"Mariners fans should embrace new players" -- Jan. 6, 2006

By C. Jennings Breakey
The Western Front

Off-season roster shuffling appears to be done for the Seattle Mariners, but faithful fans are puzzled and enraged by the Mariners’ roster makeover.

Most fans grimace at mentions of Carl Everett, the Mariners new designated hitter known for attitude problems and others detest the $38 million-dollar signing of lefthander, Jarred Washburn.

Both signings left a sour taste in the mouths of season ticket-holders, and even fans that attend one game a season might think twice before traveling to Safeco Field this season.

Everett’s signing evoked bitterness in fans because they believe he will disrupt the Mariners nice-guy image and family atmosphere. Mariners greats Jamie Moyer, Edgar Martinez and Jay Buhner made cheesy Mariners commercials, heading fundraisers and giving back to the community. Everett, however, is feisty and says whatever is on his mind.

As for the middle-of-rotation pitcher Washburn, Mariners fans wanted more bang for their buck and expected a top-notch starter.

Whether fans favor or despise the roster juggle, all Mariners enthusiasts need to take a hint from baseball legend Yogi Berra: “It ain’t over ‘till it’s over.”

Scores of people are counting the Mariners out even before spring training, but this off-season’s acquisitions highlight a message of hope — the Mariners are changing direction, and fans may be surprised come opening day April 3.

Everett has the potential to bring life to the Mariners with more than just his switch-hitting power, and Washburn, although some critics think he’s being overpaid, could turn around the Mariners’ lackluster pitching staff.

Fans who bash the Mariners’ front office for bringing in Everett need to step back and ask themselves if the Mariners’ family-oriented makeup builds a winning baseball program.

The Mariners nice-guy approach, which proved to be enough for a record 116 wins in 2001, won’t be enough to push them to the World Series this year. Perhaps a little jolt in the clubhouse — just what Everett offers — will catapult the Mariners out of their two-year stint in the American League West cellar.

Even if Everett can’t bounce back to All-Star form, when he hit .300 with 34 homeruns and 108 runs batted in with the Boston Red Sox in 2000, he is a polished player who can ignite the Mariners’ fizzled mojo.

Although Everett is best known for his tantrums as a player for the Red Sox — especially his head-butting incident with umpire Ron Kulpa — he has mellowed and is a valuable force on even the best teams.

Everett was on his best behavior as a member of the 2005 World Series champion Chicago White Sox, and Mariners’ management seems comfortable with more than just the punch in his bat.

Everett is a low-risk investment because he will only make $4 million in his one-year contract.

But, the same can’t be said of Washburn, who flashed a 3.20 earned run average in 29 games last year. Washburn signed a four-year contract, and some critics argue the Mariners gave him too much money.

But just as children desired the biggest present under the tree this Christmas, Mariners fans wanted Santa to bring them no less than free-agent right-hander Kevin Millwood. Ending the season with an impressive earned run average of 2.86, Millwood was considered this year’s top free-agent pitcher.

The main reason Mariners fans balked at Washburn’s signing is because they preferred Millwood, who bolted for a five-year $60 million contract with the Texas Rangers.

However, Mariners’ general manager Bill Bavasi’s reluctance to offer free-agent pitchers more than four years halted that possibility.

Both signings could blow up in the Mariners’ face, but as all the classic baseball movies suggest; this is baseball — anything can happen.

“They might need a push,” Everett said at a Dec. 15 press conference. “Hopefully I can be that push.”

So long as Everett doesn’t head-butt the Mariner Moose, let him push as hard as he can.

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