Props P.S. - for the middle infield
Spec sez:
Jack Wilson props?
http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?c_id=sea&content_id=13469237
The dude's not even a second baseman. That was ballet.
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Ghost tears down the field in hot pursuit:
That should have made Doc's props comments.
.... Wilson's truly sensational DP, the great play by Ryan in the hole on the speedy Andrus, the fine leather thrown by Figgins on the hard grounder to his left early on with runners on base that stopped a run with the infield drawn in...
... These Mariners looked WAY more into the game defensively than last year's club did even in April. I gingerly predict that this club will save 20-30 runs more on defense than last year's club and their DER will bounce right back to near where it was in 2009.
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Jack Wilson, like Pokey Reese in his prime, is a guy who could be the best shortstop OR second baseman in the game. He could play as a D-specialist for a loonnnng time.
He is a real joy to watch - creative and spontaneous on the field. Lionel Messi having picked up a glove for the day.
Did you see the expression on Torrealba's face :- )
I think I flat-out enjoy watching Jack Wilson more than any defensive player I've seen, him and the young Ken Griffey Jr.
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Only quibble, the line about Jack Wilson not being a second baseman? The man transcends defensive positions. Magic Johnson was a good center. (But o' course we know whatcher mean.)
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=== This Summer ===
Wilson is also battling hard with the bat, making me swallow my words about his being unfit for the AL. There is a place on your team for a guy like this IFF your corners aren't already stuffed with Casey Kotchman and Endy Chavez types.
Get the RBI's covered first!, pokey, and THEN a Jack Wilson might help you win a pennant.
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There is a behind-the-computer-monitor conceit from neo-sabes that you can use glovework and UZR to substitute for runs batted in. We hope that the 2010 holocaust --- > disabused all open-minded M's fans of that theory.
But! after you have ensured that (1) your offense can get plenty of men on, against tough pitching, and that it can (2) drive those men in, no matter who is on the mound ...
then (3) adding glovework to that --- > can be a glorious thing. Omar Vizquel, if he is playing with Jim Thome and Albert Belle, can be a pleasure to watch. Belle and Thome knock in 3 RBI ... then your big hit is stolen by Vizquel, and you feel like you're playing up a league. You give up.
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=== See You At the Ballet ===
I don't know when I've ever seen a baseball team, for which (perhaps) the two best SS's in the game were playing middle infield together. Pure bliss.
Those SS's will win the Mariners some games. In close games, against good teams!
Don't get me wrong about 2010. I'm not saying that defense can't win a team a pennant. It can. But only under certain conditions.
Now that the Mariners can drive in tough runs, the dazzling defense might just hold a surprising dynamic for them.
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That's like baseball's all-time nightmare: Felix Hernandez with 9 K's and 14 groundballs ... behind Felix, in the second tier of your 3-D viewing field? ... two gold glove SS's and Chone Figgins.
Erik Bedard is also a K + GB pitcher.
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=== Ack!, Dept. ===
If the first five batters hit for a .380 OBP, then the M's might have some tough decisions about the timing on Wilson vs. Ackley.
Let's say that the M's are 28-and-22 and Wilson's saving two games a week* with All-Century double plays ... what then?
Ackley as LF/2B/DH tenth man, like Mark McLemore? That's what Earl woulda done. If he'd a liked what Belanger, er, Wilson was doing for his ballclub, he'd have phased the rookie in. No matter how much hype the kid had attached.
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BABVA,
Dr D