| By Jason A. Churchill |  | By 11-21-2012 |
The M's, in case you have been hiding under a rock without your smartphone, have designated Chone Figgins for assignment and added five players to the 40-man roster.
The club also DFA'd Scott Cousins, whom they just picked up earlier this month, clearing the extra two spots for right-hander Brandon Maurer, southpaws Anthony Fernandez and Bobby Lafromboise, infielder Vinnie Catricala and outfielder Julio Morban.
Morban is the only surprise, as the left-handed hitter is at least two years from being big-league ready, but he might be a player a rebuilding club, such as the Astros, could stash away for a year.
Morban was instantly one of my favorite young M's prospects after his performance in short-season ball and seeing him in spring training. He then, however, would miss significant time with injury, losing developmental time and it was impossible to get too excited about him again until this season.
Morban, 21 in February, remained healthy in 2012 and took advantage of the hitter-friendly surroundings in High Desert. He'll start 2013 in Double-A Jackson as their left fielder. He can play a little center, but profiles in left due to average range and arm strength.
Morban is a solid prospect, and the Mariners obviously though he was too good to leave exposed to e Rule 5 Draft. Can't blame them.
morban-the-surprise
Comments
The following 31 comment(s) for this article are shown below:
| 1. By: eknpdx on 11-21-2012 11:34:03 RE: Cousins pick up and quick DFA, was this simply a back up move for something else they were trying to work on? It would appear the club made up it's mind a while back on who they were going to add to the 40-man, and moving Trayvon for another 25-man roster spot was a wash in space. |
| 2. By: short on 11-21-2012 12:12:52 Thanks for calling out Morban as an interesting prospect. I have a hard time understanding whose inflated High Desert stats are worth paying attention to! A couple of interesting things pop out in Morban's High Desert numbers for me. His splits vs. right and left are basically identical, so he doesn't look to be in danger of getting platooned. More importantly for me: his home/road splits are the reverse of what you'd expect. His road OPS was .977, 128 points higher than his home OPS of .849. On the down side his stats at HD reflect the typical Mariners slugger prospect profile of a high K, low BB approach. He also had a high BABIP of .352 which suggests his overall line is likely a bit inflated. Hopefully he can put up something like a .280/.340/.500 slash line in AA as a 21 year old. Definitely want to see how he does for us rather than some other team next year. |
| 3. By: Jason A. Churchill on 11-21-2012 12:16:10 ek, The Mariners did not gain a roster spot in trading Trayvon Robinson since Robert Andino is on the 40-man, too. The club did not know the moves until yesterday. They picked up Cousins for depth, later decided they needed the roster spit more than that depth, and still have a shot to "assign" Cousins to Triple-A Tacoma if another team doesn't claim him. |
| 4. By: dewey on 11-21-2012 13:31:27 Arent we a rebuilding club? Our just a bad club? |
| 5. By: Edman on 11-21-2012 14:14:09 dewey, do you have a point? They are probably both. Are you using questions to complain, or do you actually have a point? |
| 6. By: dewey on 11-21-2012 14:50:14 Am i not allowed to post a comment our a question? Blow it out your ass Edman you dont own this site and others can ask and speek freely ok.Ive had enough of you ripping everything i post and what most others post hell you should be the next GM in your mind others have thoughts and opinions end of conversation be respectful to others also happy Thanksgiving |
| 7. By: Edman on 11-21-2012 15:01:51 You neither displayed a thought or an opinion. You asked two questions which don't have any realisic answer. IMO, you simply posted questions that don't in fact seek anawers, but are meant to complain about the state of the Mariners. It's like saying, "Are you a car theif, or a murderer....which is it?" So, do you have a real question, or are you just complaining? And a happy Thanksgiving to you. |
| 8. By: JonathanAicardi on 11-21-2012 16:18:22 Wow guys. I can come back later? Kudos to the M's for keeping their upside guy. As much as we try to take away from players due to that league and home stadium, he hit .333/.394/.583 on the road and spent all year at 20 years old, cutting his K rate from 29 to 20%. Only three other regulars were younger. |
| 9. By: dewey on 11-21-2012 17:51:57 Thanks DAD for the lesson know lets drop it. |
| 10. By: maqman on 11-22-2012 11:44:43 Dewey, love you, your entertainment level is off the charts. Original thinking has value. Edman I rarely disagree with your opinion, you've got a very good logical view that I appreciate and relate to easily, but the world needs Deweys too. Thanks for your take on Morban Jason, he'll be worth watching in Jackson next year. This is my 11th year here in England without a Thanksgiving. Don't take the occasion for granted, trust me it's special. I hope you all enjoy yours. |
| 11. By: sexymarinersfan on 11-22-2012 12:21:25 T. Walker, J. Paxton, N. Franklin, M. Saunders, S. Pryor, and J. Marder for G. Stanton. Who hangs up first? |
| 12. By: StandinPat on 11-22-2012 14:26:39 I don't typically side with Edman on anything, but Dewey that post was pure garbage. @11 Not sure a phone can be hung up on a call that would never be made |
| 13. By: shemberry on 11-22-2012 14:48:52 sexymarinersfan, I was thinking about Stanton also. I know the Marlins aren't planning to trade him and I doubt they do, but if they were to trade him, a team would have to blow them away with an overpay. So, I was thinking: Any two of Hultzen/Walker/Paxton One of Seager/Ackley One of Pryor/Capps Saunders Franklin To me that would be a pretty big haul for the Marlins. I think Stanton is awesome, but I wouldn't do it as an M's fan. What do you guys think? |
| 14. By: sexymarinersfan on 11-22-2012 14:54:31 Miami wouldn't take Gutierrez and all that money for a broke down CF. it's fun to rosterbate, but I bet the Marlins would look for other offers. We would have to really blow them out of the water with an offer. |
| 15. By: shemberry on 11-22-2012 14:56:48 Huh? Did you think I meant Franklin Gutierrez? Franklin is Nick Franklin |
| 16. By: dewey on 11-22-2012 15:06:40 #12 Pat.. Garbage? Can i ask you what our we a rebuilding club our a bad club? Those are legit questions tell me what we are? I really dont no im confused. I would love to hear what you think we our? |
| 17. By: sexymarinersfan on 11-22-2012 15:10:56 II did think you meant Franklin and not Nick. Sorry for the confusion. |
| 18. By: Timberwolf on 11-22-2012 16:30:48 Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. We can all be thankful that the Choad the Toad era is over. It is amazing how somebody who used to be far more than just a useful player could become so totally worthless in such a short period of time. |
| 19. By: Gibbo on 11-22-2012 16:58:56 @ Shemberry.... I would think Walker, Hultzen, Saunders, Franklin, Ackley and Pryor gets the conversation imteresting for sure. At that price I just dont know if I could do it. I think I would deal do the deal if we could keep Ackley and Franklin or perhaps sub in Montero for Ackley or Franklin. Looks like we are well in on a C/1B which I would really like. |
| 20. By: StandinPat on 11-22-2012 18:19:54 @16 Dewey, we are obviously in a rebuild. I don't understand how that even qualifies as a real question. The Ms won 75 games last year with a young, talented base, just got rid of their two worst players, have a fantastic farm system and have barely begun their offseason. Sure, their bad, let's just all give up and stop watching. Is that the answer you were trolling for? |
| 21. By: dewey on 11-22-2012 20:06:05 Sounds good Pat no i will allways waych but this is the second rebuild with Bavasi and now Jack and this is year 5 for JMZ and thats all the rope they gave Bavasi thats why i asked.Nothing would make me happoer then a 90 win and playoff berth season honestly.IM NOT A football or soccer fan so the Mariners is the only team and sport i like. |
| 22. By: d2ret on 11-22-2012 20:31:53 Miami gets: Montero Paxton Miller Maurer Pryor Seattle gets: Stanton |
| 23. By: d2ret on 11-22-2012 20:33:36 probably have to add Seager or Saunders... |
| 24. By: Panhead55 on 11-23-2012 08:29:19 Dewey, Yes, we are rebuilding, but there are several stages of rebuilding. We have rebuilt the farm system giving us a continuous stream of new young players or valuable trade chips. We removed the aging, declining players. Brandon Ryan is our oldest position player at 30. Iwakuma is our oldest SP at 31. If we do nothing we'll be better because of the release of declining players (Ichiro, Olivo, Figgins) and the trending upward of our young players. We are two or three players away from contention. The price of acquiring those final pieces is yet to be determined and may not b prudent for 2013 given the FA class. Never the less the Ms are in the final stage of rebuilding. Bavasi never rebuilt the Ms, he merely perpetuated mediocracy, while decimating the farm system. GMZ has rebuilt correctly and we can look forward to a long competitive run. Personally I'm all for overpaying with prospects to acquire the final pieces. As much as we value prospects, they are still prospects and few and far between ever reach their ceiling. Give me the bird in the hand (proven major leaguer) for the two in the bush (prospects). GMZ's strength is finding and developing young talent. If we trade some of our top prospects, I trust Z to be able to replace them. Keep the faith, Dewey, the Ms' future looks bright and is not very far away. |
| 25. By: maqman on 11-23-2012 10:52:53 Giancarlo Stanton should be on trading block – now – if Marlins are serious about rebuilding (Jeff Passan) Wed, Nov 21, 2012 1:57 AM EST http://sports.yahoo.com/news/mlb--giancarlo-stanton-should-be-on-trading-block--ndash--now--ndash--if-marlins-were-serious-about-rebuilding----065740919.html I agree with Passan and think there is a legitimate possibility he could be had but he will (deservedly) be expensive. Given he's the most valuable player in the game after Trout and Harper, who are not likely to be available for many years, he's worth a possible overspend. Only Felix should be off the table. |
| 26. By: Docmilo on 11-23-2012 13:23:13 The Marlins aren't a bad ball club. They dumped an expensive SP in Johnson that has health issues and may never be what he once was. Johnson lead the team in WAR in 2012 but has only thrown over 200 innings once in his career (2009) and is already talking extension in Toronto. Danger Will Robins! They dumped Burhle, an aging and extremely expensive pitcher over the duration of this contract, after his 2.8 WAR season. His FIP was over 4 1/2 this year and he's going to start costing nearly $20 mill a year. Ouch. The Marlins also moved the 4.8 WAR of Reyes. That's where I think the Marlins got value back in prospects. Still, you never know if Reyes hammies are going to last. The Marlins have an extremely young team. With Stanton, Ruggiano, Morrison, Brantley and Hecchavarria, this team won't be a slouch on offense. It's all going to be about their pitching. If they have these young arms step in Eovaldi, Turner and LeBlank they could be a suprise in the NL East. |
| 27. By: Paul Martin on 11-23-2012 13:29:23 Jason, why are the M's interested in Napoli??? I realize they wouldn't have to give up a draft pick if they signed him, but the guy hit around .220 last year IN TEXAS, a hitters park. They would have to give him at least 4 years and a ton of $$$ to sign him. We have Zunino coming up in a year or so, and I don't think Napoli's bat is all that special to give him 1st base or DH. I think his 2011 stats are a one time deal, and while he may improve off of his 2012 numbers, they will never be that great at Safeco field. What do you think??? |
| 28. By: Docmilo on 11-23-2012 13:54:25 The lesson should have been learned already about anyone who's ever worn Angel red. Stay away. Spazio, Figgins, Bavasi... No on Napoli! |
| 29. By: rotoenquire on 11-23-2012 15:13:01 The thing to remember about Napoli, is he can play 1B and DH as well as Catch. That would tell me, that if Napoli was too sign a contract that Jaso would have a limited amount of time remaining as an M. Napoli 8 Mill 4 years 32 Mill Total Swisher 14 Mill 4 years 56 Mill Total The M's could sign Swisher, Napoli and make a trade for another corner OF. If so 1 of Hultzen, Paxton, Walker along with 2-3 other prospects depending on the talent returning to the M's. A. Cabrera SS could be a target that would leave Franklin as one of the prospects going to the Indians. I would think people would be looking for a quicker return on a trade which could benefit the M's and Walker may not have to be traded. Cabrera SS Ackley 2B Guity CF/Pagan CF(Lead Off) Montero DH Swisher RF Zunino C Napoli 1B Seagar 3B Saunders LF Maybe M's really go for it and bring in Pagan to play Center and lead off. Pagan would be around 7-9 mill a year on a 3-4 year deal... |
| 30. By: Paul Martin on 11-23-2012 15:31:26 @Roto, no way Napoli signs for 32 million. More like 12 million + a year, 4 years 50-60 million will be the final number. Not so sure Swisher will come to Seattle for your figures either. Guess we wait and see who is right! Liked the lineup you propose though! |
| 31. By: rotoenquire on 11-23-2012 19:48:03 @Paul, Thanks, I think thaty is mroe what Y. Molina will get. McCann got 11.5 last year and I dont think he is worth more than McCann. Napoli may get 9 but would be very suprised if he got more than that. |
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