McLaren: We’re not lollygaggers

Completely out of options and watching his team get swept by the Angels yesterday, Seattle Mariners skipper John McLaren launched into a somewhat contrived lambasting of his club. Between expletives, McLaren said the effort is there and the team is busting its ass, they just need to “buckle” it up to turn this thing around.

Will the skipper’s expletive laced tirade light a fire under the M’s? No, no it won’t. Fans, the media and blogdome are searching for answers and speculating about what’s wrong with the Mariners. The new solutions are plenty: maybe they just need to play loose, maybe Richie Sexson needs to open up his stance, maybe Ichiro ball cap night will spark the club?

But the answer may be the simplest of all. These guys aren’t very good. Outside of a small handful of players, this is an unbelievably light-hitting lineup, devoid of clutch hitting. They get no meaningful production from traditionally high-production positions like right field and first base.

There is obviously something physically ailing closer J.J. Putz and the starting pitching has consistently thrown up all over themselves. You don’t have to love these guys. In fact, it’s hard to even like them since the team lacks talent or even a sliver of pride.

In the coming weeks, we’ll see how talented the front office is and whether or not they can cut some of the dead weight and begin truly rebuilding for the future. McLaren can continue throwing temper tantrums, but nobody in that clubhouse seems to be listening anymore.