Flexen, Sewald, Steckenrider. Examine their stats, minor and major league, and ask yourself, HOW did the DiPoto Mariners find these guys??
DiPoto is the Mariners MVP
How does he do it?
in making trades, DiPoto fleeces no one. Jack Z used to say it's better as a GM NOT to fleece another GM because he'll stop trading with you. Jerry makes solid trades and might actually “lose” more often than he wins. I’d take Mikey Z over Fraley right now. St.Louis loves O’Neill and will love him for a few years at least. Marte is a top notch player.
We’re talking three All Stars and all young. All teams - including the Mariners - are happy with what they received, and GMs should be happy to talk trade with Jerry. He knows how to trade good future value for good present value. Then, he builds the farm with superior scouting and a superior system that permeates the entire organization.
DiPoto finds the overlooked gems. If DiPoto is sniffing around a team’s ballplayer, that’s when the team should think, “What does Jerry know that we may be overlooking?..”
What AI mean by “All teams - including the Mariners - are happy with what they received.” Is that DiPoto didn’t get fleeced, and neither did the other teams, including the Mets, who had a similar “need talent now” mindset DiPoto also had when dealing for Marco and Haniger. Difference is that DiPoto also got future value for the players he acquired who also produced immediately. But the Mets have a different situation, playing in a market that competes with the Yankees. They feel they can’t afford to rebuild.
Edwin Diaz is not an old guy by any means. But if this season proves anything, it proves DiPoto understands how to get similar Diaz-like value from a bullpen for far less cost.
But man, is the Joy back in Mudville. Let's see if I can link to Twitter here. Watch this, a d remember how YOU felt on the sandlot, or the little league Diamond. Just like Jarred last night after launching a "deep" drive to clear the bases.
https://twitter.com/jared_carrabis/status/1443433742387884032?s=21
It is refreshing to have a GM who has an "eye" for underappreciated talent. I had to work hard to "believe" in the moves that Z made, but JeDi has hit on enough of these lesser-knowns that I expect the next one to work out too. It's a strange thing to have such confidence in Mariner management... and a most welcome change. Now, let's secure that WC slot all to ourselves --- but, if not, I'm still calling this season a resounding success.
... remind me of how much I miss thoughtful and civil dialog with a heart for mutual enjoyment over a common love of our local team. Virtually every other site is full of uncordial vitrol and language for which mothers everywhere used to wash their children's mouths out with soap. Call me old fashioned. Call me a dinosaur. But we've lost something important. And Doc provided a space in which that was reclaimed for all. He worked at maintaining high standards for himself and for those who participated alongside---and everyone benefitted. It wasn't about the quality of the platform, but rather the ethos Jeff created and required. I'd love to participate in something like that again. If anyone knows where it can be found. I'm in.
Wonder what happened to everyone? Lately I post at LL, but miss the friendships here.