Yes, there ARE reasons to watch the M's in 2020

Almost never.

That’s roughly how often I criticize what another writer chooses to publish.

I’m especially careful with opinion columnists, who are entitled to throw a punch when they feel it’s needed.

After all, I enjoy that same freedom here at The Press.

In other words, the fact that I’m starting the week by taking issue with Matt Calkins of the Seattle Times — a journalist I generally respect — qualifies as a pretty rare thing.

Here’s what went down…

This past weekend, Calkins basically suggested that your average baseball fan has no reason to go out and watch the Mariners.

In fact, he made it seem like a bit of silliness, or even stupidity, if you’d even think of catching a ballgame.

Why?

Because the Mariners will be crap.

I CAN’T read Matt’s mind, but I had no trouble with his words — and I think I know where his decision to slap around the 2020 Mariners actually originated.

Just a couple of days before Matt’s whack job, GM Jerry Dipoto told a club media day audience that this year’s team was still in transition and couldn’t really be considered a playoff contender.

This wasn’t exactly news, like a Mars landing or something that would make us go, “Wow!”

Two years ago, the M’s made what I thought at the time — and I still think — was a terrific reading of baseball reality.

Continuing to buy expensive free agents, and take on players who were slightly past their peak was not only expensive, but frustrating.

These sorts of teams win 80-something games, don’t break that long postseason drought and, worst of all…

They don’t leave you any closer to the promise land when the first pitch is thrown the NEXT year.

So with the blessing of owner John Stanton — who has said he’ll roll out serious money when it matters down the road — Dipoto tore up the team and set out to build with young talent.

Nobody in the Mariners organization, least of all Dipoto, said this would be a quick fix.

The M’s basically asked for a couple years of patience.

And they went to work.

SO HERE we are, one 94-loss season later, but with Seattle having loaded up on plenty of talented, exciting young players who actually could provide some playoff thrills if — just as Dipoto asked — we put some patience into the equation.

This is basically Year Two of a three-season remodeling job.

The Mariners don’t want to finish third with a “respectable” team year after year. They want to be in contention for the long haul.

There is no guarantee, of course.

Not in sports, folks.

But at least these bona fide prospects — including a few potential superstars — offer hope for the long haul.

Maybe Matt Calkins truly enjoyed those teams that won 80-something but had no future.

And zero playoff appearances.

Maybe he thought Robinson Cano was worth the money.

That was his main point, that during all those years of futility, at least we had some stars to enjoy.

Are you suggesting, Matt, that fans were being conned when the M’s said loud and clear what they planned to do here?

Look, YOU don’t have to be patient.

Or go see a game.

Or believe Dipoto.

But it was just not fair to trash a team — a team that actually might be a lot of fun — before we even get to spring training.

What’s the problem?

Email: scameron@cdapress.com

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns for The Press appear on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He also contributes the “Zags Tracker” package on Gonzaga basketball each Tuesday.

Steve’s various tales from several decades in sports — “Moments, Memories and Madness” — run on Sundays.