I understand the fascination with Griffey, but let’s not let nostalgia get in the way of the fact that he’s not a great bat anymore.

Go get a cheaper, younger, healthier, faster, and better defender Corey Patterson (outproducing Griffey at the plate in 2008 as well) before Junior.

1. TUI! Looks like his bat is coming around so that is always a good sign. Are you liking his defense?

2. Is there something about West Tennessee’s home ballpark that is making Luis Valbuena look like like Adam Moore from High Desert? It seems Adam doesn’t hit at home.

3. Antoher 9 K’s from Juan Ramirez in 7 innings, WOOT!

Yeah — I retracted my statement that Dave thinks Raul=Griffey defensively. What I meant was that Dave (and a plethora of other folks) see Griffey as a DH only — a detriment in the field, if you will — not that the two are on the same level defensively. But, really, since their stance that they both suck in the OF is pretty clear (to the point that neither of them shouldn’t be playing in the OF at all), it’s merely picking nits as to who’s worse out there (since they both shouldn’t be out there, in their minds, at all). Clearly Raul might, defensively, cost a team more runs than Griffey would, but the opinion’s clear that Griffey’s only usefulness to the team might be as a DH.

It’s THAT sentiment that I disagree with. Yeah, Griffey is probably not much of an asset with the glove (if at all), but he’s not a detriment. His value, certainly, is mostly wrapped up in his bat right now (and, hence, a move to DH is in order). But it’s also pretty clear that Griffey probably wouldn’t accept a job as a full-time DH right now. Since he’s got 10-5 trade veto rights, you can bet that he’d discuss his role on his new team before he agrees to OK the trade.

If agreeing to let him play RF regularly is the only holdup on Griffey’s side, then I’m fine with conceding that — given, of course, that the M’s would be making this move to win in the here-and-now, and not necessarily willing to allow a young, unproven prospect to take over while they think they’re in a pennant race. But I know clearly that Dave and Jeff and a plethora of others would not be happy at all letting Griffey man RF.

It’s not my ideal scenario, no, but it does hugely take into account the way this management runs the team (and the fact that they very clearly ignore the importance of outfield defense, and ignore how much a younger guy like Balentien could help them).

It’s a total waste.

As far as him being “lights out” so far this year, he’s pitched 3.2 innings. Thats a pretty small sample size. And you know what, he has a 2.45 ERA, Corcoran had a 1.67. Tha’s pretty lights out as well.

So instead of keeping a guy who has been extremely effective out of the pen, and sending down the guy whose real value is as a starter, they do the opposite and waste two talents.

I have not and will not read that post on Clement’s bat speed, so I can’t comment on it.

Re: Morrow

You don’t misuse an arm like Morrow’s because you have five starters under contract through next year.

That’s idiotic.

Jason, Wlad wasn’t in the lineup again today. What are you hearing about that? Also, does Brian LaHair typically get playing time in the outfield, or is this a new thing?