The Mariners’ main offseason needs and pending roster decisions are outlined by Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune…
- The M’s are expected to revisit trade talks with the Reds about Zack Cozart. The two clubs nearly agreed to a dealing deal that would’ve sent Cozart and a prospect to Seattle in exchange for minor leaguer Luiz Gohara and another prospect, but ran out of time prior to the August 1 deadline, in part because Cincinnati was busy with additional medical paperwork related to the Jay Bruce trade with the Mets. Cozart is only under contract through the 2017 season, so the door is still open for Ketel Marte to be Seattle’s shortstop of the future. Mariners officials think Marte “would benefit next season from taking a step back,” pointing to how James Paxton and Mike Zunino blossomed after taking a reduced role.
- Beyond adding Cozart or another veteran shortstop, Dutton identifies a right-handed hitting first baseman and a hard-throwing lefty reliever as the Mariners’ other big areas of need. Dan Vogelbach will form the left-handed side of the first base platoon, and Dutton speculates that the M’s could re-sign Dae-ho Lee to again serve as the right-handed first base bat. For external options, Dutton believes free agent Steve Pearce is a good fit for the M’s — Pearce mashes southpaws and provides depth at not just first base but potentially several spots around the diamond.
- In regards to the left-handed reliever, Dutton cites the Pirates’ Tony Watson as what the Mariners are looking for in a southpaw who is capable of filling a setup role or just situational work against left-handed hitters. Acquiring Watson himself may not be in the cards, though Dutton notes that the Pirates could look to save some money with Watson getting more expensive through arbitration. Internally, the M’s could use Ariel Miranda for this left-handed bullpen role, though the club prefers him as a starter for now.
- In a separate piece that breaks down every player on Seattle’s 40-man roster, Dutton writes that the Mariners are likely to non-tender Charlie Furbush and let Drew Storen walk in free agency. Tom Wilhelmsen, who is eligible for arbitration, also “could easily get squeezed out” given that he has fallen behind several other arms in the bullpen pecking order.
- The Mariners probably won’t pick up Chris Iannetta’s $4.25MM club option, leaving them looking for a backup catcher. Among internal options, Jesus Sucre is more affordable and has a good relationship with Felix Hernandez.
- “A new deal seems reasonably likely” for longtime outfielder Franklin Gutierrez, who is headed for free agency. The M’s also have an interest in re-signing Nori Aoki, even though his presence creates a bit of a logjam with Gutierrez possibly returning and Seth Smith’s club option almost certainly being exercised. Dutton wonders if this could lead to Smith becoming a trade chip if Aoki is indeed brought back.
So, the Mariners traded Bruce to the Mets?
The Reds ran out of time in regards to Cozart because they were dealing Bruce to the Mets.
The two clubs nearly agreed to a dealing deal that would’ve sent Cozart and a prospect to Seattle in exchange for minor leaguer Luiz Gohara and another prospect, but ran out of time prior to the August 1 deadline, in part because the Mariners were busy with additional medical paperwork related to the Jay Bruce
It’s a typo in the article, he was making a joke of it
I know, I was being sarcastic
The M’s could be one of those teams who could be in play for Cutch, Walker + Diaz and Jackson for Cutch
Apparently it would only take 2 good prospects to land him?
“I think they could get two good prospects for McCutchen,” the AL scout said. “They could get a couple of players like (Felipe) Rivero — young, good prospects who are under team control for a while.”
http://triblive.com/sports/pirates/11214503-74/mccutchen-pirates-trade
They aren’t getting Walker for McCutchen too risky. Plus the team control doesn’t add up. A young middle rotation guy min with team control over am older guy with 2 years coming off his worse year yet. Who knows if he bounces back. I would like to see Seattle take a chance but not for Walker.
McCutchen can be had for the right price, I think he is moved this winter. Astros and Giants look to to be where he lands.
I think Ketel has upside, but never recovered from his bout with mono. Very average this year, needs to get stronger, I can see Cozart for a year.
If they feel like after winter ball and spring training they need to send him down they can use O’Malley at short and not give up one of the better arms in our system for a slight upgrade for one year. Marte played his first full year at SS had the hand injury and mono plus all the things that go with adjusting to playing a full year in the majors. I know he played a lions share the year before but still he has growing to do. Dipoto has done interesting decisions to make.
Totally agree. The games that O’Malley played at short I honestly saw a more mature fielder. I wouldn’t hate to see some competition for the spot. I’d like to see what O’Malley can provide given the opportunity to play everyday. Or if they don’t go that route bringing in a veteran that Marte can learn from. Marte’s decision making and costly errors cost us some games down the stretch.
I think it is a huge mistake to trade Gohara for Cozart. Why give up one of the best young arms in the system for a one year fill in if that? They have a couple guys in the system that can come in and replace Marte if they think he needs to go back down for part of the season. He could also make the changes in winter ball they want him to make. I think giving away a long term asset for a short term marginal fix is crazy.
Vogelbach seemed like an odd piece to pick up too when you have almost the same player in AAA waiting to come up in Peterson. One comment Simms made about Vogelbach I found interesting is they were talking about him being able to get around on inside pitches because he has short arms. That is great if he is going to DH but not play 1st. Maybe that is the plan all along he is going to take over for Cruz at DH and give Peterson time off when he needs it at 1st. Why would the Ms go out of the org to fill the needs at 1st when they have both these guys who by all accounts are ready to be called up? The only reason Peterson didn’t get the Sept call up was a broken finger from what I understand.
You should also fix the mistake about Seattle doing the paperwork to trade Jay Bruce.
Good point about Gohara. Couple differences Peterson/Vogelbach. RH/LH bats, Peterson not on the 40 man roster. I think they got Vogelbach because he had a nice rep. and Peterson was disappointing. Either way, neither is proven yet, and if they both pan out, good for us (trade bait).
Vogelbach reminds me a lot of Schwarber but he was being blocked by rizzo , Give Vogelbach some playing time and his power will come
Hopefully the Mariners give up far less for Cozart than they were originally planning. Considering it’s only for one year instead of 1.5 years.
Wait a second…Zunino blossomed?
These moves dont improve the Mariners. I expect more action than this. The starting pitching faltered pretty badly…..would like to see Paxton and Walker moved for a more stable starting rotation while people still see value in them.
Umm, the rotation was not at all the problem the last season, sure another ace would of been nice but we had bigger issues.
Both Paxton and Walker had nagging injuries last year. Walker might have to have surgery Paxton was blister and broken finger nail from the slider. He was lights out what 4-5 starts before he got hit in the elbow took a couple to get back then was really good again. There is way too much upside to trade these guys at this age. This if how you build a strong pitching rotation. If Walker gets his foot fixed and comes back and shows what he has flashed Paxton comes back and looks like he did. Felix is 3/4 of the old Felix Kuma stays steady and Ariel fights it out with another couple guys the rotation is solid. Lots of ifs but I like the odds.
Reminds me of Jack Wilson and Ian Snell trade.
Louis Gohara is a kid who throws 100mph for the left. That is a gift. Who knows what his role will be in the future but I wouldnt be giving it up for a 31 year old defence-only SS.