For once, we can't blame something on Bavasi. The Johjima signing was 100% Lincoln and Armstrong... it was an ownership move. Since Nintendo is the owner of the Mariners, re-signing a Japanese player made sense... to them. That being said, the guy was hitting well under .200 at the time, and is at the age where catchers typically begin to break down, so it was not a well-advised move.
That being said, I'm shocked and actually glad to hear Armstrong say what he did. He's absolutely right about how the Mariners need to reshape their team. Their farm system is not filled with solutions (that's Bavasi's fault), and stopgap free agents aren't the answer either. They need to start cleaning out the closet of the bad contracts (Washburn, Batista, etc.) and move on to a "healthier" way of building a franchise... which is a fancy way of saying rebuilding. It's long overdue.
They probably won't be able to re-sign Ibanez, but by losing him, Sexson and Vidro, that's almost $27 million freed up right there. That's money that will take care of arbitration and contractual raises, but a lot of it needs to go into the farm system. We'll have a high first round draft pick next year (somewhere between 1 and 4), so the going rate is now $6 million for a signing bonus for one of them, and it had better be a power hitter, since we don't have any of those in the system. We'll also get picks for losing Ibanez, so this is an important year coming up.
Pelekoudas will obviously NOT be the GM next year... otherwise, he would have been allowed to trade Washburn away. That will come soon enough, but it will probably be the next GM's job. John Hart has been mentioned as being interested in the Seattle job, and he would be a good fit. Look at what he did in Cleveland... that's a good resume to bring for a situation like this.
Mariners fans may not want to hear it, but this team needs to be torn down and rebuilt from the ground up and the sky down. I'm not sure Armstrong will even be around to put his plan in place... rumor has it that Pat Gillick will return to the M's as president once he retires from Philly. But either man should recognize the fact that for the Mariners to return to long-term viability, they will have to go through some short-term misery.

I am sorry, but if you can afford to add Texiera at 1st base... you should try to do it. He is entering or in his prime... not a oft injured Richie Sexson type who was already in a slide when they signed him to a big contract. He has been consistant over the last 5 years as well. He is the kind of player that could get you alot more wins a year with just his bat and leadership.

I think we should focus on getting a starting pitcher that can actually win 10 games this is a joke silva 12 million a season my god waive him!! Washburn and batista are done they have been miserable all year it is so frustrating that they keep putting them on the mound!! I like felix , bedard if he can stay healthy , morrow, rowland smith, fierabrand or dickey . Get rid of johjima he's washes up have clement or rob johnson behind the plate, i like lahair at first just needs more experience, lopez at second betancourt at short beltre at third ichiro in right balentin in center and ibanez in left who will probably be gone so reed in center or left. But still need a power hitter somewhere in the lineup who can hit 35 to 40 homeruns gotta figure it out somehow. I have the faith in this team!!

I think Shawn Johnson should have won the gold!

armstrong should be the first to go. as long as he and lincoln are there we're in a lot of trouble

Also, not mentioned. Trade Ichiro. Yeah I like the guy, he still has some speed but it is obvious he has lost a step or two. How much longer until those infield hits all become outs. Use the trade to rebuild the farm system.
Belte, is similar. Like the glove. Like the fact he is actually doing something this year when it doesn't matter. Where was he after that fat pay check over the last few years.
While its nice to have a power hitter. I'll take someone who hits for average with some power. this is one place I would keep ichiro. Just think it Seattle could actually have two or three guys in the line up everyday that actually routinely hit over 300!
Bavasi, good riddance. Including Sexson. What took them sooooo long. Like that manager but it took way to long to pass him on. He was not the kind of manager Seattle needed this year

Why didn't the mariners do the reds a favor and trade for griffey. at least the reds always have the royals and you mariners to compete with for the top pick

ARMSTRONG IS THE PROBLEM!! All stupid decisions that have led to the current situation have been made under his "leadership". The annual All-Star teams are a veritable Whos Who of EX- Mariners. He has remained at the helm because of those memorable, though FEW, good seasons. Seattle fans need to stop reminiscing about those years and demand new voices to lead this team - from the top down.

Well first i watch every mariner game till i get so discusted at the way they play. younger is a good idea but you still need veteran players to help guide the young. raul ibanyez ( sp) dont trade or loose him ,he is the best player on the team, they let him go before and they paid for it. we need a new first base, new pitching,etc.dump that cry baby bedard i could go on but theres no use management will sit on there hands and watch all the good players go to other teams*****