12/18/2007

Latest Mariner Mailbag

Over at the Mariner website, Jim Street answers questions from the mailbag/inbox:

Follow the link to check out the most asked question of the week. It involves Mark Prior and Seattle's possible pursuit of him.

On to the Rattler related Q & A's:
Will Jeff Clement be playing in the Majors next year? He hit a couple homers at the end of the 2007 season and proved he can play at that level. I know Jamie Burke was a good backup catcher, but what about Clement's future?

-- Torey J., Vancouver, Wash.

The chances of Clement being on the 25-man Opening Day roster already were good, but got even better when Ben Broussard was traded last week to the Rangers. Clement figures to become the primary left-handed pinch-hitter and perhaps get some at-bats as the designated hitter and catcher. I would not be surprised if the Mariners carry three catchers this season -- Clement, Kenji Johjima and Burke.

Why did Jonathan Papelbon beat out J.J. Putz for closer of the year? Putz had a way better ERA and save percentage.
-- Cort D., Olympia, Wash.

Papelbon had the good fortune of playing for the best team in the Major Leagues.

Is there any chance that we could see Jason Bay in left field for the Mariners next season, have Raul Ibanez be the DH and have Adam Jones play center field?
-- Dillon C., Longview, Wash.

None of that is likely to happen, Dillon. The Pirates and Indians discussed a trade involving Bay at the Winter Meetings, but it never materialized and Pirates GM Neal Huntington said he would be more than happy to have Bay as the leadoff hitter on Opening Day. Ichiro prefers to stay in center field, so scratch that thought.

1 comment:

rjfrik said...

What in God's name is our front office doing. We need pitching. Starting pitching and more Starting pitching. Why would we let the best free agent Kuroda go to Los Angeles? We have a Japanese catcher that can communicate with him and the biggest star in Japan playing for us, there is no reason we don't sign him. I know most of it was his agent and the fact that his agent reps their closer as well. But make them an offer they cant' refuse. Overpay if you have to because we all know how Bavasi likes to overpay for horrible talent. It amazes me that he isnt willing to overpay for good talent. And if he mortgages the ship (morrow, clement, jones) for lets say Bedard, Im going to kill myself. He already gave away our second basement of the future (cabrera-who is working out great for the indians) for nothing!!! I could run a better team!

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