Mariners Analysis

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Joel needs to go

Nice win by the Mariners last night. It is worth noting Kenji just might be having the best season by ANY Mariner catcher at the plate. The prediction by some that upgrading our black holes last year would elevate this offense to league average was right on. If Beltre and Sexson play to their abilities, and we get rid of Eve....

Oh wait, this is about Piniero. Seriously, how much longer can the M's watch him pitch and believe they are going to the playoffs with him in the 5-man rotation? For those that didn't watch the game, Joel was in classic form last night. Throw the ball towards home plate, and wince.

Repeat.

That is the current Joel Piniero strategy. Let the team hit the ball as hard as they can, and hope someone is able to catch/stop it before it hits a fan.

He played with fire all night- balls were smoked in every direction, but the baseball gods were smiling and he escaped with surrendering 10 hits(!) and the win. Hargrove after the game mentioned he didn't have his best stuff, or command.

Yep, that about sums it up.

After watching Mark Lowe continue to impress, surely Bavasi and Hargrove must realize there are PLENTY of options in the system that can match Pineiro. If they can't remember why they shouldn't miss Joel in an M's uniform, they should just remember that Joel and Ryan Franklin are pretty much the same pitcher. You let Ryan go, and you should let Joel go.

If any team will give up ANY player in return, the M's should move him before the deadline. Before his next start is the goal, basically.

Joel must go.

It's not that hard to remember.