The M's DH

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 29, 2009 2:27 PM EST

A few days ago, Jeff Sullivan estimated the Mariners offense would be ~30 runs below average with an average hitting DH, and some conservative estimations elsewhere. Ken Rosenthal has seen this "average DH" and raised Sullivan a Bobby Abreu...at least if the price is right.

It makes sense. Abreu is a poor outfielder but over the last three years has averaged roughly 25 offensive runs per season. Knock a few off due to aging and weigh the more recent years heavier and you'll end up around 20. If the Mariners never let Abreu touch the grass this year, they could be looking at something like a 2-2.5 win player. That's worth around 9 million, if the M's can get him for less, and on a short-term deal (or better yet, a one year deal) they begin to get awfully close to a team with ~80-85 win talent.

It seems odd, but if things break the right way, Seattle very well could find itself in the AL West race.

Note: Naturally they sign Mike Sweeney as I'm writing this.

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rj rulz

Obama said he would have to instill "some flinty Chicago toughness" into Washingtonians.

by larry on Jan 29, 2009 2:36 PM EST reply actions

I knew someone would see that.

by R.J. Anderson on Jan 29, 2009 2:41 PM EST up reply actions

The AL West is terrible, and I love the front end of the M's rotation.

If the M’s can get an Abreu type and possibly an upgrade in LF, they’re legitimate contenders in that division. (As it stand I think they’re close enough that good breaks for them and bad breaks for the rest of the division could allow them to luck into relevance.)

Texas and Oakland are going to keep getting better. I love the M’s new front office more and more every day, but the Rangers and A’s are in better shape (as of now) going forward than the Mariners. I trust Zduriencik to do the right thing here (and wow is it awesome to be able to say that) but I hope that if he thinks there’s a case to be made for not cutting payroll as much as Armstrong and Lincoln would like because a run at the playoffs is a realistic possibility that he’s given the opportunity.

by Aaron Campeau on Jan 29, 2009 3:20 PM EST reply actions