Three Questions About the Mariners

Saying his OPS is better than Beltre is like saying that Jim Thome has a better OPS than Yuniesky Bentancourt. Sure Thome hit's better, but how many runs would he cost you if you stuck him at short stop?

I will admit that Beltre's signing hasn't worked out. I'll still defend it as a good gamble in light of the information available at the time. However, simply looking at raw offensive statistics and trying to compare Morse and Beltre isn't going to work. Morse's bad defense completly negates any offensive advantage. The problem is that his bat isn't good enough to play at any position where his defense won't kill you.

Sorry Jason, should've been more clear.

I didn't mean that he's the best hitter statistically. Obviously, Ichiro deserves that honor.

I was attempting to get across that I think he does the best at utilizing his (limited) talent at the plate of anyone on the team. His swing isn't great, he doesn't have a ton of power, but I feel like he has great ABs and usually hits the ball hard somewhere.

Completely subjective analysis, I know.

And--maybe he was league average--but his 2005 OPS was better than Beltre's. So he's sure not Mariners average.

if you're going to make inane comments like "mike morse is our best hitter" then expect snarky comments in return (hint: ichiro). i'll just point out that his hitting tailed off dramatically over the last three months of last season to the point that he ended up with league-average numbers. i do think that he would excel in a willie bloomquist-like role (with better power), but we already have one of those... being used ineptly by mike hargrove. i would rather we take away hargrove's toys than give him another one.

We hate Morse because:

He has never really hit well in the minors. And the list of players who have not hit in the minors and some how succeded in the majors is effectively ZERO.

He is awful defensively. He was the worst defensive short stop in the majors last year, (i.e, he cost the mariners more runs than any other shortstop) and he did it in very few games.

His bat would be acceptable for a SS or 2B, however he has proven he can't play there. For a corner infielder or corner outfielder his bat simply can't carry him. He's an ok bench guy (although you could probably find better) but has no business starting unless you are giving someone a day off, or you have a player that simply CAN'T hit left handed pitching.

The most daming thing about Morse is that the only time he's shown any power in his career coincides with the time he was on steroids. Unlike your implication that Morrow is on the juice with no evidence, Mike Morse has actually tested positive for and been suspended multiple times.

Morrow's increase in speed can be attributed to, getting healthy and growing into his body. Pitchers tend to gain velocity as they approach 25, peaking around 27, and then slowly tailing off.

1. He grew up; got stronger. It happens.

2. Hargrove is a profoundly bad in-game strategist. Just...bad.

3. Morse is hot right now, that's all. He'll revert back. Look for him to be traded as part of a larger package by the deadline. He's a guy who doesn't really have a position and we already have Ibanez, Everett, and Petagine to fill that role (yes, Ibanez).