Should M’s Sacrifice Future For Present? Or Present For Future?
You can’t have it both ways, Mariners fans. This team is either going to win now or win later, but it likely can’t do both.
If the Mariners intend to win now, they must put the future on hold and retain free agents-to-be Erik Bedard and Jarrod Washburn. By keeping the lefties for the remainder of the year, the team would be committing to a 2009 playoff run and forgoing any prospects they could receive for the tandem of starting pitchers.
If the Mariners intend to stick to their plan of building towards the future, they must deal Bedard and Washburn while their value is high. For Washburn, that value couldn’t be any higher than it is right now, coming on the heels of last night’s one-hit, complete game shutout. For Bedard, that value should only increase when he returns from the disabled list tonight.
If the Mariners intend to win now, they must address a shaky batting order that has been among the weakest run producing lineups in Major League Baseball. Currently, they have offensive voids at shortstop, third base, and some would argue designated hitter. Because of a thin minor league system, the team would likely need to acquire a bat to improve the offense.
If the Mariners intend to remain steadfast in their pledge to the future, all trades to acquire big league players must be put on hold. The team should build from within their farm system, and look to obtain more depth at the minor league level. That means selling high on major league players to acquire prospects, and looking to acquire less heralded major league-ready additions, such as new left fielder Ryan Langerhans.
If the Mariners intend to win now, they must sell the fan base on their playoff run. They need to encourage people to come to the ballpark each and every game. They need to make the necessary moves to tell fans that they are truly committed to winning in 2009.
If the Mariners remain committed to the future, they need to do everything they can to remain competitive now, while still making all the right moves for later.
As fans, we likely want different things. There are some of us who would do anything to see the 2009 Mariners make the playoffs. There are others who couldn’t care less about this season, so long as the team makes strides in 2010 and beyond.
It’s now or later with this ballclub, and a choice has yet to be made. Let’s just hope that when the time comes to choose, that the right decision is made.
I wouldn’t say its necessarily one or the other. They could continue to make some solid deals (ie. Langerhans) and hope they pan out and provide above replacement level production. Also, I’m not positive how much they’d get back for dealing Bedard or Washburn. I doubt they’d get a top flight prospect.