While you were working...(12/1)

or while you were trying to figure out why your DVD player decided to conk out on the night you actually rented a few movies for a change.

Mariner Mailbag at seattlemariners.com from earlier this week:

Do the Mariners have enough prospects to make an offer
to the Devil Rays for Carl Crawford?-- Chris M., Troutdale, Ore.

First of all, Crawford is still under contract with the Devil Rays, though it's believed that he could be moved to another team in the right deal. But to answer your question, no, I don't think the Mariners have enough Minor League prospects to land Crawford.

Seattle has carefully been building its Minor League system back up through the draft under the direction of Bob Fontaine, who has presided over the last three drafts. The Mariners' top prospects -- outfielder Adam Jones and catcher Jeff Clement -- could potentially land a quality player like Crawford, but not unless they're included in a trade with another Major League player. My best guess is the Mariners aren't excited about the prospect of moving their top prospects anytime soon.
Will Michael Garciaparra have a chance at making the Opening Day roster?-- Greg K., Atlanta

Garciaparra -- Seattle's first-round pick in 2001-- has turned his career around, and was rewarded last week when the Mariners placed him on their 40-man roster rather than risking trying to sneak him through waivers.

Garciaparra is a shortstop much like his older brother, Nomar, originally was. He hadn't done much professionally until last year when he hit .311 between Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A Tacoma. He was limited to 70 games because of a strained left calf, but performed well in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .342 in 19 games with the Peoria Javelinas. Because he missed so much time last season, Garciaparra will likely begin the season at Triple-A Tacoma and could certainly stand a full season there.

With Yuniesky Betancourt likely dropping anchor as Seattle's shortstop for years to come, and with second baseman Jose Lopez likely going nowhere, Garciaparra's path to Seattle could be blocked. But if he continues to perform well, he'll find a place in the Major Leagues somewhere -- Seattle or elsewhere.

What are the chances that catcher Jeff Clement will make it to the Major Leagues in 2007, even if it's for a cup of coffee?-- Steve C., Park Forest, Ill.

I would say the chances of seeing Clement in Seattle next season are very slim, unless he is added to the roster in September when the active roster expands from 25 to 40 players.

There is more to that last answer at the link

If you are happen to be a Seattle area reader of this blog, take advantage of this:

If the recent cold weather has you feeling chilly, perhaps meeting the man with some big-league heat will warm you up! Come do some holiday shopping and meet Mariners closer J.J. Putz at the Bellevue Square Team Store from 6-7 p.m. PT on Monday.

Ask him if he still has any Timber Rattler stuff.

BaseballAmerica.com has their Mariner organizational report hidden behind their subscriber wall. But, if you are a member check out the brief story on Ryan Rowland-Smith (WI '03). A preview:

Lefthander Ryan Rowland-Smith looks forward to the offseason and returning to his native Australia, but he was more than happy to postpone going back home when the Mariners asked him to play in the Arizona Fall League.

"I looked at it as an opportunity," Rowland-Smith said. "This, as a whole, is the best competition I have faced."In a league where both batting averages and earned run averages are more than inflated, Rowland-Smith, 23, fared well. He went 0-1, 5.40 in 15 innings, but the reliever's numbers were marred by two ugly stints in which he allowed seven runs in two innings.

One last thing for tonight. The Baseball Winter Meetings are going to be held next week in Orlando, Florida. Somehow, I was asked to be part of the group heading down from Fox Cities Stadium.

MILB.com has a preview article HERE. A brief outline of what is done at the meetings:

After officially kicking off Monday morning with the annual Opening Session speech by MiLB president Mike Moore, the days will be filled by meetings covering all manners of topics. These range from individual league business, all-star games, public relations, marketing, licensing, travel and Baseball Chapel.

General managers, public relations directors, marketing and sales staffers and more get the rare opportunity to trade ideas, share their successes and learn from one another, all with the shared goal of making the 2007 Minor League season a winning one, not just on the field but off of it.

Also, 50,000 people interested in being a baseball radio announcer will be trying for about three open jobs. Trust me. I've been there. Might have to tell that story at some point.

The laptop and the camera will be making the trip and the blog will be updated daily while down there. Not sure what time it will be updated. Just that it will be.

Now, excuse me while I go all Office Space on the DVD player.