FJM Inspired Post
This article is silly, and it's on mlb.com, and it didn't even require fans to write in.
When the Mariners acquired switch-hitter Jose Vidro in a trade with the Nationals prior to the 2007 season, no one expected him to be an Edgar Martinez clone.
True dat.
But for the first time since Martinez retired in '04, the designated hitter position last season became an offensive bright spot. Vidro had the second-highest batting average (.308) among DHs in the American League and compiled a .314 average overall, the highest-single season batting average by a switch-hitter in franchise history.
So Raul Ibanez wasn't an offensive bright spot in 2005 when the rest of the offense hit something like .187? Anyway, about Vidro, his OPS was .775 (OPS+ 109), last among qualified DH's and a cool 63 points behind the next lowest hitter. He stunk.
"Jose was the kind of hitter we envisioned," manager John McLaren said. "He's not a home run hitter and never has been, although he has some pop in his bat. He hit the ball with more authority as the season went along."
If you want rapidly aging singles hitters with no speed on your team, then you will quickly corner the market.
The second half of Vidro's first season in the AL was superb. He batted .348 after the All-Star break, led the Mariners with 63 walks and tied for second on the team in hits (172) and on-base percentage (.381).
Correct, Vidro was really good in the second half. And his .381 OP was excellent. But 63 walks was last among DH's. Leading a hacking, impatient team like the Mariners in walks is like being the best Mexican restaurant in Hokkaido
The DH position is in good hands again as Vidro begins his second season with the Mariners firmly entrenched in the hitting-only spot, but he's also being counted on to play some games at second and first base.
AL Players with higher OPS+ than Vidro in 2007: Marlon Byrd, Michael Cuddyer, Ryan Garko, Mark Ellis, Jack Hannahan.
Please do not let Vidro play second base next year.
Where he spends most of his time in the '08 season remains to be seen, but you are liable to see him somewhere in the lineup practically every game. He's durable and remarkably consistent, one of only a few switch-hitting designated hitters with at least a .300 career batting averages from both sides of the plate.
If by durable you mean constantly injured, Vidro's games played the past four seasons: 110, 87, 126, 147.
Seattle, which already employs one of the most versatile players in the Major Leagues in Willie Bloomquist, added veteran backup Miguel Cairo during the offseason.
Bloomquist has the remarkable ability to play seven positions and not be able to defend at any of them. Cairo is even worse, especially with the bat (OPS+ of 75 vs. 66).
"Willie wears so many hats that you don't know when it's best to use him," McLaren said. "If you use him in the seventh or eighth innings, we might not have him when the game is on the line.
Apparently John McLaren cares more about high leverage utilitymen than high leverage pitchers. Rick White clearly proved that any pitcher can come in in any situation and defend a lead...or not.
The article continues for a while until it gets to Mike Morse. People would call him scrappy if he weren't 6 foot 4.
Morse has spent parts of the past three seasons with the Mariners, batting .302 (33-for-102) with three home runs and 37 RBIs. He batted a solid .309 with Triple-A Tacoma last season and is a candidate to share right field duties with left-handed-hitting Brad Wilkerson.
Brad Wilkerson's 2007 platoon split: .757 vs righties, .859 vs. lefties
When the Mariners acquired switch-hitter Jose Vidro in a trade with the Nationals prior to the 2007 season, no one expected him to be an Edgar Martinez clone.
True dat.
But for the first time since Martinez retired in '04, the designated hitter position last season became an offensive bright spot. Vidro had the second-highest batting average (.308) among DHs in the American League and compiled a .314 average overall, the highest-single season batting average by a switch-hitter in franchise history.
So Raul Ibanez wasn't an offensive bright spot in 2005 when the rest of the offense hit something like .187? Anyway, about Vidro, his OPS was .775 (OPS+ 109), last among qualified DH's and a cool 63 points behind the next lowest hitter. He stunk.
"Jose was the kind of hitter we envisioned," manager John McLaren said. "He's not a home run hitter and never has been, although he has some pop in his bat. He hit the ball with more authority as the season went along."
If you want rapidly aging singles hitters with no speed on your team, then you will quickly corner the market.
The second half of Vidro's first season in the AL was superb. He batted .348 after the All-Star break, led the Mariners with 63 walks and tied for second on the team in hits (172) and on-base percentage (.381).
Correct, Vidro was really good in the second half. And his .381 OP was excellent. But 63 walks was last among DH's. Leading a hacking, impatient team like the Mariners in walks is like being the best Mexican restaurant in Hokkaido
The DH position is in good hands again as Vidro begins his second season with the Mariners firmly entrenched in the hitting-only spot, but he's also being counted on to play some games at second and first base.
AL Players with higher OPS+ than Vidro in 2007: Marlon Byrd, Michael Cuddyer, Ryan Garko, Mark Ellis, Jack Hannahan.
Please do not let Vidro play second base next year.
Where he spends most of his time in the '08 season remains to be seen, but you are liable to see him somewhere in the lineup practically every game. He's durable and remarkably consistent, one of only a few switch-hitting designated hitters with at least a .300 career batting averages from both sides of the plate.
If by durable you mean constantly injured, Vidro's games played the past four seasons: 110, 87, 126, 147.
Seattle, which already employs one of the most versatile players in the Major Leagues in Willie Bloomquist, added veteran backup Miguel Cairo during the offseason.
Bloomquist has the remarkable ability to play seven positions and not be able to defend at any of them. Cairo is even worse, especially with the bat (OPS+ of 75 vs. 66).
"Willie wears so many hats that you don't know when it's best to use him," McLaren said. "If you use him in the seventh or eighth innings, we might not have him when the game is on the line.
Apparently John McLaren cares more about high leverage utilitymen than high leverage pitchers. Rick White clearly proved that any pitcher can come in in any situation and defend a lead...or not.
The article continues for a while until it gets to Mike Morse. People would call him scrappy if he weren't 6 foot 4.
Morse has spent parts of the past three seasons with the Mariners, batting .302 (33-for-102) with three home runs and 37 RBIs. He batted a solid .309 with Triple-A Tacoma last season and is a candidate to share right field duties with left-handed-hitting Brad Wilkerson.
Brad Wilkerson's 2007 platoon split: .757 vs righties, .859 vs. lefties
posted by Rufus T. Firefly at 4:51 PM
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