| 31 December 2011
Morry Gash/Associated Press
Prince is not our Savior.
I am a huge Fielder cheerleader and, if the price is right, would gladly accept a late Christmas present from Jack Z with arms wide open. But, as has become familiar with Scott Boras’ clientele, landing Fielder may require a contract richer than what it behooves the Mariners to spend.
My message to frantic M’s fans is this: sit down and take a deep breath. Let’s stay the course.
What do I mean by stay the course? It’s simple, and something that you may already have heard. Ex-GM Bill Bavasi left this team—and, most importantly, its farm system—in shambles. His $100 million dollar payroll brought us 100 losses. I have no recollection of a GM firing from the hip in the way Bavasi did, dreaming of buying and trading for a winner.
Mariners brass did right back then when they realized they needed to start with the farm system and build from within. Why did the Mariners bring in Jack Zdurencik? He had 24 years of talent evaluation and scouting under his belt and an impressive drafting track record (recent first-rounders include Fielder, Ryan Braun, Rickie Weeks, Brett Lawrie and Matt LaPorta). READ MORE AFTER THE JUMP!
Jack Z was the first non-General Manager to win the Major League Executive of the Year Award in 2007 by making the Brewers relevant again. It seems the Mariners chose him to ride out his hot hand of bringing in youth from the draft. Has he succeeded? So far I would say yes.
Not since the days of Meche, Franklin, and Pineiro have I been so optimistic and excited about our farm system. It can be easy to say that Z has had it made with so many consecutive 90+ losing seasons: he has accumulated numerous top-5 picks.
Counting supplemental picks, let’s compare the most recent Mariners GMs. During the Bavasi era (2003-2008) he accumulated five first round picks, picking at 3, 5, 11, 20, and 52. His selections, in that order (are you ready for this?): Jeff Clement, Brandon Morrow, Phillippe Aumont, Josh Fields and Matt Mangini. Only Mangini is still in the M’s system.
So far, Jack Z (2009-2011) has also had 5 first round picks, picking at 2, 2, 27, 33, and 43. Listed in order; Dustin Ackley, Danny Hultzen, Nick Franklin, Steve Baron and Taijuan Walker. Zduriencik has made it a point to draft high quality players with college experience that can contribute immediately. Case in point: I would be surprised if Hultzen does not crack the rotation this year out of spring training and round out an already impressive young starting rotation.
Would Fielder help this team? Absolutely. But even if we don’t land him, Jackie Z’s ability to scout, evaluate talent, and draft according can build a strong program from within. His extension with the Mariners was essential. We are already beginning to reap the benefits of his keen eye with the likes of Ackley and Pineda.
So to you, my bewildered Mariners fan, regardless of what happens in the Fielder Sweepstakes: sit back, relax, stay the course, and watch Jack Z work his magic.
