2009 RealGM Mariners Summit

[APerna]

Similar to the way I conducted “Summits” on the NBA and NFL boards last year, I’d like to do the same on RealGM’s MLB boards as we prepare to for the beginning of Spring Training and the 2009 season.

The process, for those of you who may have taken part in the NBA or NFL versions, will be exactly the same. I’ll post questions on each of the individual team message boards, and ask that posters, and specifically fans of each team, answer each question.

Ideally, I’d like each answer to be roughly one or two sentences, but I realize that it is very hard to convey your opinions and feelings in just a few words. All I ask is that you try not to reply with more than a paragraph.

With that I wish you and your team of choice the best of luck in the coming season.

Please reply within this thread.

1. How would you rate the team’s offseason thus far?

2. What move do you wish the team made? (i.e. signing, trade)

3. Who do you feel will have a breakout season?

4. Who do you see regressing after a strong 2008?

5. What is the best case scenario for the club in 2009?

6. What is the worst case scenario for the club in 2009?

[Ex-hippie]

1. How would you rate the team’s offseason thus far?

Outstanding. Although the improvement might not be immediate, the hiring of Jack Zduriencik and, perhaps more importantly, Tom Tango, indicates that for the first time in its history this franchise will be guided by principles of reason. The moves made thus far, while not radical, have been smart ones. The best personnel move is probably offering arbitration to Raul Ibanez, letting him get his overpriced contract somewhere else, and snagging two draft picks.

2. What move do you wish the team made? (i.e. signing, trade)

I would still like to have a DH. Word from the Washington Post is that the team is interested in Adam Dunn only if it's a bargain-basement steal; but I'd like to see the team shell out a contract like Ibanez or Milton Bradley received. I also wish they would work a little harder to find a real shortstop.

3. Who do you feel will have a breakout season?

Felix Hernandez, of course. No excuses now; he has an improved defense behind him and should emerge as one of the best in the AL.

4. Who do you see regressing after a strong 2008?

Umm, no one had a strong 2008. Roy Corcoran, maybe?

5. What is the best case scenario for the club in 2009?

84-78, with a great June draft that brings optimism back to the fan base.

6. What is the worst case scenario for the club in 2009?

68-94, which would still be an improvement over 2008. (Essentially, the worst case scenario actually happened in 2008, but this team is a little better.)

[Sweezo]

1. How would you rate the team’s offseason thus far?

Let's go with a B+. The acquisitions aren't anything to get excited about, and seeing Putz/Ibanez leave has to disappoint fans who thought this team should have been a contender the last couple years.

But adding Jack Zduriencik, who has then added his own people, signals a dramatic change in direction. The days of false hope and believing throwing tons of money at free agents would do anything replaced by belief in stocking up in the draft, finding bargains, and keeping a core together. Add in a team that understands the importance of defense, park factors, stats, and analytical preparation before gameday, and I like the thought process.

The team isn't there, but the people put in charge of making the team seem to be. Finally.

2. What move do you wish the team made? (i.e. signing, trade)

I agree with those that wanted Bradley...but there's no way I wanted the M's to top what he ended up getting.

I still want a LF and a DH. Chavez can certainly have a role on this team, but as a starter? i would prefer a little more hitting, and think there's still plenty of time to add it on the cheap.

3. Who do you feel will have a breakout season?

brandon morrow

4. Who do you see regressing after a strong 2008?

jose lopez. which isn't saying much.

5. What is the best case scenario for the club in 2009?

80-85 wins. if the defense does its job and the trio of felix/morrow/bedard perform as they shoul.

6. What is the worst case scenario for the club in 2009?

2008. and felix blows his arm out.

[PhilipNelsonFan]

1. How would you rate the team’s offseason thus far?

A solid B. This team is not very good, but I don't think we can stress enough how critical it was to get the front office in place before we go forward on another big-budget failure. Zduriencik has impressed almost everybody, and the few skeptics are waiting on the 2009 amateur draft.

2. What move do you wish the team made? (i.e. signing, trade)

Simply put, signing a power bat. This team doesn't have a lot of power, and the market's pretty small. Luckily, there are options available.

3. Who do you feel will have a breakout season?

I'm going to cheat a bit and say Adrian Beltre. Whether he is worth his contract is endlessly debatable, but I think this is the year where his name is put into consideration among the league's elite 3B. Not A-Rod elite, but top-five.

4. Who do you see regressing after a strong 2008?

This implies that someone progressed in 2008, which did not happen from where I stand.

5. What is the best case scenario for the club in 2009?

81-81 or 3rd place in the AL West. Both are attainable.

6. What is the worst case scenario for the club in 2009?

55 wins, and an explosion of pitchers' arms.

[APerna]

Posting shortly...

[Bay_Areas_Finest]

A little late, but:

1. How would you rate the team’s offseason thus far?

- (B+) I really like the acquisition of Gutierrez. I think he could develop into a really solid player, and I love his defense. Getting Griffey back here was great, and Chavez will make a fine backup. I hope to see more of Cedeno at SS, but we'll see. Other than that, I liked trading away Putz as well. Would have liked to bring in a power hitter though.

2. What move do you wish the team made? (i.e. signing, trade)

- Bringing in a big bat. This team needs one in the worst way. We have tradeable pieces too, so we'll see.

3. Who do you feel will have a breakout season?

- Franklin Gutierrez. And by "breakout", I mean around .275-.280, 20-25 homers, and 80-85 rbi which would be a great jump for him.

4. Who do you see regressing after a strong 2008?

- Jose Lopez. He really had a tremendous season, so I can't see him repeating. Sure hope he does though.

5. What is the best case scenario for the club in 2009?

- 80-85 wins and possibly competing for the division until late in the year. Oh, and Bedard stays healthy.

6. What is the worst case scenario for the club in 2009?

- 65-70 wins and Felix blows his arm out.