It's been 11 years since they were in the playoffs, and probably 11 more until they make it again. They've signed "King" Felix to a huge deal, yet his W-L record is pedestrian. I know that it's not all on him, but he's had really only 1 really solid season. I know their owners are probably more interested in making as much money as they can without actually spending any..but wow...talk about a team mired in mediocrity.
Bad drafting, bad free agent signings, bad player development, bad managers, bad luck Other than that I couldn't tell you
bad player development. ackley was supposed to be really good..bard was supposed to be really good. smoak was supposed to be really good. Montero killed it with the yankees then was terrible. the pitching development is pretty good though.
Since realizing that the hiring of Bavasi was re-gosh-dang-donkulous, they've been in pure "profit" mode. I think the payroll's gone from 119M in 2008 to 73 or so million this year. They're not a small market team. They could've been in on Hamilton (dodged a bullet there), should've signed Bourn and given up the #12 pick, but didn't. Fielder would've helped a lot. They dodged a major bullet having Upton turn them down (could you imagine watching Walker--much less Franklin--dominating the NL West for the next 7 years). But they've been gunshy about overpaying for talent (except a worn-down Ichiro, but I digress). Honestly, Jack Z has done a great job restocking the farm system. Last year (2012) they miscalculated and didn't bring their prospects up in September, so that no one really got a chance to see the young guys in MLB situations. This year they changed that up. I'm still very much a believer in Smoak and Ackley--Montero, not so much, but here's hoping. I think they're set all over the infield--Smoak/Morales (though I think Morales signs the Qualifying offer and leaves), Franklin, Miller and Seager. Zunino at C (who, for being a rookie who couldn't hit a lick, still did better than Olivo and all the other garbage we've had there in the last decade). Ackley as a super-utility guy. Peterson is still a year away, but he also is a big bat that can (nominally) play 3B as well as 1B. Pitching is pretty stellar with Felix, Hisashi, and some combo of Walker/Paxton/Ramirez/Maurer. Maybe they even go after a 4th-starter-esque veteran innings eater as insurance or if they trade away a couple of the young guys. Bullpen needs some help. But the major issue is impact bats in the outfield. I don't think there's anyone in-house (maaaaybe Romero?). Almonte earned a look in CF, but I don't see him as "impact". Saunders is alright, but I don't know that you can count on him to hit, run and/or stay healthy. I'd bring Ibanez back at a similar 2.5M or so salary for 250 ABs. He's horrible in the OF, but can be a warm body 40 nights a year (especially if we get a real CF to go with him) and a DH a night or two a week in good matchups. It's interesting to see if the M's go after Ellsbury or Choo (or both).
if walker and paxston develop into what they're supposed to be. the rotation will be soooooo nasty. i gave up on smoak and ackley though.
They get rid of that Pineda fella, who I still think will be good for a scrubby Montero. They get rid of Adam Jones before giving him a legit shot. They've been doing that shit for years.
Player development. I mean the vets can hit but besides Seager the youngsters can't seem to get hits on a consistent basis. I used to think it was Safeco but it's more clear that shitty coaching is the problem.
