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Taking Stock Of Seattle's Trade Chips

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 16, 2009 at 10:32am CST]

The Mariners are in the playoff hunt with a 46-42 record, though many expected them to be sellers this month. As Gregg Bell of the AP reports, Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu and trade candidate Jarrod Washburn say they want to keep the team together and attempt to win now.

Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times says the Mariners "seem destined to make some trades" this month and offers up some trade candidates:

Miguel Batista - Baker says it makes sense to move Batista, who makes $3.3MM before the end of the year. He could offset salary coming to Seattle.
Relievers Sean White and Mark Lowe would atract interest and the Mariners may feel they have enough depth to part with one of them, especially with prospect Phillippe Aumont on his way.
Unless the Mariners fall from contention, Baker suggests it makes sense to hold Erik Bedard, whose value is limited because of his time on the DL.
Dealing Jarrod Washburn is a "no-brainer" if the M's fall out of it.
Brandon Morrow, Wladimir Balentien and Jeff Clement could all be moved as well.

Comments

Speaking of Jeff Clement, are the Mariners ever going to give him a chance to play. He would be a nice buy low canidate for a team like the Mets. I wonder if the Mets have any prospects that would interest the Mariners.

Posted by: metfan57 | July 16, 2009 at 10:48 AM

Whyyyyyy would you move Clement when Johjima is so much worse?

Posted by: RockiesMagicNumber | July 16, 2009 at 10:53 AM

Clement has had a couple of brief opportunities at the big league level and didn't capitalize. He's proven many times over that he can hit AAA pitching, but as of right now there is nowhere for him to play. He isn't going to supplant Branyan at 1B and the M's aren't going to sit their HOFer (Griffey). Clement is pretty much done as a C in Seattle, so it may be best for the organization and Jeff for him to be included in a trade.

Posted by: BB | July 16, 2009 at 10:55 AM

"Speaking of Jeff Clement, are the Mariners ever going to give him a chance to play. He would be a nice buy low canidate for a team like the Mets. I wonder if the Mets have any prospects that would interest the Mariners."

Clement last year struggled mightily when the Mariners gave him the chance the start everyday (.227/.295/.360) and so far has put up above average numbers at Triple-A while DHing most of the time. he isn't a defensive asset, and the catching will hurt is hitting abilities, as shown at the MLB level. I can't see him starting everyday for the Mets, or any team, at catcher, because of this, and at almost 26, won't have much value. But I'm sure the Mariners would ask for at least two mid-level prospects, so exploring that opportunity frankly wouldn't be worth it to the Mets.

Posted by: bballrox4717 | July 16, 2009 at 10:57 AM

i wonder if the phils would consider Washburn instead of Halladay (if they say no to all the prospects the Jays would want) and if so what would it cost from Mariners fans?

Posted by: philsWSchamps | July 16, 2009 at 10:59 AM

Any team trading for Washburn would be buying high. He has been great this season, but he's still Jarrod Washburn. The M's main need at the big league level is a legit SS, preferably one who can hit. I don't see Wash being traded for prospects, but if a deal for a ML SS presented itself, Wash could definitely be included in the deal.

Posted by: BB | July 16, 2009 at 11:06 AM

"i wonder if the phils would consider Washburn instead of Halladay (if they say no to all the prospects the Jays would want) and if so what would it cost from Mariners fans?"

Not really a Mariners fan, but for an overachieving pitcher who's about above average and leaving for free agency next year, more than they would like to give up for him, especially since he's not due to have any draft picks come towards the team that lets him go to free agency...

Posted by: bballrox4717 | July 16, 2009 at 11:07 AM

I cannot gelieve Seattle would part with Lowe, that guy has one hell of an arm.

Posted by: Cyyoung | July 16, 2009 at 11:10 AM

If the season ended today Wash would be in the middle of the pack of Type B FA SPs.

The M's have a glut of guys just like Lowe (power arms with iffy control). I like Lowe, but depending on the return, I wouldn't be too broken up about him being dealt.

Posted by: BB | July 16, 2009 at 11:15 AM

The Mariners have an ugly run differential and the rest of that division is only getting better as more Angels and Rangers players come back from the DL. I think they should probably sell. What about Branyan?

Posted by: PWHjort | July 16, 2009 at 11:17 AM

I doubt Zduriencik plans to blow this team up. I'd be pretty surprised to see Branyan dealt, unless they were completely blown away. Run differential is skewed, but the M's success this year isn't a fluke. They can compete as long as their pitching holds up, and it should with the solid D behind them, especially at Safeco.

Posted by: BB | July 16, 2009 at 11:22 AM

Bedard and Morrow? Bedard and Wash...... both are way too much to give up for a avg. big league SS! I could see just Morrow and a mid level prospect, or just Bedard and the same. Why not make a blockbuster if they are gonna throw 40% of our rotation into trade rumors! Bring us Sanchez and Wilson from Pitt., that makes the most sense! An All-Star and a stud SS!

Posted by: dj tizzo | July 16, 2009 at 11:25 AM

Why wouldn't they deal Branyan? He's only signed for 1 year and plays horrible defense, counter to their new philosophy.

Posted by: PWHjort | July 16, 2009 at 11:34 AM

Dave at USSM suggested Bedard and Wash for JJ Hardy. It sounds like a lot to give up, but he made a pretty good rationalization for it. Both are likely to walk at the end of the year. Bedard is a big name and is very talented, but can't stay healthy. Wash is mediocre talent-wise, despite his great first half. Both are ticking time bombs and both could be replaced by guys already in the system.

Posted by: BB | July 16, 2009 at 11:35 AM

M's are not that good. Bet they end up at least 4 or 5 games under 500.

This is really a worst case scenario. They won't pass the Rangers and Angels. The team has fallen under this idea that they are really good and not that far away from contending. As a result they hold on to their most valuable assets. They finish 5 games under 500 and didn't dump any salary and didn't restock their farm system.

Posted by: bjsguess | July 16, 2009 at 11:36 AM

That's sort of my point. Their success this year is real and they've got the makings of a good team with that defense. But they still don't have enough to win with that roster. At least not without significant visits from the luck fairy and career year wizard (I stole that line from Fangraphs). Simply looking at the record and concluding they're built to win now and are squarely in the race would be a colossal mistake.

Posted by: PWHjort | July 16, 2009 at 11:43 AM

Dump salary? Every big money contract they have, sans Silva and Johjima come off the books after this year.

Beltre was probably the most valuable piece the M's had to deal for prospects and he's out for 2 months and can't be moved now. Nobody is going to blow up their farm system to get Bedard, Washburn or Batista.

Posted by: BB | July 16, 2009 at 11:46 AM

Jarrod Washburn and Brandon Marrow to Milwaukee for JJ Hardy and prospect.

Posted by: Lidocaine | July 16, 2009 at 11:55 AM

I'm not sure if dealing Morrow is something that the M's should do. Especially since he figures to be one of the guys replacing the guys on their way out. I think that I'd much prefer Bedard + Wash.

Posted by: BB | July 16, 2009 at 12:13 PM

Morrow's value couldn't be lower right now. They'd be much better served to hang on to him.

Posted by: PWHjort | July 16, 2009 at 12:42 PM

Not to mention he's still young, cheap and still has plenty of upside. Those are the kinds of players the M's need to try and acquire, not trade away.

Posted by: BB | July 16, 2009 at 12:49 PM

People seem to be using the Run differential or the contracts of the players as excuses as to why the M's should sell off the team. That isn't the case though. bjsguess, this team may finish under .500 like you say, but not for the reason you think. They are legit. The pitching and defense of this team are legit. Just ask the Rangers and the Angels. The problem of this team is its offense. The Mariners need more offense to stay alive. Yes that technically is the run diff but more specifically, its not the pitching that is over achieving, but its the offense that is. The run diff is not as bad as it should cuase they have been scoring runs recently. The offense needs some help to keep the M's in it, and as was said, they mostly need a SS. But there isn't one to be had. Sure they could get JJ Hardy, but there is no way I would give them Branden Morrow at the same time as Bedard. The M's cant afford to give up pitching for offense, and that's the problem. No one that isn't contending has the pieces that we need. There isn't a trade partner that is going to want what we are willing to give up.

"Bedard and Morrow? Bedard and Wash...... both are way too much to give up for a avg. big league SS! I could see just Morrow and a mid level prospect, or just Bedard and the same. Why not make a blockbuster if they are gonna throw 40% of our rotation into trade rumors! Bring us Sanchez and Wilson from Pitt., that makes the most sense! An All-Star and a stud SS!"

That will not work because they have no need for a rent-a-player like Bedard and Morrow won't be enough for them.

Posted by: Boy9988 | July 16, 2009 at 12:56 PM

Why not make a blockbuster if they are gonna throw 40% of our rotation into trade rumors! Bring us Sanchez and Wilson from Pitt., that makes the most sense! An All-Star and a stud SS!

Posted by: dj tizzo | July 16, 2009 at 11:25 AM

-------------------------------------

You're nuts.

Wilson is all glove and makes 8 million.. and Sanchez won't have a place to play when Beltre gets back.

Both guys are bad fits. This team needs a long tern SS. USS Mariner had a piece a while back about the Mariners going after Reid Brignac from Tampa. That would be something to jump on. The Rays have Bartlett and Zobrist already able to man SS and Beckham as their future guy. Brignac is sort of the oddman out.

He would be a perfect fit for Seattle.

Posted by: thr33niL | July 16, 2009 at 01:36 PM

Hey seattle make a deal for Morrow to get a guy like Ludwick or even Zobrist would do.

Posted by: metsfan4 life | July 16, 2009 at 02:09 PM

Why don't the Mariners have a chance this year? When is this future they are "building towards"?

I don't agree with the logic that the Angels are just going to magically put it all together at the end just because they are the Angels. This is basically a lost year for Vlad as he looks done, a bulk of their SP is dealing with major injuries that aren't just going to magically get better and their pen is worked. Why would they make any big deals when they just got burned by Texiera last year and they expect Lackey and Vlad to leave after this year? Who's going to replace those guys on an aging team if they deal their big prospects for another rent a player?

There are such small windows to contend for teams that don't have unlimited resources like the Sox and Yanks. Ask the 2007 Diamondbacks or Indians about building to the future. Neither of those teams added in their playoff runs in that year because they didn't want to blow up their young nucleus that was going to "contend for years" and both were left at the doorsteps to the World Series and now both are in last place. In the case of the DBacks, they were even worse and made their big trade too late, adding Dan Haren AFTER their 2007 playoff run.

Look, the Mariners have a better foundation to win this year than the others in their league. Even in last nights Mid-Season Report Card show on MLB network, John Hart (an advisor for the Rangers) gave the Mariners one of the highest scores of the night at an A-. Two teams that no one wants to see in the playoffs this season are the Giants and the Mariners. No team can go 1,2 like Lincecum and Cain, or Hernandez and Bedard. The Mariners have a few "high potential" prospects that frankly need a change in scenery to vault their careers and teams that are rebuilding traditionally will take a chance on guys like that. You think that a package of Clement and Balentein with others for Sanchez or Wilson or both isn't a fair exchange in talent, but what good is a 31 yo $9mill SS to a team that is in full rebuild mode that they will prob buyout and cut loose at the end of the year anyway?

Make it happen, snag a couple of sticks and a lefty for the pen, and lets see what happens these last 2 1/2 months.

Posted by: chop | July 16, 2009 at 05:44 PM

Kouzmanoff and a prospect for Lowe...this could make it easier to trade Bell to Tampa for pitching so we can start rebuilding already

Posted by: Tha_SD-Brain | July 16, 2009 at 05:50 PM

You're nuts.

Wilson is all glove and makes 8 million.. and Sanchez won't have a place to play when Beltre gets back.
Posted by: thr33niL | July 16, 2009 at 01:36 PM

Contracts aside, you cant tell me Wilson is not a better player than both Cedeno and Yuni combined, and Sanchez will ALWAYS have a spot on any roster in the MLB no matter who is coming back from injury, who says he has to play 3B, it would be Lopez who would be in trouble. They play in the AL though, so remember the whole DH thing?
I like the idea of Brignac a lot, I think that is one of the best rumors Ive heard, but all we have to throw at teams (beside Balentine and Clement) are pitchers. Tampa is way overstocked on pitching aside from a set up guy, maybe Lowe, but thats not enough for them to give us Brignac!

Posted by: dj tizzo | July 17, 2009 at 11:31 AM

Hey seattle make a deal for Morrow to get a guy like Ludwick or even Zobrist would do.

Posted by: metsfan4 life | July 16, 2009 at 02:09 PM

Yes, that would be awsome.....but it would only happen in fantasy land!

Posted by: dj tizzo | July 17, 2009 at 11:34 AM

You're nuts.

Wilson is all glove and makes 8 million.. and Sanchez won't have a place to play when Beltre gets back.
Posted by: thr33niL | July 16, 2009 at 01:36 PM

Contracts aside, are you saying Wilson is not better than Cedeno or Yuni? And Sanchez will ALWAYS have a spot on any roster in the MLB, who says he has to play 3B? Its Lopez that would have to be worried! Dont forget we play in the AL, theres that whole DH thing for him!

I really like the idea of Brignac playing here, that would be sweet! All we have to throw at teams though is pitching and Tampa is overstocked there aside from a set up guy like Lowe, but thats not enough to get Brignac!

Posted by: dj tizzo | July 17, 2009 at 11:39 AM

First off, trading Batista is a bad idea if we actually are going to the playoffs, Batista was really clutch in his post-seasons.

Secondly, if I am trading someone it would be Phillippe Aumont because White and Lowe have okay trade value, but are proven late inning relievers. Aumont has huge trade value compared to those two because he could still become a starter. Marketed as a starter, we could throw a big trade piece that saves us prospects in a deal (3 for 1 instead of 4 for 1) and prevent the disruption of one of the best bullpens in baseball.

Third, Washburn and Bedard make more sense to hold onto regardless because their draft pick compensation is far greater than what someone will pay us for 2 months of either. Bedard has his injury history and Washburn has his age. Both are not ideal rental players. Do I think they will keep performing well? Yeah, definitely, but convincing a team to deal one of their top prospects is far different than the process of determining whether to keep a guy. I mean, if St. Louis traded for Bedard and he got injured in his second start, but we got Brett Wallace or Colby Rasmus in return, the Cardinals fans would be pissed. If we keep Bedard and he gets injured, well either a) he'll be cheaper to sign as a FA or b) it's part of an already bad trade. Pick your opinion, but it certainly doesn't sting like losing a top prospect.

Lastly, Morrow should stay, if we are serious about keeping him as a starter. If we are going to keep messing around with his progression, then we need to trade him while he's still a hot commodity. Wlad and Clement need to go if we aren't committed to getting them at bats. There's no need to waste their careers sitting in AAA or on our bench.

What the Mariners need to do is overly obvious. They've gone 55% of the season over .500, they have PROVEN that they can compete and that they are for real. To say "let's watch the last two weeks" is a cheap ploy by the Mariners' front office to make excuses. They said they want a championship here, they promised to turn it around. Well if they are serious, make the committment, trade for players that help us this year and beyond. Don't look for rentals unless we can offer arbitration and get some picks in the offseason (Huff) or else get guys like Alex Rios for LF and Brandon Phillips for SS, guys that can help us for years and are under contract.

We should be buyers, we have holes that need to be addressed on the team whether now or in free agency. If we are waiting for the Mariners to take over 1st place, then why bring in a bat if we can get there without one? and if we don't catch the Angels by the end of the month, doesn't that just prove that they waited too long to get a bat in the first place? I feel like reaching through my computer and slapping around the Mariners' FO.

------------------------------------------------------------

Here's the realistic best scenario for the Mariners...

Ichiro has +3 more years.
Gutierrez has +3 control years.
Lopez has 2 more years.
Johnson has 5 more years.
Johjima has 2 more years.

So of our position players, Beltre (3B), Branyan (1B), nobody (LF), and Griffey (DH), are all going to be free agents, so it makes sense to hold onto our prospects with so many holes to fill.

------------------------------------------------------------

If I'm Jack. I call Toronto and tell them that I'll take Rios and his 5+ year contract if they give Lind (DH, 4 years of control), Downs (LH setup), and Scutaro also. We give them Phillippe Aumont, Jeff Clement, Greg Halman, Justin Thomas, and Steven Hensley. Do we have to give more than that? Not really, we're taking on $6MM in salary of Downs and $60MM in salary of Rios. Three top prospects and a lefty that throws 95 mph is fair compensation. They save about $66.5MM in contracts, they get 5 prospects that are in the Top 20 of our farm system. Clement isn't really a prospect, but he would be a Top 5 prospect if not for him losing rookie status.

Then I would trade for Brandon Phillips who is under contract for 3 more years. His salary is high for a small to medium market ball club starting with next season he's paid a reasonable price, but after that he jumps up to Beltre money. I think that if we traded Nathan Adcock, Shawn Kelley, Wlad Balentien, and Ronny Cedeno to the Reds, then we trade a "pick one" of Doug Fister, Donald Hume, Aaron Pribanic, Kenn Kaparek, or Chris Jakubauskus to the White Sox. The Reds then give Chicago Chris Dickerson for Jermaine Dye. We kick in $2MM to the Reds to help with the salary of Dye.

White Sox get:

Doug Fister, Aaron Pribanic, Donald Hume, Kenn Kasparek, or Chris Jakubauskus

and

Chris Dickerson

Reds get:

Nathan Adcock

Shawn Kelley

Wlad Balentien

Ronny Cedeno

and

Jermaine Dye (+ $2MM)

Mariners get:

Brandon Phillips

------------------------------------------------------------

Immediately I talk to Bedard and get him resigned like in the next week or two ($40MM over 4 years with a $10MM option and a $2MM buyout).

I'd go to Felix and throw a contract on the table that keeps him in Seattle for 8 years at $135MM. He'd make $15MM for the last two years of arbitration and the first three years of free agency, then his yearly contract would go to $20MM. Being a pitcher, he'll have to take that deal. If he went to arbitration, the most he could get is like $8MM for 2010 and $12MM for 2011. So he'd basically be getting $10MM more the next two years which is what would bring down his 2013 and 2014 free agent years to $15MM each. It's hard to describe so I'll show it like this...

If we go year-to-year:

2010 - $8MM
2011 - $12MM
2012 - $20MM
2013 - $20MM
2014 - $20MM
2015 - $20MM
2016 - $20MM
2017 - $20MM

total: $140MM over 8 years

If we give him a long term deal:

2010 - $15MM
2011 - $15MM
2012 - $15MM
2013 - $15MM
2014 - $15MM
2015 - $20MM
2016 - $20MM
2017 - $20MM

total: $135MM over 8 years

(benefit to him is he gets more of his money up front, benefit to us is lower payroll for a few years until the economy gets better)

Then I would extend Washburn. Ask him to extend for less money or tell him we'll trade him. Give him the chance to take a $16MM extension that covers 2010 and 2011 at $8MM per season with a $1MM signing bonus additional.

Go to Russell Branyan, tell him we want to re-sign him long term to play 1B for us and give him a 3 year extension for $3MM a year plus a $1MM signing bonus.

------------------------------------------------------------

Doing all this would give us a long term solution at 1B (Branyan), 2B (Lopez), SS (Phillips), LF (Rios), CF (Gutierrez), RF (Ichiro), DH (Lind), C1 (Johnson), C2 (Johjima), SP1 (Felix), SP2 (Bedard), SP3 (Washburn), SP4 (Morrow), SP5 (Vargas) and our bullpen is all players under team control for years. After the season we re-sign Beltre to play 3B, if he fails to re-sign then we take the draft pick, and get on the horn looking for a SS or 3B. If we find a SS through trade or free agency, then Lopez becomes our 3B and Phillips our 2B. If we can find a 3B through free agency, then Lopez stays at 2B and Phillips stays at SS. It just simplifies everything to signing Beltre, letting Batista walk through free agency.

Beltre's contract would be 4 year deal with an option year additional. $10MM per season guaranteed with a $2MM buyout on a $10MM 5th season.

In the offseason I would talk to Lopez and Gutierrez about long term deals also since they are Felix's best friends on the team. Scutaro could also become a long term solution as our utility player.

------------------------------------------------------------

LINEUP

Ichiro
Rios
Phillips
Lind
Gutierrez
Branyan
Beltre
Lopez
Johnson

Johjima
Sweeney
Hannahan
Langerhans

Hernandez
Bedard
Washburn
Morrow
Rowland-Smith

Aardsma
Downs
Lowe
White
Olson
Batista
Vargas

Posted by: Iknowalilsomethingaboutsomething | July 18, 2009 at 01:20 PM

By the way, I forgot about Griffey... Griffey would take the last spot from Sweeny on the 25 man roster. So the bench would be Johjima, Hannahan, Langerhans, and Griffey.

Posted by: Iknowalilsomethingaboutsomething | July 18, 2009 at 01:46 PM

Scutaro would play SS with Phillips @ 3B until Beltre's return, then Hannahan gets optioned even if that means exposing to waivers. Scutaro becomes our utility IF over Hannahan.

Posted by: Iknowalilsomethingaboutsomething | July 18, 2009 at 01:55 PM

LoL.

You're an idiot.

Posted by: B3NG4L | July 18, 2009 at 06:37 PM

Good reply and that's why everyone thinks you're a dumb&ss! Your reply is... "you're an idiot"... wow, way to refute my logic!

By the way, just wanted to let you know something kind of important... I'm really your dad... Me and your mom consumated our love after I gave her a $5 tip for the lap dance she gave me that wonderful night years ago... We would've told you when you were little, but the labs only recently finished processing all of the perspective donors. I guess back when you were conceived your mom was giving it out like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at a shelter.

Posted by: Iknowalilsomethingaboutsomething | July 19, 2009 at 12:07 AM

Oh by the way one more thing.

LoL.

Posted by: Iknowalilsomethingaboutsomething | July 19, 2009 at 12:09 AM

No team would ever, ever, ever give up four quality major leaguers, especially Lind who will most likely be untouchable, for five unproven prospects, top twenty or not. Rios, Lind, Downs, and Scutaro for Clement, who has flamed out in the majors and is nearly 26, Halman, who has all the potential in the world but can't make contact at AA at this point in time, and Aumont, Thomas, and Hensley, two guys being groomed as relievers and a mediocre high-A starter?

Ricciardi is no genius, but even to him that deal is laughable at best. It just isn't gonna happen, man.

Posted by: wesmantooth87 | July 19, 2009 at 05:41 AM

Groomed as reliever or not, when in the Blue Jays system, they can do what they want... At 6'7" and 235 lbs., Aumont can most certainly project as a starter. He's got two out pitches and is working on his changeup. He's 20 years old and in AA. Halman like it or not is still on course for 35 HR, you have to be squaring some balls up pretty good to do that. Clement never flamed out in the majors. Alex Rodriguez had less than a .700 OPS in around his first 78-80 games as a major leaguer. It takes time to adjust to the majors, regardless of age or ability. Clement wasn't brought up because he can't catch right now and he's not going to take ABs from Griffey.

To take Rios and his contract ($60MM guaranteed over the next 5+ years), they would take back a fringe guy with a high ceiling like Halman.

Downs salary is still another $6MM over the next 1.4-1.5 years and that's too high for even a pitcher with his ability on a team trying to cut payroll. We could get him for Thomas and Hensley.

Lind has a lot of ceiling, but he's still a bat without a position and that makes him far less valueable. He can play 1B, but not well. He's had no long term track record of success. Look at what Ryan Ludwick was being offered for in the offseason and then you get an idea. Only Ludwick was having a better year than Lind's 2009 numbers, he sustained it for a full season, which is yet to be seen with Lind, and he played a position atleast decently, whereas Lind is an average LF and below average everywhere else. Kelly Johnson for Ludwick straight up? Yeah, I think I could talk Atlanta into doing Aumont for Johnson straight up, so I'll guess that Aumont gets you Lind. Especially since they were ready to send Lind to Seattle last season for a 36 year old rental.

Clement is more than enough return for Scutaro as a rental player and his inclusion should make it feel like a win for Ricciardi.

You look at value ONLY in terms of ability and THAT is why your rationality of trades is skewed... When you add in the factor of money, length of contract, previous history, comparative deals, and other variables you clearly haven't considered, you start to see that what looks like addition on paper for the Mariners also comes with some negatives. Salary is the most obvious one, long term commitment to a guy that could or could not be the solution in LF, losing valueable prospects for guys that may or may not react well to their new surroundings... It's all a gamble, but I have to think from all published reports that Ricciardi will take salary relief first and foremost and the return is secondary. It's different with Halladay because he's out playing his contract by a large amount, but with guys like Rios, he needs the money to pay his young players coming up like Snider, Cecil, Hill, and the rest of the soon to be arbitration eligible players. Plus Wells contract goes up 11MM next year and then another 10MM more the year after. Wells is making $1.5MM this year before jumping to $12.5MM and then $21MM in 2011. One of the worst laid contracts in baseball. So if you think money is tight in Toronto now, imagine in two years when they have to start pay arbitration players more and Wells is making 25% of the payroll.

Posted by: Iknowalilsomethingaboutsomething | July 19, 2009 at 05:42 PM

"... wow, way to refute my logic!"

There was logic in that essay?

Posted by: B3NG4L | July 20, 2009 at 04:30 PM

"You look at value ONLY in terms of ability and THAT is why your rationality of trades is skewed... "

Holy Christ. Your complete ignorance is beyond me.

If you know so much about trades and trade value, explain to us why Z hasn't brought in a hitter we need. Can you do that for us?

You're just absurd and frankly, it's embarassing that you're a Mariner fan.

Posted by: Ianyo | July 21, 2009 at 04:42 PM

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Taking Stock Of Seattle's Trade Chips

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