Seth Kolloen: “The M’s still Mediocre”

Over at the P.I., columnist Seth Kolloen points out the myriad ways that the Mariners are still mediocre, despite winning nearly 90 games last year.  The team’s pythagorean record- runs scored versus runs allowed- results in a sub-.500 team.  Bavasi interprets this imbalance of runs due to blow-outs at the hands of Horacio Ramirez and Jeff Weaver, justifying the signing of Carlos Silva for the back end of the M’s rotation.  Kolloen shows that Bavasi’s contentions are not true.

Oh, if only Silva can provide good defense in left field or was a slugging first baseman with 30-home run, .550-slugging percentage potential…

Prior signs with Padres

Sure, he’s an iffy signing, as Mark Prior hasn’t pitched in the major leagues since 2006- when he posted a 1-6 record and a 7.21 ERA- is coming off major right shoulder surgery and won’t be available to pitch for at least the first two months of the season.

But by signing a one-year contract with the San Diego Padres, with performance incentives that could boost the total to $5.5 million, the former 18-game winner is just one more pitcher that the Mariners won’t be getting….