Untouchables

Felix Hernandez, RHP - He took a rather large step forward in terms of consistency in 2008. One more like that and he'll claim his throne as the King.

Keepers

Adrian Beltre, 3B - If the M's can convince Beltre to stay, he could be the veteran presence on a good Mariners club in 2010 and 2011. But it's going to cost them dearly as the Red Sox, Angels, Dodgers and Tigers seek answers at the hot corner.

Brandon Morrow, RHP - Morrow's progress over the past 12 months should have M's fans excited, and a little less disappointed about passing on Tim Lincecum in the draft.

Carlos Triunfel, 2B - The club's top raw talent is still a few years away, but he could end up hitting fifth and playing second base.

Phillippe Aumont, RH - Injury (elbow) is Aumont's only major hurdle, though twisting that curve ball into a slider is more than just necessary from his three-quarter arm slot.

Adam Moore, C - The best catcher in the organization probably secured his place in the organization - for the time being - when he injured his hand this fall and missed the Arizona Fall League. At least an average bat and average or better defense usually equals a pretty solid backstop.

Juan Ramirez, RHP - Further along than Aumont, Ramirez is well on his way to being a major league caliber arm.

Greg Halman, CF - The best athlete in the system has a chance at stardom if he can learn how to hit/lay off the slider. He crushes anything straight and has well above-average bat speed to go with plus speed and defense.

Michael Saunders, LF - The "can do everything" prospect in the organization should hit for enough average and power to be useful offensively while providing value on the bases and with the glove.

Trade Bait

Ichiro, CF - A declining 35-year-old, .400 slugging right fielder making $16 million a year for a team that is at least two years away from contending... yeah, trade him. Fast. I have ideas, just ask.

Erik Bedard, LHP - Trading Bedard now probably nets the M's nothing more than a pair of B-level pospects, at best. But the southpaw has millions of reasons - literally - to pitch well and often in 2009, which drives up his trade value. Of course, draft picks are good, too.

J.J. Putz, RHP - Putz pitched well in September, but a hot spring could push his value high enough to get the M's an impact talent in return. The Mets, Diamondbacks and Tigers make sense.

Jose Lopez, 2B - Any team with eyes and a brain know Lopez is a poor defender at second, but his bat, sans the poor OBP, was productive in 2008. He might be worth adding to a bigger trade package.

Yuniesky Betancourt, SS - Betancourt's defense, which was supposed to be his area of strength, has turned sour thanks to poor conditioning and and below-average instincts. He might be able to handle second, but probably isn't part of the future in Seattle.

Move On

Jarrod Washburn, LHP - There was a market for Washburn in July when only a dozen teams were in the race - six of those seeking pitching and maybe two or three desired a veteran at the back-end. There was a market for him in August when only two teams were looking for that kind of pitcher and there will be a market for the lefty this winter. Expect him to traded or claimed off waivers.

Miguel Batista, RHP - An NL club has already expressed interest in Batista as a middle reliver and spot starter, though it's likely to cost the M's a few million towards the right-hander's $9 million salary in 2009.

Kenji Johjima, C - Johjima is the ultimate immovable object; throws well, but poor game-calling skills, doesn't block pitches well and his receiving skills have not improved in the last two seasons. Did I mention he was the worst hitter on the worst offensive team in baseball last year?

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