BAHAH!

Laugh if you will, but I’ve never been more hopeful for the Mariners. I fully expect Wedge to lead the Mariners of all teams to a WS victory to make me hate my existence as a Tribe fan even more.

So, about ten days until we get some articles about MB turning over a new leaf.

So, how exactly is this going to work with Wedge and Bradley?

Shapiro on Wedge (what he says and what he doesn’t say):

Indians general manager Mark Shapiro said Friday afternoon that he was unaware that his former skipper would be managing the Mariners, but said whoever secured his services would be getting, “An impact guy who can make a difference.”

“The GM that hires him is going to get a guy that will be in the trenches with him elbow-to-elbow.”

Shapiro added, “You won’t find a manager who works as hard or cares as much and is as driven to succeed as Eric. He was outstanding in every aspect of the game for us.”

Wedge has “clear strengths, toughness, complete preparation and consistency in his approach,” according to Shapiro. “He is not afraid to hold someone accountable and the players will understand his expectations. He’s not the kind of guy to let things slide.”

Shapiro said it was a difficult decision to part ways with Wedge a little more than a year ago, but it was a move that he felt had to be made.

I was hoping to root for Wedge at his next job. I guess that’s out the window.

I was just rummaging around Milton Bradley’s stats and came across another serious strike against Jack Z.

Undisclosed at the time of the Silva-Bradley swap, or at least I know knew about it, was the fact that the Mariners are sending $9 million in cash to the Cubs in the deal.

So initially, it seemed that this was a swap of equally bad contracts. Bradley was owed $21 million for two seasons, and Silva was owed $25 million for two seasons.

The Cubs (improbably I would say) have soundly “won” that deal straight-up swap so far. Silva was healthy enough to make 21 starts, slightly better than league average. He was particularly good in his first 16 games, making 13 quality starts and completing 5+ innings in all 16. Bradley, meanwhile, had a major emotional crisis and was a replacement-level player for 73 games.

But it wasn’t a straight swap. The Mariners sent $3.5 million to the Cubs this season and will send $5.5 million next season. Silva ended the season badly, but the Cubs essentially have him on a one-year deal now for a mere $6 million.

In other words, the Cubs traded a $21 million deal with Bradley for a $16 million deal with Silva. The Mariners, however, traded a $25 million deal with Silva for a $30 million deal with Bradley.

Jack Z is looking dumber all the time.

Where’s Peaches? Where’s Herb?

Hmmm … first Hargrove, and now Wedge. I sure hope Acta likes Seattle in about 5 years.

Jack Z must be sniffing glue.

Make This a Sitcom.