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Sorry Doc,
But I just cannot let this one go...you say that tipping points are accepted in climatology...I suppose one could argue that the changed in solar insolation caused by things like the Milankovic cycle shouldn't casue huge swings in global temperature and ice cover so there is a tipping point there...but in the current climate debate, there is not general consensus that the tipping point theory holds water (that we are in fact headed toward a point where it will get too warm and pass a point of no return). This is important because if you believe in tipping points...you believe in drastic government actions to curb greenhouse gas emissions and doomsday scenarios are legitimate threats to be used in the political gamesmanship. If you don't...you take a more measured view of the appropriate response to global warming. :)
As to the rest of your point...I do think that certain Mariners have given up offensively...especially Franklin Gutierrez, Chone Figgins, and Justin Smoak (for now). You have proven absolutely correct in suggesting that Guti would die at the Safe...but I think he also died because he was a marginal AL player two years ago who could hit at THAT level, but as pitching improves, his hitting gets worse a lot moreso than average...he was living on the edge...and now he's off the cliff.
The bottom line, I think, is that the Mariners need to avoid guys who might be 3 WAR players in 2007 or even 2009 if that WAR is based on speed, defense and just enough offense and focus on BIG TOOL hitters. Guys who have legitimately unique hitting skills. Monster power crossed with good pitch recognition. Or Tremendous batting eye and line drive stroke...that sort of thing.