That Mariners have officially signed George Sherrill, the team announced in a press release. It's a one-year contract worth $1.1MM plus incentives.
Sherrill, 34, originally broke into the big leagues with the Mariners in 2004 after spending time with four different independent league teams. He was part of the trade that sent Adam Jones, Chris Tillman, and others to Baltimore for Erik Bedard before the 2008 season, but he spent last season with the Braves. Sherrill held left-handed batters to a .256/.275/.333 batting line with 32 strikeouts and just one walk in 81 plate appearances in 2011.
Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com broke the news of the agreement (on Twitter), and both Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times and Jason Churchill of Prospect Insider (on Twitter) reported that the two sides were close to a deal. Churchill provided the contract details.
Chris Davis – Quad “A” player to serve as your big upgrade… The knowledge of his former club is inconsequential as they know his weaknesses a heck of a lot better than he knows their staff…
Figgins – Over-paid, under-producing, immovable contract…
Sanchez- A #2/3 starter for which they just traded to bolster their rotation…
Alex Gordon- A Royals extension candidate, not trade bait…
if the mariners are looking for offense, chris davis isn’t the guy you should be looking at
I have a tough time believing that a team who is paying its three top earners 44.5 MM for 3.8 WAR can’t handle Prince Fielders salary.
Even with last season’s crappiness, Ichiro’s has been worth his contract. I seriouly doubt Fielder will be worth his.
Who’s talking about earning contracts? I’m simply stating that the Mariners can afford Prince Fielder and still have money to spend fixing the holes that remain.
There is quite a bit of online info on the Mariners current financial status that can clear up your confusion. Geoff Baker’s article in the Seattle Times on Chris Larson is a good place to start.
You seem confused so allow me to explain. Last season the Mariners pre incentive payroll was slotted in the neighborhood of 94MM. Per Geoff Baker that would leave 14.2 MM for the Mariners to spend this season to reach the 94 million dollar payroll that the Mariners had last season. They have 14.2 Million to spend after paying their top 3 earners 44.5 million dollars last season while they accumulated 3.8 WAR. The Mariners as a team would not be crippled by a Prince Fielder contract in the future.
Can the Mariners raise payroll in order to afford Prince Fielder next season? Maybe, but that is information that only Mariners ownership and management are privy to. The possibility remains that the Mariners could back load a Fielder contract ala the Albert Pujols deal, at which point all of those questions become moot, as the Mariners expire another 28 million dollars the following season when Ichiro, Jason Vargas and Brandon League all hit free agency.
Chris Larson’s money problems only come into affect if the Mariners decide to raise payroll. I do my homework.
Let’s be real. Prince Fielder alone won’t propel the M’s to a playoff berth in 2012. 2012 belongs to the Angels and Rangers.
In 2013, depending on how the youth progress, a few key FA signings could propel the M’s. Next season, not really.
“Let’s be real”
You wanna be real? The M’s won’t be contenders at all if they don’t do something significant concerning scoring runs. And they’re existing players and potential lineups with those players won’t be much better for this next season.
Nowhere did I write that the Mariners will be “playoff” bound this next year, but if they want to keep attendance from dropping in the cellar even further… they need a “Prince” type of player to come to Seattle.
sweet. Sherrill’s signing will help sell a zillion season tickets.
Sure hope he does a better job than when he was with the Dodgers, Jeeezzz he stunk.
He has a career ERA under 4. 3.00 in 36 innings last year. His only really bad year was 2010 with the Dodgers but he pitched well for them in 2009. He’s a solid lefty with well above average stuff. A bargain at 1.1 million.
I think even Dayton Moore would laugh then hang up upon hearing that offer.