| By Chris Crawford |  | By 06-22-2010 |
Just in case you were living under a rock, or maybe your cable-modem has been blinking orange for the last two months -- Seattle has about a two percent chance of being a playoff team, and now must begin the difficult task of finding players to help for 2011 and beyond.
Jack Zduriencik has shown that he is a general manager who believes in building the team through trades -- with a preference for young players under team control (sans Cliff Lee).
We decided to take a look and see if there are some targets who make sense for not only the Mariners -- but would likely be available for various reasons. These players are not necessarily Cliff Lee targets, but players who are blocked by young or expensive circumstances. Here are a few guys the M’s could be targeting now or in the off-season.
Wilson Ramos, C -- Minnesota Twins
Ramos has been talked about to death in the M's photosphere, but it's worth repeating the situation. Ramos has the potential to be an average offensive player with average defensive ability. If that doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement -- you have to keep in mind the position and the potential to have a solid regular catcher on your club with six years of control. The right-handed hitting catcher has struggled in AAA, but it's important not to get too bogged down by minor-league numbers. Wilson Ramos is very talented, and would fill an obvious need in the organizational depth chart.
Logan Morrison/Gaby Sanchez, 1B -- Florida Marlins
Lars Anderson/Anthony Rizzo, 1B -- Boston Red Sox
As bad as the catching position has been in Seattle -- first-base hasn't been a whole heck of a lot better. Casey Kotchman has not hit and the next closest in line is Mike Carp -- who offers decent on-base skills but little else.
As far as the Sanchez-Morrison battle goes -- the likely available target would be Sanchez. As an NL scout told PI "with that club it's about Morrison, he's their guy. Nearly made the team (out of spring training). He has a chance to be an everyday bat." But the same scout had nice things to say about Sanchez as well. "Gaby can play, I'm not sure he has ideal power for a corner bat, but there's some value there. He has the strength, but also has some holes." The M’s would have to give up more to get Morrison than Sanchez obviously, but both may fit the Zduriencik player mold.
The Anderson/Rizzo situation is a bit more complicated. At different times both players have seemed to elevate themselves above the other. Anderson had a bit of a disappointing 2009, but has had a much better 2010. An AL scout told us "he's bounced back, that has been good to see. I remember him out of high school; he had issues getting to balls in on him, and that was showing up last year when he struggled so much. But maybe it was just (the injury), because he's sure hitting now. He's probably two years away, though. I don't know that he's a guy the Red Sox can count on to jump in for next year."
Rizzo is further away, but may fit the Zduriencik mold even more, that same scout had this to say on Rizzo: "He probably doesn't have the raw power you want, but he has all the other skills to build on, including some defense. He's even further away than Lars, though, but they are in good shape at first, aren't they?" Both Anderson and Rizzo are blocked by some guy named Youkilis -- and either would be a viable addition to the Seattle organization.
Allan Craig, OF -- St. Louis Cardinals
Craig isn't the name that the previous guys mentioned are, but is a player who could help Seattle soon. Craig is a 25-year-old left-fielder who has above-average power and average on-base skills who won't destroy you with the glove. The right-hander has hit at every level of the minor-leagues and would probably be far less expensive than any of the options presented above.
Travis Wood, LHP -- Cincinnati Reds
As good as the starting-pitching has been this year, 2011 will require at least two new arms to the rotation and Wood is the type of guy the M's should covet. With the amount of young pitching the Reds have, the left-hander could be available, but will not come cheap. Wood possesses an 89-91 mph fastball, a curveball that has improved considerably and what many consider to be a plus changeup. He has taken huge steps each year of his development -- and this year has shown an ability miss bats. The Mariners would do well to slide Wood into the back of the rotation in 2011 and see where his development takes him.
These players -- outside of maybe Craig -- are not going to come cheaply. But as we talked about in the pod cast -- these are guys that the M's could target in multiple-player deals. None of these players are going to make the M's contenders, but they are the type of organizational depth that makes the Marinerss better and more likely to compete now and later. The future for the M's is bright, but adding one or two of the players above could make it all the more brighter.
blocked-and-loaded
Comments
The following 28 comment(s) for this article are shown below:
| 1. By: daveduncan on 06-22-2010 22:01:32 Youkilis can shift over, even if Beltre's decides to leave and not use his player option (on pace to be $10 mil). But I think that scout is right. He's probably at least another year away (1 for last 34 ABs) and may only be a platoon (1 hit in over 40 PAs vs LHP at AAA). Small samples, yes. But he sure goes through extended slumps. |
| 2. By: daveduncan on 06-22-2010 22:02:29 Should say that I'm writing about Lars Anderson. Sorry. |
| 3. By: 200tang on 06-22-2010 22:17:36 Just some other position players that come to mind : 1B (CIN) Yonder Alonso 2B/3B (CIN) Todd Frazier or Juan Francisco SS (LAD) Ivan DeJesus or Chin-Lung Hu or Dee Gordon 1B (MIN) Chris Parmalee SS (MIN) Estarlin De Los Santos LF (SDP) Kellen Kullbacki I'm not suggesting that we go out and try and trade Cliff Lee for any of these guys or that any of these guys are even going to be traded, but they're just some names that I find interesting that COULD be moved. |
| 4. By: Chris Crawford on 06-22-2010 22:22:59 Parmalee is the guy that stands out of those, 200 to me. He is blocked for sure. Yonder is "blocked" but they'll find a way to get Alonso playing time when he's ready. |
| 5. By: 200tang on 06-22-2010 22:25:47 Most likely, I'm not even sure if Cincy would trade any of those three instead of just putting Alonso in LF and getting rid of Rolen and Phillips in some way and putting Frazier and Francisco at 2B & 3B. |
| 6. By: slick on 06-22-2010 22:47:32 Gamel might be available for some Starting pitching depending on what future plans the Brewers might have. Could try to resign Fielder or replace with a Huff or Laroche via free agency and still cut payroll while picking up cheap under controll pitching. |
| 7. By: Jason A. Churchill on 06-22-2010 22:49:13 Every year Youkilis is less and less likely to be capable at 3B. Not a good body and he was never GOOD there, just made the plays he got to. By the time Anderson is ready, and before Rizzo is ready, Youkilis will pretty much be just a 1B. There's always the DH spot, though. But good chance one of the two is dealt if they continue on the right developmental path. Alonso fits in theory, Frazier and Francisco... meh. DeJesus has to hit before he's worthy of the discussion. Hu is not a big league hitter and De Los Santos is not in any manner blocked. Gordon, who I haven't seen, is the one guy LAD isn't trading right now. Furcal is aging and Gordon projects to slide into that position. |
| 8. By: Jason A. Churchill on 06-22-2010 22:52:11 Not a Gamel fan, but i'm not sure he is blocked. He's a LF or 1B and Milwaukee's 1B and RF are trade bait soon. |
| 9. By: jgstecker on 06-23-2010 05:32:51 Is Kyle Gibson considered untouchable? He seems like the guy to be targeting in MIN, but no one is talking about him. |
| 10. By: junglist215 on 06-23-2010 06:19:35 While Gibson would be a lot more interesting than Ramos, his signing went down to the deadline last year. Players can not be traded until a year after they are drafted and signed. |
| 11. By: mykillmagnum on 06-23-2010 08:50:44 Chris or jason, What would be your ideal/most realistic package we could receive from Minnesota for cliff lee? They seem to be the favorite to land lee, what should we expect? |
| 12. By: Chris Crawford on 06-23-2010 10:04:12 the ideal package would be somehow getting Ramos and Aaron Hicks and Ben Revere -- a boy can dream. Realistic? Maybe getting one of the young SP and someone like Billy Bullock or David Bromberg -- I just don't see the Twins giving up Ramos and a SP for Lee at this point. |
| 13. By: Chris Crawford on 06-23-2010 10:09:27 Bullock was a part of the 2009 draft so he's not going anywhere -- it would be an arm like Bromberg or Carlos Gutierrez and maybe someone like Parmalee. Not sure if that's worth giving up compensation even adding the big-league young arm. |
| 14. By: FatBat on 06-23-2010 11:15:26 Question? With the Judge slappin the Rangers face, are they officially out of the hunt for Lee? Even if we eat some of his salery? It seems to me that the Rangers are hungry for the playoffs, and they know what a Lee trade would make them. How hard would it be to get Smoak? Big Z made a gross miss judgement last year when putting this offense together, too many age old comeback players and Deffense only position players with NO power. Shouldnt a player like smoak be a target? I don't know if he is available or not, but it seems to me they need to make a trade now(The Rangers), and may be willing to cut him in a deal. Just curious Chris, thanks |
| 15. By: rocketdawg31 on 06-23-2010 11:36:09 How hard would it be to get Smoak? Big Z made a gross misjudgment last year when putting this offense together, too many age-old comeback players and Defense-only position players with NO power. Shouldn't a player like Smoak be a target? Now that my smile from the fantasy of Smoak being a Seattle Mariner is gone.... Of all the offensive weapons the Rangers have as a product of their farm system, Smoak is the crown jewel. There is no way- none- that Smoak is given to a division rival. I know the reports the Rangers are willing to barter within the division, but Smoak is as untouchable to them as Casey Kelly is to Boston. In three years, Smoak could supplant Mark Teixeira as the most productive switch-hitting bat in the game. So...no. |
| 16. By: Edman on 06-23-2010 11:55:07 #14. What it does mean, might actually benefit Seattle. By that, I mean that if Texas still wants Lee, and since Seattle would have to absorb some of Lee's salary to get a deal done, it could mean more and better prospects to do so. In other words, let's hypothenise for a moment. If Texas decides then need to go for it, perhaps someone like Smoak isn't off the table. If I was Jack, I might be willing to help them out financially, but it will come at the cost of not just good prospect, but guys who'll really boost Seattle's talent level. Realistically, Texas will likely go with what they have. But, there's always a possiblity of getting a deal done, if they're willing to pay the price. Would I ever love to stick it back to Texas, after signing A-Rod and being able to draft Mark Teixeira because they were able to keep their first round pick. |
| 17. By: rocketdawg31 on 06-23-2010 12:03:41 I, too, would love a chance to stick it to the Rangers. But I don't think Smoak becomes available for ANY rental player they know they won't sign long-term, possible draft picks be darned. |
| 18. By: FatBat on 06-23-2010 12:21:26 That was my thinking. Oswalt is off the table for them and trading for a lesser pitcher doesnt realy change there team much. How about the Reds? I know Chris mentioned wood and I think Alonso isnt avialable yet, also mentioned was Frazier and Francisco, but missing for me at least stat wize was Chris Heisey! .314 22 77 with 21 SB. I'm sure at the Major Leagues that stat doesnt transfer but maybe a .280 15? He's outfield but maybe we could place him at first? even if he is only a 16th round draft pick. He is crushing at every level they put him at. |
| 19. By: cusefan15 on 06-23-2010 13:23:36 It really does seem like the farm systems in Texas and Boston are the two best fits for a trade. Another name to throw out there is Jed Lowrie. He is blocked and could be helpful to us in 2011. |
| 20. By: randallball on 06-23-2010 13:31:51 In case you didn't know, Jed Lowrie has missed the entire season so far with mono. On the 60-day right now. |
| 21. By: randallball on 06-23-2010 13:36:16 I see that he has, but CAN Allen Craig play 3B? That would make him more valuable here, I would think. |
| 22. By: cusefan15 on 06-23-2010 13:50:32 I know that Lowrie is on the DL right now but he is playing in games in extended spring training and about to go on a rehab assignment. |
| 23. By: Jason A. Churchill on 06-23-2010 15:39:38 The 2009 draftees can't be traded until one year after their signing date, and the league isn't as freeanymore on allowing players to be named later to go past the 30-day mark unless it's after the waiver trade deadline on August 31. The M's would have to make the deal after August 17 -- Gibson's signing date -- to assure they'd be allowed to get him in the first place. But it can be done and the two clubs involved can always put off making it official for a few days to make it happen. Happens every summer since 04. But I'd much prefer Kevin Slowey. He's producing right now and Gibson has run into a buzz saw in Triple-A. He's a No. 3 at best and might be as far as a year and a half away. Craig is not an above-average 3B... Lowrie is Josh Wilson on Wheaties. Meh. As for Texas -- I don't think Seattle would have to absorb any of Lee's salary in a deal with the Rangers. As of next week, he'll be owed $4.5 million the rest of the season and that sinks to below $4 million at the end of July. Texas can add payroll, just not significant amounts. This is why Oswalt isn't an option, because while Houston is willing to pay some salary, it won't be 10-12 million. But $4 million is not going to stop Texas from trading for Cliff Lee. It's just not. |
| 24. By: universalguru on 06-23-2010 16:32:51 If Texas does find a way to make the deal, what are the odds Chris Davis is a "throw-in"? Can we expect him to still become a productive 1B? Or is his poor OBP in the majors a problem forever? |
| 25. By: GFurs on 06-23-2010 17:40:41 Okay - first time posting so don't chew me up too bad. I'm not opposed to trading with the Rangers. I checked their farm system and saw some intriguing pieces. Does Z have the upper hand? What if Seattle paid the remainder of Lee's salary -- could we get something like this in return? Chris Davis -- 1st Base, Joaquin Arias -- 2nd Base, Michael Kirkman -- Pitcher, Pedro Strop -- Pitcher. I know it may be wishful thinking, but the Rangers have a real shot this season. They need an Ace like Lee and their farm system is pretty deep. |
| 26. By: southpaw360 on 06-23-2010 18:14:15 I have thought about the Rangers as the ideal partner. Seattle would pick up Lee's entire salary. I think a great trade would be Martin Perez lefthanded starting pitcher in AA, Chris Davis 1B/DH (lefthanded) in AAA, Matt Harrison lefthanded starting pitcher in the majors and Jarrod Saltalamacchia C (bats switch) in AAA. I don't know. Maybe we have to throw in something else. Perez is an elite top 10 prospect in all of baseball to me. Davis and Salty could explode in Safeco or fizzle. Harrison is underrated in my opinion and given the proper playing time and right pitching coach (Adair) I think he is a number 3 starter. Just my .02 cents for what it's worth. |
| 27. By: DMac33 on 06-25-2010 09:52:10 I'm not going to lie ... I just don't get the logic that I'm reading from so many. Cliff Lee is a valuable property that should garner a difference maker in the trade game. Before the season, there was a significant opinion that this offense was lacking. All I kept hearing was how these guys they were bringing in could have good on-base numbers and were good gloves. The margin for error with that is small. If you want to win, you've got to have difference makers. Many laughed at the idea of getting Vlad on board. I'm pretty sure Texas is happy with that decision. There are guys out there that you "hope" can have big years for you if things go right and there are guys that you "know" are going to have good years barring some major problem. The Mariners have few guys that you can count on in the "know" category. If you want to win in today's world of baseball in the AL, you have to have at least a handful of difference making bats. The Mariners have exactly ZERO in their lineup on a day to day basis (and Ichiro doesn't count as one). The Mariners also have exactly ZERO in their minor league system that appear to be close. Getting difference making bats should be a PRIORITY in the rebuild of this team. So getting back to Lee, you have to be able to get at least one, and most likely two, difference making bats back for Cliff Lee if you trade him. While pitching is nice, if there is anything that guys like Jason Vargas and Doug Fister have shown this year is that you can get good pitching out of guys that fit in pitching 1/2 of their starts at Safeco. When I read that a couple of the main options out there are deals that allow them to get an "average" hitting catcher that is struggling at AAA or a OF from the Mets that is an average to just slightly above average MLB player, I'm certainly not jumping up and down. If that is the best that you can get for Lee, then perhaps it might be better to sit back and take the compensatory picks in the draft and see if you can find a difference maker with a stick in the draft. This organization needs to develop bats - not pitchers on a go-forward basis. This year should have proved that to everybody. |
| 28. By: Adam T on 06-25-2010 10:16:13 You get the best talent for Lee, period. Doesn't matter if it is a bunch of arms or a bunch of bats. If have assets, you can get what you need. |
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