In an effort to improve team hitting, better the pitching, enhance the defense, and stop lesbian kissing, the Mariners have designated 2 Sections as peanut-free zones. http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080723&content_id=3180368&vkey=pr_sea&fext=.jsp&c_id=sea

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Adam Jones is playing centerfield and batting third (as noted earlier). Starting pitcher is also from the M's organization: Justin Lehr. Oops, top of the first:

Ground out
HBP
Double
HR
HR
Coaching visit to mound

Let's hope the M's decided to delay Adam Jones's trip to the Bigs just so he could play in this game. Sure, everyone wants to play in the majors, but this is just one day.

Jason Davis, DFA'd by the Mariners so they could bring Chris Reitsma off the 15-day DL. Now, the Indians couldn't possibly be THAT desperate for bullpen help, could they? The thing is, Davis will probably get picked up by another team (like the Chicago White Sox). Is there a record for the most DFA's in a season?

In case anyone is bored, Jeff Harris is currently pitching against Bobby Livingston (Buffalo Bisons vs. Louisville Bats). You can get Gameday by going to www.milb.com or listen on the radio by going to www.bisons.com

Interesting match up of guys the Mariners didn't want and didn't need (because their pitching staff is stellar). I hope good things happen for B-Liv (starting tomorrow).

C'mon Jeff!!!

Hey all, Jeff's signing with the Indians was posted officially today

http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20061213&c ontent_id=1760516&vkey=pr_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle

Jeff has had a great winter pitching in the Venezuelan League. He has evolved into the staff ace of his team with a 4-1 record, 2.15 ERA, and a BAA of .194. Last week he was selected Player of the Week for the entire league, and was voted onto the All-Star team.

He sure isn't getting Matsuzaka money (or even Meche-cash), but it's a pretty exciting time for Jeff and his family.

Take care all. And best of luck!

Link first: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/mariners/

Terms still not included in this article. Batista was very clear that his age is not an issue. Well, at least it isn't an issue with him.

This is a pretty frightening rotation, and the bullpen backing them up is getting less attractive, too. I wish you all the best of luck.

Hey all. Well, this will likely be the last Jeff Harris update I pester you all with. As has been discussed, the Mariners let Jeff become a free agent at the end of last season whem his contract ran out. He has been pitching (well) in the Venezuelan Winter League during the off-season.

On the first day of free agent signings, Jeff was contacted by the Cleveland Indians and he is going to be given a shot to win the role of long reliever/spot starter with the Indians this year. Jeff appreciates the opportunities the Mariners gave him while he was here, but he is really excited about this chance (and it's good to be wanted, or so I hear...).

Man Jeff, I am going to miss your wit, wisdom, and perspective. And I'll miss sharing the ups and downs of the M's with the rest of you. What a great bunch of people you all are!! I guess I'll check out the Indians blogsite, which I imagine gets fewer hits in a year than Player A got in his time with the M's. I'll look forward to talking to all of you whenever the M's and Indians play.

Oh, and it wouldn't hurt if you rooted for Jeff Harris just a little (at least when he isn't pitching against the M's). So I'll see you all later, good people (hey look, nobody was sworn at this time!).

Jeff Harris made his first appearance of the Venezuelan Winter Leagues, going four strong innings (3 hits, no runs). It looks like they are going to stretch out his innings and try him in a starter's role. Letting Google translate text from Spanish to English is a kick. Here's a sample from the Cardenales' website article:

"Harris with great presence

The newcomer right thrower, Jeff Harris, left good image, after toiling by 4 entrances before toletería of Shepherd. Hardly, the matador allowed 3 hits and granted a ticket, ponchando to 2 rivals.

Their presence in the knoll and its dominion on the batters, emphasizes it like a great piece within the club in spite of just a short time in the country. It has great speed and it seems calmed enough".

I think you can get the general idea. Jeff didn't get to throw many innings this year due to injury. Here's hoping he gets to take advantage of this opportunity.

These are the moves that allow Cruceta and Frierabend (hereafter known as F-Smith) to be added to the 40-man roster. Interesting that Foppert and Nageotte were not moved to the 60-Day. I'm not sure why the FO would not put those two guys on the long-term DL. Any guesses? I believe there are special rules about moving players from the 60-Day DL back to the 40-man roster after the off-season. I also know that they cannot drop a player from the DL without giving them an outright release.

Man, I don't want to say that Adam Jones hit poorly during his stint with the Mariners, but the Tacoma Rainiers Roster now lists him as a pitcher. Until proven otherwise, I'm going to assume that's just a clerical error. It does make you wonder, though, doesn't it?

300 Character Fact: Adam Jones is not a pitcher. Jeff Harris is!

Travis Blackley has been promoted to AAA to fill the spot created when Cha Seung Bek was promoted to Seattle. Travis will start Thursday for the Rainiers, who are in second place with eyes on the playoffs.

Jeff Harris has gotten two spot starts in the last week, including Sunday. Last game he went 5 innings (with only 64 pitches) on 5 hits, allowing 2 runs. Fruto got the loss when he blew the save (but with two costly outfield errors).

07/23/2006 Jeff Harris
Signed by Seattle as a free agent. Placed on Tacoma roster and assigned to Peoria on a Minor League Rehabilitation Assignment.

Does this make me like what the M's did to him? No, but Jeff is right back where he was -- and you can count on this -- he will work his butt off to force the M's to have to make another tough decision when they have to add him to the 40-man (and then 25-man) rosters.

Just when you thought things couldn't get worse: According to the Mariner's website, Mike Morse has to have surgery to repair a torn medial meniscus in his knee. He hurt it in his first game back with Tacoma. No timetable set for return.

I had that surgery when I was 16 (long before any of you were born). I'll let you know when I recover.... Of course, Morse's doctor probably won't use an oil lantern, a rusty nail, and some bailing wire he found in the barn. His results will be better.

Chris Snelling's progress is coming along just fine. Today he was selected Player of the Week for the PCL http://tacomarainiers.com/teaminfo/pr/story.php?story=93

He has also been playing all 3 outfield positions and DH. They are keeping him on the "off every third day" schedule. With this type of progress, it seems like Snelling is going to force the FO into seriously considering him for a spot on the big league roster soon.

LaRue's article in the PI today starts out "Rene Rivera has been with the Seattle Mariners for the entire season, and has played in only 10 games...." Didn't Rivera start the season in Tacoma while the M's tried out Guillermo Quiroz for 10 days? Granted I was on a "Jeff Harris made the big team" high at the start of the season, but has my feeble memory totally deserted me?

Not sure what corresponding move has been made by the Mariners, but apparently Willie Boom Boom's hand is bad enough that they feel they need a sub-.200-hitting utility player.

Possible that Bloomquist goes to the DL, or both Fruto and Green are sent back to Tacoma while Mateo is activated.

Too bad they didn't DL Hargrove and promote Rohn. What do you mean you can't DL a manager?

Note: apparently via Mike Curto, Mike Morse has been promoted, and Matt Lawton has been DFA'd. Also, Fruto down and Mateo activated.

Chris Snelling is still in AAA, batting 3rd in the order in Nashville. Looks like today is not the day....

Hopefully big things will happen tomorrow. I know we all have our wishes. My own wishes include seeing Jeff Harris back on the mound from Seattle, and someday being able to say "Damn Rohnie. Why the hell did he pinch hit that old man Snelling there?"

Chris Snelling is DH'ing for Tacoma today. What a great sign, eh? Ok, so he struck out in his first at bat -- considering what he has been through, it's great just to know he's on the field! Here's hoping his stay in Tacoma is a short one, and his stay in Seattle is long.

Let the discussion begin: What changes occur in Seattle when Snelling comes up?

Here's the link (before I forget): http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/mariners/story/5602555p-5035370c.html

Sad that Borchard is the only player the Mariners could get for Thornton. Speculation is that the M's will start the season with 5 outfielders, which must mean they are pretty happy with their relievers.

In his column in today's PI, Jim Moore speculates on who will be the next Mariner player to test positive for steroids, and then assigns odds and names names.

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