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Tuesday, June 17, 2008

AP: Mariners move Ichiro Suzuki back to right field

With his team in huge trouble, Seattle Mariners manager John McLaren decided he’s going to start tinkering. His first move: sliding Ichiro Suzuki back into right field.

Suzuki was back in his corner outfield spot for the first time since the end of the 2006 season on Monday night when the Mariners, with the worst record in baseball, opened a three-game series against the Florida Marlins.
...
This won’t be a one-night stand for Suzuki. McLaren said he’s been considering the move for some time, and Suzuki is on board for whatever changes McLaren wants to make.

“I’ve been thinking about it for over a month. It’s nothing against Ichiro in center field, of course. I just think he’s a great right fielder and I want to see his zest and smile and everything going,” McLaren said. “What I remember is just spectacular things and I want to try that. I’m not sure it’s going to work or make any difference whatsoever, but I’m going to try it.”

NTNgod Posted: June 17, 2008 at 02:32 AM | 34 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: mariners

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1. still hunting for a halo-red october (in Delphi) Posted: June 17, 2008 at 02:45 AM (#2822059)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

That is all.

2. PASTE is not impressed by Albert Pujols (Zeth) Posted: June 17, 2008 at 02:49 AM (#2822066)

The whole thing's going to hell in a handbasket.

3. Rich Posted: June 17, 2008 at 03:01 AM (#2822090)

I wonder if Ichiro "requested" this move.

4. Repoz

Posted: June 17, 2008 at 03:03 AM (#2822095)

“When I close my eyes and think of Ichiro, I think of (No.) 51 in right field,” McLaren said.

When I close my eyes and think of McLaren, I think of a confused man farting while he eats.

5. still hunting for a halo-red october (in Delphi) Posted: June 17, 2008 at 03:09 AM (#2822110)

I think the boys at Rotoworld put this best:

Let the hijinks begin. Ichiro, a Gold Glove winner as a center fielder last season, will be making his first start at his old position since 2006. The Mariners desperately need more offense, so they'll try making their best player less valuable by playing at him at a position at which it's easier to find offense. Makes perfect sense to us. Willie Bloomquist is getting the start in center tonight. They'll probably put Kenji Johjima at first base next.

6. Jonk Posted: June 17, 2008 at 03:11 AM (#2822113)

They'll probably put Kenji Johjima at first base next.

The Post-Intelligencer says they are considering this. Seriously.

(Edited with link)

7. ian Posted: June 17, 2008 at 03:11 AM (#2822114)

See, Adam Jones doesn't really have the same value for the Mariners as he does for other teams, because Jones will be forced to play a corner, seeing as Ichiro is guaranteed to give another four all-world years in center.

8. still hunting for a halo-red october (in Delphi) Posted: June 17, 2008 at 03:13 AM (#2822122)

The Post-Intelligencer website actually says they are considering this. Seriously.

Seriously? Do you have a link?

Edit: saw that you added one. Thanks!

Edit 2: Oh dear God, I can't believe they're seriously considering that. On the other hand, I guess it makes sense--two- to three-fifths of the M's rotation doesn't want him as a batterymate.

9. Crispix Attacks Posted: June 17, 2008 at 03:16 AM (#2822127)

If Johjima's lack of English/Spanish speaking fluency is really a problem for the pitchers, maybe the team would be better served to have him play first and give that catching prospect an everyday role.

Then it all fits together, as Sexson moves to center field where his bat is less of a liability.

10. still hunting for a halo-red october (in Delphi) Posted: June 17, 2008 at 03:33 AM (#2822156)

#9, if the Johjima move is intended to give Jeff Clement a shot, then that would actually be a not-so-stupid move.

But knowing this organization, I fully expect to see Jamie Burke behind the plate anyway.

11. PASTE is not impressed by Albert Pujols (Zeth) Posted: June 17, 2008 at 03:35 AM (#2822160)

This is sad. Really, really sad. If I were a Mariners fan, I'm pretty sure you'd find me swinging from a bridge.

12. Jonk Posted: June 17, 2008 at 03:42 AM (#2822168)

Yes, it does make sense to get Clement playing time behind the plate....which is why signing Johjima this spring to a $20-some million three-year extension, through age 35, was a no-brainer.

13. vortex of dissipation Posted: June 17, 2008 at 03:42 AM (#2822170)

Putting Johjima at first and Clement at catcher would be a significant upgrade. Not the best solution, but an upgrade. Willie Bloomquist in center field, on the other hand...

14. Esoteric Posted: June 17, 2008 at 03:44 AM (#2822174)

I am a Mariners fan (have been since I was a wee lad back in 1995), and let's put it this way: as a Washington DC native, I find myself glad that I can root for a clearly superior team in the Nationals. My god, it's come to this.

15. Esoteric Posted: June 17, 2008 at 03:45 AM (#2822176)

Yes, it does make sense to get Clement playing time behind the plate....which is why signing Johjima this spring to a $20-some million three-year extension, through age 35, was a no-brainer.

This was dictated by the Japanese (Nintendo) ownership to Bavasi as a ukase. Nothing that the stateside FO could do about it. Yes, it was a terribly stupid move, but it was something that they were under explicit orders to get done.

16. SMK Posted: June 17, 2008 at 03:50 AM (#2822183)

This is sad. Really, really sad. If I were a Mariners fan, I'm pretty sure you'd find me swinging from a bridge.

It's so depressing it's comical.

I'm counting on whoever they bring in as a new GM will clean house, and McLaren will no longer be making these incredibly stupid decisions.

17. still hunting for a halo-red october (in Delphi) Posted: June 17, 2008 at 03:51 AM (#2822185)

This was dictated by the Japanese (Nintendo) ownership to Bavasi as a ukase. Nothing that the stateside FO could do about it. Yes, it was a terribly stupid move, but it was something that they were under explicit orders to get done.

At this point, I'm going to say a small prayer thanking the Good Lord for Arte Moreno.

18. Justin 'The Cespedobear' T Posted: June 17, 2008 at 05:25 AM (#2822338)

John McLaren is dumber than ten dogs.

Seriously, I think that every single decision this clown has made has been counterproductive. He's amazingly stupid.

19. CFiJ Posted: June 17, 2008 at 06:28 AM (#2822348)

This was dictated by the Japanese (Nintendo) ownership to Bavasi as a ukase. Nothing that the stateside FO could do about it. Yes, it was a terribly stupid move, but it was something that they were under explicit orders to get done.

I'm skeptical.

20. PASTE is not impressed by Albert Pujols (Zeth) Posted: June 17, 2008 at 06:32 AM (#2822350)

I'm not.

21. North Side Chicago Expatriate Giants Fan Posted: June 17, 2008 at 06:34 AM (#2822351)

Clement is coming back up and Balentien is being sent down, apparently. You don't get a link because I am lazy. Try USS Mariner or Lookout Landing.

22. Brandon in MO (Yunitility Infielder) Posted: June 17, 2008 at 08:08 AM (#2822375)

Dear Mariners,

We'll trade you Ross Gload if you need a bat at first.

Sincerely,
Kansas City

23. CFiJ Posted: June 17, 2008 at 10:03 AM (#2822423)

I'm not.

You should be.

24. ColonelTom Posted: June 17, 2008 at 02:34 PM (#2822621)

Here's the money quote from the article:

Before the game, McLaren said Balentien would get a tryout during batting practice to see if he can play center as well. It was pretty short, as Balentien was optioned back to Triple-A Tacoma after Monday’s game and catcher Jeff Clement was called up.

They took a rookie right fielder, gave him a one-day tryout in CF in batting practice, didn't like how he shagged fly balls before the game, and packed him off to Tacoma. Wow.

So now they've moved Bloomquist from RF to CF, and Ichiro from CF to RF. They're going to follow that up by moving Clement from DH to C; Johjima from C to 1B; and I suspect Sexson from 1B to DH.

If that's not shuffling the deck chairs on the Titanic, I don't know what is.

25. Crispix Attacks Posted: June 17, 2008 at 02:34 PM (#2822622)

Have they said anything about my idea of moving Sexson to center field? I'd like to see what he could do there. It would be a new paradigm, and help all the other players fit into better positions.

26. Crispix Attacks Posted: June 17, 2008 at 02:35 PM (#2822624)

They took a rookie right fielder, gave him a one-day tryout in CF in batting practice, didn't like how he shagged fly balls before the game, and packed him off to Tacoma. Wow.

Well, he's also been hitting horribly.

Maybe they view it as more crucial right now to get the English-speaking catching prospect up.

27. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: June 17, 2008 at 02:37 PM (#2822628)

First off, I think the Justins should be forbidden from posting in the same thread. It confuses me!

Second, the M's need to fire McLaren yesterday. He might be the worst manager I have ever seen.

28. ColonelTom Posted: June 17, 2008 at 02:39 PM (#2822631)

Well, he's also been hitting horribly.

Would he have hit better playing CF?

29. Mike Green Posted: June 17, 2008 at 02:43 PM (#2822637)

"When I close my eyes and think of McLaren, I think of a confused man farting while he eats."

Now coming to better multiplexes, the McLaren racing team presents "The Blazing Bench".

30. villageidiom Posted: June 17, 2008 at 02:47 PM (#2822642)

20. Justin Zeth, dog Posted: June 17, 2008 at 02:32 AM (#2822350)

I'm not.

Where are the other nine dogs?

31. Famous Original Joe C Posted: June 17, 2008 at 02:50 PM (#2822644)

Yeah, but he has all that zest when he plays in RF. ZEST!

32. SoSH U at work Posted: June 17, 2008 at 02:55 PM (#2822650)

First off, I think the Justins should be forbidden from posting in the same thread. It confuses me!

Call them Jason. I hear that makes them scatter.

33. The Ghost, elitist lollygagging neck-stabber

Posted: June 17, 2008 at 02:57 PM (#2822653)

I think Ichi is in right so that he won't have to wear himself out running all over the field, particularly to cover for Rauuuuul "Mobility of a Stump" Ibanez.

McLaren wants him to steal more, and he has been running more this season, so maybe this is the tradeoff - they need his legs on offense, so save them on defense. Jeremy Reed will probably platoon in CF with Willie B.

34. Benji Gil Gamesh is not being paid to be that guy Posted: June 17, 2008 at 02:58 PM (#2822656)

Yeah, but he has all that zest when he plays in RF. ZEST!

And they already tried taking a cheese grater to him and putting the shavings of Ichiro Zest in a potpourri bowl next to McLaren in the dugout. Wasn't the same.

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Tuesday, June 17, 2008

AP: Mariners move Ichiro Suzuki back to right field

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