We didn't get Hamilton and as Shannon said, we wouldn't have anyway. So...let's move on. There are still a few respectable bats on the market. I would still like to see us sign Swisher but time will tell. LaRoche is still out there and Michael Bourn still seems to be a possibility. Bourn doesn't have the "big" bat but brings many other excellent skills to the table. I've heard it said that Swisher likes Seattle and I sure hope so as I feel he is the best of those still available. Overall, I like his overall skills better than Hamilton.

Yes, it is. Which is why some fans get so worked up over the last place finishes, and especially why some fans have no patience or sympathy for the excuses and "we made a good offer" or "we pushed hard" or "it takes two to tango" or any of the other ways to say, essentially, that the M's did not import quality players yet again for yet another offseason.

There are many rational and reasonable arguments as to why this is - other teams overpaying or being irrational, other teams winning more and looking closer to being year-over-year contenders, personal preferences of the player, any number of other conversations we aren't and shouldn't be privy to. That's fine, and a legitimate point.

But in the end, as you say, it's all about the results. At some point - perhaps a point we've already passed? - the only thing that matters is wins at the major league level. And at some point - perhaps already passed - we have to wonder if Z, Chuck and/or Howie are the right people to get the M's winning again.

Put it this way: yes, being a GM is hard, yes, it takes two to tango when it comes to trades and free agents, yes, it's easy for we armchair quarterbacks to snipe about what we would do or what should be done... but it is precisely the GM's job to get deals done, whether it's a matter of dollars or years or persuasion or all 3. If Z can't get it done, even if it isn't really his fault... time to find someone else who can, soon, isn't it?

I cannot agree more with your statement. All of my rants here are directed at one source and only one. DUMB AND DUMBER and this ownership.

Everyone forgets it was dumb and dumber that let Lou Pinella and Pat Gillick Walk. Those were the only GM and Manager tandum to ever win anything. They were the sole reason why there is Safeco Field. Yet DUMB AND DUMBER let them walk. Then replaced them with not so good GM's and Managers. Bob Melvin bad hire ( i know he won a world series with Arizona) he was still the wrong guy. Then the Bavasi debacle. Followed by the lame chump managers the followed Bavasi.

The bottom line is when Lou and Pat wanted one more bat to put them over the edge and vie for the series the Ownership and DUMB AND DUMBER told themselves to go .... OFF! We dont need you.

Then this dipstick ownership and DUMB and DUMBER makes the Bavasi Hire and then let him throw foolish cash around. Where was that cash when Pat and Lou wanted it? Wasnt there. But then they hire the idoit Bavasi then open the coffers for him. FOOLS. Dont know who to keep, or who to fire and spend their money foolish because they are just plain idoits themselves.

How do you expect fine wine when the two idiots buying the grapes dont know nothing about GRAPES! They continue to buy sour rotton grapes. Alone with second hand wine makers.

I believe the main reason the franchise is where it is today because DUMB and DUMBERS EGOS were to big for their britches. Not to mention DUMB and DUMBER are not baseball men. They dont have the credentials to make a baseball hiring decision. If they did then why has this team went through GM, Managers and coaches like a little kid goes through shoes. You guys can all blow smoke about GM Jack but he is in his what 4th or 5th year. They better do something this summer or Mr. Jacky Z will be out a job also and the whole vicous cycle repeats itself.

Okay I wasn't going to join in on this, but now?

We can win every game at home by putting Mr. Z in the outfield bleachers then let him use his blow hard voice to keep the opponent's flies from traveling over the fence.

I don't think the M's had any intentions of signing Hamilton (kinda agree with Baker's latest blog), but they just wanted to make it look like they were making an effort. They have run this fan base into the ground. Things won't change until Lincoln and Armstrong are gone, but that won't happen until the team is sold.

Hamilton would have been the bat but if you were making the choice of where to live with your family where would you have picked? Sunny southern California or Seattle? Why do you think so many people from Seattle spend the winters and spring training in Phoenix? It isn't that Seattle isn't beautiful, or doesn't have great resturants, or many things to do, it just doesn't have sunshine on a consistant basis. There is a lot to say for sunshine and that may be why Jack will have a hard time attracting someone to come here. When you are up in the millions sometimes the extra money just doesn't matter.