Mailbag: Wilson next in Mariners HOF? - 美國職棒

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Who decides what people are selected for the Mariners Hall Of Fame? If I had a
vote, Dan Wilson would be next. What chance do you give Wilson?

The Board of Directors of the Baseball Club of Seattle Inc., at the
recommendation of the chief executive officer (Howard Lincoln) and the
president of the Mariners (Chuck Armstrong), the front office, uniformed
personnel, the media and fans, shall in their sole discretion determine who
will be selected on an annual basis. Wilson would be a fine choice. He spent 10
years with the Mariners and was instrumental in the team's success between 1995
and 2001.

Why don't the Mariners go after Barry Bonds? With all the legal trouble, he
would be cheap. He is a left-handed power hitter the Mariners are always
looking for, and would do wonders for ticket sales. He could also play left
field to give Raul Ibanez a rest from time to time.

The first five words you wrote after the question mark says it all, Luke. Teams
want to avoid distractions and the "legal trouble" facing Bonds could become
the biggest distraction in MLB history. Furthermore, he wouldn't come "cheap"
and the Mariners already have enough outfielders to keep Ibanez rested.

Now that the Angels lost out on their bid to add Miguel Cabrera as protection
for Vlad Guerrero, I wondered what your thoughts are on pitching around Vlad
more in '08 and taking their chances with Garret Anderson.

I think that's a wonderful idea and will pass it along to manager John McLaren.
Guerrero has been a Mariners nemesis for as long as he's been in the American
League, batting .466 (39-for-73) with six home runs and 20 RBIs against Seattle
pitching last season. Although the Angels lost out on Miguel Cabrera, I believe
the Mariners will be helped immensely by the departure of shortstop Orlando
Cabrera, who was traded to the White Sox for pitcher Jon Garland. Orlando did
almost as much damage against the Mariners this past season as Guerrero, going
33-for-81 against the Mariners while batting in front of Vlad.

What are the chances of the Mariners pursuing Scott Kazmir from Tampa Bay? He
has a low ERA and appears to be a No. 2 or No. 3 starter for the Mariners. Is
he available or am I misunderstanding arbitration?

Sorry, Jason, but you are misunderstanding arbitration. Kazmir is contracted to
play for the Rays for at least three more years. Most players become eligible
for salary arbitration after three seasons in the Major Leagues and can become
eligible for free agency at the end of six seasons. Kazmir is the best pitcher
on the Rays' staff and, therefore, as close to being "untouchable" as it gets
in Tampa Bay.

If the Giants are going to make Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain available, why not
go after them? They will be legitimate No. 1 starters, and Lincecum is from
Washington, so re-signing him later shouldn't be a problem.

The Giants need offense and GM Brian Sabean is listening to offers for Lincecum
and Cain. But Sabean says he would prefer keeping both pitchers and the cost to
get either pitcher, especially Lincecum, would be substantial. I just don't
think the Mariners have a match with the Giants.

I am a big fan of Mike Morse. I think he has a lot of potential, but doesn't
get enough plate appearances. What do you see as Mike's role in the future?

If the regular season started today, Morse probably would be on the team as a
utility player. He is out of options, so the Mariners would have to put him on
waivers -- exposing him to all other MLB organizations -- before sending him
back to the Minor Leagues. I believe the Mariners will do their best this
spring to find a spot on the 25-man Opening Day roster for Morse.

Do you think Ichiro Suzuki will move back to right field and have Adam Jones
become the center fielder?

McLaren was asked that question during a media session at the Winter Meetings.
He said, "[Ichiro] is a Gold Glove player in right or center. We like him in
center and we like Adam going to right."

I just read that the Mariners let Jorge Campillo and Nick Green go. Why on
earth did that happen when they were two of the shining stars on the Tacoma
team last season?

The Mariners took Campillo and Green off the 40-man roster, making room for
younger players, and offered them Minor League contracts. Both Campillo and
Green rejected the offer and became free agents.

Of all the pitchers that have worn a Mariners uniform, who would you say is the
all-time greatest in Mariners history?

I missed the early years (1977-85), but if the Mariners were playing Game 7 of
the World Series, I would want Randy Johnson on the mound. During a three-year
stretch in the mid-1990s, Johnson not only was the best pitcher on the Mariners
staff, but one of the best pitchers in the Major Leagues. I think he will be
the first pitcher in Seattle history to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but
probably go in wearing a Diamondbacks baseball cap.

What is with all the hype about Jones? Is he really as good as advertised?

Jones has all the tools he needs to become one of the best players in the
Majors. He runs well, throws well, and can hit for power and a high average. It
is no surprise that other teams ask about Jones' availability during virtually
every trade conversation. That being said, he needs to stay healthy and focused
to become the player so many expect him to be.

How is Jeremy Reed doing? Does he have any trade value or interest?

Reed is doing fine and spending the offseason in Southern California preparing
for another Spring Training -- probably with the Mariners. His trade value
seems to be low, which surprises me. He's a great defensive player, runs well
and can hit. He would make an extra position player on almost any National
League team, which "double-switches" many times during a season. And he is a
terrific person that doesn't complain about lack of playing time. The only
thing he doesn't do is hit a lot of home runs.


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