NewsInbox: Aumont better suited for relief?
Beat reporter Jim Street fields questions from Mariners fans
By Jim Street / MLB.com
09/02/09 6:59 PM ET
We have reached the final full month of the regular season and the Mariners have their divided attention on finishing with a winning record and planning ahead to next season. Questions abound inside and outside the front office, and we're here to answer your queries. If you have a question, send it in. Why did the Mariners decide to convert Phillippe Aumont into a reliever? He's still young and has enough time to build up his arm into a quality starter.
-- Tom K., Portland, Ore.
As any playoff contender will tell you, the final nine outs in a game are the toughest ones to get, and Aumont has such a powerful right arm that can dominate hitters, the organization decided both he and the team would be better off in the long run to make him an end-of-the-game pitcher instead of a beginning-of-the-game pitcher.
Only time will tell if this turns out to be a good decision, but Aumont has the potential to be one of the best setup men/closers in the Major Leagues if he stays healthy -- and keeps his temper. His season ended prematurely this week when he blew a save opportunity and was so angry that he slammed his glove -- with his hand still in it -- and broke his hand.
But, according to the story in the Everett Herald, Aumont is expected to play in the Arizona Fall League.
Do you think that Greg Halman and Dustin Ackley will make their debuts with Seattle this year since they're on the 40-man roster? Also, I really like Carlos Triunfel. Does he have a shot at making the 25-man roster next season?
-- Joe M., Seattle
I doubt that either Halman or Ackley will make their big league debuts with the Mariners this season and perhaps not even next season. Halman seems to have taken a step backward in 2009. As of Sept. 1, he had 25 home runs and 70 RBIs for Double-A West Tennessee, but he also had struck out 172 times, walked just 27 times, and was batting .214 in 435 at-bats.
As for Ackley, he's on his way to Peoria, Ariz., to begin his professional career. He'll start out at the Arizona Instructional League, play for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League through mid-November and report to Spring Training next February, but I wouldn't expect him to reach the Majors until late next season at the earliest and possibly in 2011.
I agree with you regarding Truinfel, but he suffered a severe knee injury during the second game of the season at West Tennessee and was recently activated. He also will play in the AFL. My guess is that he does not have much of a chance to earn a spot on the 25-man roster next season.
If I'm not mistaken, basketball underclassmen can enter the Draft, but will lose their NCAA eligibility if they hire an agent. Why are the rules different for baseball?
-- Rich A., Wilsonville, Ore.
Well, semantics being what they are, college baseball players select "advisors" and do not actually "hire" agents during the Draft process. Although Ackley had agent Scott Boras represent him during negotiations with the Mariners, Boras would not have received any money unless the two sides reached agreement on a contract.
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How is Jack Wilson's hamstring injury coming along. I am a Pirates fan that loved to watch his almost daily "Web Gem" plays at shortstop, and I hope Mariners fans like him as much as Pirates fans have. Thanks!
-- Don A., Mount Clare, W. Va.
The left hamstring that has bothered Wilson for much of the season remains less than 100 percent, but he's trying to contribute as much playing time as possible for his new team. He still gets treatment on the hamstring daily, but Mariners fans have yet to see the same dazzling defensive player that Pirates fans like yourself watched on a daily basis.
Speaking of Bucs fans, the Mariners broadcast team has received e-mails from Pittsburgh backers contending that "Jack" Wilson is being called "Josh" Wilson on the broadcasts. As Mariners fans know, there are two Wilsons on the team -- Jack and Josh -- and both are infielders.
They are the fifth and sixth Wilsons to play for the Mariners, joining Dan, Glenn, Jim and Mike.
Do you know how many games Ichiro Suzuki reached base in the first inning this season and scored?
-- Richard C., Winter Springs, Fla.
Through Sept. 2, he reached base in the first inning 41 times and scored 24 runs.
Jim Street is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
