BROCK AND SALK

Salk: The whole Mariners organization, not just the GM, deserves credit for Marco Gonzales

Jul 3, 2018, 11:12 AM | Updated: 11:34 am

Marco Gonzales has seen success from using his four-seam fastball less this season. (AP)...

Marco Gonzales has seen success from using his four-seam fastball less this season. (AP)

(AP)

General managers get a lot of credit – and blame – for the roster decisions they make. No doubt, that is a huge part of the job. But it isn’t the whole gig, and the rest of the skills are becoming increasingly important.

Table Setter: Kyle Seager’s bat has actually been invaluable for M’s

Representing the organization, managing a large staff, setting a tone and identity are all factors now. And so is building a series of departments that aid your on-field product.

When you rank Jerry Dipoto’s deals for the Mariners, the trade with Arizona for Jean Segura and Mitch Haniger is obviously No. 1. Getting Dee Gordon (from Miami) and Mike Leake (St. Louis) rank near the top. Gotta like the James Pazos, Ben Gamel and Ryon Healy deals, too. But the Marco Gonzales deal is maybe the most interesting and the one that Jerry can take a bow for.

Sending Tyler O’Neill to the Cardinals for Gonzales was panned – by the media and the fans. There was NOT unanimous agreement in the organization to make that deal, either, but Jerry felt confident despite that. And obviously, it has worked.

But here’s the thing: this is NOT the pitcher they traded for, and at the time they had no plan to make him into the pitcher he’s become.

Marco Gonzales’ 1st complete game leads Mariners over Royals 4-1

When they got Gonzales, the Mariners’ analytics group, pitching coaches and mental skills coaches all collaborated on how to make Marco better. At the time, he threw his four-seam fastball nearly 60 percent of the time and it got crushed. Now? He throws that pitch less than 10 percent of the time (see chart here from Brooks Baseball).

Obviously, Marco gets credit for improving and throwing quality pitches. Jerry too for seeing the potential and for praising Gonzales’ athleticism. But this shows how success can go to whole organizations.

If you need an example the other way, look at the chart of Toronto left-hander J.A. Happ, who has been rumored to be a possible trade target for the Mariners.

Happ was previously with the Mariners in 2015 and dealt to Pittsburgh just before the trade deadline on July 31 that year by then-GM Jack Zduriencik. He had basically stopped throwing his sinker here and that pitch has been huge for him since.

Coaching, scouting, analytics and pitch selection matter in baseball – not just stuff and command.

Mariners’ Turn Ahead the Clock night is direction baseball needs to head

Brock and Salk podcast

Mariners Roof Report

Brought to you by
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
High 56° | Low 40°
No game today.

Brock and Salk

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Jackson Powers-Johnson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profiles: ‘The best center’ in the 2024 class

If the Seattle Seahawks want to boost their offensive line, Brock Huard wouldn't mind if they draft Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson.

8 hours ago

...

Seattle Sports Video

Video: Nelson Cruz reflects on his time with the Seattle Mariners on Brock & Salk

‘The Boomstick’ Nelson Cruz joined the Brock & Salk Show on Seattle Sports before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Seattle Mariners 2024 season opener at T-Mobile Park. Cruz discussed his time with the Mariners, what retirement is like, and whether or not he would bring out the boomstick one more time before […]

11 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Mitch Haniger...

Mike Salk

Salk: Scars remain as Mariners return, but hope isn’t far away

As the Seattle Mariners return for 2024, Seattle Sports' Mike Salk writes about seasons, scars, frustration, hope and baseball.

1 day ago

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Payton Wilson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profile: ‘Twitched up’ LB fills a need

Next up in Brock Huard's Seattle Seahawks draft profiles is a very intriguing defender in North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson.

1 day ago

Seattle Seahawks Sam Howell...

Brandon Gustafson

New Seahawks QB Sam Howell describes trade, his role and more

The Seattle Seahawks have a new QB in Sam Howell, and he joined Brock & Salk on Wednesday to describe the trade that sent him to the Hawks.

1 day ago

...

Seattle Sports Video

Video: Getting to know new Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Howell

What do Seattle Seahawks fans need to know about new QB Sam Howell? What will he bring to the QB room and competition this season? He joined the Brock and Salk show toady to talk about what type of QB the Seahawks are getting. Can he be a piece that helps this team get back […]

1 day ago

Salk: The whole Mariners organization, not just the GM, deserves credit for Marco Gonzales