Mariners ink Ryan Garko

[MarinersFan87]

1 year, 550k.

This looks like another great bargain. Garko has a career .887 OPS vs. lefties and makes for a nice platoon partner with Kotchman. The only thing that concerns me is what it does to our pitching staff. We have to carry a 4th outfielder (Langerhans) and basically have two DH's on the roster in Bradley and Griffey. At this point it looks like we're going to start the season with only 11 pitchers.

[CrimsonNW]

From Gregg Bell of the AP:

SEATTLE — Ryan Garko and the Mariners have agreed to a $550,000, one-year contract, as Seattle tries to address its need for a right-handed hitter.
Terms of the contract obtained Monday by The Associated Press show the 29-year-old first baseman and designated hitter could nearly double his salary, to $1,075,000, if he becomes a regular for Seattle with 600 plate appearances.
Garko would earn up to an additional $25,000 each for 325, 350 and 375 plate appearances this season. The former Cleveland Indians and San Francisco Giants player would get $50,000 apiece for 425, 450 and 475 plate appearances, and $100,000 each for 500, 550 and 600 plate appearances.

So I guess that was the RH 1B/DH that Jack Z. was after. A very solid bargain for the price and he absolutely mashes lefties. Perfect platoon guy to fill in for Kotchman/Griffey/Bradley at DH. Good move.

[Porter]

I like the move at the price and its a low risk potential high reward type signing. But you still look at the lineup and do we have a guy we can 100% circle and say player A and B are the #3 or #4 hitter? We have a lot of #2's, #5's and #6's but no guy to say we cant wait to get to this hitter.

[MarinersFan87]

Bradley is a number 3 guy. Garko should hit number 4 when he starts vs. lefties. I guess Lopez is probably the cleanup hitter vs. rhp right now. It isn't a very good middle of the order, but with our 1-2 it should be alright.

[CrimsonNW]

With the way Jack Z. constructed this lineup, we don't really need the typical #3 or #4. Sure it would be nice to have a .300/30 HR/100 RBI guy but it is not necessary. He has filled the lineup with guys that get on base and make contact. With Garko, we have a very effective platoon in the middle of the order. With ducks on the pond and bat-to-ball hitters like Kotchman and Lopez something's got to give. And if we assume some added offensive growth for Guti he could be in line for 80-90 RBI's depending on where Wak sends him out.

Sure, we don't have a masher. But do we really need one? We are built on pitching, defense and getting on-base. We are going to be so boring and annoying. Which will be very fun for us M's fans to watch

[redsrbetter]

This is another very nice signing. That OPS vs LHP is frightening. Great deal once again for the Mariners.

As far as the lineup goes, have they considered leading Figgins off and moving Ichiro down to the three spot in the order?

[Porter]

Its highly unlikely that will happen. There has been some hints with Figgins at 1 and Ichiro at 2. But thats also not likely to happen, redsr.

Crimson and MF, If they want to be serious to compete they need that guy that bring fear into the opposing teams. They can't go into opening day with Jose Lopez as your most feared hitter. Can't do it.

Edit: The final four teams had...

Phillies: Ryan Howard or Chase Utley, at times Jayson Werth.
Yankees: Alex Rodriguez or Teixira, Even freaking Matsui
Angels: Vlad Guerrero (even though he declined)
Dodgers: Manny freaking Ramirez.

[MarinersFan87]

It should be noted also that Garko played catcher in college and the minors before switching to 1B since he was blocked by Victor Martinez. He mentioned yesterday that him and Jack Z did talk about him playing some catcher and he will work on it in ST. Maybe he's better than most think and could be the backup catcher so we have the extra roster spot. Probably wishful thinking though.

And Porter, I disagree on us not being able to compete with the middle of the order that we have. We also really didn't have an option unless we wanted to really overpay for Bay or Holliday (thank god we didn't). I also disagree on Lopez being out most feared hitter, that would be Bradley, and he's damn good when healthy (MUCH better than Vlad was last year).

As for Ich moving in the lineup, Wak said that he would open to that idea, but the decision would have to come from Ichiro. Said he would have to show up to spring training with a different hitting style and want to hit there, he'd never make him move in the lineup. So basically that's never going to happen, which I'm happy with, Ich-Figgins is a perfect 1-2.

[cjkalt]

You guys are in Safeco, trying to get a Bay or Holliday isn't what you guys need, you need avg and OBP guys that can hit it out of the park sometimes... I like the M's lineup, its just the bullpen and the 3-5 rotation spots that are the ? spots

[Porter]

The major issue that we had last year was a guy that can hit the ball out the ballpark. The same issue is still there. I dont care what park you play in, you need to get a guy you can FEAR in the lineup. As for the staff, the bullpen should be fine and they are fairly deep. The rotation after the big 2: Rowland-Smith has had a good sample size and has proven to be a solid #3 based off his numbers as a starter. #4 or 5, they are debating signing Washburn (which I pray to god doesnt happen), or using Snell, French, Fister or Vargas.

[realmofotalk]

Garko hit .235/.307/.330 for the Giants.

Ryan Garko:Giants::Hee Seop Choi: Dodgers