I just thought this was hard last week. We just came off our worst week of the season: 0-6, which gives a 9-game loosing streak, and we've come up short in 16 of our last 19 games. We are now 17 games out of 1st place, but don't fret, we're only 16 games out in the wild card. When we get back from the break we have 18 straight games without an off-day, the we get Monday August 2nd off and play a double header against the Orioles the next day. The stretch includes series against Cleveland and Boston and two apiece with Oakland and Anaheim. USA Today says we will go with a rotation of Pineiro, Blackley, Franklin, Moyer, and Team Pitcher. I really hope Team Pitcher turns out to be good.
Raul Ibanez came back from the DL, but it was at the expense of Rich Aurilia. Aurilia was designated for asignment, which means the Mariners have 10 days to trade him, release him, or send him to the minors. If he's released, the M's would be responsible for all of his 3.15 million dollar salary except for the pro-rated major league minimum (which would be paid by his new team). He will most likely be traded. I haven't heard any rumors about a trade with a particular, but judging from the teams still in contention, my guess is that he'll go to the Dodgers, Brewers, Cubs, or maybe even back to the Giants. Wherever he goes, he's likely to only bring us one marginal prospect.
Mariner of the Week: Randy Winn has been absolutely on fire. Last week he went 12 for 25 (.480), with 4 home runs and 8 RBI's. For the week he also had an astounding 1.559 OPS. In the last week he raised his average from .261 to .278, which is a sizeable 1-week jump for this part of the year. While it's great that he's doing well, his recent success really only means one thing considering the state of the team: He'll be gone by the end of the month.
Posted by chefchuddy at July 12, 2004 09:43 AMI hope Winn doesn't get traded, but I sure wouldn't be surprised.
Posted by: Deacon Blues at July 12, 2004 10:22 AM