Sandy takes a comprehensive look at Bavasi's career, starting from Day One, and finds some interesting syndromes.

Sandy is just about the only person on the Seattle 'net who brings objectivity.  He has no positions that he's married to, no predictions to justify, no organizations to audition for.  What he does have is a familiarity with the way baseball is done right — in Atlanta — and a fresh perspective.

We have another article from Sandy in our hip pocket, too.  Thanks amigo! - Dr D

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In an effort to bring some joy back to DOV in this dark, dismal season, I thought I wouldbring the fantasy baseball talk back for a bit.

I am dissatisfied with standard rotisserie scoring categories (ERA/WHIP/K/W/Sv, BA/HR/RBI/R/SB) because they leave out a huge chunk of the real aspects of building an actual baseball team.  I'm sure I'm not the only person who feels somewhat cheated by the standard 5X5.  I believe fantasy baseball statistics of choice should force you to:

• a) Use good platoon players and have roster flexibility
• b) Use closers and set-up men in equal measure
• c) Play your players at their correct positions as much as possible (I don't like how people game the system and five starts from Travis Hafner at first base change his value from "good" to WOW!")
• d) Prevent you from biasing your roster toward players with lots of playing time over better players with slightly less playing time (not too many counting stats, not too many rate stats)
• e) Punish you for building an incomplete roster

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I like Johnny Mac and it's probable that he could succeed in some other situation.

Just the same, the manager's #1 job is to keep the troops in the right state-of-mind.  This is a team with talent, and it has the worst record in the majors.  That underperformance is definitely because of the team's state-of-mind.

Since Lou, the Mariners have been obsessive about getting "the opposite kind" of manager.  The GM's and managers have been those that have been pleasant for Howard and Chuck to work with, and those that present well on camera.

Rule of thumb:  when the inmates have taken over the asylum, you need to bring in a manager whose authority and presence can dig up the entrenched comfort zones.

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Off-topic warning…news on the Pacific Northwest has been disturbing me for many years but I just had to throw a comment up here on something about which I read today.  If you folks don't want me talking about anything other than baseball, I'll bare that in mind in the future.

I pledge allegiance,
to the flag,
of the United States of America.
And to the republic,
for which it stands -
one nation, under God, indivisible -
with liberty and justice for all.

Story here: http://www.katu.com/news/19748774.html

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Larry Stone did a plus-plus job with his list of GM candidates.  You go Larry.

D-O-V quickcrunches, excerpts from Stone's fine column.  This isn't really analysis.  It's just chat:

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=== "It'll be okay, right?" … "Ummmm, let's hope" Dept. ===

"Change is in order." Lincoln said. "We have determined new leadership is needed in the GM position. With a new leader will come a new plan and a new approach. A search will begin immediately for a permanent GM, and Lee will be a candidate for the position."

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