Wednesday, November 05, 2003
LET'S GET THIS STRAIGHT
Everyone out there seems to think that if Mike Cameron leaves through free agency, the Mariners HAVE to get someone else off the FA wire to play CF OR move Randy Winn to center. I'm sorry, but the games where Cameron was out last year and Winn took over in center -- it was a zoo in centerfield. I know he's fast, but he was no Cameron. In addition, Randy Winn has no arm. That said, EVERYONE seems to forget that ICHIRO is PERFECTLY CAPABLE of playing CF. So what possibility does this bring? Well, it certainly does fit the Jeremy wish-list signing of Jose Cruz Jr that should take place. For God's sake, Cruz WON THE DAMN GOLD GLOVE yesterday, which is doubly ironic because (1) Jeremy just suggested sacrificing defense for a little offense yesterday and (2) when Cruz came up in Seattle, people were worried about his defense. Look at him now.
Of course, what I'm kinda thinking about with the Ichiro-possibly-in-CF thing is that it gives you the flexibility to sign a power-hitting RF, be it Vlad Guerrero, a Raul Ibanez, maybe a Reggie Sanders, or even a Jose Guillen (with Guillen, you'd have the TWO BEST OUTFIELD ARMS IN THE MAJORS). Given what I've said though, the possibility of Shannon Stewart doesn't fit, but it's nice to think about.
Also as I look at the FA list, pinch-hitter extraordinaire John Vander Wal is available once again. As Jeremy and I have suggested, Matt Stairs and Brad Fullmer are lefty pop options available for the bench.
Lastly, Tony Batista is available at third base.
So to sum it up...don't assume that Randy Winn has to play centerfield if Cameron leaves, because he doesn't. And if the Mariners can get someone in rightfield with pop and/or a potent arm, Ichiro can go to centerfield and cover a ton of ground. If the brass knows any better, they realize the kind of versatility this gives them when they consider what they have to do with the outfield and adding more pop.
Of course, what I'm kinda thinking about with the Ichiro-possibly-in-CF thing is that it gives you the flexibility to sign a power-hitting RF, be it Vlad Guerrero, a Raul Ibanez, maybe a Reggie Sanders, or even a Jose Guillen (with Guillen, you'd have the TWO BEST OUTFIELD ARMS IN THE MAJORS). Given what I've said though, the possibility of Shannon Stewart doesn't fit, but it's nice to think about.
Also as I look at the FA list, pinch-hitter extraordinaire John Vander Wal is available once again. As Jeremy and I have suggested, Matt Stairs and Brad Fullmer are lefty pop options available for the bench.
Lastly, Tony Batista is available at third base.
So to sum it up...don't assume that Randy Winn has to play centerfield if Cameron leaves, because he doesn't. And if the Mariners can get someone in rightfield with pop and/or a potent arm, Ichiro can go to centerfield and cover a ton of ground. If the brass knows any better, they realize the kind of versatility this gives them when they consider what they have to do with the outfield and adding more pop.
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