Yes they spend money but they can’t do it effectively. Maybe they’ll soon realize you can’t build through Free Agency, it’s expensive and ugly. I don’t know what else it’s going to take to let upper management get the hint and figure it out.

Maybe they’ll allow Jack Z to rebuild. My guts says no because they’re blocking talent and clearly trying to win now. At least Jack Z is making progress in our youth movement. Smoak should be an all-star in a couple years. And a real good one. Felix is 1/1 in his 5 straight Cy Youngs. Gutti can be a cornerstone at center. We’re pretty young, we just harvest the crops in a few years. That’s how you win championships.

Then I looked at two things. The first was the numbers, particularly defensive numbers. Compared to every other catcher in the major leagues, Miguel Olivo has the best numbers–best Dewan ratings, best number against base stealers. Trouble blocking passed balls, but still better than the Moore/RoJo combo.

Hitting is still a damn sight better than any catcher in a Mariner uniform in 2010. .269/.315/.449 though he is an impatient right handed pull hitter.

Perhaps the most important reason for this deal however, is Zdurencik’s stated impatience with many of the young Mariners players. Moore is going to have to show something in order to win a starting job and he’s been put on notice.