Here’s the latest out of Seattle.
- The Mariners increased attendance by about 300,000 fans in 2014, and that means there is extra money to spend, writes Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times. We learned earlier today that fellow Times writer Geoff Baker believes payroll needs to expand in 2015. GM Jack Zduriencik and team president Kevin Mather have each publicly stated payroll will grow. Divish poses Victor Martinez as an obvious target for the soft-hitting M’s.
- The News Tribune’s Bob Dutton evaluated the Mariner’s 40 man roster with an eye on 2015. Of interest, Dutton wonders where Erasmo Ramirez fits on the roster. The righty will be out of options and doesn’t appear to have a place in the rotation or bullpen. Ramirez had an ugly 5.26 ERA with poor peripherals. One positive sign is a 10.8% swinging strike rate, which suggests better command and control could reveal a useful asset. This is my speculation, but he seems like a good reclamation project for a club like the Cubs.
- Justin Smoak is another change of scenery candidate according to Dutton. The switch hitter struggled to a .202/.275/.339 line in 276 plate appearances. Smoak has a $3.25MM club option for 2015 with a $15k buyout. However, if the club declines the option, he will instead enter his second year of arbitration. He’s a potential non-tender candidate if a trade is not worked out.. Other internal first base options like Logan Morrison and Jesus Montero seem to have a better chance to help the club. I wonder if the Brewers would give Smoak a look? Their offense friendly stadium could be a good fit for him.
If we’re talking free agents, let’s start with VMart, and then look at Panda for a 1B, Melky for OF. Nelson Cruz is a FA with a fat payday coming. I won’t lose sleep if it’s him either.
We have some good pieces on the farm for trades too. Wonder what the cost would be for Gattis? He’ll see a lot more at bats with a DH, plus being a 3rd catcher, and getting the occasional 1B spot start. .970 OPS this season vs. lefties, very sexy.
If I’m the GM, I don’t go after a SP unless it’s insurance, backup, reclamation on the cheap, similar to Chris Young. The pups are ready to step in.
I agree with uon trading for Gattis and then go sign Melky
Man, that Smoak slash line is grim. I hope the only thing Melvin gives him is a ST invite.
I think that Smoak is just a not very good hitter. I was on his bandwagon for the last 4 years and I have given up on him ever being a productive hitter.
Remember how the Rangers had Moreland, Davis and smoak. And so far. Moreland has been the most consistent, Davis has been the best and smoak has been the worst. Just interesting how things play out. Proof you can never tell with prospects.
I think he could have more value in a homer friendly stadium. He won’t be a great hitter, but I think he could get enough balls to fall into the stands somewhere else to have value.
Smoak’s buyout is 150K. Small typo there.
Thank you, I was looking at that 15k and wondering what that was about.
Michael Cuddyer would fit perfect. Play 1B or occasional LF. Fantastic team mate/leader. Ryan Zimmermann at DH. Chris Carter. Todd Frazier.
Would you take A-Rod at half his contract for DH?
For Seattle? I don’t think they’d want A-Rod back.
Was hoping the Yankees would swing a deal for Smoak at previous times. Doesn’t fit anymore. I think one of his biggest problems is the ballpark he plays in. He never is going to have a respectable average, he isn’t going to be a complete hitter. I did believe though that between him taking enough walks, and playing in a ballpark that is good for lefty hitters that enough would fall over the wall. If playing in the right park he can give you .320 obp and get 30+ homers over. He had value, now he starting get old and expensive.
Smoak could probably find success in Colorado, where his warning track power would suddenly and magically transform into HR power.
God you know how awesome you know it would be if the Ms got Martinez. They cut Smoak and don’t freak out when i say this but Austin Jackson for even MORE CAP ROOM and have extra money on not just Martinez.
Sign Victor Martinez for 3yr 45 – 50mil. Melky is 29yrs old offer a 5yr 65-70mil an opt out clause after 3 years giving Cabrera a chance to become a free agent. Both V-Mart & Melky know how to use a pitchers park to their advantage. Trade Austin Jackson, Leone or Saunders, &Taylor for Ben Revere. 1 CF Revere 2. RF Melky Cabrera 3. 2B Cano 4. DH V-Mart 5. 3B Seager 6. LF Ackley 7. C Zunino 8. 1B LoMo 9. SS Miller. Sign Justin Masterson 1yr 5mil with 5mil incentives. Paxton, Elias, Walker will be on an innings count next year.
~ $20,631,000 give or take a few dollars.
And each team gets $25m from MLB TV deal, and it’s estimated that Seattle’s ROOT Sports Network for the past year has generated an additional $60m approx of revenue over their prior TV contract, and that additional approx $20m ish in attendeance in 2014. Seattle has approx $105m more to work with versus in prior years. Seattle could push payroll to $130-140m without flinching and still be very profitable.