Why do the Mariners suck so bad this year?

[TheMightyFavog]

Wow. Under .400 so far this season. Talk about your epic fails.

[MajorChode]

1. It's their turn

Better them than the Rangers.

[SwampG8r]

2. its you and your defeatist attitude

put your rally hat on and cheer baby cheer

[Mojambo]

3. Bunch of players just hit way below their expected numbers

I don't think they were expecting the kind of offensive regression they saw from Lopez (although IMHO they should have) and Figgins (which has been a bit more puzzling)

They took some gambles on certain players and it didn't turn out. It was the right strategy to take into a year when they were going to be marginal contenders either way. If the gambles turn out they compete, if not they were all short term plays anyway.

They made a shrewd move turning Lee into future help. Lots of big time talent about to break in with the big club. They'll need some seasoning in 2011, but in 2012-2014 they could make a lot of noise.

[RandomThoughts]

5. I don't follow baseball.

But am curious, why would a baseball team make noise?

[travelingtypist]

4. Rent-a-pitcher Cliff Lee.

The Chone Figgins epic fail in the 2-hole.

Zero run support for pretty decent pitching, no power. Plenty of guys on base, nobody to drive 'em home.

Insisting a washed-up Griffey get a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Firing Wak midseason didn't help.

Head case Milton Bradley a disease in the clubhouse, although I wanted him to get his act together.

And on and on...

[RandomThoughts]

6. I don't know about any of that stuff.

[TheMightyFavog]

7. The Brewers will take some of that pitching!

Though don't ask us for Ryan Braun or Prince Felder!

[Mojambo]

8. Bradley had exactly one clubhouse incident, and it wasn't even that bad

Since he went to the team and sought psychological help he's been totally fine chemistry-wise. The problem with that move has been that his physical skills have just deteriorated.

I agree with you other points aside from calling the Cliff Lee trade a reason why the team has failed. That trade worked out VERY well for Seattle. They traded 3 middling prospects who have since fallen apart completely for half a season of brilliant pitching by Lee AND 3 much better prospects.

They played that move just right. Gave themselves an option for having another ace to take into the playoffs if they were lucky enough to make it and upgraded the farm big time if they didn't.

It was a shrewd move.

[travelingtypist]

15. I think I have a problem with the concept of the deal

rather than the deal itself. I wanted him to be around for a while. And I can't explain it any better than that. And I kind of feel for Lee b/c I hear that the Rangers are working him like a dog, making him pitch nine no matter what the circumstances. Oh, well, the money was nice.

Bradley "wasn't that bad"? Okay, I'll give you that. I remember that incident where he got a hit and felt so good he went to the clubhouse during the commercial break to celebrate. I felt good for him. I wasn't down on MB so much at the beginning. I wanted him to get over, past all of his demons. Plus I hated Piniella so much that any player who reacted to Lou the way MB did was a plus in my book.

It's just such a lost year, it makes me sad.

[rurallib]

9. Maybe they are in too high a league

We need one more team in our little league......

[dropkickpa]

10. Bwahaha! The Pirates are .328 right now!

We're gonna go even lower! Just you watch and see! We haven't had a winning season since 1992! 19-fucking-92!!!

[nolabear]

11. Because the year ends in a number? *sigh*

[pscot]

12. When have they not sucked?

Just sayin'.

[Mojambo]

14. They did tie the all-time record for wins in 2001. n/t

[Sanity Claws]

13. They have pretty much sucked their entire existence

They had one or two good years in the 1990s and got the city to build a new stadium for them.