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Mariners Acquire Alex Colome, Denard Span

By Jeff Todd | May 25, 2018 at 7:26pm CDT

7:24pm: The Mariners will receive $4.75MM from the Rays, per Tim Booth of the Associated Press (via Twitter), an amount that rather significantly alters the math of the trade.

5:16pm: In a stunning early-season swap, the Mariners have acquired reliever Alex Colome and outfielder Denard Span from the Rays, as Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times originally reported on Twitter. Righties Andrew Moore and Tommy Romero will go to Tampa Bay in return, as Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter) and Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times (via Twitter) first reported.

An as-yet-unknown amount of cash is also going to Seattle in the swap. Reliever David Phelps, who is out for the year after undergoing Tommy John surgery, was moved to the 60-day DL to open a roster spot.

M’s GM Jerry Dipoto has overseen his fair share of surprising swaps since taking the helm in Seattle, and this certainly rates near the top of the list. The club is off to a nice start (29-20), but just lost Robinson Cano for eighty games (and the postseason) due to a suspension and Dee Gordon for a stretch due to a broken toe.

Of course, the Cano suspension also freed up around $11MM in cash for the organization to deploy elsewhere. The new additions are earning $11MM (Span) and $5.3MM (Colome) for the season, so they are owed almost exactly that amount (around $11.2MM) the rest of the way. (There could still be some Cano savings left over, as we don’t yet know how much cash the Rays will send in the deal.)

Colome is surely the headliner of this deal. He has served as the closer in Tampa Bay for the past three seasons, racking up 95 saves in that span. He’ll be eligible for arbitration one final time over the offseason, so there’s some future value here for the M’s.

When he moved to the bullpen full-time in 2016, Colome looked like a star. But he wasn’t quite as exciting last year, when he carried a 3.24 ERA but managed only 7.8 K/9 against 3.1 BB/9 for the year. Of particular note, his swinging-strike rate dropped to a less-than-dominant 11.6% level.

It has been something of the opposite story thus far in 2018. Colome sports only a 4.15 ERA but has struck out 9.6 and walked 3.3 batters per nine while carrying a 54.5% groundball rate. A low strand rate (65.4%) and high BABIP-against (.354) help explain the discord.

With Colome having returned to a healthier 13.9% swinging-strike rate and continuing to deliver his typical 95.5 mph heater and ~89 to 90 mph cutter, the Mariners will bet that he returns to more dominant results in a high-leverage role. Of course, they won’t ask him to handle the ninth, which will likely remain the domain of young fireballer Edwin Diaz.

Span has now been dealt twice in the final year of his contract. The 34-year-old no longer moves as well as he once did, but is still a polished hitter. He is off to an interesting start to the 2018 season, carrying a whopping 16.2% walk rate (well above his career average) and a typically stingy 13.9% strikeout rate. He’s producing at a solid .238/.364/.385 rate despite carrying a meager .259 batting average on balls in play and quality of contact estimates (.359 xwOBA vs. .332 wOBA) that suggest some poor fortune.

On the other side of the agreement, the Rays have again acted to shave a fair bit of salary obligations. It’s hard to avoid the conclusion that the ability to move Span’s contract — which itself was acquired only to offset partially the money the Giants took on in the offseason’s Evan Longoria swap — was a strong motivating factor.

Still, they’ll also recoup some talent here. Moore, 23, has had plenty of success in the minors and reached the big leagues last year. He’s not really regarded as a high-ceiling hurler, but could be a near-term option that fits the Rays’ current model that relies upon multi-inning relievers. Moore owns a 3.04 ERA in 50 1/3 innings this year at Double-A, allowing six home runs on 38 total hits while maintaining a 47:14 K/BB ratio.

Romero, 20, was a 15th-round pick last year. But he has shown well thus far as a professional. In his 44 innings in the current campaign, which have come over nine starts at the Class A level, Romero owns a 2.45 ERA with 11.0 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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Newsstand Seattle Mariners Tampa Bay Rays Transactions Alex Colome Denard Span Marc Topkin

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Rangers Acquire Michael Roth; Kevin Jepsen Elects Free Agency
View Comments (194)
Post a Comment

194 Comments

  1. johnny53811

    7 years ago

    Oh boy it’s begun!

    Reply
    • c1234

      7 years ago

      Could have been you, Cardinals!

      Reply
      • daved

        7 years ago

        Why do the Cards need Span?

        1
        Reply
        • KCelts

          7 years ago

          Because I’ll take anyone over Dexter Fowler lol

          Reply
        • daved

          7 years ago

          They have Bader, Neill and another 4 or 5 OF prospects in the minors. Span is older and a shell of his former self. Would make ZERO sense for STL

          1
          Reply
        • c1234

          7 years ago

          Mostly talking about Colome, if you followed the summers last winter you would know why I said this..

          Reply
        • c1234

          7 years ago

          Ignore summer Didn’t mean to type that.

          Reply
        • stevebaratta

          7 years ago

          Forget Yadi, Albert, Lou and Stan, Dexter Fowler is the man! Greatest Cardinal Ev e r!

          1
          Reply
        • simschifan

          7 years ago

          Can the cubs have him back please? We will give you some nuts on Clark

          Reply
        • pt57

          7 years ago

          Sure, if you take Heyward back.

          Reply
      • brucewayne

        7 years ago

        Cards don’t need either one of these guys !

        Reply
  2. wattyman69

    7 years ago

    Interesting

    Reply
  3. CheeseHeadPadre

    7 years ago

    Wow I didn’t think the M’s would have the firepower to pull this off. Who’re they trading?!

    Reply
    • 108Stitches

      7 years ago

      Andrew Moore and Tommy Romero

      Reply
      • tharrie0820

        7 years ago

        Who?

        Reply
        • Double A

          7 years ago

          Exactly good trade for the m’s…

          5
          Reply
  4. #Fantasygeekland

    7 years ago

    Crap, I wonder what we have to give up

    Reply
    • 108Stitches

      7 years ago

      Andrew Moore and Tommy Romero

      Reply
  5. matthew102402

    7 years ago

    Rays fans; How does Denard Span move around in the OF?

    Reply
    • matthew102402

      7 years ago

      Like I mean speed wise, route wise, etc

      Reply
      • CubsFanForLife

        7 years ago

        On his feet

        5
        Reply
      • seamaholic 2

        7 years ago

        Not a Rays fan, but I assume it’s about the same as it was last year in the NL. which is to say, fine. He’s no Byron Buxton out there but can catch anything nearby and still runs better than average. Poor throwing arm.

        Reply
        • matthew102402

          7 years ago

          Arm shouldn’t matter too much; He’ll be playing LF.

          Reply
        • Todd_Joseph

          7 years ago

          He has decent speed. Glove is not too good, believe he had negative DRS with us. Arm.. eh try again lol (Giants fan)

          Reply
    • daved

      7 years ago

      Span is overpaid and over rated.

      Reply
    • Travis’ Wood

      7 years ago

      He can’t play CF anymore but seems capable in a corner

      Reply
    • EpicNoise

      7 years ago

      Last year with the Giants he was the worst center fielder in baseball, truly abysmal. He had been trending that way since 2015.

      He has been about average since moving to left field with the Rays, however (albeit in 34 games). He is absolutely unplayable in center at this stage of his career.

      Reply
      • GareBear

        7 years ago

        The giants also have one of the most brutal Centerfields to play in the bigs with triples’ alley. He might still be used as a spot center fielder even if he shouldn’t be there full time.

        Reply
    • Ungerdog

      7 years ago

      like everyone has said already, he’s ok for backup lf (1.000 fld%, 1 drs, 2 assists). the big positive on him this year is how clutch he’s been – he’s got a .934 ops with runners on and 1.078 with risp. (.293 & .342 ba, respectively) in 5 bases loaded scenarios he’s got a bb, 2b and 3b. doubt he can continue in this fashion but he does seem to be more honed in with runners on – all of his abs with runners on this year have looked good – so, there’s that, which gave us poor rays fans some temporary excitement…and 28 rbis…hooray.

      1
      Reply
  6. acarneglia

    7 years ago

    Dealin Dipoto!

    Reply
  7. Weighed

    7 years ago

    For Felix

    Reply
  8. TheMichigan

    7 years ago

    Contenders gotta contend right?

    1
    Reply
  9. 24TheKid

    7 years ago

    Lewis and Carlson?

    Reply
    • dshires4

      7 years ago

      There’s zero chance.

      1
      Reply
    • 24TheKid

      7 years ago

      Or Andrew Moore I guess, Coleme doesn’t have nearly the value I thought.

      Reply
      • seamaholic 2

        7 years ago

        Colome has been pretty mediocre this year and has just started getting expensive ($5m in first year of arbitration).. He’s gonna be a $10m mediocre reliever in a couple years, unless he picks it up. Fair deal I’d say. Moore has real potential.

        Reply
        • justin-turner overdrive

          7 years ago

          Due to his career saves, isn’t he going to make bank starting next year – or is the saves thing an annual thing, not cumulative? Im fuzzy on how arby works on that.

          Reply
        • Travis’ Wood

          7 years ago

          Sub 3 FIP is not mediocre

          4
          Reply
        • Travis’ Wood

          7 years ago

          The fact that he won’t be closing in Seattle will keep his arb prices down. But yes it’s a cumulative thing

          2
          Reply
        • dshires4

          7 years ago

          Moore is the definition of average, replacement level depth. He won’t be missed.

          Reply
        • Travis’ Wood

          7 years ago

          He’s perfect for the Rays. They’ll use him in 2-4 inning spurts instead of as a traditional starter. But yes he’s nothing too special

          1
          Reply
        • justin-turner overdrive

          7 years ago

          If its cumulative then he’s a $10M setup man next year.

          Reply
        • Travis’ Wood

          7 years ago

          That is not at all how it works. That’s not what cumulative means.

          Reply
      • bluejays12345

        7 years ago

        He did last year lol

        Reply
      • hiflew

        7 years ago

        He still has value. Depending on how much cash went Seattle’s way, there is a lot of value in taking Span’s salary off the Rays.

        The Rays could have gotten better prospects elsewhere, but they chose salary relief instead. I know, SHOCKER, huh?

        Reply
        • Ungerdog

          7 years ago

          yeah, that has been what has pissed me off the most about sternberg…I understand they’re a small-market team and need to make concessions but c’mon, some of these…no, wait, ALL of these cash instead of talent trades have been excessive this year – it’s not like sterny would be losing money if just a couple of the lopsided money relief trades focused on quality prospects instead.

          Reply
      • Stevil

        7 years ago

        Not with Span’s contract attached. They’re sending 4.75 million with them, but that barely covers the buyout for next season.

        The beauty about this deal for Seattle is that they get an on-base threat at the bottom of the order as well as a legitimate setup option which allows Nicasi to be used more in middle relief.

        And it comes just before a tough June ahead. If they fall out, they could probably flip Colome without Span for a better return than they sacrificed.

        2
        Reply
    • 108Stitches

      7 years ago

      Andrew Moore and Tommy Romero

      Reply
  10. JFree47

    7 years ago

    Holy dealin dipoto

    Reply
  11. mpkgolf99

    7 years ago

    They had to give up someone big??
    If you had Alex In Fantasy sports that’s not good.

    Reply
  12. xabial

    7 years ago

    Any guesses what their return is? (Report’s so early, what TB received in return is unclear)

    1
    Reply
    • 24TheKid

      7 years ago

      Moore and Romero.

      1
      Reply
    • seamaholic 2

      7 years ago

      Moore and Romero, a couple of fairly promising starting pitchers in the low minors.

      Reply
      • AidanVega123

        7 years ago

        Moore made his debut last year and did not perform that well however.

        Reply
      • Priggs89

        7 years ago

        I’d say “fairly promising” is a bit of a stretch

        2
        Reply
  13. jjburke2017

    7 years ago

    Sorry rays fans

    Reply
    • seamaholic 2

      7 years ago

      Good deal for Rays. Colome is getting expensive and hasn’t been good, especially park adjusted. Span had negative value. I’d say they got a lot for that package.

      1
      Reply
      • justin-turner overdrive

        7 years ago

        Nah, they could have done way better had they waited for the deadline. I get they’re both way overpaid or about to be, but you don’t just take 2 lottery tickets for them, this proves TB’s FO is still really dumb.

        1
        Reply
        • Stevil

          7 years ago

          They probably could have done better for Colome, but they would have eaten considerably more of Span’s salary and may not have been able to move him at all had they waited. They saved some dough with Colome by moving him early as well.

          Reply
      • Travis’ Wood

        7 years ago

        Why are you saying Colome hasn’t been good? Sub 3 FIP is quite good

        4
        Reply
        • justin-turner overdrive

          7 years ago

          beCauSE ErA iS tHe BeST

          Reply
        • Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA

          7 years ago

          It is quite good, but it isn’t the end all be all stat. There are a lot of concerns that surround him. Other peripherals suggest there are major concerns. Major concerns not surrounding ErA.

          Reply
        • Travis’ Wood

          7 years ago

          He has a sub 3 FIP, sub 3 DRA and 3.20 xFIP. His K% and swinging strike rate are back up. So what are these major concerns you speak of?

          2
          Reply
        • Jbigz12

          7 years ago

          ERA is still a run prevention skill. Don’t toss it away like it’s trash. The numbers would indicate he’s been better than his results but there is value in a pitchers ability to keep runs off the board.

          1
          Reply
        • Cat Mando

          7 years ago

          jbigz12….I found it funny that many stats that get trashed on these boards are still valued by the players themselves and the ones that are cherished here and other places, like WAR, and fip etc are barely noticed by the players. mlb.com/news/mlb-players-vote-for-stats-they-value…

          Reply
        • davidcoonce74

          7 years ago

          Players also wore those “energy beads” that supposedly increased circulation….I don’t think evaluative statistics should only be respected if the players think they are important. Professional athletes aren’t generally hired for their brains.

          1
          Reply
        • Cat Mando

          7 years ago

          “Players also wore those “energy beads” that supposedly increased circulation” and some won’t step on a foul line, or change other routines so that is certainly an indication of sub-par intellect
          “I don’t think evaluative statistics should only be respected if the players think they are important.” I didn’t say that. I said I found it funny.
          “Professional athletes aren’t generally hired for their brains.” Did you strain yourself when patting yourself on the back? Does the sabermetric community give awards for each put down?
          You never cease to amaze.

          Reply
        • chesteraarthur

          7 years ago

          There is a reason that the players play the game and don’t build the teams.

          And instead of just saying that the sabermetric community is essentially a bully (what a weak attempt at an arguement btw), why don’t you provide some support to show that what he is saying is incorrect. Oh, because you can’t?

          Great argument. Continue to love your old stats. The world has passed you by. Sorry.

          2
          Reply
        • Cat Mando

          7 years ago

          Have a cookie. Didn’t say it I asked. Do you wanna know why? Because if it’s not accepted by someone, anyone, that person is roundly ridiculed. I have seen it time and again.
          Someone mentions so and so is have a good year hitting .320 and the comeback is BA doesn’t measure a hitter, BA is useless (yes I have seen those words)
          Would it sooth you if I complied a list of MLB players with degrees?
          I never said I didn’t like some knew stats, I said it’s funny how the players themselves, those who do the job and not talk about it, don’t value some. It’s not hard to understand.
          Does it make you feel better to pretend you are smarter?
          I did not insult anyone or anything. I made statements and then words were twisted and intellects of a group were challenged and disparaged.
          Last question, did you read the player’s comments? Never mind, I don’t care.
          Have a nice day.

          Reply
        • davidcoonce74

          7 years ago

          Hey, superstition is fine; it doesn’t do anything,, but I still say Rabbit Rabbit on the first and kiss the roof of my car when I run a yellow light.

          Athletes don’t have to respect any aspect of their profession (none of us do, whether we are athletes or not). I’ve never understood the idea that having access to more information is a bad thing. By all means, if you think batting average is a great indicator of a player’s worth, feel free to use it. Nobody’s going to ruin the way you feel about the game because you can ignore any information you don’t care for. It’s a free country.

          I don’t know anything about this “sabermetric community” you speak of. We aren’t monolith. There are a lot of people examining lots of different ways to evaluate baseball players and teams, using a blend of old and new information. One of the teams at the forefront of that information-gathering/analysis won the World Series last year. Another team doing that won the World Series in 2016. Another team doing that kind of analysis won the World Series in 2015. Another one won the World Series in 2014…I mean, you get the point. We won. as much as a lot of people dislike it, the nerds won this thing. Athletes don’t need to buy in; the people in charge already know what’s up.

          2
          Reply
        • brucewayne

          7 years ago

          Baseball players are very superstitious ! They like to get in a routine

          Reply
        • brucewayne

          7 years ago

          and if they win while doing these strange practices , then they stick with them! Wade Boggs was so superstitious that he ate the same pre-game meal of chicken

          Reply
        • brucewayne

          7 years ago

          and many other peculiar things . I think Cat was saying that if they think these things help them succeed , then in their minds, it’s part of the reason to the success . Sort of like a placebo affect !

          Reply
      • Stevil

        7 years ago

        Colome got off to a terrible start, but he’s had a solid May. He may not get the dough you think he will if he isn’t closing for Seattle, which he won’t with Diaz healthy.

        1
        Reply
  14. mpkgolf99

    7 years ago

    They made this trade so span plays center and dee Gordon moves backs to his known position.

    Reply
    • bradenbaseball18

      7 years ago

      Both Haniger and Heredia can play CF; I’d expect Span to play one of the corners

      Reply
    • nymetsking

      7 years ago

      the DL?

      Reply
      • Michael Chaney

        7 years ago

        Lmaoooo

        Reply
  15. hurricanewar23

    7 years ago

    Sounds like rays getting at least 4 prospects maybe 5.

    Reply
    • AidanVega123

      7 years ago

      Nope, just the two mentioned.

      1
      Reply
  16. walls17

    7 years ago

    Why do teams still trade with this buffoon

    Reply
    • 24TheKid

      7 years ago

      ?

      Reply
    • JFree47

      7 years ago

      You watch your commie mouth and enjoy the action!

      6
      Reply
    • xabial

      7 years ago

      Just blind hate. Trades, are arguably the most exciting thing Mlbtr reports, and Jerry is #1 in that category, just looking at sheer number of trades. (Whether or not he’ll win them, remains to be seen)

      I’m not a Mariners fan (I’m Yankee fan, like you) but enjoy watching Jerry’s moves, from afar.

      I hope Jerry’s moves help SEA make the playoffs first time since 2001. They have long odds stacked against them, maybe, but love that Jerry always tries 100% effort, always orchestrating these trades. —

      3
      Reply
    • GarOfFame

      7 years ago

      Winning

      Reply
      • majorflaw

        7 years ago

        “(Whether or not he’ll win them, remains to be seen.)”

        1. Teams make trades to make themselves better, xabial, either right now or sometime in the future. “Beating” their trading partner(s) doesn’t factor in to the equation. Also not a smart idea to develop a reputation for “winning” all your trades as folks will be less likely to deal with you.

        2. And why, pray tell, does the sentence I quoted above have a comma in the middle of it?

        2
        Reply
  17. kingcong95

    7 years ago

    If Dipoto set up a fleece jacket stand at Tropicana Field, how many would he sell per game?

    2
    Reply
  18. mlb1225

    7 years ago

    If Colome can get a better defense behind him, he’ll do a lot better. He does have a 2.96 FIP.

    4
    Reply
  19. justin-turner overdrive

    7 years ago

    If its only Moore and Romero then the Rays aren’t just tanking, they’re not even building for the future. I get that Colome with all his saves is about to get paid in arby, and Span also makes way too much money for how not-good he is, but Moore is really bad who’s not even at AAA right now, he’s at AA. You’d think they’d have gotten a lot more for either one at the deadline though.

    Reply
    • Travis’ Wood

      7 years ago

      Span has zero trade value. I like The Mariners side of this better but it’s not that bad for Tampa. Romero is still only in single A but he’s put up dominant numbers and Moore fits Tampa’s approach to pitching. He will be another 2-4 inning guy.

      Reply
      • justin-turner overdrive

        7 years ago

        Every single team has like half a dozen 20 year olds putting up good numbers at A ball, those types are literally worthless in trades, simple lotto picks and nothing more. Make no mistake, this is an awful trade for Tampa, who could have gotten more for either one as the season went on. Seattle got a setup man and a veteran 4th OF for literally nothing and got money too.

        2
        Reply
        • capnfatback

          7 years ago

          Today’s homework: look up the meaning of “literally” in the dictionary.

          Reply
      • DanielDannyDano

        7 years ago

        Span’s trade value is not zero, at least DiPoto valued him and someone else may by the end of August.

        Reply
  20. kimball0401

    7 years ago

    Well that helps the second base situation

    Reply
  21. chrisjaybecker

    7 years ago

    I hate to say this, but the Rays and Marlins are starting to become Seattle’s best farm teams.

    2
    Reply
  22. sgtpain20

    7 years ago

    I am not sure how either of these two guys help the mariners?

    1
    Reply
    • Travis’ Wood

      7 years ago

      Because Colome is good (sub 3 FIP) and Span allows Dee to move back to 2B

      1
      Reply
    • matthew102402

      7 years ago

      Span brings a veteran presence to an outfield which has 3 guys that haven’t played a full year (though Haniger hits like he has). Colome brings a steady reliever to the 8th inning, an inning that seattle has had serious trouble with.

      Reply
      • sgtpain20

        7 years ago

        Maybe a change in scenery will help Colome with his current inflated ERA but you never know.

        I get Span is a good veteran presence but he hasn’t really hit all that well this year. But he does have a decent OBP.

        I was kind of hoping they would of done better with the extra 12 mil they had to spend….at least a bat that could of reduce the damage of losing Cano

        1
        Reply
    • Double A

      7 years ago

      You must not watch the Ms

      Reply
  23. daved

    7 years ago

    Please MLB, relocate Tampa to Vegas or Montreal

    7
    Reply
    • Double A

      7 years ago

      I’m not sure if baseball will thrive in Vegas but I’m willing to find out!

      4
      Reply
      • xabial

        7 years ago

        I was just about to say. Just because Vegas Golden Knights (NHL) made Stanley Cup Finals this year, their first year of existance, doesn’t mean all Vegas franchises will share the same success.

        Still waiting to see how the Oakland Raiders (NFL) will do when they move to their new $2 bill Las Vegas stadium and become Vegas Raiders, 2019)

        2
        Reply
        • bradthebluefish

          7 years ago

          Yeah, I’d rather let the NFL figure this out before the MLB has to.

          1
          Reply
      • davidcoonce74

        7 years ago

        No way MLB ever puts a team in Vegas. I know it’s been 100 years but this is the only major sport that had its championship sold off to gamblers.

        Reply
        • brucewayne

          7 years ago

          Never say never ! Money has a funny way of changing things. Gambling money is just as green as any other money!

          Reply
        • davidcoonce74

          7 years ago

          I think gambling and baseball is just a toxic mix in a lot of people’s minds…besides the Black Sox, there’s obviously Pete Rose, who threw games he was managing and playing in. It’s tricky and I know MLB has been pretty squeamish about involving itself with gambling in any way.

          Reply
        • brucewayne

          7 years ago

          All the while MLB getting all that gambling money everyday from Draft Kings !

          Reply
    • Begamin

      7 years ago

      I think it would be very hard to move an entire city into a new city. Are you suggesting moving the people in Tampa too or just the buildings to Vegas or Montreal?

      2
      Reply
    • algionfriddo

      7 years ago

      Portland?

      Reply
      • thegreatcerealfamine

        7 years ago

        Indy

        Reply
      • justin-turner overdrive

        7 years ago

        Portland isn’t a big sports city and never will be. Seattle barely is.

        1
        Reply
        • marinersblue96

          7 years ago

          ? The blazers are typically sold out. Hawks have been sold out since the Holmgren era, UW averaged 64k during a 0-12 year, and the M’s averaged 40k for the first 10+ years of Safeco. Seattle is a huge sports town. I still remember 50k at the kingdome for Sonic games.

          3
          Reply
        • sgtpain20

          7 years ago

          Not to mention the new MLS team, Portland Timbers, are sold out. When Portland has the triple A team here it drew big crowds.

          Reply
        • brucewayne

          7 years ago

          I think Nashville would be a great new city for MLB . It’s a very fast growing city with a younger population with lots of discretionary money to spend!

          Reply
        • whereslou

          7 years ago

          Justin Turner that is an ignorant statement.

          1
          Reply
    • bradthebluefish

      7 years ago

      The biggest cities without a MLB team.

      Raleigh
      Indianapolis
      New Orleans
      Las Vegas
      Montreal
      Salt Lake City
      Portland

      Reply
      • ABCD

        7 years ago

        You should be looking at metro areas and TV market size and maybe corporate headquarters located there instead of just the city population.

        Charlotte is probably better than Raleigh. Indy, SLC, and NO are too small.

        Reply
        • brucewayne

          7 years ago

          I think Nashville would make a great new city for MLB! It’s a very fast growing city with a young population with lots of discretionary money to spend. Plus it has a decent tv revenue market as well.

          Reply
        • whereslou

          7 years ago

          You said that already

          Reply
        • brucewayne

          7 years ago

          Yup! It’s my phone service causing me problems! It sucks where I’m at, but thanks for all your worthy attention .

          Reply
        • brucewayne

          7 years ago

          Do I need to repeat that for you LouLou?

          Reply
      • JGYG

        7 years ago

        It’s laughable to me that so many think the Rays should move. There’s a reason they wont and are working on a new stadium deal/location and have a new lucrative TV contract.. Of the cities mentioned above, only Montreal competes with metro area population to draw from and that’s without including Orlando’s metro area for Tampa’s numbers, who the Rays get major support from,

        The Rays do not suffer from lack of fan base (though a young one). They have the most horrible stadium location and quite possibly, the worst stadium in MLB. The location by far is what kills them. Only 25% of tickets sold are from metro area companies. The complete opposite of almost every other MLB team. Which means, 75% of tickets sold are directly from fans pockets (many, walk-ups) which is pretty impressive. Companies don’t purchase boxes and tickets due to location and the stadiums lack of benefits/experience to entice those companies to spend.

        Everyone says Tampa’s a small market but they are mid market in MLB. They also have the 4th largest metro area in the Southeast U.S. behind only Miami, Washington D.C. and Atlanta.

        Metro area population to draw from:

        Tampa 4.30 million
        Raleigh 2.03 million
        Indianapolis 2.08 million
        New Orleans 1.20 million
        Las Vegas 2.30 million
        Montreal 4.06 million
        Salt Lake City 1.14 million
        Portland 2.40 million

        If including Orlando metro area (2.13 mil) beginning only a 50-60 miles NE so, you’re talking probably 6.5 mil or more.

        The fans are there. TV ratings prove that as well.

        People assume they have no fans or hear it in the media. But that’s far from the truth.

        The point, after a long spiel. They’re not going anywhere.

        Reply
  24. xabial

    7 years ago

    Wonder if due to a combination of injuries / suspension, pressure to end SEA’s playoff-drought, while being in a contract year — maybe now more than ever, Jerry will make more trades, than ever before.

    1
    Reply
    • Double A

      7 years ago

      Is that even possible lol

      2
      Reply
    • #Fantasygeekland

      7 years ago

      Yeah, he wants an extension and has nothing to lose by trading lottery ticket minor leaguers to help the big league team win now.

      1
      Reply
    • bradthebluefish

      7 years ago

      Jerry Dipoto is a smart & honorable man. He’s been willing to trade the present for the future. He did so when he traded Mike Montgomery to the Cubs for prospects Dan Vogelbach and Paul Blackburn.

      Reply
      • whereslou

        7 years ago

        One of his worst trades he had made.

        Reply
  25. GONEcarlo

    7 years ago

    Dipoto just can’t help himself, he’s just gotta make a trade or else he turns into a pumpkin

    5
    Reply
  26. wayneroo

    7 years ago

    Will be interesting to see how much cash goes Seattle’s way.

    Reply
  27. marinersblue96

    7 years ago

    I hope Colome can settle that 8th inning for the M’s, it’s been a roller coaster. He and Diaz could be a lockdown tandem.

    2
    Reply
  28. bobtillman

    7 years ago

    I think Jerry D. is pretty inventive. He obviously wanted Colome (whose not great, but he ain’t bad) and agreed to take Span (whose cool, but has seen better days) and his rather heavy contract (heavy for his performance level, that is). Remember Span came from SF just to help balance out, money wise, the Longoria deal.

    Moore doesn’t look like much; don’t know much about the other guy. But Seattle’s willingness to take on Span’s contract certainly fits here. and given what the they have in their system (not much of anything), it’s likely the only way they can do a deal like this.

    1
    Reply
    • marinersblue96

      7 years ago

      Tampa is also sending $ in the deal. I love it all around as a M’s fan, it doesn’t make a lot of sense for the Rays.

      4
      Reply
      • justin-turner overdrive

        7 years ago

        I’m still not sure if this is DiPoto being a good GM or Neander being the worst in the biz.

        Reply
        • bobtillman

          7 years ago

          I thought Neander did a decent job at the deadline last year, picking up some solid bullpen pieces, on a limited budget. But the moves this winter and spring just scream “bailout”, weather it’s a tank, or maybe even a sale of the team; possibly a relocation.

          I imagine you can get Archer now by taking on Keirmyer’s somewhat overpriced contract……in exchange for two guys not even Baseball America has heard of……

          Reply
    • bradthebluefish

      7 years ago

      That for the unbiased, stating-the-facts comment. It’s rare to see nowadays.

      Reply
  29. javier 3

    7 years ago

    So who will close? Alex Colome or Edwin Diaz?

    Reply
    • dvail1979

      7 years ago

      Um really? You’re asking this? Clearly Diaz will close … better question is who will close in Tampa? Alvarado?

      2
      Reply
    • 24TheKid

      7 years ago

      Not much of a question.

      Reply
  30. javier 3

    7 years ago

    Who will close? Alex Colome or Edwin Diaz?

    Reply
    • jekporkins

      7 years ago

      Diaz, with Colome manning the eighth inning.

      2
      Reply
      • Solaris601

        7 years ago

        Diaz with Colome setting him up will be absolutely deadly. DiPoto just shrunk the game from 8 to 6.2 innings. Love the move. Span does bring leadership with average results. Thankfully he’s simply a rental.

        2
        Reply
    • bradthebluefish

      7 years ago

      Edwin Diaz is currently the best closer in baseball. 18 saves with a 1.71 ERA and 1.97 FIP.

      Also, Diaz has 46 strikeouts in 26 innings, resulting in a 15.72 K/9.

      1
      Reply
  31. dirtbagbaseball427

    7 years ago

    Archer is next…last two starts he’s been great…this is the start of a franchise that’s gonna move..

    Reply
    • 24TheKid

      7 years ago

      Maybe Seattle and Tampa will make another deal. Is Lewis, Carlson and White enough?

      1
      Reply
      • matthew102402

        7 years ago

        So our 3 best prospects? Actually, our 3 prospects lmao.

        2
        Reply
        • 24TheKid

          7 years ago

          Worst case scenario they can trade Archer in the off season and probably get better prospects back than White and Carlson.

          2
          Reply
        • justin-turner overdrive

          7 years ago

          Add Heredia to those 3 and that deal gets made. Archer is only on a 3/27 deal starting in 2019 so he’s going to need one young MLB guy coming back and Seattle has OFs to spare.

          Reply
        • 24TheKid

          7 years ago

          I think if they’re trading a major league ready guy it would be Gamel, whose been hitting better as of late. Heredia is their starting center fielder, don’t want to trade a contributing piece.

          2
          Reply
        • hiflew

          7 years ago

          But that would mean a trade would happen in MLB with Seattle not being involved. I don’t think that is allowed to happen anymore.

          Reply
        • whereslou

          7 years ago

          Kid you are not allowed to make trades. You said Haniger wasn’t good this off season. Lewis isn’t going anywhere. White had been tearing up the minors and will probably be moving faster than they thought. We have to have a couple untouchable players and those two are it. A possible gold glove 1st bm and the last piece to the long term OF. They stay here we find a pitcher in FA or bring one up through the system. You never know when one will surprise you. Look at Marco he is probably our 2nd best pitcher right now. Who would have thought that last year?

          Reply
  32. Begamin

    7 years ago

    I think that the Rays did good getting something for their players. They weren’t going to the playoffs with or without them. However, how good of a return did they get? Does anyone know how good Andrew Moore and Tommy Romero are?

    Reply
    • matthew102402

      7 years ago

      Andrew Moore isn’t highly regarded, his ceiling is a back end starter, with not so over powering stuff, but has good control. I’ve never even heard of Tommy Romero before today

      Reply
    • justin-turner overdrive

      7 years ago

      It’s a shockingly bad return. Two lottery tickets, Moore already has a MLB failure under his belt who’s now 25 at AA. This looks like a salary dump and they didn’t even do that part right because they sent money with Colome and Span.

      1
      Reply
      • infinitybinge

        7 years ago

        Both teams are just shuffling chairs on sinkinking ships. I do like Tampa’s new outlook on pitching though.

        1
        Reply
        • Stevil

          7 years ago

          Seattle’s 30-20 and in control of the 2nd Wild Card at the present. That’s hardly a sinking ship.

          Reply
      • muskie73

        7 years ago

        Andrew Moore turns 24 years old next week.

        1
        Reply
    • Robert Kuzmins

      7 years ago

      The Rays will fix Moore, he was in double A because the PCL cripples pitchers
      Steal for the Rays, they save 8.1 M payroll. Mallex Smith is way better than Heredia or Gamel. If being 1 game under 500 with virtual unknowns, less than 50M payroll and 4 th best payroll is tanking , I could think of worst situations to be in, like Maybe paying King Felix and Robbie Cano obscene $$$ for doing nothing and perpetually spinning my wheels like Seattle is……..At least you had Ichiro and A Rod

      3
      Reply
      • Connorsoxfan

        7 years ago

        If this money the Rays are saving goes back into the team a couple years from now when they think they can compete, great. But if they’re just pocketing the profits that’s not cool.

        Reply
      • BuddyBoy

        7 years ago

        I would take Heredia over Mallex Smith any day of the week

        Reply
        • whereslou

          7 years ago

          You must not have seen Heredia play I have seen Smith play you lose. Cano is still as good as he was in NY. They will show you his numbers have dropped a point or two but Seattle is a way bigger park and we have the marine layer that comes in early in the season and late. It is a damp air off the water. Holds the ball down. He had a down year when he played with a hernia most of the season. That is his only down year though. Don’t know what the deal is with the diuretic maybe he got it from brushingup against that loser Alex.

          Reply
  33. sufferforsnakes

    7 years ago

    M’s GM Jerry Dipoto has overseen his fair share of surprising swaps since taking the helm in Seattle……..

    Fair share? Ha, dude holds a monopoly on trading.

    3
    Reply
    • justin-turner overdrive

      7 years ago

      With exactly one postseason appearance from this method in 8 years as a GM – dude is a clown and always will be.

      Reply
      • whereslou

        7 years ago

        You seem to be a clown

        Reply
      • Stevil

        7 years ago

        Your inability to understand context is second to none.

        Reply
  34. bobtillman

    7 years ago

    So Seattle gets a decent 8th inning guy, with a good FIP, for no money, just so the Rays can get Spans salary off the books. Pretty pathetic from TB’s point of view.

    2
    Reply
  35. Ray lopez

    7 years ago

    Colome is basically washed and so is span if you guys look at the numbers Rays got better in the deal imo

    1
    Reply
    • BuddyBoy

      7 years ago

      2.98 FIP and he’s washed up? Span has a .350 OBP and has been worth 1 WAR already. Hello?

      Reply
  36. Danny R.

    7 years ago

    And we get 4.75 million cash haha. Steal for the mariners! They get a solid bullpen piece and a veteran OF bat that can get on base and come thru with the clutch hits.

    Reply
    • Robert Kuzmins

      7 years ago

      Danny Wake up, The Rays saved 8.3M on payroll. If one game under 500 with virtual unknowns is tanking with less than a 50M payroll and 4th best farm system is tanking, I will take it any day!! I will ado take Mallex Smith over Heredia or Gamel any day of the week.. The Rays will fix Moore easily!!!

      2
      Reply
      • Chris Gamel

        7 years ago

        Moore is a RHP that tops out at 88 mph…good luck fixing him

        Reply
        • Robert Kuzmins

          7 years ago

          Chris, Moore will be an easy fix, I am surprised you didn’t know that the PCL is the graveyard for pitchersLMAO……Span has no defense and Diaz will get less save opportunities with Colome getting blown up in the 8 th inning. Enjoy paying Cano until he is 42…………

          1
          Reply
        • 24TheKid

          7 years ago

          Enjoy losing your team to Montreal………………

          Reply
        • bradenbaseball18

          7 years ago

          Robert, I’m surprised you didn’t know that the environment of a league has no impact on a pitcher’s fastball speed……Span has fine defense in LF, where the Ms will play him, and Colome has been one of the best relievers in baseball this last month. If the Rays fix Moore, good for them. I just it being more likely that Span and Colome will keep performing well than it is that Moore will reach his ceiling as a fifth starter.
          And Canó’s contract only runs through his age 40 season. Considering he’s been worth his contract thus far, I think the Ms will enjoy it much more than you’d expect.

          Reply
      • bradenbaseball18

        7 years ago

        Bro, Mallex Smith has a .763 OPS with a .373 BABIP. Heredia has a .888 OPS with a .340 BABIP. I know who I’d rather take

        Reply
      • Stevil

        7 years ago

        Romero was the bigger piece in the return, in my opinion. He’s better at missing bats, but both have legitimate potential. This move was about salary relief for Tampa.. They probably would have gotten more from Colome at the deadline, but Span would have been harder to move and Tampa would have eaten more salary for both players had they waited that long.

        Point is, this made sense for both teams. It was typical of both teams.

        Reply
  37. Spokaneboy11

    7 years ago

    So we get another Juan Nicasio who was our main signing this off season and a 35 year old outfielder. Andrew Moore may not have been a top end guy and Tommy Romero was only in single A, but who’d are next starting pitcher prospect other than Carlson who hasn’t played yet. Was bummed when we lost cano and were basically replacing his bat with Denard span.

    1
    Reply
    • muskie73

      7 years ago

      With a BABIP of .354 this year, Alex Colome has a FIP of 2.69.

      With a BABIP of .369, Juan Nicasio has a FIP of 3.64.

      With an anticipated positive regression from these two, the Seattle bullpen could be awesome.

      BTW, Denard Span is 34 years old.

      Reply
  38. Solaris601

    7 years ago

    I knew when TB took Span in the Longoria deal they would be looking to flip his contract ASAP. Archer could be next, and he’ll bring a king’s ransom, but I believe Ramos will be the next to go.

    1
    Reply
    • Stevil

      7 years ago

      I was confident we would see Tampa pair Dickerson, Span, and Ramos with Odorizzi, Archer, and Colome somehow during the offseason.

      Obviously I was wrong, but this trade is an example of the concept.

      Reply
  39. Mariners_Mojo

    7 years ago

    Diaz was a beastly starter in the minors we should stretch him back out for the rotation

    Reply
    • ayrbhoy

      7 years ago

      Diaz is currently leading the majors in Saves, his opponents BA is minuscule and he’s running over 14Ks per 9 inn. He flat out dominates hitters- why on earth would you take that away?

      3
      Reply
      • Mariners_Mojo

        7 years ago

        Because maybe he can go out there and strike out 14 over 9 for us like he did in double a lol

        Reply
    • Stevil

      7 years ago

      Zero chance. Lacks a 3rd pitch and he’s dominating as a closer. Nicasio would be more likely, and that’s unlikely.

      Colome will get some starts to take some of the slack off Diaz, though.

      Reply
  40. GarOfFame

    7 years ago

    All the folks saying Colome is done, I encourage you to look at the monthly numbers… Mar/Apr OPS .924, May .419

    Also 60% of his ER this year were against Boston… bet he’s glad to be out of the east!

    1
    Reply
  41. badco44

    7 years ago

    What really bothers me about this is the Rays didn’t get squat for them…. salary purge… and who is running this show in Tampa… bozo’s are us!

    Reply
    • kcbbfan

      7 years ago

      I’ll bet dollars to donuts…Dipoto offered the same two players to the Royals for Jay and Herrera.

      1
      Reply
      • Robert Kuzmins

        7 years ago

        Finally a comment that makes sense…..

        Reply
    • Robert Kuzmins

      7 years ago

      We got 8.3 M salary relief.We will fix Moore easily,,Enjoy paying Cano a kings ransom until he is 42, King Felix couldn’t even pitch for the Rays……If the Mariners were in the east they would be fighting the Orioles for the basement

      1
      Reply
      • BuddyBoy

        7 years ago

        You’ve posted this stupid comment four times now. Quit making yourself look so ignorant

        Reply
      • marinersblue96

        7 years ago

        First Cano contract is until he 40. Second The AL West is tougher and deeper than the AL East, Orioles, Rays, and Jays are bottom feeders. Houston isn’t just the best team is the AL, they are the best team period. M’s would be contend for the division, especially with the bandboxes in the East.

        1
        Reply
  42. PapaD57 2

    7 years ago

    I think Dipoto got Colume just to keep him away from the Angels. The Angels are really the only team that could contend for the 2nd wildcard spot. Plus, the M’s now have one of the best 8th and 9th inning combo in all of baseball. Brilliant!

    2
    Reply
    • impapad17

      7 years ago

      *Colome

      Reply
    • kcbbfan

      7 years ago

      How is he going to keep the Angels away from Herrera?

      Reply

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