The Good Guys Sports Blog

by Matthew | December 9, 2010 · 4:29 pm

The Return of Miguel Olivo

The Mariners have just signed catcher Miguel Olivo to a 2 year contract, with $7 mil. guaranteed. Most Mariner fans might remember Olivo for a brief and disastrous earlier stint with the Mariners, after he was acquired in the Freddy Garcia trade. He was as bad a hitter in that year plus period as anyone the Mariners have seen recently.

Since then, he’s become a decent catcher. At the plate, he’s similar to Jose Lopez, with no selectivity, but a little more power and less contact. He’s going to strike out, and he’s going to hit some homers. There’s concern that Safeco will completely rob his pull power, which is possible, but it’s one of those things you just have to deal with. Behind the plate, he gives up some passed balls but has a big arm.

Olivo’s a legitimate major league starting catcher, and that’s something the Mariners did not have recently. This isn’t my favorite move, and he might not hit at all, but it could make the Mariners a lot better at a good price, so I’m having a hard time getting worked up about it.

Some other Mariner thoughts, since I rarely have time to post lately (Christmas break is coming!):

This move could mean a few things for Adam Moore. I’ve already seen speculation that he’s automatically a trade chip now. That would not surprise me a bit, although I have no idea what his value in trade would be. Not overly high, I would bet. More likely, I think he’s Olivo’s back-up, catching 50 games or so. If he progresses and improves, Olivo can be traded. If he doesn’t, at least they have Olivo.
My initial thought on the Jack Cust addition: helpful but unexciting. He should be a huge improvement to the lineup, but he’s never been one of my favorite players. A three true outcomes guy with declining power just isn’t my kind of guy. Still glad to have him over some other options.
As everyone knows by now, Jose Lopez is now a Colorado Rockie. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he had a solid year this year, but it’s important to remember that this isn’t a bad move even if he hits 30 home runs or something. He wasn’t going to succeed in Safeco, and sometimes it’s just time to make a change. You can argue that the Mariners sold way low on him, which is true, but his contract really forced the issue. I can’t think of another way they could have gone with this. He was just a bad fit for the park and wore out his welcome on the field. Best of luck to Jose in the rest of his career, though. He always seemed like a good guy, and he underwent some horrible personal issues that made it hard not to root for him, even when he was struggling. I hope he finds some happiness and homers in Colorado or wherever he ends up.

I would expect there’s at least one moderately big trade coming for the Mariners, but we’ll see. Going out on a limb, I would bet that Zach Greinke is in a Mariner uniform by the start of 2012. More later when there are some more moves and I’m done with classes for the semester.

-Matthew

Leave a comment

Filed under Mariners

Tagged as Adam Moore, Jack Cust, Jose Lopez, Miguel Olivo

by Andrew Long | December 8, 2010 · 7:56 pm

A Mariners’ Move!

The Seattle Mariners made their first real move of the off-season today, signing Jack Cust to a 2.5 million, 1 year deal. Dan wrote earlier today about how underwhelming the Mariners off-season had been thus far. There haven’t been any deals and the rumors have been just as lame. So, getting an actual bit of news is nice.

Don’t get me wrong, Jack Cust isn’t exactly the most exciting news, especially with the Angels looking like the front-runner for Carl Crawford but I think this was a nice move. Cust is a left-handed power hitter. He’s been with the A’s the last few years and has put up solid numbers. He’s an all-or-nothing type of hitter (like Russell Branyan) who strikes out and walks a ton.

Cust has had a drop-0ff in power the last few years. His slugging percentages his first two years in the bigs were .504 and .476 (in 2007 and 2008). The last two years his slugging percentages were .417 and .438. His home run total has dropped a little bit. These are the reasons to fear, but there are reasons to expect success.

Cust is a left-handed bat that could do quite well in Safeco. Signing for 2.5 million is very cheap for a player who would have been the Mariners best power-hitter last year and who will most likely be their best power-hitter this year. Cust will step into the middle of the lineup and actually give this team at least a little bit of a threat.

Will Cust turn this team around? No, but he’ll be one of the small pieces that could turn this team back to respectability. We don’t have much money to spend, but this was a low risk-high reward type of move that we’re used to seeing out of Jack Z.

In other news, the Mariners are reportedly on the verge of signing Miguel Olivo to a 2 year, $7.5 million deal. When Mariner fans think of Miguel Olivo most come close to throwing up in their mouths, but the truth is he’s not near as bad as we remember. And, don’t forget that Rob Johnson was our starting catcher a good share of last year. We’ll have more on this move if it actually happens. As of now, it’s nothing but rumors.

Believe big!

Andrew

Leave a comment

Filed under M's Transaction News, Mariners

Tagged as Jack Cust, Miguel Olivo, Seattle Mariners

by dpscansen | December 7, 2010 · 9:29 pm

M’s Quiet at the MLB Winter Meetings

Let me first say that I am a sucker for the annual MLB winter meetings. I love the rumors, love the trades, and the possibility of hearing the Mariners connected to a big name, like Cliff Lee last year. I follow it all on twitter, and I don’t miss a single tweet from the gurus. The winter meetings bring excitement into my life, a lot like the NFL draft. You can make your own judgments of me, but I love this stuff. So now that you see where I’m coming from, as a Mariners fan, you can understand my disappointment with this years’ winter meetings so far. I didn’t expect the M’s to be big players, unlike last year, but Jack typically makes a splash, and I have not heard anything noteworthy. I mean seriously, here’s the few M’s related tweets I’ve seen.

“AL West foes A’s & Mariners seem to be going head to head on at least 2 free agents, RHP Dennys Reyes, a reliever, and C Gregg Zaun.” – John Hickey

“Sources tell me Mariners are targeting Luis Valbuena for need at second.” -Shannon Drayer

“Sources: Strong multi-year interest for FA RHP Kevin Gregg. Offers from RedSox, Pirates, Nationals. Orioles, Mariners also in mix.” -Ken Rosenthal

“Jorge Cantu generating interest in San Diego, Seattle, Arizona.” -Tim Brown

“Rays and Mariners showing interest in free agent LHP Mark Hendrickson.” -Jon Morosi

“Mariners liked Rich Harden as a free agent last off-season — and they are interested now, too.” -Jon Morosi

“The Seattle Mariners have checked in on Eric Chavez as a possible low-risk 1B-3B-DH option if he’s healthy.” -Jerry Crasnick

On the excitement meter, these rate has major duds. I’m glad we aren’t signing guys like Jayson Werth for 7 years and $126 million, but I need something Jack! Last year, the M’s attempted to re-build and compete for the playoffs at the same time; a tricky task to say the least, and it obviously didn’t pan out. I think this year, given the strength of the Rangers and Angels, and the fact that we had the worst record in the AL last year, a major youth movement makes the most sense. Sure, Seattle could conceivably offer a package of Smoak, Pineda, etc. for a pitcher like Zach Greinke, and also sign Carlos Pena or another bat, and put together a pretty competitive team next year. But would that even be enough to challenge in the AL West? Perhaps, but it is probably best to hold onto our blue chips prospects rather than mortgage the future, and make a run in 2012.

I understand the logic, but it’s boring and frustrating. I want the M’s to be good…like NOW. Unfortunately, the waiting must continue. Maybe we will make a couple minor splashes in days to come, but the biggest moves are probably a year away.

-Dan

Leave a comment

Filed under Mariners

Tagged as Carlos Pena, Dennys Reyes, Eric Chavez, Gregg Zaun, Jack Zduriencik, Jorge Cantu, Kevin Gregg, Luis Valbuena, Mark Hendrickson, Rich Harden, Winter Meetings, Zach Greinke

by Andrew Long | December 6, 2010 · 4:53 pm

The Shirt Change

I’m superstitious. I blame it on playing baseball during my grade school days where superstition is just part of the game; don’t step on the chalk, don’t talk to a pitcher if he’s throwing a no-hitter, and so on.

So, on Saturday night, I was faced with a dilemma. I had worn my black Husky shirt in the Washington wins against UCLA and Cal. Was the shirt on a roll or had it used all the luck it could muster? Plus, I hadn’t done laundry and the black shirt was dirty.

There was also one more thing to take into consideration: this could have been Jake Locker’s last game. With all this in mind, I carefully decided on my Jake Locker jersey. I hadn’t worn it on gameday since the BYU game to start the year but I had to give it another chance. Thankfully, with that jersey on, I watched Mr. Locker throw the most important pass Husky football has seen in at least 8 years.

I don’t want to take all the credit for this victory, but I don’t know what the outcome would have been if I had worn the black shirt. Maybe the Huskies would have won the game by more, or maybe we wouldn’t be looking forward to a bowl game right now. All I know is I’m happy with the choice I made and now I have to focus on what I’ll be wearing on December 30th.

Andrew

Leave a comment

Filed under Huskies Football

by Andrew Long | December 5, 2010 · 6:26 pm

Huskies to Holiday Bowl

If you haven’t heard by now, the Huskies will have a rematch against Nebraska on December 30th in the Holiday Bowl. We’ll have more on this later! It’s awesome that I’m able to post this.

Andrew

Leave a comment

Filed under Uncategorized

by Andrew Long | December 4, 2010 · 3:19 pm

Husky Predictions – Apple Cup Edition

Joe

The Apple Cup is always crazy because of the rivalry. Upsets are common place. Underdogs win, road teams win, bad weather, goofy plays. You name, it’s happened in this rivalry. All of these events are being talked about as possibly happening in the latest edition. For the first time in years the Huskies have something tangible to play for besides pride. A win and the Dawgs finish 3rd in the Pac-10 and most likely an Alamo Bowl birth. This fact alone is amazing considering the last time UW played in Pullman they lost to a previously winless Cougar squad, going 0-12, and threw the program into the darkest winter it has ever seen, being the butt of jokes and the door mat of college football. Under Coach Sark the Dawgs have improved by leaps and bounds. A win in this game will vault the program back into relevancy. It will be a needed shock to the system, giving a once very proud program reason to have some swagger. For the seniors playing in this game, it will mean the world. The Huskies have everything to play for. Everything. This is it. No tomorrow. Pride is a small part of this equation. We are talking legacy. We are talking foundation. We are talking about us telling our grandkids about this team, this team that broke through, even at a mediocre 6-6, they broke through, learned how to win, and got the program going in the right direction. Guys like Jake Locker and Mason Foster will forever be etched in Husky lore as warriors who got beat up and beat down more often than not, but went out winners, went out on their terms. The final drive at Cal last week and the gutsy performance the week prior verse UCLA have battle hardened this team. They are not afraid of a street fight. They are not afraid of the road. Not afraid of some cold temps. They are not afraid of their bitter and hated rivals. The Cougars have nothing but pride to play for. There is no legacy. There is no grandkids talk. Sure, they can razz us until next season, but for what? To go 2-10, 3-9 again? If the Coogs win or lose, it won’t matter to that program. They have upset the Dawgs before, and they will no doubt do it again. But not this day. The chemistry of this game favors the UW. Better athletes, better coaches, more to play for, and a desire for more to play for. This current roster has never played for anything but pride and a win. The past two wins have given us glimpses into what they can do when backed into a corner. The final drive at Cal really showed their grit, showed who they really can be. Now, they have it within their grasp. This is it. This is the game. 60 minutes to glory. Impose your will. Play the game of your life. Everything you have worked for since you first picked up a football has led to this moment. Be legends. This day it begins. None of this can the Cougars say to themselves. Every word of this is true for the Huskies. Throw the X’s and O’s out the window folks, this game is about who want it more, and there is not a shadow of a doubt in my mind who wants it more.

Huskies 35 – Cougars 17

Matthew:

I’m scared to write a prediction for this game. There’s too much on the line, and it doesn’t seem like risking a jinx just for a prediction. I’ll risk it anyway. Objectively, I really think the Huskies should roll in this game. Well, maybe not roll, but be in good control. I’ve thought this many times before when nothing of the sort has happened, so I wouldn’t be at all surprised by a close game. Ultimately, I’m hoping the Cougar optimism is overblown and the Dawgs bring them back to reality.

Huskies 31- Cougars 17

Dan:

3 weeks ago I drew a parallel between last year’s UW basketball team, and this UW football team. I wondered if the football team could pull off what the basketball team did last year. After following to 7-7 in conference play, the Huskies had to win out in order to make the tournament. That team could have tanked it the rest of the year. Instead, they rallied around their senior leader, Quincy Pondexter, and won 9 straight. After 3 straight blow out losses, UW football was 3-6, and would have to win out just to make a bowl game. So far, the team has responded just like the basketball team did. Now, just one game separates the Huskies from breaking through to the bowl season, and I think they’ll get it done. I could back this claim with statistics, by comparing strengths and weaknesses, and using logic. But all that is thrown out when these two teams play. The Huskies appear to be a team of destiny, and I can’t see Jake Locker and this senior class being denied.

Huskies-27, Cougars-17

Now, I’m going to take this prediction one step further, and take a crack at picking the play of the game. I see a Locker to Goodwin connection for 60 yards. It may look something like this:

Andrew:

These predictions have been a little weird. Joe’s is a mini novel, Dan’s includes a video of him playing X Box and Matthew’s email prediction involved one of the strangest subject lines I’ve ever seen (Woof woof. Meow. Oh, I thought you were supposed to be cougar. You’re just a cute little kitty. Woof.). I’m not going to do anything too crazy, I just want the Huskies to win. We’ve waited 8 years for this. It’s been completely frustrating. Sitting through Keith Gilbertson and Tyrone Willingham was painful. Our fans deserve this. Our players have been beat up more than they’ve beaten anyone. They deserve this. This program could be in a much brighter place at about 7:30 Saturday night. Yes, the Cougars are improving but they still aren’t good. This is it Husky fans, the game we’ve been waiting for. I think the Dawg’s win and we’ll celebrate through the night.

Huskies 31 – WSU 21

Leave a comment

Filed under Huskies Football, UW Game Previews

by dpscansen | December 4, 2010 · 1:09 pm