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seahawksfan234
Radical Moderate
One of the more interesting things IMO about baseball is the hypothetical discussions about who the Mariners could add to become a better team.
With the trade deadline passed, I thought we could begin discussing 2015 free agents for fun. Not throwing in the towel or anything, I just think it's fun to speculate.
Here are some of the options:
First Base:
-Michael Morse: Been here before. He's hitting well this season and never really got off the ground in Seattle due to injuries. Still an option though. Can also play outfield.
-Billy Butler: There is a $12.5m team option on Butler's contract that the Royals may not exercise. He's having a down year, but could be a cheaper option to consider at 1B. From 2009-2013, Butler was a really solid hitter. His line during that time is .302/.372/.469 with an OPS+ of 128. His 99 home runs over 4 years average out to 20 per year. Obviously not having one of his better years in 2014, but Butler has serious rebound potential.
-Adam Dunn: I'd stay away, but could be an upgrade over Smoak/Morrison.
-Michael Cuddyer: His park, age and injuries scare me, but he's another option.
-Victor Martinez: Wouldn't be surprised to see the Tigers let him walk. Detriot currently has the 4th highest payroll in baseball at $161m. Unfortunately for the Tigers, they will have Max Scherzer and Victor Martinez hit the market at the same time. Scherzer will likely command $20m+ per year, Verlander's contract will increase by $8m this upcoming season and the Tigers will have to budget for the roughly $15m that David Price will cost. Given his age and injury concerns, Martinez will probably be the odd man out. Martinez really interests me, he is an incredible hitter who is often overshadowed by Miguel Cabrera. I really want to be scared off by Victor Martinez's age, but he is such a professional hitter that I can't see him declining too badly over the next couple of years. He just seems like one of those guys that will have that rare type of longevity in the majors.
Shortstop: Listing SS for two reasons, the first basing that the Mariners had been connected to various SSs during the season. The second reason being that the SS class is pretty deep with good players.
-J.J. Hardy: Great defensively, has seen his power numbers drop this year but has still been steady at the plate with a .274 average.
-Asdrubal Cabrera: I believe we traded him to the Indians for either Ben Brussard or Eduardo Perez. I saw the Mariners were connected to Cabrera in some trade rumor, could be an interesting option.
-Hanley Ramirez: Pipe dream. The Dodgers will likely throw a massive contract at him to keep him in LA.
Outfield:
-Nori Aoki: Not an amazing option, but if for some reason all else fails he has been solid in his major league career.
-Melky Cabrera: Never understood why the Mariners didn't try to go after him after he got caught roiding. The Blue Jays only had to pay $16m for two years of Cabrera. He is hitting .313 this year with 14 HRs and is only 29, it feels like he has been in the majors a lot longer than his age would indicate.
-Nelson Cruz: Boy was he smart to take a one year deal in Baltimore. The Mariners wanted him real bad last time, wouldn't be surprising if they pushed for him again. I do find his career .234 BA at Safeco somewhat discouraging though.
-Rajai Davis: Not a huge name, but still a solid player.
-Torii Hunter: Somehow manages to keep playing at a high level. I feel stupid for thinking the Tigers were idiots for giving him a 2 year contract before the 2013 season.
-Raul Ibanez: Why not a 4th trip back to Seattle?
-Ichiro: Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if he was brought back. I'm sad that the Yankees signed Prado, that sort of eliminates Ichiro's chances at regular playing time and therefore ever reaching 3,000 MLB hits. He is hitting .271 this year and is 194 hits away from 3,000. He turns 41 in October.
-Josh Willingham: Mariners were connected at the trade deadline. They could be interested in free agency.
I'd list starting pitchers, but I feel it is somewhat irrelevant. The Mariners have Felix and Iwakuma already at the top of the rotation and have Elias, Walker and Paxton all major league ready. I could understand adding a pitcher via free agency, but I'd rather see the funds go to the offense.
With the trade deadline passed, I thought we could begin discussing 2015 free agents for fun. Not throwing in the towel or anything, I just think it's fun to speculate.
Here are some of the options:
First Base:
-Michael Morse: Been here before. He's hitting well this season and never really got off the ground in Seattle due to injuries. Still an option though. Can also play outfield.
-Billy Butler: There is a $12.5m team option on Butler's contract that the Royals may not exercise. He's having a down year, but could be a cheaper option to consider at 1B. From 2009-2013, Butler was a really solid hitter. His line during that time is .302/.372/.469 with an OPS+ of 128. His 99 home runs over 4 years average out to 20 per year. Obviously not having one of his better years in 2014, but Butler has serious rebound potential.
-Adam Dunn: I'd stay away, but could be an upgrade over Smoak/Morrison.
-Michael Cuddyer: His park, age and injuries scare me, but he's another option.
-Victor Martinez: Wouldn't be surprised to see the Tigers let him walk. Detriot currently has the 4th highest payroll in baseball at $161m. Unfortunately for the Tigers, they will have Max Scherzer and Victor Martinez hit the market at the same time. Scherzer will likely command $20m+ per year, Verlander's contract will increase by $8m this upcoming season and the Tigers will have to budget for the roughly $15m that David Price will cost. Given his age and injury concerns, Martinez will probably be the odd man out. Martinez really interests me, he is an incredible hitter who is often overshadowed by Miguel Cabrera. I really want to be scared off by Victor Martinez's age, but he is such a professional hitter that I can't see him declining too badly over the next couple of years. He just seems like one of those guys that will have that rare type of longevity in the majors.
Shortstop: Listing SS for two reasons, the first basing that the Mariners had been connected to various SSs during the season. The second reason being that the SS class is pretty deep with good players.
-J.J. Hardy: Great defensively, has seen his power numbers drop this year but has still been steady at the plate with a .274 average.
-Asdrubal Cabrera: I believe we traded him to the Indians for either Ben Brussard or Eduardo Perez. I saw the Mariners were connected to Cabrera in some trade rumor, could be an interesting option.
-Hanley Ramirez: Pipe dream. The Dodgers will likely throw a massive contract at him to keep him in LA.
Outfield:
-Nori Aoki: Not an amazing option, but if for some reason all else fails he has been solid in his major league career.
-Melky Cabrera: Never understood why the Mariners didn't try to go after him after he got caught roiding. The Blue Jays only had to pay $16m for two years of Cabrera. He is hitting .313 this year with 14 HRs and is only 29, it feels like he has been in the majors a lot longer than his age would indicate.
-Nelson Cruz: Boy was he smart to take a one year deal in Baltimore. The Mariners wanted him real bad last time, wouldn't be surprising if they pushed for him again. I do find his career .234 BA at Safeco somewhat discouraging though.
-Rajai Davis: Not a huge name, but still a solid player.
-Torii Hunter: Somehow manages to keep playing at a high level. I feel stupid for thinking the Tigers were idiots for giving him a 2 year contract before the 2013 season.
-Raul Ibanez: Why not a 4th trip back to Seattle?
-Ichiro: Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if he was brought back. I'm sad that the Yankees signed Prado, that sort of eliminates Ichiro's chances at regular playing time and therefore ever reaching 3,000 MLB hits. He is hitting .271 this year and is 194 hits away from 3,000. He turns 41 in October.
-Josh Willingham: Mariners were connected at the trade deadline. They could be interested in free agency.
I'd list starting pitchers, but I feel it is somewhat irrelevant. The Mariners have Felix and Iwakuma already at the top of the rotation and have Elias, Walker and Paxton all major league ready. I could understand adding a pitcher via free agency, but I'd rather see the funds go to the offense.