Adam Moore's quest to make the Mariners' Major League roster hit a big roadblock after the catcher suffered a broken wrist during Tuesday's game against the Reds. Moore will likely miss the rest of Spring Training at the minimum and he's seeing a hand specialist today to determine the severity of the injury. Moore was battling for a spot as Seattle's backup catcher, which could have been available given that Jesus Montero is expected to see a lot of time at DH this season.
Here's some more news from the AL West…
- Athletics GM Billy Beane chatted with Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News about such topics as Yoenis Cespedes, the challenges of taking the A's through another rebuilding process and the team's desire to resolve their stadium situation and possibly relocate to San Jose.
- Torii Hunter would "take less money" to return to the Angels next season, reports Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. "They have so many young guys coming up, guys they want to give playing time to, so I know it could be difficult for me," Hunter said. "But if they're willing to keep me here, I would love to stay." Hunter's five-year, $90MM contract expires after this season and though the outfielder has said he wants to play for two or three more years, his top priority is to play for a contender, preferably the Halos.
- Angels GM Jerry Dipoto sees the battle for playing time on his club's roster as a strength, he tells MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez. "The next team that wins a world championship with 25 guys, they will be the first," Dipoto said. "It keeps players fresh, it puts them in good matchup situations, it gives you depth, interchangeable pieces….Do I believe there's enough at-bats for the players here? Absolutely."
- Oliver Perez's minor league deal with the Mariners will pay him $750K if he makes the 25-man roster, reports MLB.com's Greg Johns. Perez can earn another $250K in incentives tied to innings and games pitched.
- The Mariners' wealth of minor league talent makes them "the next Tampa Bay Rays," writes ESPN's Jim Bowden (Insider subscription required), though the Mariners' higher payroll gives them a leg up on the Rays. Bowden is very high on Seattle's young pitching corps, comparing them to not just the Rays' current staff, but also to Oakland's Tim Hudson/Mark Mulder/Barry Zito trio of the early 2000's and the great Braves rotations of the 1990's.
- The Athletics and Giants released competing press releases yesterday in regards to the ongoing dispute between the two clubs over the Athletics' attempt to move to San Jose. John Shea and Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle recap the more pertinent passages from each release, as the two teams argue over which has territorial rights to Santa Clara County.
Instead of signing Perez, the Mariners would have been better off setting a pile of money on fire.
He won’t make the team, so we won’t pay him.
the mariners will make his entire contract back on opening day…so what does it matter…they may have already made it by spring training ticket sales
The Mariners have other players to pay for too…
Way to spin it Jerry. I like him, but you know he doesn’t truly believe there are enough at bat’s for every player*.
Assuming everyone is healthy
San Jose A’s WS champs 2016
Ummmmm….no
I kind of like the sounds of the OAKLAND ATHLETICS.
Keep the A’s in Oakland!
Yea, that’s not a good idea if you’re an A’s fan.
Hunter signs a 1 yr deal for 8M to stay with the Halos next year! Hopefully Angels re-sign him for 1 more!
Seattle Mariners fan here, and calling them the next Rays is more than a little early lol. I love Smoak/Ackley/Felix/Walker/Hultzen/Paxton and now Montero as well, but i think this writer is overreacting by looking at Spring training standings lol.
in terms of over all prospects I would agree with him…who was the last highly touted offensive prospect the rays have developed…longoria…the M’s at least have a highly touted 1st basemen, catcher(thanks to NY) and infielder in Ackely plus some serious pitching prospect who will more than likely show up this season I agree with him
The Rays may not have brought in a big offensive prospect, but their pitching development has been beyond phenomenal. Just look at Matt Moore (2011). Probably the best young pitcher in the MLB. Followed closely by Jeremy Hellickson (2010). Followed by David Price and Wade Davis (2009). Those are the pitchers who the Rays developed since they brought up Longoria in 2008. That more than makes up for a ton of offense.
Smoak did not hit very well (career .227/.316/.385/.701). He may in the future, but he still has not established that he was worth all of the hoopla he got as a prospect. Montero is not a legit catcher and never will be, although he may well become an incredibly dominant hitter (think Frank Thomas potential). I can’t proclaim to be an expert on the M’s pitching prospects, but given Jim Bowden’s past, I’m relatively certain he’s overstated their potential.
All of that said, the M’s are definitely positioned better than they have been in nearly a decade. But I would not agree with Bowden on an overall basis, nor on the focused basis he apparently took in regard to their pitching. I don’t think we’ll see the M’s in the playoffs anytime soon. I wish we would.
I know he’s still very young, but Desmond Jennings had a great rookie campaign. I guess you’re right beyond that, but Hak Ju Lee isn’t too far away, and neither is Beckham. Don’t think there are any Brignac boosters left, though.
The Giants just need to write a $$$ number for the extortion (sorry, rights) to their supposed territory which the Athletics generously granted them for free in the early nineties when the Giants were packed and ready to move to Tampa.
Or, Selig needs to get off the dime and make his decision one way or another.
I doubt that Selig is going to do the right thing like settling Giants/A’s territorial disputes, kicking the Wilpons out, not taking an extension when he should retire, etc.
All we got to do is wait….
Come on Torii, don’t sell yourself short like that. You are a 36 year old former gold glover who is clearly approaching the downside of your career….
Ruben Amaro will be waiting after this year to give you an outrageous multi-year deal to replace Shane Victorino…keep your head up 🙂
Nah he will only get a one year deal max.
You obviously don’t know Rube…