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Agreed. And so now you see why so many longtime devotees adopt the following rationale re: the Mariners:
1. Lincoln is at the top of the M's food chain. He sets the tone and direction you describe. He consciously chooses it and feigns otherwise when necessary. The moment temporary heat dissipates, he goes right back to it.
2. Lincoln isn't going anywhere.
3. The Mariners will never consistently reach the potential made possible by their resources. They might catch lightning in a bottle here or there, but even with Jack, Bobby V, etc., they will never be a perennial AL West powerhouse.