Seattle Mariners Offseason Prediction – If The M’s Had The Dodgers Budget
Jun 14, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher
John Buck(4) celebrates in the dugout after scoring a run during the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Seattle Mariners Offseason Prediction: John Buck (1 year, $750,000)
Morale is difficult to quantify. But John Buck, without a doubt, had a very high Morale WAR (yes, I just invented that!). In the sixteen games prior to Buck being DFA’d, the Mariners went 12-4. In the sixteen games after, they went 5-11. That’s no coincidence – trust me, I’m a statistics major.
Endy Chavez doing the ummmm…… suggestive gesture, brought to Seattle by John Buck. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Zunino in particular was very distraught at Buck not being in the clubhouse anymore. Buck served as his mentor, showing the 23-year old “tricks of the trade,” according to Zunino.
But his morale building wasn’t confined to Mike Z. Buck brought the suggestive, to say the least, hand gestures that you saw the Mariners hitters give to the bullpen and dugout after every extra-base hit.
Apparently he had a big effect on everyone. And if you can get any kind of positive influence, on the diamond or off, from a backup catcher, you take it.
The clubhouse atmosphere was similar to a 12-inning loss. Players are not happy with the move.
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) July 8, 2014
Not to mention his slashline was significantly better than Jesus Sucre.
Buck: .226/.293/.286
Sucre: .213/.213/.246
Next up: A Seattle Mariners Lineup that will bring you to tears!