from the luncheon today and not respond positively to his enthusiasm for this club and where he thinks it can go.
(see Larry Stone's excerpts at http://seattletimes.com/html/thehotstoneleague/2020199140_eric_wedge_we_... )
The excitement of young talent that may, just MAY be on the verge of realizing its' potential. The commitement to the young core. The response during the offseason to what was clearly a need to have some credentialed, veteran hitters in the lineup to take some pressure off the kids (no one called for this more than me, and I have to admit that at least for 2013 Jack has brought them in, more of them than I anticipted). Some quality veterans who can school the kids effectively (as opposed to last year's group who, Wedge strongly implies, were not effective leaders in that regard. All this before even mentioning the young pitching talent that may put a lot of pressure on Beavan and Noesi to perform or be replaced.
Of course Eric does not mention some of the potential weaknesses of the club, but hey, no need to focus on that at this point if you're the manager (as opposed to the GM).
I do not consider my comments that Jack has to prove himself as an MLB GM to be a prophecy that he will not do so. If we take his and Wedge's public comments at face value (and I do), the two are deeply commited to bringing a championship team to Seattle, and they themselves are convinced it is not way off in the future. I certainly do not question their passion and commitment. (If only it was shared by their bosses to the same degree as the owners of our primary competition.) We're about to turn the corner into spring, and all that lies before us at this point is the optimism of possibility. Why? Because it IS possible that their progress will be clearly discernible in 2013. And if in fact the M's reach the level Wedge talked about today within the next few years it will indeed be time to crown his immediate superior with plenty of accolades. Here's to it...it's a tough job, not for the fainthearted, but somebody's got to do it.