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And trades in general.
The imperative of countering is worth a thought or 2, just not worthy of reaction. The fact that Beane has stepped forward with a top prospect is worthy of much more consideration in my opinion. His teams playoff roster needs were clearly there. It's easy for me to understand the acquisition. It's trading away Addison Russell, who might be an upgrade over Jed Lowry as soon as next year. That may be understating his talent. A very good to excellent defender at SS with legit 5 tools. It's not like they have a logjam there and still sent out the best. They have little close at MIF, high-A-SS-some-say-MLB-3B to be Daniel Robertson is all I'm seeing. Maybe they're more confident in his ability to stick than anything I've read. Still, high A...I'd defer to others on that. If Jim, Gordon or others have more insight on those situations.
The Mariners have A LOT more behind Walker than that. And closer.
2001 not sustaining through the playoffs to me goes in a different category than most years do. I hope it doesn't come off as insensitive if I point out the work stoppage from 9-11 through 9-17 changed the season. After that they had their first 3 game losing streak that then became 4 as Oakland became the first to sweep them. .722 after the game on the 10th became .716 on the season pretty quick considering that was with 18 games remaining. The Mariners' season wasn't as big of a worry, suddenly. Including to them.
You can count off several years from the mid nineties to early aughts that the Mariners were doing well and had some holes but just used duct tape and super glue. The hot streaks faded and the team did too. Not always...
I think the attitude can be extended longer by the addition being something the guys see as an addition and them coming in and producing. Maybe I'm just hopeful. But I'm hopeful for that actual All Star bat addition. At least I'm confident that any RH addition who hits lefties well should improve the situation with Mac in control though. Previous managers I'd have been worried they would use them too much at the wrong times.