M's trade catcher

The Mariners have traded Pat Borders to Minnesota for minor league outfielder B.J. Garbe.

Garbe, 23, is a native of Moses Lake. He was the Twins' first round pick in the 1999 draft.

Garbe is currently hitting .201 in his second year of Double-A. He isn't the highly regarded prospect he used to be, but I guess you can only get so much for a 41-year-old catcher.

He will be assigned to San Antonio.

No more Melvin?

Is Bob Melvin on his way out? Larry LaRue of the News Tribune sure thinks so.

Although LaRue admits the team hasn't played well this year, he also holds Melvin accountable. The manager, LaRue says, "never put his stamp" on the Mariners, didn't delegate well, never held his coaches accountable enough and never seemed to have an impact on his players.

M's claim Evert

The Mariners have claimed RHP Brett Evert off waivers from the Atlanta Braves. He has been optioned to Tacoma.

I'm not particularly familiar with Evert, but he appears to be a big right-hander that never quite lived up to the potential others thought he had. He was twice listed among the Braves' top-four prospects by Baseball America.

He was a combined 6-4, 4.81 in 29 games with Double-A Greenville and Triple-A Richmond this year.

Felix dazzles

Felix Hernandez threw a seven-inning, complete game shutout last night for the San Antonio Missions. He gave up three hits and struck out seven.

The Missions won both games of the doubleheader against Wichita.

Time to go back to the bullpen?

After having a couple of good starts, Ron Villone has not pitched well in August.

In his last five starts, Villone has posted a 9.00 ERA. Other things of note:
· given up 35 hits in 26 innings
· issued 17 walks compared to 15 strikeouts
· batting-average-against of .321
· worst BB/9 and K/9 ratios of any month this season
· has faced light hitting Tampa in two of those starts

Hmmmm...

Was anybody else wishing Jay Buhner could have put on the uniform and pinch hit for Willie Bloomquist in the ninth?

Pineiro done for year

The Mariners have decided Joel Pineiro will not pitch again this season.

"My feeling is we won't see him back during the regular season," manager Bob Melvin said. "I don't think there's any reason not to be cautious. For me, there's no reason to rush him back for this season."

If they only took the same route with Rafael Soriano...

A closer look at Moyer

After posting records of 20-6, 13-8 and 21-7 the previous three seasons, Jamie Moyer is only 6-8 so far this year. His ERA has also jumped up by more than a run per game.

Let's take a closer look at his numbers and see if they give us an idea of what is going on:

      BB/9 K/9  HR/9 2B/9 HR/H 2B/H  BAA  ERA
2001  1.89 5.11 1.03 1.46 0.13 0.18 .239  3.43
2002  1.95 5.74 1.09 1.29 0.14 0.17 .230  3.32 
2003  2.76 5.40  .80 1.63 0.10 0.20 .246  3.27
2004  2.44 5.47 1.98 0.88 0.21 0.13 .271  4.66

Three things jump to my attention here:

1) His BB/9 and K/9 haven't taken a dramatic turn for the worse. In fact, they are basically unchanged. A decline in these numbers is usually a bad sign.

2) His BAA (batting average against) has skyrocketed to .271. We all knew the Mariners' defense was going to be worse this year and it shows.

3) Moyer is giving up home runs at an absolutely incredible rate. In fact, 21% of hits against him have been dingers. A real close look at the numbers might even suggest that hits that used to be doubles are now finding their way over the fence.

He's back

It looks like Ichiro will be back in the lineup for today's game against Detroit.

M's sign another Duck

The Seattle Mariners have purchased the contract of Long Island Duck closer Bill Simas. He'll be assigned to Tacoma.

As of August 19, Simas lead the Atlantic League in appearances (42) and saves (17).

The M's purchased the contract of Bill Pulsipher from Long Island a few weeks ago.

Ichiro to miss game

Ichiro Suzuki will sit tonight's game out because he still feels slightly dizzy.

"The tests were OK, so I should be fine," Suzuki said through an interpreter. "We'll see how dizzy I am tomorrow."

Leone to the DL

As expected, Justin Leone has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with fractured fourth and fifth metacarpals in his left hand.

Ramon Santiago has been recalled to fill Leone's spot on the roster.

M's reach deal with Tacoma

It was announced today that the Mariners would keep their Triple-A affiliatation with Tacoma through 2006.

On Tuesday night, the Tacoma City Council approved a lease extension to keep the Rainiers playing at Cheney Stadium through 2006. The city also agreed to make some minor improvements to the aging venue.

Lastly, George Foster, who put the team up for sale in 2000, will no longer be required to find a buyer that is local.

Tommy John surgery for Soriano

The Mariners received some good news and some bad news today.

Rafael Soriano underwent Tommy John surgery this afternoon. He'll likely miss most, if not all, of next season.

The good news was that Eddie Guardado does not need surgery to repair his rotator cuff injury.

"Hopefully, we'll have him healthy and ready to go in Spring Training," Manager Bob Melvin said.

Since he is already on the shelf, Guardado is expected to undergo arthroscopic surgery to "clean out" his left knee.

Leone out

Justin Leone will likely miss the rest of the season, or at least most of it, because of two broken fingers on his left hand.

He was hit in tonight's game by Matt Kinney.

Soriano, Guardado update

Eddie Guardado and Rafael Soriano were seen by Dr. Lewis Yocum today. Both pitchers were seeking a second opinion after being diagnosed by Mariners Medical Director Dr. Larry Pedegana.

Dr. Yocum confirmed that Guardado has a torn rotator cuff. No decision has been made on the next step in the left-hander's recovery.

He also confirmed an abnormality shown on Soriano's MRI. Soriano will undergo exploratory surgery tomorrow.

Waivers 101

There are always a lot of questions about how the waiver system works in baseball. Luckily, Jayson Stark is around to give us an easy-to-understand primer.

Stark also reported last week that Raul Ibanez and Bret Boone were not claimed. Before you ask, I do not have a list of which Mariners were put on waivers or which players cleared.

Ichiro sets another record

Ichiro's two hits last night pushed his career total to 841, the most any player has hit in his first four seasons. Paul Waner held the previous record, which he set in the late 1920's playing with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Ichiro is also closing in on a couple of other records:
· With 179 hits in the M's first 113 games, Ichiro is on pace for 256 hits. The record, held by George Sisler, is 257.

· Barring a horrible finish to the season, Ichiro should break his own AL record for singles in a season. He hit 192 in 2001 and is on pace for 216 this year. Willie Keeler holds the major league record with 202.

M's, Rainiers may have new deal soon

According to the News Tribune, a deal could be announced today that would keep the Rainiers in Tacoma for another two years. It would include an extension of the lease at Cheney Stadium, a Player Development Agreement with the Mariners and improvements to Cheney Stadium.

Maybe Griffey should join Edgar?

Ken Griffey Jr. will miss the rest of the season because of a torn right hamstring.

"He had a complete rupture of the hamstring off the bone," team medical director Dr. Timothy Kremchek said.

Griffey is scheduled to have surgery on Monday.

And if anybody wants my opinion, the Mariners should NOT bring Griffey back to Seattle. Not as an outfielder, not as a DH. The only possible way I want to see Griffey at Safeco is in street clothes during a ceremony to retire his number.

Sasaki to retire?

The bad luck of the Mariners seems to have even rubbed off on Kazuhiro Sasaki.

The M's ex-closer was left off the Yokohama BayStars squad the past couple days.

"His form is far from convincing and I could not bring him here with the team," BayStars manager Daisuke Yamashita said.

Sasaki blew his last three save opportunities, including one on Sunday when he gave up back-to-back-to-back home runs in a 3-2 loss.

Update, 4:27 p.m.: It looks like Sasaki is going to retire.

Update, 8/12: Some sources have denied his intention to retire.

Bad news for Soriano, Guardado

Rafael Soriano has a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. This injury typically requires Tommy John surgery and would most likely knock Soriano out for another year.

The organization's bad track record with young pitchers continues. You can now see why many of us wondered why he wasn't shut down for the year before his latest rehab assignment.

Eddie Guardado has been diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff. Typical recovery time is eight to 12 months after surgery.

Both pitchers will seek a second opinion.

More roster moves

The Mariners have recalled Hiram Bocachica. To make room on the roster, Cha Seung Baek was optioned to Tacoma.

Update, 2:55 p.m.: Ignore my previous comments on Jamal Strong. He seems to be out with knee problems.

Minor league notes, 8/10

· Felix Hernandez had another impressive outing last night for the San Antonio Missions: 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K.

Hernandez is now 3-1 at the Double-A level with a 3.58 ERA.

· Shin-Soo Choo hit his 12th home run of the year in support of Herdandez. After a slow start, the outfielder is now sporting a nice .306/.372/.461 line.

· Everett's Shawn Nottingham got roughed up last night against Spokane, but he managed to get the win thanks to an offensive outburst by the AquaSox. He give up eight runs in six innings of work.

· Matt Tuiasosopo hit another home run last night and drove in three for Everett (although the box score seems to list Jon Lockwood, who is actually a pitcher for the Arizona rookie-level team, in his place).

Edgar to retire

Edgar Martinez announced he will retire at the end of the season.

"This is a difficult moment for me, but it's also an exciting moment for me," the 41-year-old two-time batting champ said, his voice wavering. "Looking forward for the future and a new chapter in my life."

"My mind and my heart wanted to keep playing," he said, but he has been struggling and felt it was time to retire. As for the future, he said he wants more family time, but beyond that, "nothing concrete yet."

At-bat music

The folks at ESPN.com's Page 3 have compiled the at-bat music for every team in the majors.

Here's a shortcut to the M's music. There are also some interesting tidbits about A-Rod, Bob Melvin and Barry White.

If this blogger had at-bat music, it would be Metallica's "For Whom the Bell Tolls."

Myers sent to the Red Sox

Mike Myers has been assigned to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Pitcher Cha Seung Baek has been brought up from Tacoma to take the left-hander's place.

Baek, 24, was 4-3 with a 4.28 ERA in Tacoma. He spent almost two months on the disabled list earlier in the season with a strained finger.

M's sign Runion

The Mariners have purchased the rights of right-handed relief pitcher Tony Runion from the Brockton Rox.

Runion, 32, has been assigned to Tacoma. He was 1-2 and had 15 saves with the Rox.

Why? Why? Why?

I seem to keep asking myself this over and over after watching Bob Melvin manage this team.

I can sort of understand the sacrifice bunt in the 10th, although you are taking the bat out of the hands of your three and four hitters.

But why is Spiezio batting with the bases loaded and two outs? He is hitting .183 since May 1. Meanwhile, Edgar Martinez is sitting on the bench. Why not let Edgar hit there and let Cabrera play first base?

Then again, I'm not even sure why Spiezio is even playing.

Tuiasosopo update

Matt Tuiasosopo has been promoted to the Everett AquaSox.

The shortstop put up a line of .412/.528/.721 while playing with the Mariners' rookie-level team in Arizona. He also had four home runs.

Homerrific

The guys over at U.S.S. Mariner have been discussing the effect of power on runs scored. The M's have scored fewer runs each of the last three years as their home runs and slugging percentage drop (although not specifically discussed, their on-base percentage has dropped as well). They have actually improved a bit of late, partly due to Justin Leone and Bucky Jacobsen.

On the flip side, the pitching staff sent up skyrockets in July as they gave up 55 home runs.

And here is something even scarier. Going into today's game, the Mariners had given up at least one home run in 26 consecutive games. According to Elias Sports Bureau, this matches the MLB record set by the Houston Astros in 2001.

Snelling, Soriano updates

The oft-injured Chris Snelling is currently rehabbing with the Mariners' rookie-level Arizona League affiliate. So far, Snelling is 3-for-10 with two walks. He has also been hit by a pitch three times.

Rafael Soriano threw 2/3 of an inning on Monday for Tacoma, allowing one hit and no runs. He also issued walk and registered a strikeout.

Update: Soriano was scheduled to pitch Tuesday, but he did not because of pain in his elbow.

Yankees sign Olerud

It's been rumored for days and has finally happened. John Olerud has signed with the Yankees.

M's sign Pulsipher

The Mariners have purchased the contract of left-handed pitcher Bill Pulsipher from the Long Island Ducks. He will be assigned to Tacoma.

Pulsipher, now 31, was 13-19 with a 5.13 ERA during his five seasons in the major leagues. He last played in 2001 for the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox.

I'd expect this move is meant to do nothing more than provide an extra arm for the Tacoma staff.

Guardado to the DL

Update, 1:34 p.m.: Guardado has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a fatigued left shoulder. Matt Thornton has been recalled from Tacoma to take his spot.

GM Bill Bavasi was on KJR this morning and mentioned that Eddie Guardado may be heading to the disabled list with a sore shoulder. You can read what else he said here and here.

More roster moves

Travis Blackley has been sent back to Tacoma. Clint Nageotte has been recalled to take the left-hander's spot.

Blackley was 1-3 with a 10.04 ERA in six games.