Mailbag: Is there a curse in Seattle?

11/07/2005
Is there a limit to how many times a player can be called up and sent down to the Minors? Sometimes a team will send players down and bring them back right away. -- Mike D., Everett, Wash.
Whenever a player is placed on the 40-man roster, he has three "option years" and can be promoted to the Majors, and sent back to the Minors, an unlimited number of times during each of those seasons. After the third year, in order for the player to be sent to the Minors, he must be removed from the 40-man roster and clear waivers. That is called "outrighted" as opposed to "optioned". If the player clears waivers the first time he is outrighted, he must remain in the organization and report to the Minors. But if he is outrighted a second (or more) time, he can choose to become a free agent.
I was wondering why Torii Hunter received the Gold Glove award for center field, rather than Jeremy Reed. After all, Reed played the entire season while Hunter broke his ankle in late July/early August, and was out the remainder of the season.-- Kara M. Richland, Wash.
A lot of people are asking the same question. Unfortunately, managers and coaches -- the ones that vote for the award -- do not put enough thought into selecting the Gold Glove recipients. They rely more on reputations than they should and, without question, Reed was worthy of a Gold Glove over Hunter, who played in only 92 games. By the way, Gold Gloves are awarded to three outfielders -- not specifically a left fielder, center fielder and right fielder. Therefore, three center fielders could win Gold Gloves while every other position is specified. In other words, a third baseman can only win a Gold Glove as a third baseman.
Why are the Mariners going to go after two veteran catchers? Yes, they drafted Jeff Clement for the future, but why can't Rene Rivera be part of the catching future? He'll get better with time and be ready to be a back up Clement when Clement is ready, which looks to be closer than farther. -- Alex T. , Shelton Conn.
One of the objectives this offseason is to add one catcher, not two, and preferably a left-handed hitter to share the catching duties with right-handed hitting Yorvit Torrealba. Rivera performed well for the team last season and very well could be the backup in 2006. Clement is progressing well in the Arizona Fall League, batting close to .333 and improving his behind-the-plate skills. Don't be surprised if he reaches the big leagues sometime next season, although 2007 is more likely.
Why did the Mariners let Bobby Madritsch get away? I thought he was going to be a solid addition to the team in the years to come. -- Ben A., Lake Elsinore, Calif.
At his age (30), missing virtually an entire season because of injury, and facing shoulder surgery, the organization decided that it made more sense to take Madritsch off the 40-man roster to make room for someone else via a trade or free agent signing during the offseason.
What is the update on Bucky Jacobson and Travis Blackley? Will they make it back to the Majors or will they retire due to injuries?-- Alex W., Spokane, Wash.
Jacobson became a free agent on Oct. 15 and will not return to the Mariners. Blackley, who underwent rotator cuff surgery on his left (throwing) shoulder last spring, is recovering on schedule and is expected to start throwing again early next year, probably around the middle to end of Spring Training. He has a lot of catching up to do before returning to the Majors.
I hear all about these curses, like the Red Sox and the Cubs. Is there a Mariners curse? Why is it that players like Jeff Cirillo and Adrian Beltre are so good with other teams and then struggle with the Mariners? Is there a curse on the Mariners or is it just a coincidence? -- Tyler E., Spokane, Wash.
That is far more coincidental than related to a curse. Both Cirillo and Beltre changed leagues, going from the NL to the AL and faced new pitchers. The more Cirillo struggled, the worse it got because he was his own worst critic. Beltre had a career year for the Dodgers in 2004, and a so-so season with the Mariners in '05. He still has four years remaining on his contract and that is enough time to prove that the organization made a good investment.
The biggest holes seem to be in the bullpen and up the middle of the diamond -- shortstop and second base. I realize that the Mariners would be more interested in getting a quality starting pitcher but wouldn't it make more sense to go after one or two quality middle relievers?-- John H., Auburn, Wash.
Middle infield and relievers are the two strongest points on the team. Yuniesky Betancourt is a Gold Glove-caliber shortstop and Jose Lopez and/or Willie Bloomquist are capable of handling the second base duties. As for the bullpen, it is pretty well set with closer Eddie Guardado, right-handers J.J. Putz, Julio Mateo, Scott Achison and Rafael Soriano returning in '06, along with left-hander George Sherrill and perhaps Matt Thornton.
I was wondering if you have heard anything about Aric Van Gaalen, who was drafted in the 30th round this year? What do you think he'd need to work on to make it to the Majors?-- John T., Leduc.
The 6-6, 195-pound Van Gaalen, the 893rd pick overall in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, played for an Independent League team in Canada before signing with the Mariners in late August. He reported to the Arizona Instructional League team in Peoria and Mariners farm director Greg Hunter gave a positive report on Van Gaalen, who has since returned to Canada and will report to Minor League Spring Training next March. Van Gaalen has tremendous upside and just needs a lot more experience.
What happened to Rett Johnson? I remember he was a top prospect in Triple-A and haven't heard about him lately. -- Austin E., Des Moines, Wash.
Johnson, an eighth-round draft choice in 2000, no longer is in the organization. He was released during Spring Training after climbing as high as Triple-A Tacoma in 2003.
When will the 2006 preseason schedule in Peoria, Ariz., be released? -- Arlene N., Wilsonville, Ore.
As of Nov. 7, the Spring Training schedule had not been finalized. It is expected to be completed and released sometime around Thanksgiving.
Are the Mariners planning any type of festivities for Dan Wilson on their opening homestand? I was rather let down that they didn't have anything for him like they did Edgar.-- Evan D., Seattle.
There will be a Dan Wilson Day at Safeco Field sometime in April, but the exact date hasn't been determined.
What is the current status of Chen Yung Chi? He seems to have potential.-- Eddy T, Taiwan.
The 22-year-old infielder had a solid season with Class A Wisconsin, batting .292 (147-for-503) with seven home runs and 80 RBIs, the second-highest total on the team. He could begin the 2006 season at Class A Inland Empire (California League) and keep working his way up.

Source: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/