Few Mariners listed in Mitchell report

I’ve been proven wrong.  Contrary to an earlier post, it appears that the Mariners’ don’t have the major leagues’ most juiced clubhouse.  Of the latest names of ballplayers to be listed in George Mitchell’s report having links with performance-enhancing substances only two had connections with the Seattle Mariners: Ron Villone, who pitched in 127 games for the M’s in 1995 and 2004-05, and current ESPN Baseball Tonight analyst Fernando Vina, who played in 24 games with the M’s when broke into the majors in 1993 and who was invited to the Mariners’ spring training in 2006, where he failed to make the club.

It remains to be seen what the outcome will be for these two players, as well as the rest of those on the list, which includes names of such stars Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Eric Gagne, and Kevin Brown.  With Miguel Tejada and Brian Roberts joining a list that had all ready included Rafael Palmeiro, Jason Grimsley, Jerry Hairston Jr. and Jay Gibbons, it might be safe to say that the Baltimore Orioles’ had baseball’s most juiced clubhouse, which may help partly explain their decade of futility.

As a matter of fact, it’s quite surprising to have Sammy Sosa’s name be absent from George Mitchell’s list.

M’s trade Broussard to the Rangers

The Mariners have traded part-time first-baseman Ben Broussard to the Texas Rangers, keeping Big Ben’s left-handed pop within the division.  Throughout his career, Broussard has been used in a part-time capacity, with 83% of his plate appearances coming against right-handed pitchers.  All accounts indicate that Broussard will be given an opportunity to claim the starting first-base job with the Rangers.  In exchange for Broussard, the M’s receive minor-league infielder Tug Hulett, who hit .275 in 517 at-bats in triple-A Oklahoma last season.

The nay-sayers amongst Mariner followers will shudder at the thought that Broussard’s trade will result in the loss of a back-up for Richie Sexson at first, and without anyone to share playing time means that we’ll get a full season of Richie’s declining skills set.  Or the team will resort to the increasingly immobile Jose Vidro to share playing time at first base.  However, on the positive side, by dealing Broussard, the Mariners have opened up an opportunity to cement a roster spot for Mike Morse, who is out of options and who has proved in his limited playing time that he’s able to handle major-league pitching.  There’s worse things than having a 26-year old with power to share first-base duties.  Let’s hope that’s the plan of the Mariners’ brain trust.