**Seattle Mariners 2024 Season Thread ** | ELIMINATED |

[DsLee]

Tickets for seats right next to the Visitor's dugout are only $16 in Fresno, please believe I'm going to try and get a ball signed by Paxton, Zunino, Hultzen and Co. hahaha!

 

[651akathepaul]

That'd be dope. Potentially worth some $$ down the road too.

 

[DsLee]

^^^
I wouldn't sell that ball if I got it signed by any of those guys, you don't know who could become the next Mariner legend.

 

[651akathepaul]

Nah...I wouldn't either. Pass that baby on down for generations.

 

[Sinner]

Buster Olney ‏@Buster_ESPN

Filed to ESPN news desk: Concern about Felix Hernandez's elbow might affect contract talks about the proposed extension.

 

[elpablo21]

Didnt see that coming

I feel lightweight worried now

Courtesy of Pro from the MLB thread

As the Seattle Mariners have been in discussions with Felix Hernandez about a record-setting extension, concern has developed over the condition of his pitching elbow, a source says.

The team and its franchise player had talked about a framework of a deal that would pay $175 million over the next seven seasons.

lastname
Hernandez

But as of Sunday afternoon, sources say, the Mariners and Hernandez are not close to finishing an extension, because there are issues that the two sides are sorting through.

The elbow issue is perceived by at least one of the parties in the deal as being a possible impediment to the completion of the new contract.

"It's an issue," said one source.

Hernandez has been a workhorse in his career, throwing 1620 1/3 innings already; in fact, since 1969, only three pitchers have thrown more innings before their 27th birthday, according to Elias Sports Bureau -- Bert Blyleven, Fernando Valenzuela and Dwight Gooden.

But as salaries have skyrocketed over the last 15 years, teams have become increasingly wary of medical concerns.

This winter, for example, the Boston Red Sox blew up a proposed three-year, $39 million with Mike Napoli because of a hip condition, and the Cubs killed a deal that would've sent reliever Carlos Marmol to the Angels for Dan Haren, again because of a hip issue.

Hernandez is signed for the next two seasons, so there is time for the two sides to continue to work to a deal; the team wants Hernandez, and Hernandez has said he wants to stay in Seattle.

Some teams and players have negotiated medical exceptions into contracts to protect the team against a catastrophic injury. For example, in the extension that CC Sabathia negotiated with the Yankees 16 months ago, language was added to protect the team against a shoulder injury before the end of the deal.

 

[651akathepaul]

The Mariners can't have nice things.

 

[checks grossman]

3:10pm: Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik was asked by Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times whether Hernandez failed his physical and responded, "I’m just not going to comment on that while negotiations are ongoing. That’s our policy. We don’t comment on any of that stuff." Baker writes something has clearly hit a snag, but the rumors can be silenced if Hernandez participates fully in all workouts on Wednesday, the first scheduled practice for pitchers and catchers.

2:55pm: "We've had a code of silence all along on this, and that hasn't changed," agent Alan Nero, who represents Hernandez, told Bob Nightengale of the USA Today. "We're dealing with a lot of issues." Nightengale also tweets Hernandez knew the elbow was an issue after his physical, but both sides say they still hope to complete the extension.
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#WQyce8qoppsHf422.99

I wouldn't be worried at all.......just yet, but if he's saying he's fine then you gotta take his word. We'll know a lot come Wednesday.

 

[proshares]

They'll work something out to the tune of what CC and the Yanks worked out, a shoulder clause if you will.

EDIT - didn't notice they put that in the article.

 

[elpablo21]

Looks like they agreed on Felix's deal

Edit:

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) -- Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners have reached agreement on a $175 million, seven-year contract that will make him the highest-paid pitcher in baseball.

The Mariners announced the sides had reached agreement on the deal Tuesday afternoon. Hernandez and general manager Jack Zduriencik will hold a news conference in Seattle on Wednesday afternoon where Hernandez is expected to sign the contract.

Earlier Tuesday, Zduriencik said the sides were having significant talks to try to finalize a new contract for the three-time All-Star and 2010 AL Cy Young Award winner. There had been speculation and reports about an injury to Hernandez's pitching elbow that could be slowing the negotiations. Zduriencik said earlier in the day that a deal of that magnitude in years and dollars, ''takes time to work things out.''

 

[651akathepaul]

Coo..And now onto this from bill james online:

The team most likely to surprise the American League in 2013 is the Seattle Mariners.

Surprise Score: 56.

Positive Indicators: The Mariners have the third-youngest hitters in baseball (13 points). They have the 12th youngest pitchers (4 points). Their second-half record was 39-36 (15 points) and they went 15-12 in August (5 points). John Sickels ranks their farm system as the second-best in baseball (19 points).

Additional Notes: I was putting the finishing touches on this article as the news came out about the Felix Hernandez contract extension. Some folks have said that it’s silly for the Mariners to commit so much money to one player, when they’re so far away from contending. It’s easy to sleep on the Mariners, as they’ve been the ignored team in the AL West for a while, but they’re certainly on the rise. It’s likely that Oakland and Texas will decline slightly next year, and while the Los Angeles Trouts are probably going to win 162 games this year, the Mariners could get into the Wild Card race. The team has young talent: if players like Ackley and Montero and Kyle Seager can take a step forward on offense, and if prospects like Nick Franklin and Michael Zunino have an impact, the pitching and defense (ranked first in defensive efficiency last year) should keep Seattle in the mix

Full article: http://www.billjamesonline.com/which_team_will_surprise_in_2013_/

 

[elpablo21]

He didnt mention Saunders

I really think he makes the jump this year offensively

 

[elpablo21]

Carp designated for Assignment

Im bummed out

 

[checks grossman]

Carp designated for Assignment

Im bummed out

 Jack Z is on a roll.

I think he'll be traded. They DFA'd Shawn Kelly one of their better arms in the Pen and they just got done negoitating a deal to where they could avoid arbitration. Unless Jack Z has lost his mind overnight....I think they'll be packaged together in some kind of deal.

 

[proshares]

Not really gonna get much for the two of them though.

If Saunders can stop striking out so damn much, he might make that leap you're looking at Pabs.

Should be interesting to see if/when Ackley struggles, how long do they wait to insert Franklin.

 

[elpablo21]

Not really gonna get much for the two of them though.

If Saunders can stop striking out so damn much, he might make that leap you're looking at Pabs.

Should be interesting to see if/when Ackley struggles, how long do they wait to insert Franklin.

Yeah I'm hopeful. He did take some nice strides regarding his swing and showing some solid power

 

[checks grossman]

Not really gonna get much for the two of them though.

 

Power moves.

 

[elpablo21]

Pro, whats the scoop on Almonte?


Someone in the Seattle Times comments section said Z is going to just keep trading players until he lands someone good on accident

 

[checks grossman]

Dead.

  Sounds like them dudes at the Sea Times got it right.

Kelley, 28, appeared in 47 games for the Mariners in 2012, posting a 3.25 ERA with 9.1 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, and a 28.8% ground ball rate in 44 1/3 innings. The right-hander will earn $930K in 2013.

Meanwhile, Almonte will give the M's some much needed minor league depth at the centerfielder position and can also play the corners. The 23-year-old spent last season in Double-A, hitting .276/.350/.392 in 78 games.

 

[proshares]

Fringe guy, more like a 4th outfielder. You hope you don't have him starting for an extended period of time. Good depth move.

 

[651akathepaul]

I was listening to Felix's interview on 950 and it made me feel good that they were able to give this man a deal like this. He loves Seattle. He couldn't stop praising and admiring the city of Seattle and its people. Said he even prefers the weather here to Venezuela. He really wants to bring success to Seattle and seems very respectful of their growing process. Nothing but great things from that man.

 

[checks grossman]

A little more on his contract/elbow:

According to Greg Johns of MLB.com, Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik told reporters on Wednesday that Felix got a “clean bill of health” from Mariners doctors during his pre-signing physical. “Our doctors were very satisfied,” said Jack Z.

Jack Zduriencik says Felix Hernandez's contract is fully guaranteed and has a complete no-trade clause.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2...riners/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

[DsLee]

Resigning top-notch talent is NOT easy, especially in Seattle (when it comes to baseball). Add in the fact that the M's are still developing AND bringing the fences in, for Felix to sign this contract is huge. This type of loyalty is crazy rare, especially coming from a kid who can pretty much go anywhere and get the same $$$.

I won't actually comment much on Jack Z's current legacy in Seattle until after this season. The development of the young bats/arms has to begin blossoming this year even more so.
Last year I felt we did get glimpses of hope with the bats, but this year I hope to see consistency.

With all that being said: BLUE AND TEAL LET'S GO!!!

 

[Sinner]

Fantastic... just fantastic.  And it's also great to see how genuine Felix's love for the city and organization is.  

Felix getting all-emotional. 

 

[Sinner]

Michael Morse with a power-show... our new 3-hole guy then, I guess. 

Morse-Smoak-Montero-Ibanez?