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Odds and Ends: M's, Giants, Blanton, Maddux

By Steve Adams [July 13, 2008 at 2:15pm CST]

Nothing major yet this afternoon, but a few minor issues worth noting:

Danny Knobler from CBS Sports writes that former Tigers and Padres GM Randy Smith is now in the running for the GM opening in Seattle after the season. He's been commended for his scouting work with the Padres recently.
Mark Dent from MLB.com tells us that Mariners manager Jim Riggleman feels the M's will be cautious with trade talks, and goes as far as saying he expects very little change. Riggleman says they "won't move players just to move them." Does this seem like the right strategy for a team with the second-worst record in baseball?
Chris Haft from MLB.com writes that the Giants have signed 16-year-old Dominican outfielder Rafael Rodriguez for a $2.55MM bonus.
Joel Sherman weighs in with his thoughts on the current pitching market, particularly why Joe Blanton is still appealing despite a poor start. He also discusses the dilemma the A's, Rangers, and Yankees all have in deciding whether to buy or sell over the next few weeks.
Mark Bowman feels that a trade sending Greg Maddux back to Atlanta is unlikely.

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Comments

What are the mariners not getting here? Move Beltre and Ibanez. The dodgers need power at the corners beltre for laroche and an outfielder. Ibanez needs to go to the mets.

Posted by: joemorgan=#1 | July 13, 2008 at 02:27 PM

The Yanks are interesting. If they go into sell mode would they move a Giambi. That might make for a real intriguing rental for a team like the Angels.

Posted by: bjsguess | July 13, 2008 at 03:22 PM

Mariners Baseball, fricking clueless. This team is so bad, and so horrible to watch, hey management get a fricking clue, blow this ship up.

Posted by: frumundacheese | July 13, 2008 at 03:23 PM

The Mariners are too stubborn to blow anything up. Coming from a lifelong Mariner fan I can say that with confidence.

The only reason I see for them being "cautious" with trades is the fact that just about EVERYONE has the interim tag on them. We have an interim GM, manager and its rumored that the ownership and president/CEO will change next year.

That said if Ibanez and Beltre can be dealt for value, they should be. Ibanez maybe a type FA next year but he also is a big risk to accept arbitration and land himself a nice fat 10M/1Y deal. That wouldn't be the worst thing in the world but you have to deal him assuming he is worth 2 draft picks.

Beltre has some real value and if he can't bring back a solid couple prospects, keep him. He's on pace to hit over 30 homers this year and can play gold glove 3B. If the Dodgers want him they better be offering LaRoche + more.

Seems Pelekoudas has asked for Kemp involving a Beltre move to LA and now Scherzer for an Ibanez deal to Arizona.

Can't fault the guy for shooting for the moon. Even though I don't get how Kemp is the most untouchable man on the planet. He is looking more and more overrated as the season goes on. Doesn't play CF anymore and doesn't hit for power. He's on track to hit less than 20 homers and he's only hitting about .280 with a .770 OPS.

Whats the fuss about?

Posted by: thr33niL | July 13, 2008 at 04:31 PM

I'd say Kemp's hype is centered around the fact that he's still just 23 years old. He's developing, adjusting to the league, and can eventually emerge as a legit 30/30 candidate (he stole his 21st and 22nd bases already today) who can hit for average as well.

Kemp's the real deal, and I think the Dodgers are right to ask for a king's ransom in return for him.

There have been some rumblings about the Twins internally discussing Adrian Beltre as well, which seems like a move that both clubs could benefit from, but it seems both teams are for some reason content to not make a big splash.

For what it's worth though, thr33nil, I agree that the Mariners need to make some things happen here. They're clearly not doing anything this year, so why not move some big names and start digging Seattle out of the hole it's in ASAP?

And Bjsguess, as for the Angels and Giambi, I think that Jason's power rebirth would make him attractive, but I don't think they want to take on another big contract, even if it's just a rental.

Besides, Kotchman has been one of the team's more consistent hitters, and they wouldn't want to move him from first base. Plus, with Hunter/Vlad/Matthews/Anderson/Rivera all vying for time between OF and DH, Giambi wouldn't fit in as the designated hitter either, unless one or more of those players was moved to New York.

I'm not expecting the Angels to make a big splash at the deadline, especially not with the As having moved Harden.

Posted by: Steve Adams | July 13, 2008 at 04:50 PM

I have been a lifelong M's fan as well and agree that the interim tag and stubborness of the management will limit the happenings. This team is just bad though, and if you can get value for your players then do it. I think they are 12-11 with the new field manager, yeah a game over .500 but it isnt like they are 18-5, they dang near got swept by the Royals, its time to blow up the good ship mariner.

Posted by: frumundacheese | July 13, 2008 at 04:57 PM

Why would a reporter bother asking an interim manager - a guy whose hopes for a full-time gig depend on winning now - about whether he thinks the team should unload its veterans (presumably for minor-league talent)? Useless website filler.

Posted by: ColonelTom | July 13, 2008 at 08:14 PM

Man, the Giants could look scary going into 2011 and beyond. Assuming they sign Posey, who'll likely shatter the newly raised franchise record, this is how they'll look:

C - Buster Posey
1B - Angel Villalona
2B - Nick Noonan
3B - Conor Gillaspie
SS - Emmanuele Burris
LF - Mark Bowker
CF - Freddy Lewis
RF - Rafael Rodriguez

Rotation
1) Tim Lincecum
2) Matt Cain
3) Jonathan Sanchez
4) Madison Bumgarner
5) Tim Alderson

Bullpen
Luis Mateo
Henry Sosa
Brian Wilson

That is stacked. Guess Sabean has learned a thing or two from John Barr.

Posted by: AriGoldisaG | July 14, 2008 at 12:36 AM

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Randy Smith the guy that put together the Detroit team that lost 116 games a few years ago? iirc he pretty much had no clue what he was doing and let the franchise rot away. Large contracts to Bobby Higginson and Damian Easley and others (can't remember that 3b's name now...). Sounds like a modern day Bill Bavasi or Ed Wade.

Yeah, that's just what Seattle needs, another clueless GM. What, Allard Baird and Dave Littlefield weren't available?

Posted by: pageian | July 14, 2008 at 09:39 AM

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Odds and Ends: M's, Giants, Blanton, Maddux

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