November 2015 — Prospect Insider |

Should M’s move Cano?

November 29, 2015October 2, 2017 Luke ArkinsChris Taylor, Craig Biggio, Jeff Kent, Jerry DiPoto, Joe Morgan, Ketel Marte, Mark Trumbo, MLB, Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners6 Comments

There’s been a lot written about Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano lately. First, there was the hyperbolic rant of a fired coach that spurred a media frenzy. A few days later, the New York tabloids speculated that he’s not happy in Seattle and would welcome a return to the Yankees. Since those reports surfaced, Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto and Cano’s agent have both shot down the notion that the veteran wants out of Seattle Now that both player and club are publicly on the same page, should the…

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Analysis: M’s sign Iannetta

November 23, 2015 Jason A. ChurchillChris Iannetta, Mike Zunino, Seattle Mariners11 Comments

The busy offseason continues for Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto with Monday’s signing of catcher Chris Iannetta. Reportedly, the deal is for one year guaranteed at $4.25 million, plus incentives, and includes an option for 2017. It’s unclear what the parameters of the option is. Ianetta, 33 in April, struggled at the plate this past season, posting a .188/.293/.335 triple-slash in 92 games after a three-season run of .238/.357/.386 in Anaheim. Considering the absolute dearth of available catching in Major League Baseball right now, this signing is sensible, without…

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Gauging the market for Iwakuma

November 23, 2015August 14, 2017 Tyler Carmontdavid price, free agency, Los Angeles Dodgers, Marco Estrada, MLB, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays4 Comments

With the flurry of moves made by the Seattle Mariners over the past two weeks, it’s easy to forget that Major League Baseball’s offseason has only just started. Since that is the case, the market for many free agents, including Hisashi Iwakuma, has yet to develop. This isn’t unusual as many mid-tier free agents sign around the winter meetings in early December, or once one of the big fish have signed and helped set the market. For Iwakuma and the Mariners, the situation seems simple enough: both parties are interested…

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Setting the M’s 40-man

November 19, 2015 Jason A. Churchill40-man roster, MLB, Reserve List, Rule 5, Seattle Mariners6 Comments

Friday marks the day clubs have to have their rosters set — or “Reserve List” as it’s written in the CBA and regarded in terms of the Rule 5 Draft — which means players not already on the 40-man roster that are eligible for the Rule 5 process have to be added by November 20 or be exposed. The criterion for qualifications is as follows: Players signed to a pro deal when they were 19 or older and have been in pro ball for four years or more and not…

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Did Mariners get centerfielder of future?

November 17, 2015August 14, 2017 Luke ArkinsBoog Powell, Jerry DiPoto, Leonys Martin, Mike Trout, MLB, Peter Bourjos, Seattle Mariners, texas rangers, Trades, Yoenis Cespedes1 Comment

Seattle Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto continued his effort to transform the identity of his roster by completing his third trade in just 11 days. This time, he executed a five-player deal with the Texas Rangers that acquired outfielder Leonys Martin and relief pitcher Anthony Bass in exchange for reliever Tom Wilhelmsen, outfielder James Jones, and a player to be named later. For Seattle, Martin was the key piece in the deal. The 27-year-old is one of the best defensive centerfielders in baseball, ranking third among his peers in defensive…

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Analysis: M’s acquire Martin, Bass

November 16, 2015 Jason A. ChurchillAnthony Bass, Hot Stove, James Jones, Leonys Martin, MLB, Seattle Mariners, texas rangers, Tom Wilhelmsen15 Comments

In another trade that swapped some probability for club control and added outfield defense, the Seattle Mariners have acquired Leonys Martin and swing reliever Anthony Bass in exchange for right-hander Tom Wilhelmsen, outfielder James Jones and a player to be named. And no, the player to be named isn’t Taijuan Walker, or even Roenis Elias or D.J. Peterson. The Mariners get a top-half glove in center field in Martin, 28 in March, who struggled at the plate in 2015 — .219/.264/.313 — due to a rather curious fall in BABIP…

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Keeping Iwakuma in perspective

November 15, 2015August 14, 2017 Luke Arkinsdavid price, Detroit Tigers, Doug Fister, free agency, Hisashi Iwakuma, Jerry DiPoto, Johnny Cueto, Mike Leake, MLB, Nelson Cruz, Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners, Trades, Zack Greinke9 Comments

When starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma declined the Seattle Mariners’ qualifying offer of one-year for $15.8 million, it became clear that the team would be forced to compete with other major league clubs to bring the starting pitcher back to Seattle. The fact that the right-hander declined the offer comes to no surprise to most. It’s been widely reported that Iwakuma is looking for a multi-year deal. Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto has made it clear that retaining Iwakuma is an offseason priority for his club and reportedly, the veteran hurler…

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Common sense strategy for Mariners catchers

November 13, 2015August 14, 2017 Luke ArkinsBuster Posey, free agency, Jerry DiPoto, Jesus Sucre, Joe Mauer, Mike Zunino, Minnesota Twins, MLB, Nick Hundley, Oakland Athletics, San Francicso Giants, Seattle Mariners, Stephen Vogt, Trades0 comment

It’s no secret that the Seattle Mariners are in the market to improve their catching situation during this offseason – their backstops collectively ranked last in the majors in every major offensive category in 2015. In order to contend next year, the team must get better value from the position. There’s one area where the team’s catchers actually excelled – they were really good at sacrifice bunting. Mike Zunino and Jesus Sucre each laid down sacrifice bunts 10 times and were successful 85-percent of the time. I think that…

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