Add new comment

Sorry Moe, but I think this line of logic is bunk. You are looking at two years worth of data on "Jack's spots" and are losing all perspective. He's had a seriously declining payroll and many holes to fill. He got lucky on some gambles in 2009 and unlucky on some gambles in 2010. That's what happens when you gamble - you win some and you lose some. There's just no way in the hot place to add offensive firepower through free agency while dropping your payroll $30+million in two years. Unless you get lucky. You can probably add a whole lot of defense and pitchers that your park will make look better than they really are, though. Follow the money.
All that said, separate the M's experience from his resume and look at how he built the Brewers. It's not like the Brewers had this "defense first" philosophy. They had lumber throughout the lineup and certainly didn't try to win 92 3-2 games.  
The M's draft and trade philosophy seems a much better indication of Jack's priorities than how he spends the scant $ he gets to use in free agency. Ackley, Smoak, Chavez, Poythress, Seagar, Franklin - he's been stockpiling hitters at every level. Defense first guys? Not so much. Not one of those hitters can really be considered a great defender. Some of them might not even be decent defenders.  
It's just going to take time (as in years) for the minor league tree to bear fruit. Until then, the team is playing craps and trying to stretch every dollor that it can to fill every hole that it can.