The Seattle Mariners have picked up the recently-released Jose Offerman with the intent of having him add depth to the bench. The Red Sox will still have to pay Offerman for most of the remaining money due on his $6.5 million salary, and the $2 million buyout of the club's $8 million option for 2003. The M's only need to pay him about $60K for the rest of the year, a pro-rated share of the $200,000 minimum salary.

At $60K, given his track record, are the M's paying too much for Offerman? I think: yes. Not a good sign for the Mariners' post season hopes.

Bad move in my opinion, but I can't really say much until I see him play. The M's are in need of another good starting pitcher for the post-season, our offense is starting to pick up again. We're fine in that department. Look out Angels and A's, the M's are going to put some distance in the AL west standings!!! I'm still waiting for the Angels to collapse as usual!

They just want another bat off the bench, he'll only be replacin Ugueto, it might be that extra bat we need this year, plus he can give Olerued some breaks at 1st. Another starting pitcher? To replace Garcia? Moyer? or Pineiro?

[ August 09, 2002: Message edited by: gp43 ]

Gp, we need a #4, and #5 starter. Baldwin is not working out! and even though Halama is doing OK so far, he can be inconsistent. Moyer, Garcia, and Pineiro are great for the most part! Especially Moyer.

I was telling ya all we shouldve kept Sele, but we can go with a 3 man rotation in the playoffs.

[quote]Look out Angels and A's, the M's are going to put some distance in the AL west standings!!! I'm still waiting for the Angels to collapse as usual!

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OK SeaMarFan.... the gloves are commin off now with that comment against my beloved Angels.

Yes the Angels year in and year out raise my hopes that this can be the year they are a playoff caliber team.... only to to perform an el foldo in Aug/Sept. But I still, despite any solid logic or rationale, believe they will do it this year by either winning the wild card or the division. Most probably the former.

Because it is easier for me to have a short memory and not remember what the Angels winning percentage against the Mariners was BEFORE their two most recent series against one another... do remember that the Mariners fell 5 outta 6 times to the Angels.

[quote] Because it is easier for me to have a short memory and not remember what the Angels winning percentage against the Mariners was BEFORE their two most recent series against one another... do remember that the Mariners fell 5 outta 6 times to the Angels.

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Let me refresh your memory, On April 8th, the M's started a 4 game sweep of your beloved Angels. Then at Safeco starting April 22, we took 2 out of 3. That's right we knocked the halo right off of the rally monkey. Seriously, I think that you do have a good chance this year. As do the A's. But I hope not!! cause we have some unfinished,post-season business with the Yank$ to take care of.

It was my understanding that the Mariners shipped Aaron Sele off to the Angels so he wouldn't have to worry about buckling under the pressure of post-season play.

I think Baldwin is in the bullpen now and Franklin will be the other starter. Baldwin might make a good long reliever.

Gp, Baldwin should make a better reliever than a starter since he can usually only go a few innings without collapsing. I'm just worried about the game going on forever and ever. Have you seen the way he walks off the mound after the inning is over? I think the average grandmother could beat him back to the dugout.

Today while Pineiro was dominating, and the rocket was coming apart, the M's acquired Ismael Valdes to take Halama's position at #4 in the rotation.

Ismael Valdes is a great pick up for the Mariners. Valdes, WHEN HEALTHY, is a very good pitcher. The M's only need him to stay healthy for another six to ten weeks.

Given Valdes's injury history, it'll be close.