Down on the Farm

It's time to take a look at what some of the kids down in the Mariners Minor League system have been doing this season, and see if any will be up to help us. First though I must comment on a few Ichiro related news items. Right as the All-Star game started it was reported that Ichiro and the M's have reached an agreement on a 5 year, $100 million dollar extension which would keep him in Seattle until 2012. I for one think this is a great deal, as it will more then pay for itself in the continued money we will receive from the Japanese, and lets not forget he'll still be getting $6 million less a year then Gay-Rod. Secondly this shows the team that the M's are committed to being contenders and now Ich can play the second half without worry of contract issues. (not that it hurt him much the first half with his .359 avg) Some seem to think this has nothing to do with the departure of Mike Hargrove, but I think it has everything to do. Ich and Mike had their differences, and one doesn't find it fishy that with Mike at the helm Ichiro said he would test free agency, and then within a week of him leaving he signs a new deal? Add in the fact that Ichiro and new skipper John McLaren get along well and it seems like Ich is finally happy again. Proof that hes happy? He did win All-Star game MVP last night with the first inside the park homer in ASG history (not to mention the first of his MLB career as he has no regular season inside the parkers). Also, mentioned on the radio was that if a save opp in the game arose then Trevor Hoffman would get the ball for the NL (said La Russa) and in the AL? Leyland said the ball would be handed off to Putz (who gave up 2 runs in the ninth and gave the save opp to K-Rod for the final out) but that just goes to show how good of a pitcher Putz has become. These are the reasons I think the M's have a very good chance of winning the west and making the playoffs, as they are strong up the middle (Kenji, Yuni, Jose, and Ich) and have the Hammer of God at the back end of the bullpen. Now, on to the farm...

BREAKING NEWS: It appears as if the Mariners have been listening, as reports are that when the regular season resumes on the Thursday, none other then Adam Jones will be starting in RF. Guillen will move to left, Raul to DH, and vidro to the bench, with a relief pitcher going down for Adam to come up (my guess is Rowland-Smith). This improves team speed, defense, batting, and bench. Bavasi, you finally get a gold star for something. With this call up there's not much to look at in terms of the minors, so I'll give you a couple of players to watch:

Best of the Rest:

• Wladimir Balentien OF: Batting a healthy .328 in 85 games, with 20 hr, 60 r, 66 rbis, and an otherworldly .993 OPS, oh and toss in 13 SB (3 CS). Will most likely compete in spring training next year for corner outfield spot opposite Ich and Jones (or late season call-up for injury or when rosters expand)
• Jeremy Reed: Yes he's alive, and yes he still plays for the mariners. batting .290 but 8 SB (compared to 7 CS) isn't gonna cut it, and his OPS of .783 isn't exactly inspiring. Only put on here as he has major league experience and great defense so could be in line to get the call up before balentien should a need arise.
• Jeff Clement C: His avg of .274 isn't eye catching, but an OPS of .883 shows that avg should come up a bit, and only 2 errors in 81 games shows he can play some defense. Also has belted 15 hrs so he has some pop in his bat. With the seasons that Kenji and Jamie Burke are having I doubt we'll see him too soon, but he should be our future catcher for some time.
• Mike Morse Util: batting .313 with a .864 OPS, which leads me to ask: why is he sitting in AAA when he could do the same job or better then Vidro? Maybe Bavasi's gold star will get demoted to a Silver one.
• PITCHERS: Justin Lehr (7-1 3.78) represented Tacoma (along with jones) in the AAA all star game. Jorge Campillo has been hard luck (6-5 despite a 3.48 ERA). The rest of the staff has been uninspiring. USS Mariner loves his Kameron Mickolio, but only 14 ip in AAA is not enough to get a read (although 15 K in 14 ip is nice), and don't look now but a familiar face is mowing down AAA batters. Yup, wife beating Julio Mateo has assumed closer duties in Tacoma and is pitching very nicely, 2-1 1.09 ERA, 9 sv, 0.85 WHIP and 20 k compared to just 2 bb in 24.2 innings. He should be called up anytime.
• AA: Only player of note is CF Charlton Jimerson. batting only .267, he does have an OPS of .878, but most notable is his 16 hrs, 50 rbis, and 25 sb (to 4 CS). Tuiasosopo isn't doing much batting .272 with not much else peripherals other then 14 errors.