MVN: Most Valuable Network

It's hard to believe, that at this point last year we were without a manager, without a GM, and without a prayer. Oh what a complete organizational overhaul and one year can do for you.

 

The Mariners have a ten players on the active roster right now that even played with the team last year. Here we are, a mere 29 days from the All Star break and 3.5 games out of first place. The Mariners have put them self in a situation.

 

It's no secret, the Mariners have to important decision to make. You've got the contract guys (Bedard, Beltre, Washburn), the over performers (Branyan, Aardsma), and the people who just don't belong on this team anymore (Batista, Betancourt). The Mariners can obviously move Batista and Betancourt and it will have little to no effect on the chances of the Mariners winning. But the Mariners season could be in danger, should they choose to move any of the other aforementioned players. The Mariners have cleverly never used the word rebuilding, in case a situation like this arose. Contending. The Mariners are contending. Making dealing any of our valuable pieces to secure a future, difficult.

 

The Mariners I think in the end will end up selling. But no one can say for sure. I think it's safe to say the fans won't know for sure until Erik Bedard finished his final start before the break.

 

 

 

Erik Bedard is, for lack of a better term, a ticking time bomb. With each and every start Erik has more and more of a chance to injure himself or have a less than dominant start. Obviously for the Mariners, who are selling Bedard as an ace, they don't want either of these scenarios to happen. Therefore the Mariners are probably going to be moving Bedard before the July 31st trade deadline. But what teams are going to be interested in Bedard's services? Chicago White SoxThe Skinny The White Sox are in the thick of the race and plan on contending in 2009, but with the Sox pitching being highlighted by Gavin Floyd pitching unexpectedly bad and Jose Contreras pitching unbelievably bad, they need a solid ace-like pitcher to help compliment their pitching staff. The White Sox have already been connected to Bedard, and as the All-Star break draws closer... Read more

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Seattle Mariners may pass on the drafts best hitter Dustin Ackely and instead go for a pitcher such as Aaron Crow, or Alex White.I wasn't happy to read this. When names such as Todd Helton are being connected to a guy like Ackely, it's a guy you want your team to draft, with little to no doubt. While Crow is a nice arm, scouts are worried about his mechanics, and in a draft where either one or both Purke and Shepppers are expected to be around with our 27th pick, why not draft Ackely who could easily slip onto the Mariners 25 man roster within 1-2 years?The Mariners system is hurting when it comes to starting pitching, this we are all aware of, but you do not draft for organizational need, ever. You draft the best player available, and when the phenom Stephen Strasburg... Read more

I would like to apologize for my lack of activity. I have been working alot more than usual, not to mention a large project I am also working on.I plan on getting back into things soon.... Read more

Dear Greg Halman,   First of all, I would like to you know that the Seattle Mariners fans are very excited about you. We love your tools and we think that someday you are going to be a fixture in the Mariners organization. We like you a lot, but you are starting to worry some of us a little bit. Greg, you are going to have to start drawing some walks. To be more specific, a lot more walks.   The most fundamental thing in baseball is getting on base. Looks at some of the best hitters from last year. Albert Pujols (.462 OBP), Manny Ramirez (.430 OBP), Chipper Jones (.470 OBP), Mark Teixeira (.410 OBP), Hanley Ramirez (.400 OBP), Joe Mauer (.413 OBP), Alex Rodriguez (.394 OBP). They all take their walks and they don't swing at pitches that they shouldn't. Now take a look at some hitters who... Read more

I am sorry for the lack of posting, but to be honest I have been enjoying the season. It is much easier to write a post about a team that is terrible, beacuse you have to get it out of your system. This team is good, and I am sure enjoying the show,   But onto the focus of this post. The Draft Reports are up and boy I am excited. The Mariners have a pick at 2 and 28 in the first round, lets take a look at who they could be eyeing.   Pick 2   Stephen Strasburg RHP - If the Nationals are dumb enough to pass on him, then the Mariners will be sure to feed off their stupidity. There is Strasburg, and the rest of the draft class. The guy is in a league of his own. The Mariners in all reality will not get the... Read more

R.I.PNick Adenhart of the Angels organization was killed in a hit and run car accident today. He was only 22 years old, and he had just completed the best start of his young career. 3 others in the car died as well. My thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and families of those who died.Link hereA very sad day.... Read more

A missed strike call and a couple of Morrow's and Batista's later and whammy, kiss that "W" goodbye.Sometimes I wish MVN would just let me swear...... Read more

 What can I say, what a fitting way for Junior to return to Seattle. That's  399 as a Mariner, maybe he can wait to hit 400 until the home opener.While it was great to see Griffey homer on his first day back, watching him in the outfield was very painful. Possibly painful for Griffey as well, who I'm sure was not looking forward to the turf.Gutierrez is about the take Mariner fans by storm. Jon Shields and I had talked about it this during the off season, Gutierrez could put in a big year for Seattle. Even assuming he doesn't, if the first game of the season is any indication, Gutierrez isn't going to get himself out.Speaking of getting yourself out, Betancourt went 0-4, including swinging at four pitches out of the zone. Betancourt has gone from on of the more exciting players on the Mariners team, to one off... Read more

399 and 1 respectively. Go M's.... Read more

All the excitement I had built up over this most of it has been destroyed by the Aumont news.Still...LF- Chavez CF- Gutierrez DH- Sweeney 3B- Beltre RF- Griffey 2B- Lopez 1B- Branyan C- Johjima SS- Betancourt Go M's...... Read more