Please, Bill, DON'T PANIC!!!!

Look, I realize you've got a tough job to do. You've undoubtedly got pressure from the suits above you to walk away from Nashville with some starting pitching, if not a few other pieces. Dude, though, don't pull what you did last year, and trade a valuable asset for someone who was just about to be non-tendered (and, hence, available for only the inked dollar amount on a contract, not a valuable player). Please Please Please learn from your mistakes. Just because Plans A, B, C, and D don't work out -- DON'T PANIC!!!! Be patient, pave some in-roads, really decide what it is you want and make a reasonable deal when you're not downing drinks in the bar...

There's still time to evaluate the market and figure out who you really want. Edwin Jackson is a good idea -- but think about what Tampa wants, and what fits best. While Wlad might be a bit much, it's not completely unreasonable. Don't just get rid of Jose Lopez to get rid of him. Ben Broussard, too. You already messed up with the Guillen situation, although I'm sure the folks above you probably influenced that decision quite heavily.

Kick the tires some more on a few guys -- Bartolo Colon, for example. Sweeten the pot on Santana -- think creatively.

But please, O please do NOT make another Horacio Ramirez-level mistake...

Pre-Thanksgiving Thankfulness...

Seeing Ichiro raise the 12th Man flag at Qwest Field yesterday, especially with the way he exploded in joy, waiving the towel, and really cheering hard, reminded me of how thankful I am that the M's don't have to resolve that question this offseason.



They have a lot to worry about, but, thankfully, Ichiro's status isn't on that list.

Yeah, things probably won't go like we all want this offseason. I'm not sure how many people really wanted the status quo with McLaren and Bavasi. Still, the status quo with Ichiro is just fine by me. Things could be a lot worse...

It's Over!

Well, except for a few teams, the 2007 is officially over. The Hot Stove League, then, for the Mariners is in full effect. With that, I have a few questions...

1) If A-Rod opts out of his contract, will Texas still be on the hook? My guess is that they won't be. That may not be good for the Mariners. If he ends up in Anaheim, it could be a double-whammy...

2) So, Jeff Pentland is the only coach to survive McLaren's scythe. What exactly is it about Jeff Pentland that deemed him worthy of being spared? Will he remain as hitting coach, or will he slide over to another coaching spot?

3) Where in the heck will Bavasi find starting pitching? He's not thinking about what USSM and other folks are thinking -- tapping into Tampa Bay's resources. I can almost guarantee that. Can he make a worse move than the one made for Horacio Ramirez? Anything's possible...