Stats guru Bill James has a new book coming out, and the Times has his observations of the Mariners here.
Most intriguing of James' thought are that pitcher Brandon Morrow has Cy Young ability and no one will regret having him in the long run.
With forearm tightness sidelining him much this spring, Morrow seems destined for the minors rather than the starting rotation in Seattle to start the 2009 season.
To continue...
He'll be 25 years old in July and has yet to show anything other than being a closer in the majors. It's doubtful M's fan are any closer to forgiving the previous regime for taking him over Tim Lincecum.
One name to remember for the future is Tyson Gillies, who was profiled today in The News Tribune.
The 20-year-old outfielder has been hearing impaired all his life, relying on a hearing aid to play baseball. On how it's affected him, he said:
I had to try harder. It made me stronger. It’s the focus – I have to focus hard on everything I do in life.
Gillies was named the player of the year last season for the Class-A Everett AquaSox. He finished fifth in the league with a .313 batting average. Speed is one of his greatest assets, and he had 24 stolen bases in 61 games for Everett.
Left fielder Wladimir Balentien is the subject of another profile. Hitting .389 in 36 at-bats this spring, he has thus far been a part of one of Seattle's best-case scenarios this offseason.
Despite tremendous hitting potential, he struggled mightily in his rookie season, hitting .202 in 243 at-bats. But there was hope coming into this season for the talented outfielder.
Now showing greater patience at the plate, he is giving Endy Chavez some much-needed competition for left field.
In the World Baseball Classic, Japan defeated the U.S. 9-4 in the semi-finals. Mariners Ichiro Suzuki and Kenji Johjima will now defend their championship against South Korea in the finals tonight.
The game will be televised at 6 p.m. on ESPN.
Reach Jeff Richards at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
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