Originally published Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Comments (3)
E-mail article
Print view
Mariners plan department devoted to statistical analysis
There was speculation a few weeks back that the new Mariners front office might try to do a little more work with statistical analysis. It turns out the Mariners...
Seattle Times staff reporter
There was speculation a few weeks back that the new Mariners front office might try to do a little more work with statistical analysis.
It turns out the Mariners are planning to do a whole lot more. In fact, they're in the process of creating an entirely new department to deal with the subject.
The department will fall under the auspices of Tony Blengino, a longtime baseball stats analyst and a special assistant to new Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik. Details of the department's mandate and size are still to be worked out, but the move could vault the Mariners from their perceived Stone Age approach to stats to one in which they're seen as one of the game's more progressive franchises.
"We want to take all the information at our disposal and combine it with our scouting," Blengino said Friday.
Zduriencik has been on the job only a few weeks, and has been busy — specifically with his search for a manager — so it could be some time before the statistics department becomes a reality.
Zduriencik interviewed seven managerial candidates this week, and said Friday night there's a "very slim chance" he will bring in any others for interviews.
Zduriencik said he plans to speak with the seven candidates by phone this weekend, then possibly invite two finalists back for second interviews on Monday and Tuesday.
The Mariners have relied on freelance stats consultant Mat Olkin the past few seasons. Olkin was employed simultaneously by the Kansas City Royals last season and worked primarily out of his home office in Connecticut.
While former Mariners GM Bill Bavasi used Olkin as a sounding board for potential moves, he intentionally never let the consultant know just how much of his advice he was taking. Olkin has a confidentiality agreement with the team that prevents him from disclosing details of their discussions with other clubs he might be working for at the same time.
The new department could theoretically see its employees headquartered in Seattle or, at least, become full-time team employees rather than outside consultants.
"I'm not going to say it's a bad approach ... " Blengino said of the current consultant route. "But the idea is to have as much in-house information as you can get."
Blengino said the team has yet to contact Olkin about reviewing his mandate for next year.
![]()
"I've always had that statistical information in addition to scouting," said Blengino, a former baseball stats writer for RotoWire, whose first job out of college was as a CPA. "It's an aspect I brought to Jack when we were in Milwaukee together. That's where my core is. That's where I started."
Several teams have stats experts working on staff.
Bill James, widely recognized as the founder of sabermetric research, is part of the baseball operations staff of the Boston Red Sox. The Toronto Blue Jays used to employ Keith Law — a top stats columnist for ESPN.com — as a special assistant to GM J.P. Ricciardi.
"I can't imagine there are any teams that don't pay heed to some form of statistical analysis," Blengino said. "We have to take great care to make sure we do it right."
Geoff Baker: 206-464-8286 or gbaker@seattletimes.com
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Talks to restart between Mariners, Ken Griffey Jr.
Larry Stone: Big decisions await Jack Zduriencik as he heads for GM meetings
Baseball | Ex-Mariners reliever J.J. Putz files for free agency
MLB | Ex-Huskies pitcher Tim Lincecum makes deal with prosecutors
World Series | Yankees enjoy victory parade through Manhattan

Mourners gather at KeyArena for slain officer's memorial
Mourners gathered at KeyArena for the memorial service of Seattle police Officer Timothy Brenton on November 6, 2009.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
- 3 Cascade Mountain passes close due to snow; more rain, wind expected Sunday
- The birth of 'Grunge,' in photos by Michael Lavine
- Teenage serial burglar suspected in more Camano Island burglaries
- Steve Kelley | Huskies have to learn to finish
- Flags were key link to cop slaying, bombings
- U.S. House passes health plan
- Briefs | Soccer: New Mexico suspends hair-pulling player Elizabeth Lambert
- Seahawks overcome 17-0 deficit to win 32-20
- U.S. House passes health plan
378 - Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
299 - Grading the game
161 - Referendum 71 show's Washington's strategy for marriage equality is working
161 - Beavers open as 10-point favorites against Huskies
95 - How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
94 - Sounders FC-Dynamo playoff Game 2 thread
81 - Fort Hood shooting suspect had shown troubling signs
75 - Game thread: Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks, Nov. 8
74 - Landmark health bill passes House on close vote
72
- Suspect shot as city mourns slain officer
- Flags were key link to cop slaying, bombings
- The birth of 'Grunge,' in photos by Michael Lavine
- Bombs, guns found at home of suspect in Officer Brenton's slaying
- 10 ways to take control of your health
- Tlingit heritage helps glass artist Preston Singletary break new ground
- 10 investing missteps to avoid
- How an underdog named Mike McGinn took City Hall
- How do innovators think?
- Danny Westneat | Lee the Horse Logger found slow wagon shrank tumor










