SB Nation User Blog: MacMariner2

Mariners & Cubs Discuss Heilman Trade

MacMariner2 — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:34:07 -0000

According to ESPN Radio's Bruce Levine, the Cubs are close to acquiring pitcher Aaron Heilman from the Mariners. The Ms want shortstop Ronny Cedeno and pitching in return. Heilman was dealt to Seattle in the J.J. Putz trade earlier this winter. Earlier this month, Ken Rosenthal mentioned that the Mariners were likely willing to trade Heilman, "who they did not consider a key component of the Putz trade."

Heilman, 30, is set to earn $1.625MM in '09. He'll be eligible for free agency after the 2010 season.

Adair Moves From Texas To Become Next M's Pitching Coach

MacMariner2 — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 23:13:18 -0000

A gushing overview of Adair's path to Texas.

It does seem to be a very positive day on the M's front.

The Detroit Tigers made Rick Adair their big league pitching coach with three weeks left in the 1996 season, after Jon Matlack resigned for personal reasons. Adair was a sensible choice, not only because he'd served as Detroit's AAA pitching coach in 1995 and roving minor league pitching instructor until the September promotion in 1996, but also because he had a couple seasons of experience not long before as Cleveland's big league pitching coach.

Detroit's 1996 ERA under Matlack was 6.38, baseball's worst by nearly a full run.

Under Adair's watch in 1997, the Tigers shaved nearly two runs off its team ERA, finishing sixth in the American League with a 4.56 mark.

In what was the first full season in the bigs for each, Justin Thompson (age 24) went 15-11, 3.02 and made the All-Star Team, and Brian Moehler (age 25) went 11-12, 4.67. Journeyman Willie Blair (age 31), pitching for his sixth major league in eight years and working as a full-time starter for the first time, went 16-8, 4.17.

The trio came into the 1997 season with a collective lifetime 4.72 ERA. In 1997, the three combined to post a 3.88 ERA under Adair's tutelage.

Solid.

Mariners Sign Russell Branyan

MacMariner2 — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:00:28 -0000

Baker says Branyan is mystery free agent.

Branyan is a third baseman, who can also play first base and the outfield. At the very worst, he's a huge hitting upgrade over Miguel Cairo -- who manned both corner infield spots way too often last year. But I have a feeling Branyan will be doing more than just backing up. Let's see. Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik says he can play both spots, or serve as the DH.

Angels Eyeing Draft Picks Galore

MacMariner2 — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:12:49 -0000

If they fail to sign any of this guys that adds up to a draft extravaganza. Eight picks in two rounds?

It kinds makes those two Raul picks seem insignificant. Hopefully the M's will at least make them count. I can't imagine the M's financing 8 high picks either to be honest.

Will be an interesting month or two that's for sure.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=ArzCda89umQBskv1VetWRMQRvLYF?slug=ap-angels-arbitration&prov=ap&type=lgn