I actually mentioned Carp as a possible grab when Putz was still a Mariner.
Remember that. Carp ever knocks in 90, he's all you :- )
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So, I've been hoping for his success for quite awhile. I think the club knew before 2010 that Carp wasn't quite ready to move up, which is why they went and got Kotchman. I think it's pretty obvious they tweaked his approach, (fewer walks, more HRs), and I think success would've been unattainable if tweaking his approach WHILE facing MLB pitchers on a daily basis.
And if so, that would well-and-truly come out of the Earl playbook. IIRC he gives Ken Singleton as an example where he went, "Look to hit those 2-0 and 3-1 pitches out of the ballpark," and transformed Singleton's career.
If they actually managed Carp in the way you detail, including the AAA time to work the kinks, that would qualify in SSI's world as coaching that made a difference.
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Which would then make the Cust decision the more interesting in its win-now impetus.
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What is your current expectation for Carp's career there, San?