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The Big Guys are to Blame

© C. A. Wright

The "Big Guys" didn't have to show up and talk to the press after the last game of the season. They could have just told them to print what they said last year. Howard Lincoln reiterated that a lot of changes would be made in the offseason, and Pat Gillick reaffirmed the needs of the team: left-handed pitching and more power for the offense. Sure thing.

The biggest change that needs to happen during the offseason is a change in the upper management. If the personnel doesn't change, then, at least, their philosphy must.

FEWER FREDDIES
It takes money to make big changes, and the Mariners need to manage what they have better. In order to do that, they need to know when to cut their losses.

Paying $6,875 million a year to an "Ace" who doesn't act like one is ludicrous. They stayed steadfastly with the same starting pitching staff all year-a distinction matched by only five other teams in major league history and the first since 1966. They could have moved Moyer, the first 21-game winner in franchise history, into the Ace role and traded Freddy Garcia for some of their other needs before the trade deadline.

Cirillo is another one they need to be willing to part with. He has a big contract and a big salary, but contributed little to the team again this season.

BENCH PRESS
The Mariners need to trust their bench players and give key players more rest-otherwise we see them faltering near the end of the season. Possibly the reason Rey Sanchez and Carlos Guillen continued to bat well, when the rest of the team was struggling was because they were better rested. Guillen had a long rest because of an injury and Sanchez played off the bench with another team earlier in the season.

Unfortunately, two veteran bench players, Mabry and Colbrunn, went on the DL, but they really didn't get into the game consistently before their injuries. Willie Bloomquist proved himself while filling in for Cirillo, but then rarely got called upon except to run the bases late in games.

Bob Melvin could be blamed for not using his bench enough. Part of the blame has to go to upper management, though, for not replacing Mabry and Colbrunn with players of their caliber.

CHANGES
If the Mariners ever expect to bring a World Series to Seattle, the changes have to start at the top. If not, it will be the same thing next season-not enough money to acquire the best players; not enough fight left in the best ones they have. And the "Big Guys" will be saying the same things at the end of the season.

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