Mariners close on Jose Guillen and John Thomson

[papa~smurf]

I think Bavasi saw Oakland take a chance with The Hurt, and decided it wasn't such a bad idea to try it himself. I just hope they can stay healthy.

[SABR Matt]

Seattle is looking to dodge the skyrocketing market price on established stars by playing a little moneyball (LOL...never thought I'd say that about the Mariners) and signing guys who are presently undervalued due to issues not related to their natural abilities or their performance. Guillen is seen as a clubhouse cancer and is recovering from Tommy John surgery so his role will be more limited and he may have lost some of the zip on his cannon of an arm. John Thomson is recovering from two straight injury shortened seasons with the Braves and will only be signed if he passes a Richie Sexson style NASA experimental physical of doom...his recent injury history kept other suiters away.

Both players are significant upgrades over the guys they're replacing (Pineiro in Thomson's case, Eddy Perez in Guillen's case), if they are healthy and don't cause problems in other ways. Neither player is a lock to be helpful. It's definitely a risky strategy.

Schmidt is still Seattle's #1 target but that may be all the room we have in the budget now.

[leecemark]

--Guillen IS a clubhouse cancer, but he can play some ball. He has some power and plays good defense (assuming his arm has healed). A a good sign on a one year deal and the option could pay off if he gets his act together. Better than the Everett signing last year anyway. I'd have preferred somebody with a little more to offer in the OBP department, but the choices were limited.
--IF healthy Thomson is a solid 3-4 starter, or was last time he was healthy anyway. That is a big if, but its only a one year commitment and that beats long term, mega-bucks deals for Meche or Lilly or Padilla (or Eaton before he signed). If we land Schmidt this could be a pretty good rotation and should be a significant improvement over last year.

[ichiro262]

The more I thought about these two possible guys the more I liked them. Guillen's OBP is not great (career .321) but hopefully his recent failures and injuries are behind him. He's only 30, and he has had some great seasons -- his best being 2004 (27-104-.294-.352). That is some wishful thinking, but, hey, it could happen. Thompson's best year was also '04, when he went 14-8 with a 3.72 ERA and struck out 133. I don't like his upside as much, but he could fit in the rotation in the 4-spot.

[SABR Matt]

it's probably a good idea for the Ms to circle the wagons a bit and stay out of the spending spree for now with the exception of Schmidt who remains an absolute must to legitimize the rotation. Seattle playing a little Moneyball...gotta like that.

[tearforamariner]

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