Does anybody doubt that Doug Fister will become a perennial all-star with the Tigers? These fat bald-headed general managers the Mariners keep hiring haven't learned to never trade established young Major League pitching for questionable prospects.

The adage that you never can have enough pitching is true. Seattle seemed to have more good pitchers than hitters, but that is a very unusual situation. Good, young, consistent and injury-free pitchers are not a dime a dozen.

What the M's got in return they already have in their system. A 20-year-old third-base prospect appears to be the bald-headed guy's motivation for pulling the trigger, but will he develop? The Major League landscape is littered with failed 20-year-old "can't miss" prospects.

It seems Seattle is continuing its decades long role as the feeder team to the Big Leagues, a la the old Kansas City Athletics from the '50s and '60s. I could list the dozens of players Seattle shipped out who became stars with little or nothing in return, but I would need a thousand words. All the other teams are aware of this and take full advantage of it. The Mariners never disappoint -- except their fans, of course. Maybe Seattle will experience a slight uptick if they hire a GM who at least wears a toupee and is thinking of joining Weight Watchers.

Dale Howell, Pasco