Trident Tribune

[marinersjeff]

Source for Seattle Mariner news and info

[marinersjeff]

Get to know new Seattle GM Jeff Thomas


Who is Jeff Thomas? Lets get to know the man, the myth, the Legend. I was born in a small farming town in Northwest Ohio. Through my younger days I grew up a Reds fan, enjoyed the world series championship of 1990, but something happened in the fall of 1992 that changed things forever. You can read more about my journey to becoming a Marlins fan here (https://www.fishstripes.com/2017/5/25/15694338/why-im-a-fan-of-the-miami-marlins?_ga=2.255475912.1749954578.1537983142-1281334494.1452008773).  But since that point I’ve been a Marlins fan, through the good times and the bad. I enjoy fantasy baseball as well, I am the commissioner of an NL only auction keeper league that has been around for over 20 years, among other leagues.

I’ve played OOTP since OOTP 2, and started playing against other humans in OOTP 3 when my cousin and I started a league while rooming together after I moved to Cincinnati for work. I’ve played in some sort of league with and without humans ever since then with mixed results! I’m always up for trade talk, and even if I say someone is untouchable I’ll still listen and at least see what I could get back. So please don’t hesitate to throw an offer my way. I’ll be sure to do the same!

My non-baseball life is fairly boring. I’m married with 2 kids. Somehow, I got suckered into helping coach my daughters 2nd grade basketball team. We didn’t win a game all year, but hopefully the kids had a good time. As mentioned above I live in Cincinnati and work for a consumer goods company as an analytical Chemist. I’m trying to get back into Hockey as a baseball off season activity, so we’ll see how that goes!

I’m looking forward to getting started, and look for an article with my plans for this upcoming season. From what I’ve seen so far, look for me to be active in trade talks!

[marinersjeff]

First Impressions

Its been a whirlwind of activity for Jeff Thomas in his first days as GM of the Seattle Mariners. When asked about his initial thoughts of this organization he responded with, “well, it’s a pretty nasty dumpster fire, I’d say it’s a Kardashian level dumpster fire in fact.” When asked if he’s had much interactions with the fans, he responded with this, “I asked a group of youngsters, maybe around 10 years old or so, what they thought of the Mariners. One little man responded with, ‘The Sonics will win a trophy before the M’s do’. I guess they aren’t too pleased with the current situation.”

Off Season plan

First and foremost is getting a scouting director in here and help me figure out what we have. Marcus Stroman has already let me know he would like an extension, so we need to figure out the finical implication of that. From there, we’ll look long and hard at the trade block and see if we can find some guys to help give these fans something to cheer about. The trade deadline will probably be a very active time for us as well. Jeff Samardzija will be a piece we’ll look to move among others. But in the meantime we’ll listen on any player. Nobody is untouchable, and our focus is rebuilding the farm. We’ve heard from a few teams, and look forward to talking to more in the coming days/weeks.

[marinersjeff]

 Mariners Spring Preview: 
    After a relatively quiet offseason, its time to turn our attention to spring training and all the intrigue of the new season.  New GM Jeff Thomas didn't waste much time in making a trade to help strengthen the rotation.  The M's sent a few minor leaguers to the White Sox in exchange for pitchers Jake Junis and Jordan Stephens.  Junis is pencilled in as the #3 starter heading into spring training, and the front office hopes he can solidify that spot for a few years yet to come.  Stephens will look to man a spot in the bullpen and provide some depth to the rotation when an injury occurs.  Trade number 2 of the off season came shortly after that with division rival Oakland  The decision was made to try and add more young talent in the upper minors and send Jesse Winker to the A's for a package of SP Roniel Raudes, C Blake Hunt, and OF Lazaro Armentaros.  Raudes is seen as a mid rotation option, while Blake Hunt provides a strong defensive presence behind the plate, and Armentaros gives the M's a young CF who can get on base and hopefully use his speed to help get the offense going.  All three are expected to start the year in AAA, but all three will get a look this spring, in fact Raudes is going to start the first game of the spring schedule.  The final trade of the off season was made with the Yankees and sent a couple of low minor leaguers to New York for infielders Rob Refsnyder and Dante Bichette jr.  The other news maker was getting Marcus Stroman locked up to a nice long extension.  That should provide the team a lot of stability in the clubhouse and at the top of the rotation for years to come.  
 
 What to watch this spring:

      The rotation seems pretty set at the top.  Stroman will be looked at to lead the rotation and take the ball on opening day.  Following him will be Jeff Smardzja and Jake Junis. After that things are up in the air.  There is a long list of guys that will compete for those spots including; Brady Aiken, Tyler Beede, and Pablo Lopez.  But the main completion will be between Colin Rae, Chad Bettis, and Tyler Chatwood.  There are few other youngsters who will get a look this spring like Jhon Duran and the previously discussed Roniel Raudes.  The Bullpen lacks a true shutdown closer, so it will be a closer by committee this spring to see who comes out ahead.  Another intriguing story to watch is what becomes of Jeff Smardzja.  He is entering the final year on his contract, but the team has had some preliminary talks about extending him.  Both sides have agreed to see how the first couple of months of the season go and take things from there.  Another option is to use him as a trade chip at the deadline.  The M's are prepared to retain 100% of his salary for a better return, but again this will depend on how the season starts.  Shark is coming off a nasty injury, and he could be a nice part of the rotation to provide some stability as this team tries to get its footing.  A good spring will go a long way for his future in Seattle.  



  Around the diamond things seem pretty well set with most of the battles being for back up roles.  Miguel Gomez will be the main guy at catcher with Nick Collins providing relief.  Blake Hunt is in camp and will get an early look as well, but he'll serve more to give the M's a chance to evaluate what they have in the youngster.  Wil Myers is locked in at 1B as he looks to earn his 3rd consecutive gold glove.  Bichette Jr. will serve as his back up this spring.  The majority of work in the middle of the infield will go to newly acquired Refsnyder and CJ Hinojosa with Dilson Herrara, Ketel Marte, Bryson Brigman, and young stud Aramis Ademan all getting looks.  Ketel Marte coming off a strong season last year will have the advantage on the back up role this spring, but anything can happen.  Ryan Schimpf heads into spring as the starting 3B, but with a strong showing Seth Mejias-Brean could over take him and force Schimpf to the DH role. Meijas-Brean has the look of the 3B of the future, but when does that future start.  


 The outfield has a lot of interesting options as well.  Jason Hayward will be in RF, but CF and LF will be up for grabs with the "losers" moving to the 4th and 5th spots on the depth chart.  Dustin Peterson and Ben Gamel have the advantage going into the spring, but Rule V Selection Ryan Boldt will look to force his way into the starting line up.  That leaves Jacob Scavuzzo left to fight for a spot as well.  A taste of things to come will also be on display this Spring with top prospects Taylor Trammell and Lazaro Armentaros getting some work as well.  Those two will begin the year at AAA, but look for them to push the current group all year long.  


  So this spring should be a good chance for the organization to see what they have both this year and for the future.  The front office is excited for games to start and get a look at what they've got and what direction things may go leading up to the deadline as well.  Now the focus will turn to the draft and ensuring the team is able to get an impact player with the #1 overall pick.  Those teams looking to add depth at the deadline need to keep the M's in mind.  Look for our Season Preview as Opening Day approaches!  Thanks for reading!