M's should stop making excuses, start making progress

How many times does this need to be said?

The Mariners are in trouble. In trouble with their fans, who are shrinking like George Allen's lead in the Virginia senate race.

In trouble with the American League West, where they will finish no better than tied for last — their third consecutive last-place finish.

How many times does this need to be said?

The Mariners have to be honest with themselves. They have to, once and for all, show their fans that they aren't all about making money. That they don't believe just being competitive is good enough. That they can dream big.

The Mariners need change.

But change isn't coming.

Online poll


We asked seattletimes.com readers: Do you think the M's should have brought back Bill Bavasi and Mike Hargrove? The results (1,151 votes):

53% — Neither of them deserves another chance

17% — Only Bavasi should return

16% — Only Hargrove should return

14% — Yes, both should be back

Apparently ownership still believes that a beautiful stadium on a beautiful night is enough enticement for the fans to flock. Apparently it believes that September pennant races are something to be admired from afar.

Winning isn't everything.

In fact, winning seems to matter very little to this ownership, to this front office.

The Mariners sent their season-ticket holders a letter Thursday, telling them, in so many words, that the franchise is progressing quite nicely. This last-place finish isn't nearly as bad as the last two. This team is on the march.

At least that appears to be what they are telling their most loyal ticket buyers, because the letter, signed by CEO Howard Lincoln and COO Chuck Armstrong, says general manager Bill Bavasi and manager Mike Hargrove will return next season.

It calls Bavasi and Hargrove "the right people to lead us to the next level."

It also acknowledges that the Mariners have been in a rebuilding program since 2004.

Who knew?

In his interview with Seattle Times baseball writer Geoff Baker this week, Bavasi said the team made progress this season. But progress is relative.

The Mariners never won when they needed to win. They sort of played themselves into contention several times, then tightened with stage fright when the games got more meaningful.

They lost 47 road games. Only Kansas City, Baltimore and Tampa Bay in the American League have lost more.

They fattened their record on the weak West of the weak National League, going 14-4. And their supposed leaders, first baseman Richie Sexson and third baseman Adrian Beltre, didn't start hitting in the clutch until it was too late to matter.

The Mariners made no progress with their starting pitching, and they will enter the offseason with at least three holes that need filling in the rotation.

In the interview with The Times, Bavasi lauded the job Hargrove did in September when the Mariners' bullpen was hit by injuries.

September? Who cares about this September?

By September, the season was done. Baseball ended in Seattle on Aug. 20, when the Mariners lost to the Angels to finish an 0-11 road trip. At that end point in the "real" season the Mariners were 12 games below .500.

And the Mariners' 13-13 September record isn't exactly the kind of rejuvenating news that will send ticket buyers racing to the windows off Edgar Martinez Way.

The letter says the Mariners were the second-youngest team in baseball, next to Florida, in the second half of the season. But compare the talent of the Marlins' young players with the Mariners'. It's no contest.

And please, not another word about injuries. The Mariners were the healthiest team in the West.

How many times does this need to be said?

The Mariners have to stop making excuses and start making real progress.

Last year, their offseason answer to another 90-loss season was to sign Carl Everett, Matt Lawton and Jarrod Washburn. How'd that work out?

Yes, they found a hardnosed, hard-throwing closer in J.J. Putz. Their entire bullpen should be in good shape next season if Mark Lowe and Rafael Soriano return healthy.

They have a strong, young, double-play combination in Jose Lopez and Yuniesky Betancourt. And, I believe, Kenji Johjima will become a better catcher with another year's experience.

But they don't have hitters who work the count the way Oakland and the Yankees do.

They need another outfielder with pop in his bat. And, unless they make the daring moves this offseason that they didn't make last, the best Seattle fans can expect next season is mediocrity.

The season-ticket holders, who were wondering if Hargrove and Bavasi would return, got their answer this week.

It was the wrong answer.

Steve Kelley: 206-464-2176 or seattletimes.com">skelley@seattletimes.com