I guess the big news isn't the game from last night, although I will spend a few moments on that. Giving up 10 runs in an inning should never happen. If that inning doesn't happen the Mariners actually have a chance to win (kinda). Apparently, Vargas just didn't have it. Whatever it is. Hopefully this is a lose the Mariners can easily bounce back on. Cleveland doesn't have a great pitching staff, especially their bullpin, os the Mariners in theory should be able to get some runs on them in the upcoming games. The good things from the game last night: Leuke pitches an inning, gave up only one hit, but stroke out two. He needs to get back on track and it was nice to see him begin that last night. Taking advantage of a tired Cleveland offense might have helped, but whatever works.
Figgins is off to another really slow start. It's like he's the Mariners version of Mark Teixeira, except shorter and not as good (also cheaper). I can tell you this: the Mariner's offense won't be respectable this year if Figgins doesn't pull it together. His lack or production out of the two hole absolutely kills all offensive mojo that Ichiro starts. I can deal with Smoak batting .250 in the 4 or 5 spot, but if Figgins continues to bat .100 (he has zero walks on the season, btw), not only will he have no trade value down the stretch, this year or next year, he should also be benched. He started doing well last year at right about the All-Star break. Perhaps his season should just start then.
No to Jack Wilson. Wedge revealed before yesterday's game that Jack Wilson actually pulled himself out of the game on Wednesday. Apparently he felt like he'd let Felix down (which he did), and didn't want to continue to be an offensive liability. His actions tell more about his attitude than his words do. Yes, I'm sure Felix didn't appreciate the two errors on double play balls. However, Jack Wilson does need to understand his role on the club at this point. Ryan is signed through the 2012 season, Wilson is signed through 2011. Ackley will probably be pulled up to play near the trade deadline, which means Wilson will probably be traded then, if not now. The Mariners can survive with Kennedy and Rodriguez sharing time at 2B until Ackley is ready. Wilson is still a great SS and has shown off a decent bat this spring, and through the first 6 games of the season. He should attract a fair amount of trade bait. If he's not already being shopped I'd be surprised.
However, the larger picture that Jack's attitude brings to light is of clubhouse chemistry. The team obviously understands that any time Felix is on the mount they have a legitimate chance to win. However, when a player voluntarily pulls himself from a game because he's struggling, especially when he's the best defensive and offensive player available at his position, it completely changes the attitude in the clubhouse. If a manager pulls a player from a game, the players understand the move as strictly a managerial change. But if a player pulls himself, it's a selfish move to avoid further embarrassment. I understand the Jack doesn't feel completely comfortable at 2B yet, and he shouldn't. But giving up and leaving the dugout and returning to the clubhouse is just pathetic. He needs to be there for his team, and he needs to display a leadership attitude for the young players on the Mariner's team. The Mariners can't succeed in any regard if their team chemistry is so poor that every single player doesn't try his best to stay in every game because they believe they can be a valuable asset. Without that mentality the Mariners will not win games.
My honest guess is Jack is traded in the next week. If the Mariners are unable to trade him (which they should be able to), I can't imagine Wedge will be willing to give him much playing time until he is able to prove to his teammates that he's a team player again.
All that being said, and to further my little rant on Jack Wilson, if he hadn't messed up the mojo in the clubhouse the Mariners would have won last night. I'm blaming him for Vargas not being focused. After all, Vargas did lose a gold glove at 2B because Jack was a little girl and wanted to go pout in the clubhouse. That's two games on you, Jack.
Figgins is off to another really slow start. It's like he's the Mariners version of Mark Teixeira, except shorter and not as good (also cheaper). I can tell you this: the Mariner's offense won't be respectable this year if Figgins doesn't pull it together. His lack or production out of the two hole absolutely kills all offensive mojo that Ichiro starts. I can deal with Smoak batting .250 in the 4 or 5 spot, but if Figgins continues to bat .100 (he has zero walks on the season, btw), not only will he have no trade value down the stretch, this year or next year, he should also be benched. He started doing well last year at right about the All-Star break. Perhaps his season should just start then.
No to Jack Wilson. Wedge revealed before yesterday's game that Jack Wilson actually pulled himself out of the game on Wednesday. Apparently he felt like he'd let Felix down (which he did), and didn't want to continue to be an offensive liability. His actions tell more about his attitude than his words do. Yes, I'm sure Felix didn't appreciate the two errors on double play balls. However, Jack Wilson does need to understand his role on the club at this point. Ryan is signed through the 2012 season, Wilson is signed through 2011. Ackley will probably be pulled up to play near the trade deadline, which means Wilson will probably be traded then, if not now. The Mariners can survive with Kennedy and Rodriguez sharing time at 2B until Ackley is ready. Wilson is still a great SS and has shown off a decent bat this spring, and through the first 6 games of the season. He should attract a fair amount of trade bait. If he's not already being shopped I'd be surprised.
However, the larger picture that Jack's attitude brings to light is of clubhouse chemistry. The team obviously understands that any time Felix is on the mount they have a legitimate chance to win. However, when a player voluntarily pulls himself from a game because he's struggling, especially when he's the best defensive and offensive player available at his position, it completely changes the attitude in the clubhouse. If a manager pulls a player from a game, the players understand the move as strictly a managerial change. But if a player pulls himself, it's a selfish move to avoid further embarrassment. I understand the Jack doesn't feel completely comfortable at 2B yet, and he shouldn't. But giving up and leaving the dugout and returning to the clubhouse is just pathetic. He needs to be there for his team, and he needs to display a leadership attitude for the young players on the Mariner's team. The Mariners can't succeed in any regard if their team chemistry is so poor that every single player doesn't try his best to stay in every game because they believe they can be a valuable asset. Without that mentality the Mariners will not win games.
My honest guess is Jack is traded in the next week. If the Mariners are unable to trade him (which they should be able to), I can't imagine Wedge will be willing to give him much playing time until he is able to prove to his teammates that he's a team player again.
All that being said, and to further my little rant on Jack Wilson, if he hadn't messed up the mojo in the clubhouse the Mariners would have won last night. I'm blaming him for Vargas not being focused. After all, Vargas did lose a gold glove at 2B because Jack was a little girl and wanted to go pout in the clubhouse. That's two games on you, Jack.
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