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Jim Moore is an old-school beatwriter and he's got an excellent piece up today. In it, he frankly admits that he personally is annoyed by the idea of giving a bullpen spot to the #6 starter.
More and more, I appreciate it when a "journalist" confesses the point of view from which he is coming. For far too long, media people have "reported" their opinion-slanted takes while trying desperately to convince us that any credentialed NYT reporter is by definition a completely blank slate. Per this little device, you've got America drowning under a river of propaganda pieces that the readers assume to be nothing but facts-reporting. It happens on a much smaller scale in sports than in Presidential campaign, but it's still got the wrong scent.
Of course, Moore's refreshing "full disclosure" does not make him unable to report news; he had his world view before he told us what it was, and he'll have it after he told us what it was. Also of course, that's not the only cool thing about his quasi-Op Ed. But he sez
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Another wrinkle was added to the competition Thursday when general manager Jerry Dipoto said that Paxton or Karns could still make the team as a reliever.
I didn't want to hear that news, but Dipoto explained that he wants to take the 12 best pitchers to Seattle, and if Karns and Paxton are in the top dozen, they'll both be on the major-league team.
The Mariners have already proven they will turn a starter into a reliever just like that with the move last week of Mike Montgomery to the bullpen. I guess you do what you have to do, particularly with players who are out of options, but I'm not so sure if that's what I'd do with Karns or Paxton.
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That was the phrase that Dr. D had been waiting for. "If he's in the top 12 pitchers, he'll be there Opening Day." But did DiPoto mean "top 12 pitchers in our camp" or "top 12 pitchers in the American League" or "top 12 lefties since WWII" or what did top 12 pitchers mean?
Youse guys seem, 80% or 90% or 100%, to prefer K-Pax in the rotation and Karns to the bullpen. I dunno; I've got an inkling that the other way would be more fun. Maybe because I think Karns is REALLLLLY good, and because I can visualize 98 MPH lefty out of the pen.
Don' matter. ... it's just until somebody gets hurt anyway.
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As to the idea that Brandon Morrow should scare you off swing men ... :: shrug :: I dunno. How many counter-examples do you want? Johan Santana was a swing man his first 5 years (!!), right up until he decided to start going 20-6, 2.61 in the rotation. In 2001, the year the Mariners secured a (pseudo-)banner for their rafters, Santana started 4 games and finished 5.
But baseball history is stuffed with swing men. Earl thought that young guys should stay in the 'pen until he was sure about them starting the All-Star game. Brandon Morrow's psyche was lace-china fragile. Nate Karns', not so much.
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In any case, there was a particular move these Mariners made that flipped the jazz switch ON for me this winter. It was the Adam Lind deal. ... now if we hear that Karns-Paxton will be joining the bullpen, Dr. D's feeling about it will be verrrrry Lindish. It would make Opening Day thrice the sheer FUN.
Enjoy,
Jeff