Hmmm. One of those low level things that really doesn't mean much. Its a one year contract. What amused me was the last paragraph in the article where Dayton Moore overstates Olivos usefullness.

Part of the most powerful catching tandem in the big leagues? Really? I think someone got the Ronco Chia pet crack pipe for Christmas.

Olivo

Gagne

It looks like a 1 year contract for around 10 mil. This seems like alot of money but it is only 1 year. If he stays healthy he should solidify their bullpen, especially with Francisco Cordero leaving for greener pastures.

In a WTF segment and to fulfill my 300 (SPARTA!!) requirement, did you know there is a Fantasy Congress website?

http://www.fantasycongress.com/

From website:
Yes, it works just like fantasy sports leagues except instead of sports players, you draft politicians who receive scores based on their legislation, votes, news*, election metrics* and other measures. This fun, educational experience lets you trade and bench politicians.

Oh No! How will we ever survive without Kruk and Phillips there live at the game to provide their witty and insightful commentary?

Hey ESPN...

300:  Persian guy: A thousand nations of the Persian empire descend upon you. Our arrows will blot out the sun!
Spartans: Then we will fight in the shade.

A quote from 300 to fill out 300 characters.

"Attorneys representing Major League Baseball argued Thursday that online fantasy baseball companies cannot operate without paying license fees to MLB to compensate players for the use of their names" - MSNBC

Soooo...it's not enough they control most everything else. Now they want to try and control the whole fantasy arena and eke out a few more dollars.

Screw you MLB.

Come on Bud

I saw a few posts on this but I would like to see what people think.

The father is suing everyone. He is suing the guy whose car was stalled on the freeway, the tow truck driver that Josh ran into, and the bar/restaurant that served Josh the drinks.

Seriously. WTF? Whose next?

Frivolous lawsuit

You couldn't finish the job? You could have saved us all the pain years ago.

Then again, maybe you got a contact high just touching him.

Fun Fact: Weaver has joined the famed Mariner Pantheon of pitcher suckitude with Bobby Ayala, Steve Trout and many others. Vice Grand Master Bobby warmly welcomes you Jeff.

According to The Sporting News, Esteban Loazia experienced tightness in his shoulder blade a few days ago and again today, missing 2 starts. Esteban thinks he will be ok to start the season but the A's are saying otherwise. I think they would be wise to shelve him rather than pitch through the pain.

Replacement candidates? Chad Gaudin and Bill Halsey. Good news for us.

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=192733

In AL West news A's 1b Dan Johnson is out about 3 months after suffering torn cartilage in his hip. The injury was the result of a collision with Yorvit Torreabla. Erubiel Durazo is expected to take his spot.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070330&content_id=1870612&vkey=spt2007news&fex t=.jsp

300 character fact of the day: With increased Ethanol and bio-fuel production Iowa is set to become the "oil rich emirate" of the US. http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/09/86726.aspx

I got to chat with Doyle and got his autograph on my Mariners Snelling jersey before the game (Harbor park in Norfolk, Va). I also expressed my regret at his being traded. For his part he was cool about it and said it was part of the game and wished Seattle all the luck this season. He just wished he could have stayed healthy and shown what he could do.

I also got to sit outside on a sunny 60 degree day and watch him play left field for 5 innings until the combination of peanuts, hotdog, soda and cotton candy caused the kid next to me to spread a rainbow of love all over the place. Yum.

USA Today did an article on our Jose Guillen. In it he expresses his deep love for the Angels organization and his fervent wish to show them that love 19 times this season. I for one hope he does.

He also wonders why he is singled out as a bad guy in MLB when there are drunks, wife beaters, dinosaur haters, and drug users.

His last wish in the article is to have a home. Hey, if he leads us to the Promised Land then more power to the M's in giving him one for a few years (at a reasonable price).

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/mariners/2007-03-22-spring-preview_N.htm

An article I found on MSNBC.com. Delves a little deeper into what Ichiro is thinking about free agency. Plus it has the standard Mariners "We do not discuss players contracts yadda yadda yadda" blurb in there, not that there is anything wrong with that.

Warning!!! The article does have some fluff. It spends the first part discussing Ichiros outfit. Personally I think Ichiro should have gone with the urban sombrero.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17248235/

Meh. Not a bad signing. 1 year contract at 6 million with a 2008 club option for 6.5 million with a 500k buyout. Gives you a bench bat and a decent option at 1st.

When he wrote "ship is sinking" on the Blue Jays batting practice board, do you think he was secretly talking about the M's?

Also Angels OF Juan Rivera out with a broken leg. He will have surgery on Friday.

Link to Si.com story.

http://tinyurl.com/yxd5ls

Mariner Fan Fest. Purchase tickets now! Yay.

Update [2006-12-12 13:48:57 by Ben]:: January 27th and 28th at Safeco Scheduled to appear:
JJ Putz
Felix Hernandez
Yuniesky Betancourt

Yay! I would go just for that.

And then there is this:
Dugout Dialogue - Q&A session with Mariners players & coaches, Mariner Legends and front office staff, hosted by Mariners broadcasters Dave Niehaus and Rick Rizzs.

I would love to be in the audience if there was a bunch of LL and USSM members there asking the front office questions.

If someone goes, please post what questions were asked and what the answers were.

I am stuck in Virginia Beach so the probability of me going is zero.