IT’S BEEN A MINUTE
Typically, on the eve of a new series, I will brew up a cup of coffee and retreat to my home office where I will spend an hour or more reading about the next opponent.
Since the New York Mets played a Thursday afternoon game, I was able to take a deeper dive into the Seattle Mariners, a peculiar opponent due to the fact that New York (NL) traditionally meets Seattle (AL) every 4-5 years.
When I think of the Mariners, I think of Ken Griffey Jr., a young A-Rod, Ichiro, Edgard Martinez, Randy Johnson, Felix Hernandez and Jay Buhner. In fact, the only true memory I have of the Mets and Mariners is the night Felix Hernandez hit a grand slam at Shea Stadium (June 2008) off Johan Santana.
For the record, the last time the two teams played head-to-head was 2017 and the last time the Mariners played the Mets in New York it happened at Shea Stadium (2008). This weekend marks the first time Seattle has visited Citi Field.
But I digress.
The first notable takeaway from my experience was the absence of Seattle baseball from the sports headlines in the Northwest. As the weekend arrives, Seattle sports is filled with headlines about the Seattle Seahawks, the 2022 NFL schedule and Russell Wilson taking reps in spring practice as a member of the Denver Broncos. After a decade as the face of the Seahawks it is bizarre to see Wilson in another teams colors.
The plight of the Mariners can be summed up in the language used to describe the team just six weeks into a new season. I’ve read about the “struggles,” a manager already on the “hot seat,” and early returns that the Mariners failed to upgrade over the winter.
Then there’s the trade.
Brodie Van Wagenen made his first big splash as Mets GM when he traded top prospect Jarred Kelenic, Jay Bruce, Justin Dunn, Jay Bruce, Gerson Bautista and Anthony Swarzak to Seattle for Robinson Canó (his contract) and Edwin Díaz. That was December 2018. Today, only two remain: Diaz.
Kelenic, who played in 123 games over 2021 and early 2022, is batting average is .173. In the moment I am writing this story, on the one year anniversary of his MLB debut, the Mariners announced Kelenic has been optioned back to AAA. As noted in a previous post, Kelenic is overmatched and underperforming. He is not ready for prime time. At age 22, the last thing he needs is the bright lights of New York adding any more pressure.
The 2022 Mariners are nothing like the Seattle teams of the past. They are loaded with prospects, but no stars. Get used to these names the next few days: J.P. Crawford, Ty France, Adam Frazier, Kirby and Robbie Ray.
Former Mets reliever Paul Sewald (and his wife, Molly) are making news in Seattle for his community service. According to the Seattle Times, Sewald “founded a charity called Eastside Baby Corner, whose mission is to help children have what they need to grow, play, learn and thrive by providing essential care, safety, and health goods for children experiencing homelessness, poverty or family disruption.”
Another former Mets pitcher returns to Citi Field this weekend: Chris Flexen. He was 3-11 over three seasons in New York (2017-19). Flexen signed with Seattle prior to last season and went on to record a 14-6 record in 31 starts. He is 1-5 with a 4.24 ERA in six starts this season. Flexen is not scheduled to start this weekend vs. Mets.
Here’s the lineup from the last time the Mets played the Mariners (7/30/2017)
1. Michael Conforto – CF
2. Jose Reyes SS
3. Yoenis Cespedes LF
4. Jay Bruce DH
5. Wilmer Flores 1B
6. Neil Walker 2B
7. Curtis Granderson RF
8. Travis d’Arnaud C
9. Matt Reynolds 3BSeth Lugo started
— Michael Mayer (@mikemayer22) May 13, 2022
The last time the Seattle Mariners came to New York to play the Mets (6/2008):
• Felix Hernandez hit a grand slam off Johan Santana
• R.A. Dickey threw 7 scoreless IP *against* the Mets
• David Wright hit 2 home runs off future teammate Miguel Batista pic.twitter.com/ROdKecAMVL— Jacob Resnick (@Jacob_Resnick) May 13, 2022
Brandon Nimmo offers a reminder to pump the brakes on labeling Jarred Kelenic a disappointment. Says Kelenic’s trade to the Mariners was a win for both sides: https://t.co/R8DEL2C2JR
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) May 13, 2022
Mets won the Kelenic-Cano-Diaz trade. There I said it. Mets got 3.6 WAR and a closer, M’s -0.2 WAR and .173 hitting young OF. Don’t @ me. https://t.co/DH3rvqX2YG
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) May 13, 2022
