When the season began the 2008 Prospect Insider Handbook revealed PI’s Top 10 prospects in the Seattle Mariners farm system.

But, as always, things change, and sometimes in a hurry. Players graduate to the big leagues and exhaust their status, further prove that they can or cannot do something in particular, make progress or even take a step back.

Which means the top 10 changes, too.

It’s mid-season and time to update those changes.

Since the season began, Clement, Lowe and Balentien have exhausted their eligibility as rookies and prospects, so both are eliminated from mid-season contention, and Triunfel has struggled, both on and off the field.

Saunders has maintained his status, and two that landed in the 11-20 range have made strong cases for the top 10 in center fielder Greg Halman, whom I was beginning to sour on in April, and second baseman Luis Valbuena, who was promoted to Triple-A Tacoma this week.

Triunfel’s issues are still centered around experience at this stage, and the lack of power isn’t as much of a concern for me as it is for others. He’s been hurt a little, got sick, was suspended, and all of that forged some inconsistent playing time.

The second half of the year is enormous for Triunfel’s development. It’s very important that 2008 does not become anything resembling a lost season for him.

Halman has begun to show a better approach at the plate, but will be challenged in Double-A West Tenn. Pitchers throw more strikes with better stuff, and his strikeout-to-walk ratio must improve. He’ll hit for power there, and already has three bombs, but his average and on-base percentage are the rate stats to watch.

Valbuena has been steady all season and it was a perfect time to see if he has a big-league future. He can play second base, and if his offense translates, he may seriously push Jose Lopez in a year or two, or at least give the Mariners another option.

Saunders just keeps on trucking, doing exactly the same things in Tacoma that he did in High Desert during the first half of last season. He’s just 21 and is still learning, so his timetable for a legit shot to stick in the big leagues is probably in one-year range from now. But he may get a cup of coffee this September, or sooner should roster moves or injuries dictate.

At present, his ceiling probably sits somewhere in the .280/.350/.450 range with 30+ doubles and 15 home runs or so, but he has time to shorten his swing even further and develop more consistency in getting the proper backspin, which could turn some of those doubles into home runs.

Matt Tuiasosopo has indeed struggled early, but is tearing it up in June, hitting
all five of his home runs this month as he posts a .986 June OPS through Saturday’s game. Tui is probably still better off in right field, though he’s athletically capable at third. He just doesn’t have the hands for third, I think.

Adam Moore may have helped himself more than any prospect that began the year in the top 10, proving that his 2007 in the Cal League was far from a fluke.

Through Saturday, Moore, a better defensive catcher than Clement, Moore is hitting .327 since the end of April, with a .390 OBP and a .513 slugging percentage. That’s an above-average all-around catcher.

Moore hits lefties and righties fairly equally, too, and continues to shore up his catching skills. He’s an above-average receiver with average or better throwing accuracy and slightly above-average arm strength.

If Moore is challenged with a Triple-A call-up later this season and succeeds, he’s likely to become hot trade bait this winter.

Ramirez and Aumont have done what was expected of them, and both are on track to pitch in High-A to start 2009, at least if the M’s jump to the Florida State League, as has been rumored.

If the club remains in High Desert, or another affiliate with a bandbox park in the Cal League, the M’s could think twice about sending any of their top arms to the Advanced-A level next year.

Photo of Carlos Triunfel by Mike Andruski

Boy, this organization, from top to bottom, better rent a clue, and quick, or they are bound to dig themselves an even deeper hole than they are already in, nearly 20 games out of first place.

In John Hickey’s latest feature in the P-I, the Mariners, through the actions and words of former skipper John McLaren and the interim version, Jim Riggleman, seem to have written off Wladimir Balentien as part of their future, at least somewhat.

Mariners interim manager Jim Riggleman said that had Balentien established himself as the Mariners’ right fielder during a six-week tryout in May and early June, it’s likely the Mariners never would have thought about moving Ichiro back to the position he held from 2001-06.

And apparently, the move is permanent.

If Balentien had locked in as the right fielder, we wouldn’t be talking about this now,” Riggleman said. “We wouldn’t have wanted to move Ichiro over.

So Balentien, all of 24 years old next month, struggles for a month and he’s not the right fielder of the future?

In the words of the late great George Carlin…

… What the Fuck Ever.

Hickey goes on to say that maybe Balentien is the left fielder of the future, which certainly isn’t out of the question, but also mentions that Jeremy Reed and Willie Bloomquist in center is working out well, so Ichiro may remain in right with Wlad heading to left field.

While I’m not picking on Hickey, he’s just stating the facts in front of him, an outfield of Ichiro and Wlad in the wrong corners and Reed-Willie in center is not only bad offensively, but not so great defensively, either.

Despite a few flashy catches and a rising batting average, Bloomquist has no business starting for any team above Double-A and is not a defensive asset in center. Reed might be somewhat useful, and can hold down center with the glove, but unless an adequate defensive center fielder is acquired between now and April, Ichiro belongs in center field.

And it’s not like Ichiro asked out of center field.

But the thought that Balentien’s performance in such a small stint in the big leagues had something to do with moving Ichiro out of center field is ludicrous. This organization must be sitting around dreaming of ways to get dumber and dumber every day.

And I’m not sure which scouts Hickey is talking to, but…

Or Balentien could ultimately become a center fielder. Scouts say he has the tools to do it, although he looked like a work in progress as a right fielder and has only a limited amount of experience in center. But if the Mariners see him in as a potential center fielder, he likely would play the position in Tacoma before trying it in the big leagues.

… No.

A Twins scout and former center fielder himself said this in 2006 about Balentien’s future in center field:

“He’s going to continue to get bigger and stronger and lose some foot speed. As that happens, his routes and jumps will probably need to become perfect along the way for him to have any shot at playing there. He’s a corner guy, a right fielder with a solid arm. His bat should play there, too, but any thought of him in center long term is wishful thinking.”

And this is what he said Friday night about the idea:

“I said that? Man, I was being kind. He shouldn’t even be playing there in Triple-A. He is getting bigger - what is he 15-20 pounds heavier now than the year before he was up here (in AAA) - and his routes aren’t much better from what I’ve seen. He tends to be a little bit too aggressive on balls hit right at him, too, and if I remember correctly, he’s done that for years.

“Nice player, should play everyday in the majors, but not in center, not at Safeco… not really ever. There are worse options, but they have much better guys to go to.”

And it’s not like Ichiro asked out of center field, or is benefiting offensively from the move.

Photo by Paul Marsh of PaulMPhotography

Seattle Times Mariners beat reporter Geoff Baker talks about the M’s potentially trading Ichiro, saying “I expect him to be shopped with serious intent.”

He states several things that brought him to such a conclusion, but this organization has NEVER been so bold. Ever. And certainly haven’t even come close under the direction of Howard Lincoln.

While Ichiro can still be very good for any team, particularly a winning team, and he can be misunderstood to an extent, Baker makes a good point about Ichiro’s superstar approach to things being detrimental to the 25-man roster.

Some might claim that’s “all about Ichiro being blamed and misunderstood.” But that claim comes from Ichiro apologists who just refuse to admit that Ichiro ever does anything wrong.

You can only hide behind cultural differences and language barriers for so long.

And for the record, I think the claims that Ichiro is dogging it are complete BS. Jogging to first base on a pop up is dogging it? If thats true, every player in baseball dogs, except for Willie Bloomquist. If that’s true, Ichiro has been “dogging it” for seven years.

Just stop with the ripping of his effort. Ichiro’s effort is not the problem.

The problem is, he’s being paid as superstar, and he’s being leaned on as one, but he isn’t one. That’s hardly Ichiro’s fault, and Ichiro isn’t generally part of the Mariners’ big-picture problem, but trading the 34-year-old might make perfect sense.

If Erik Bedard is being shopped, and he is, and if the club is going to be looking for new players at first base, which they will be, and at least one of the three outfield spots, and are looking into upgrading at second base and/or shortstop, and they’re doing that too, that’s a rebuild. And if you are rebuilding, keeping a declining Ichiro is among the more ignorant moves the club can make right now.

That brings us to the next question, one we covered last week concerning Bedard.

Who might be interested in Ichiro’s services and what might those clubs have to offer the Mariners?

I think the initial talk has to start with the New York Yankees and continue through the Los Angeles Dodgers, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies.

We’ve covered what some of these teams have to offer in the way of young talent when we talked about the Bedard Trade Market, but in trading Ichiro, there’s a better chance to get a major league talent back in the deal, specifically in negotiations with Detroit, New York, Los Angeles and both Chicago clubs.

The Tigers are barren in their farm system, save for right-hander Rick Porcello, who is three or four years away from the big leagues, which might force Detroit to include someone currently on their 25-man roster in order to add any premier talent on the trade market.

Curtis Granderson is a nice player, and a solid center fielder, but if he’s the lead talent in a trade for Ichiro, the deal isn’t quite good enough. I guess unless Porcello and shortstop Cale Iorg are in it as well, but it would make a lot more sense to target prospects that are closer to the big leagues.

If the Yankees were serious about winning, they’d upgrade in center and be willing to take a little bit of a hit in two other spots: their farm system and perhaps second base where Robinson Cano would be a nice left-handed bat in the Mariners lineup, despite struggling mightily this season.

Despite the Red Sox boasting two center fielders in Jacoby Ellsbury and Coco Crisp, adding Ichiro at the top of their lineup might put them over the top - AGAIN.

They have some young pitching to spare in Michael Bowden and could put a package together that includes Bowden, shortstop Jed Lowrie and maybe Crisp. Or, the M’s could ask for first baseman Lars Anderson, whom scouts adore. Anderson is a left-handed hitter with plus power, has a sweet swing, draws walks and handles first base well.

He’s 20 and hitting .304/.392/.479 in the Cal League this season.

It’s very unlikely that Boston goes to the ends of the earth to add Ichiro because of Ellsbury, and they aren’t likely to trade Ellsbury, either.

The White Sox are an interesting club in terms of potential interest in Ichiro. They have some youth in Lance Broadway, Aaron Poreda and Nevin Griffith that could serve as pieces to a trade package, but would probably have to include some big-league talent, too.

If your the Sox and think you are in it for the long haul and are going to go balls to the walls in 2009, too, maybe Nick Swisher becomes available. There isn’t a perfect package fit here, but the Sox could be part of a creative three-way, with Ichiro landing in Chicago…

… or maybe the other side of town gets involved. The Cubs don’t have an everyday center fielder on their roster. Platooning Reed Johnson and Jim Edmonds is good enough for now, but talk about solving a lineup issue.

Ichiro leading off and playing center field everyday might make the Cubs the favorites to unseat the Red Sox as World Series Champions.

As for young players, however, the Cubs might need that third team to get involved, too, as they aren’t exactly loaded. Center fielder Felix Pie, right-hander Sean Gallagher, third baseman Josh Vitters, right-hander Jose Ceda, catcher Josh Donaldson… decent group, but Vitters is just now returning from injury and is years away.

You’d like to think that if Seattle was going to trade Ichiro, that there would be at least one legit headline talent included.

Which brings us to the Dodgers, and two surprise teams I have yet to mention. Los Angeles has the young talent to land… anyone veteran in baseball. First baseman James Loney, outfielder Matt Kemp, third baseman Andy LaRoche, right-handers James McDonald and Chris Withrow… they are loaded, thanks to GM candidate Logan White, whom the Dodgers might want to can Ned Coletti for.

Kemp and McDonald make for a nice package, though the Dodgers may want to see what else they can squeeze out of Andruw Jones, since the club lacks power and run production more than anything else.

Trading Kemp poses a directly negative hit on that issue. Perhaps this is where the three-way can come into play, including the White Sox.

Toronto might be an interesting trade partner, but lack the depth in young talent to get a deal done by themselves.

The best fit for Ichiro, from both clubs’ standpoint, might be the San Francisco Giants or the Colorado Rockies. Ichiro’s contract might prevent the Rockies from getting involved, but money aside, it’s a good fit.

Ichiro getting on base to set up Matt Holliday, Garret Atkins, Troy Tulowitzki and Brad Hawpe might be worth trading Ian Stewart, Clint Barmes and Hector Gomez for.

The Giants would probably have to be a winter deal, since they aren’t contending this season and may not want to part with young talent if it’s not going to help them win.

Right-handers Tim Alderson and Henry Sosa would be a good start, but the Mariners would probably insist on their top prospect, first baseman Angel Villalona.

The best talents that might be available appear to be in Boston and Los Angeles in Lars Anderson, Jed Lowrie, Michael Bowden, James Loney, Matt Kemp and James McDonald, but there are endless possibilities when someone like Ichiro is the trade bait.

Would the Mariners consider trading Ichiro to a division rival? Texas might love Ichiro, though he’d be playing right field with Josh Hamilton in town. Left-handed hitting first baseman Chris Davis would be a great addition to the M’s rebuilding process, as would right-handers Eric Hurley or Michael Main.

Texas would be wise to continue without adding an aging player, but with all the power they have brewing in the minors, they could certainly use a defensive-minded leadoff hitter who can steal them 40-50 bases.

Before Seattle can deal Ichiro,however, they’ll have to admit, organizationally, that a rebuild is in order, because contending teams aren’t likely to part with too much from their 25-man roster in order to make a deal for Ichiro.

Accepting mostly prospects spells rebuild, and that’s exactly what both Ichiro and Erik Bedard are most likely to bring back.

It also happens to be what is necessary in Seattle right now, but that doesn’t mean giving away Ichiro, or anyone for that matter. Demand a premium and settle for nothing less than a fair trade.

The M’s can certainly hold out on Ichiro, as he’s can also be part of winning in Seattle. The Mariners should not trade him for anything but two premium young talents and another useful 25-man member or two.

Anything less than that should get the dial tone. The good news is, their are several teams that could use his skills, and not many of those are on his limited no-trade list.

Trust me on this one, fellas. Pat Gillick is NOT coming back to Seattle to work in any capacity as long as Howard Lincoln is involved with the Mariners organization.

Not as General Manager, not as team president not even as CEO is Lincoln was re-assigned - which is not happening this year anyway.

This is one of those things I just happen to know, so no matter what Jayson Stark says, it’s not in the works, nor is it a possibility.

On to other things…

Several quick hits today, starting with Michael Saunders.

Not only is he a quality player with a chance to be an everyday corner outfielder, he’s a pretty down-to-earth kid and he’ll surely be a fan favorite if he becomes a mainstay in the big leagues.

I got a little bit of batting practice video of him Monday, and as soon as I get the proper help in figuring out how to code it up, I’ll post that, as well as some audio of my conversation with him.

Did anyone hear about what Mets interim manager Jerry Manuel had to say about the benching of shortstop Jose Reyes?

The media asked him why Reyes was benched, and this is how Manuel responded.

“She acted up on me, so she’s getting a day off.”

Awesome.

Hooray for Jim Riggleman, by the way, if indeed it was his decision to start the left-handed hitting Jeff Clement versus the best left-hander in baseball, Johan Santana.

Clement, 24, singled softly to center in the M’s 4-run second inning, and finished 1-for-3 versus Santana, avoiding the strikeout. He’s fanned just once in 17 plate appearances since being recalled June 18.

Down on the Farm…

Mario Martinez, Prospect Insider’s No. 10 prospect, is already drawing rave reviews from one scout who got “stuck in hell” and “accidentally” caught Martinez and his Pulaski teammates over the weekend.

“You told me about him last year and, like always, I took you seriously (sarcasm), and went out of my way to see him since I was here,” said an East Coast Coordinator of one American League club. “He’s not as raw as most of the guys I saw in the game, and he had the most natural athletic ability, too. His swing was smooth with very few wasted movements; there might be some power in there.

“He played third, which he can probably handle long term, but if his bat doesn’t play there he might be a good fit for center field, perhaps second base.”

I got a 45-second video clip of Martinez hitting his home run and taking infield before the game, and it appears he’s more physical than Carlos Triunfel, and perhaps just as athletic. Martinez has more current power than Triunfel, but may not have the natural bat speed; his wrists are strong, but not as quick as Triunfel’s, who might be the quickest in the system.

I feel better about my placement of Martinez at No. 10 than I did eight months ago when I wrote the handbook. He’s maturing physically - he looked 200 pounds in the video, and a good 200, versus the 175 he was listed at prior to the 2007 season.

Josh Fields…

The Tacoma Rainiers Media Relations Director Geoff Corkum asked me Monday where I thought the M’s would start first-round pick Josh Fields this season.

That got me to thinking that maybe Fields doesn’t throw at all this summer. His Georgia Bulldogs are in the College World Series and Fields is up to almost 50 innings for the season, by far a career high, and pushing that over 60 and beyond is probably not the best idea.

I’d think that at most Fields gets a few frames in Everett and/or High Desert before the Mariners pull the plug - if they get him signed in time.

Managers…

Someone asked me Monday if any manager the M’s could hire would be good in my mind, referring to my rippage of both Mike Hargrove and John McLaren. The answer I gave is no, but the reason, which he agreed with wholeheartedly, was that I don’t trust the front office to make the right choice anyway.

Just like GMs, the better managers are creative and do not stick with philosophies that have not worked for extended periods of time. I’m not big on lineup slotting, but so many managers in baseball mis-manage their respective clubs’ bullpens, it’s crazy.

All this “role” stuff is ridiculous. Good pitchers get outs. Bad pitchers don’t. Use your best pitchers in high-leverage situations as much as humanly possible and play the matchup game as soon as your starter has been pulled.

If there’s a situation at hand in the sixth inning, there’s no reason to save your situational relievers for situations that may not even be there in the seventh or eighth inning.

I also asked an assistant GM if he thought there were any good future skippers in the minors right now, particularly big-league ready managing prospects.

Managers are so difficult to analyze, especially in the minors, that he’s yet to get back to me after replying “let me think about this one.”

That was three days ago.

Short-season Talents to Watch, other than Martinez…

Jose Rios is a short, quick-armed lefty with a deceptive fastball and a decent curve ball. He’s just 18 and is missing bats in Pulaski in relief. His future is as a lefty specialist, and major league relievers normally don’t began their careers in the pen at age 18, but Rios is interesting nonetheless.

Nineteen-year-old lefty Fabian Williamson is also in Pulaski, and while he’s been roughed up a bit to start the year, he’s still logging strong strikeout rates with his 87-88 mph fastball, plus command and average breaking ball and changeup.

He still reminds me of Bobby Livingston - both had a chance to add velocity as they matured physically. Livingston didn’t, Williamsom may or may not. If he does, he has a chance as a No. 4.

I still like Anthony Phillips, despite his early struggles and lack of size at 5-9 and 160 pounds.

Outfielder Jose Rivero has plus raw power and just turned 18 in January. Keep an eye on him.

Projectable right-hander Colin Buckborough has yet to pitch, but check back on his outings later this summer. The 6-5, 190 pounder has above-average stuff but apparently has control issues.

Right-hander Yao Wen Chang is a 6-2, 210-pound right-hander with a low-90s fastball. If he battles through the language barrier and adjusts to the culture of the states, he could move quickly. His slider is already an above-average pitch.

One scout is already in love with the natural talents of Gabriel Noriega, among the M’s top IFAs last summer. Noriega, who won’t turn 18 until September, is a switch-hitting shortstop with good hands and feet, a strong arm and the potential for average or better power at the plate - from both sides.

The M’s gave Noriega $800,000 last July.

Noriega will share time at short and second with Jharmidy DeJesus, whom the M’s handed a million bucks this past signing season. DeJesus is a little bit bigger than Noriega at 6-2 and 185 pounds and has more raw power.

DeJesus is further along defensively than is Noriega, but may be less likely to remain at short as he fills out. Neither project better offensively than Mario Martinez, however, at least in the power department.

Japanese right-hander Kenta Suda hasn’t thrown many strikes early on, but he has above-average stuff. His size, 6-feet and 185 pounds, could hinder his potential as a starter, but that’s where he’s slated to get most of his work this season.

Suda will turn 19 in July.

Another of the class of 2007, Efrain Nunez, a powerful switch-hitting outfielder (he’s better right now as a lefty), is not in the states and is playing in the Dominican Summer League this season. The Mariners wanted to get him in Arizona this summer, but visa problems stalled that until 2009.

Nunez has nine XBH in 15 games for the DSL M’s, and just turned 17 this past February. He may be the next Greg Halman at the plate, although he’s always shown that he’s more willing to work the count - a great sign in a 17-year-old.

I hate to say “I told you so” to those who liked the Erik Bedard trade - okay, I don’t hate to say it, but… - it’s time for the Seattle Mariners to admit at least one of two things.

Either the Bedard trade was a mistake to begin with (clearly it was) or it’s simply time to admit that the club needs a two or three year rebuild.

Either admission puts Bedard on the trade market right away.

No, the Mariners don’t have to trade the left-hander this summer. He can be traded during the winter months, or even during the 2009 season and still bring back some value.

But the club must open up talks to see what they can get this season while a dozen teams remain in contention and all but the Red Sox, Indians and Angels are in need of a frontline starting pitcher.

Bedard is still seen by most scouts as a No. 1-2 starter, though there were more “No. 2s” than there were a year ago since Bedard’s 2008 hasn’t exactly gone as planned.

“I like his game still,” said an American League Central scout. “He can still get the strikeouts, and has thrown the ball as well as ever at times this season. I still think he’s a borderline No. 1, but I am a little bit concerned that he’s holding back because he knows he’s hurt.”

Among the teams that are likely to have at least some interest in Bedard’s services include the New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and, if Brad Penny’s shoulder problems continue, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

If the Los Angeles Angels or Texas Rangers show interest, the Mariners should not hesitate to attempt to bleed either club of some of their young talent. Where the M’s are headed over the next two seasons or so should render them careless of the potential backlash and repercussions of a divisional trade.

Let’s break down each of the former seven clubs and what they have to offer and might be willing to part with in a trade for Bedard.

New York Yankees

Disregarding any chance at Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlian, of course, leaves the Yankees’ chances slim. Their top prospects, left fielder Austin Jackson, right fielder Jose Tabata, catcher/first baseman Jesus Montero and right-hander Alan Horne, have lost some luster as a group over the past two seasons.

Tabata has battled injuries and Jackson’s performances haven’t exactly been star-worthy, though his future is probably still fairly bright. If he was a legit center field prospect, he’d be a candidate to lead such a package, but he profiles better in left.

Horne is probably a back-end starter or reliever and Montero, a right-handed power bat, is not going to catch long-term and is at least three years away.

Ian Kennedy’s struggles make him a lot less attractive than he was last winter and it doesn’t appear the Yankees are too keen in trading Robinson Cano.

Unless the rest of the potential suitors bow out or the Yankees offer up three or four of their top six prospects, Bedard is probably going to end up elsewhere.

Detroit Tigers

Talk about a barren farm system, sheesh. After trading Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin and two other mid-level prospects to Florida for Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis, their left without much in which to trade.

Right-hander Rick Porcello is their top prospect, but the rest of their crop is destined for part-time or relief work, most likely. And they may prefer to hang onto Porcello rather than gutting what’s left.

In terms of young major leaguers, only Curtis Granderson would probably carry much value to Seattle and Granderson is part of what the Tigers have built their hopes around.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs might be one of the more likely destinations for Bedard, as they are in high-geared win-now mode under Lou Piniella, and have a few young players that might be a fit.

Currently the Cubs rotation consists of Carlos Zambrano, when healthy, Ted Lilly, Ryan Dempster, Jason Marquis and Sean Gallagher.

If the Cubs are willing to include Gallagher in a deal with third base prospect Josh Vitters, that might be the best the Mariners can do, and should be happy with that.

Gallagher and tarnished center fielder Felix Pie would be interesting as well, though personally I’m not sold Pie is a big-leaguer.

The Cubs have two future starter in the minors in Jose Ceda (No. 3-4) and left-hander Donald Veal (No. 4), that could be included in a trade.

If I were the Mariners I’d pass on the Cubs since Ceda, Gallagher and Veal are No. 3 starter at best, Pie is marginal and Vitters is three or four years away.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies don’t have a lot to offer, either, but there might be a match with right-hander Carlos Carrasco and left-hander Joe Savery could be valuable pieces. Carrasco is probably a 2-3 starter and Savery, if Rice U didn’t ruin his arm, fits in the middle of the rotation, too.

But the Phillies don’t have much else and there isn’t anyone from the big-league roster that they are likely to be expendable as they race for the playoffs.

Cincinnati Reds

If Walt Jocketty wants to make a splash, he’s probably going to wait until the winter to do so, but if Bedard is in his plans, he may have to make such a move in July.

The Reds selected near-ready first baseman Yonder Alonso in round one of the draft two weeks ago, and could part with solid first baseman Joey Votto in a deal. The M’s would be wise to seek a young pitcher in return, and in order to do so they may have to send an additional player to Cincinnati to get Johnny Cueto or Homer Bailey sent west.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers need offense, so Adrian Beltre makes some sense here, too, but that’s another trade for another day. [Or is it?]

It’s difficult to imagine the Dodgers parting with Matt Kemp or James Loney as part of the package to land 45 starts of Erik Bedard, but 3B Andy LaRoche and RHP James McDonald may very well be in play.

McDonald profiles as a No. 2 or 3 starter and LaRoche could step in hit right away.

And if the M’s want to get really creative and include Adrian Beltre, they may be able to get Blake DeWitt, a lefty bat who profiles well at second base, and right-hander Jon Meloan, who throws in the mid-90s and profiles as a setup man.

St. Louis Cardinals

This is where it gets interesting. If I’m the M’s I don’t even talk with the Cardinals unless they agree that Colby Rasmus is in any trade offer.

After that, left-hander Jaime Garcia and catcher Bryan Anderson make for a solid package as well.

But with Rasmus included, the M’s may not be able to pry away another of the top three in the Cards’ system as STL is not deep in potential impact prospects.

The Mariners should be looking to replace two of the young players they lost in the Bedard trade to begin with - Adam Jones and Chris Tillman - and Rasmus and Garcia might be the pinnacle of what they can get in return for the 29-year-old.

Anything beyond that is icing.

Discuss.