SEATTLE -- Given that the Mariners have struggled mightily offensively, the signing of No. 2 pick Dustin Ackley serves as a serious momentum boost for an organization looking to escape a series of shaky moves under the Bill Bavasi tenure.For example, Bavasi traded Adam Jones and George Sherill for Erik Bedard, and he selected Cal's Brandon Morrow over the University of Washington's Tim Lincecum in the 2006 draft. Morrow is in the minors while Lincecum is one of the top starting pitchers in the major leagues.
So the Mariners needed this. They needed to sign the best hitter in college baseball. Ackley hit .422 with 22 home runs and 73 RBI in 66 games for the University of North Carolina. Signing him went down to the final minutes, with general manager Jack Zduriencik revealing that the deal was agreed upon at 8:45 PM PT, about 15 minutes before the deadline.
Ackley, 21, was represented by Scott Boras, who also worked out a record-breaking deal with the Washington Nationals for Stephen Strasburg. The Ackley deal is believed to be for $7.5 million and a major league contract. Ackley is on the Mariners' 40-man roster.
"There's a lot of positives to say about this young man," Zduriencik said. "He can run, he's athletic, he's a left-handed hitter. He's going to play well in this ballpark. He's the type of guy you look for over the years when you are scouting."
The Mariners needed some good news regarding their prospects. Losing Ackley to the 2010 draft and receiving just a compensatory pick would have been damaging to the Zduriencik administration. So far, all the moves made by the former Milwaukee Brewers executive have looked good, from dealing now-injured J.J. Putz to the Mets and receiving splendid center fielder Franklin Gutierrez to hiring manager Don Wakamatsu to dealing impending free agent Jarrod Washburn for prospects and acquiring pitcher Ian Snell and shortstop Jack Wilson.
Ackley suddenly becomes the organization's most coveted prospect and gives the club a much-needed future offensive star. The Mariners are faintly in the wild-card race but have fielded bewildering lineups the past few days because of injuries and lack of depth, highlighting the need for an infusion of offense.
"Scott indicated Dustin wanted to play, we knew Dustin wanted to play," Zduriencik said. "I think in this case, we understood his desire to play and I think he understood how important it was to be the second selection in the county. I think he sees what's happening in Seattle. It's a great opportunity for this young man."
