If the rumored asking price (per Jason Stark) for Carl Crawford is 8 years.180 to 10 years/190 (not sure how the math works out on that 2 year jump) then I would love for him to sign with the Angels.
Mora probably negotiated on the premise that he had a lot of mouths to feed and got paid by the kid instead of the veteran's minimum he's actually werth
Felix and Jones are probably PART of what I’d come down to. I imagine they might ask for Triunfel too. Except it’s the Giants, so you never know, I guess it could come down to Sexson and Washburn. In which case Bavasi needs to immediately ask where to sign. And if he did ever get offered that, and didn’t sign, then he needs to move to Antarctica pronto before any M’s fans find him.
Luckly the Giants ownership seems to have increased the Blow, Booze& Broads fund recently
So I will not have live through that type of silliness again. But if I have to see him leave the Giants the M’s would be favorite spot for me to hope for.
"Steve Henson is the MLB editor for Yahoo! Sports. He previously worked at the Los Angeles Times, where he covered Major League Baseball, college football and college basketball and did investigative reporting. "
Every owner or ownership group is filthy rich. Every one has “money to spend” but pesky things like budgets and reality always seem to get in the way. Not that it stops some fans from complaining that Nintendo should spend as much as the Steinbrenners.
I’ve read theories that Ichiro doesn’t like Matsui because he jumped in a hottub out of turn back when both were in high school (Ichiro was the upperclassman and feld disrespected) and that some Japanese sense of hierarchy wouildn’t allow them to co-exist.
Both sound pretty flimsy to me and I’ve never read any statement from Ichiro on the matter. I can’t believe Ichiro would hold a 20 year grudge over something that stupid and we’ve had other Japense players on the team before.
Branyan career – .234/.330/.490
Cust career – .245/.378/.452
People seem on board with bringing Branyan back at a low cost… Cust is younger, doesn’t have a history of injuries, and in an emergency you could put him in the outfield.
The first rate asshole issue may still be a problem though… otherwise I’d like Cust at the right price.
If it came down to purely baseball terms, I think Cust being a lefty is actually beneficial
due to Safeco.
However, we are essentially swapping out a right handed bat (Lopez) for a lefty one (Ackley), even though the Kotchman/Branyan —> Smoak trade might help re-balance the lineup
I like him more than Matsui, but word around the campfire is he’s a first rate asshole, so who knows. He also brings a flexibility problem though. You can’t really stick him in the OF.
Also, don't know if this has been posted yet, but the Upton rumors are officially dead and buried.
Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers indicated Monday that Justin Upton will not be traded this offseason.
The D’Backs dangled Upton on the open market this fall, but they weren’t blown away by any offers. It’s possible that he could be shopped again this summer if Arizona is out of contention by June or July. Upton, 23, posted a .273/.356/.442 batting line, 17 homers and 18 steals in 2010.
Z: “Hi Gregg Zauns agent. Thanks for meeting with me. I know you are a busy man. Now, first off, let me say that we’d like Gregg for one year, and of course we’ll get him two sets of season ticket-”
Moore could be here for a while if his bat develops. It’s a throw-away year, so why not pick up a veteran catcher with good defense who (speculation) could show Adam the finer points of catching and keep the development process going? It’s not like $1 million is going to buy us a championship, or even a playoff berth this year, so I can see the thought process.
Plus, Zaun playing defense is fun to watch. I love watching him play defense. Mariners fans loved Dan Wilson. We all hated watching Rob Johnson drop the ball. This is, at the very least, money spent to make the team easier to stand.
But I think 1 million is pretty trivial to a team that has a 94 million dollar payroll. If 1 million would prevent them from going after a DH or SP they really, really wanted, I think Zduriencik could manage to squeeze it out.
Remember that the MLB minimum is 450,000. Swapping out Rob for Zaun saves you 550,000, assuming Rob is making the absolute minimum.
Arbitrator: Let’s see. You had seventy-two passed balls in the span of eighty-nine games and you were so terrible at the plate that they’re now referring to it as the Johnson Line.
Johnson: Is that bad?
Arbitrator: You owe the Seattle Mariners $275,832.58.
When I heard the Putz/DBacks rumors, I expected another crazily overpriced closer signing. This one actually seems reasonable. When healthy, he’s one of the best relievers in baseball.
5 ACES!
Scruffy Lefty - December 6, 2010
That would probably get you shot in a Wild West saloon poker game
seattlebruin - December 6, 2010
Mark Reynolds -> Orioles
Scruffy Lefty - December 6, 2010
Kam Mickolio going the other way
Some other dude as well, but who cares about him?
Eyeball Kid - December 6, 2010
David Hernandez is a boring name.
He pitched in the majors last year, getting 0.6 fWAR. So, mildly interesting?
yuniform - December 6, 2010
Do we have the 3rd baseman for them!
abender20 - December 6, 2010
They already traded Lopez to the Rockies
seattlebruin - December 6, 2010
Don't worry, we've got Tui of them.
thehemogoblin - December 6, 2010
(That's somewhere between two and three.)
thehemogoblin - December 6, 2010
We may have Tui many that we're willing to dump.
yuniform - December 6, 2010
I had no idea he hit under .200
Poochie - December 6, 2010
Arizona apparently also sending cash or a PTBNL
Eyeball Kid - December 6, 2010
That leaves Justin Upton as my only kind of emotional connection to Arizona.
Goose - December 6, 2010
If the rumored asking price (per Jason Stark) for Carl Crawford is 8 years.180 to 10 years/190 (not sure how the math works out on that 2 year jump) then I would love for him to sign with the Angels.
Kenneth Arthur - December 6, 2010
Holy shit that's insane.
Eyeball Kid - December 6, 2010
Oh my.
Cliff Lee is going to want 200 Million.
Scruffy Lefty - December 6, 2010
The Chone Figgins contract looks so good now
JACK Z IS A GENIUS!
seattlebruin - December 6, 2010
SELL HIGH!
Scruffy Lefty - December 6, 2010
Pat Gillick -> HOF
Eyeball Kid - December 6, 2010
Nationals after a closer
GO Z GO!
Eyeball Kid - December 6, 2010
GET ME IAN DESMOND!
Scruffy Lefty - December 6, 2010
Josh Willingham is still interesting.
Kenneth Arthur - December 6, 2010
Desmond more so
BELIEVE BIG!
Eyeball Kid - December 6, 2010
I'm a big fan... that would be awesome.
lailaihei - December 6, 2010
We'd only get him for 1 year, I think.
And he’s injury-prone and not dirt cheap. At least he bats right-handed.
yuniform - December 6, 2010
If recent events have taught us anything, JJ Putz can expect a 5-year/$65MM contract offer coming his way soon.
ThomasG - December 6, 2010
Mariners apparently one of six teams interested in Koji Uehara
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/2010/12/the_reported_koji_six_and_a_st.html
Eyeball Kid - December 6, 2010
wait what why
ManifestDestiny - December 6, 2010
He is Japanese. That means the Mariners must be interested.
Eyebrows - December 6, 2010 via mobile
Why not?
Mariner John - December 6, 2010
He is good
Jeff Sullivan - December 6, 2010
Good reliever. What's the problem if the price is right?
Double06 - December 6, 2010
Possibly a pretty decent starter as well
OlSalty - December 6, 2010
Is Uehara likely to remain a reliever for the rest of his career?
Otherwise he could provide nice insurance in the rotation in case Bedard gets hurt again.
Kouvre - December 6, 2010
In case?
bluemax - December 6, 2010
SHUT UP!
d0nkey - December 6, 2010
The only reason he went to the bullpen was because of health.
He’s probably an average-ish starter if healthy.
lailaihei - December 6, 2010
Greetings from the media workroom at the winter meetings ...
It’s a big ballroom with lots of old, poorly-dressed, white guys.
Ryan Divish - December 6, 2010
This is breaking news!
ToddK - December 6, 2010
I'm now picturing the worst wedding reception in the history of the world
seattlebruin - December 6, 2010
Continental or full breakfast?
JY - December 6, 2010
and Shannon.
msb - December 6, 2010
Yes, Shannon is here.
to it’s credit, MLB.com has a handful of female writers as well.
Ryan Divish - December 6, 2010
Yup.
msb - December 6, 2010
This could be the best thread ever!
Scruffy Lefty - December 6, 2010
I had thought MSB had said this, which was going to make me say "You would."
But she didn’t, and you did. Which ruins my joke.
thehemogoblin - December 6, 2010
For once, the rich white man is in control!
Trenchtown - December 6, 2010
Mora -> D'backs
2 yrs/$4mil
Eyeball Kid - December 6, 2010
This is a pay raise. He had -0.7 bWAR this year. Stellar off season for the D'backs.
yuniform - December 6, 2010
Mora probably negotiated on the premise that he had a lot of mouths to feed and got paid by the kid instead of the veteran's minimum he's actually werth
seattlebruin - December 6, 2010
I can't believe no one has ever made that pun before about another high profile free agent
seattlebruin - December 6, 2010
Well, others have made a joke about
having to feed their families.
yuniform - December 6, 2010
I think you mean he has Mora mouths to feed than anyone else.
Mariner John - December 6, 2010
That'd be Mora Mora mouths.
yuniform - December 6, 2010
Still a solid trade in 2011!
Poochie - December 6, 2010
Lincecum Available?
Is this for real?
…if this is true, who WOULDN’T you trade for him? Great contract, why in the world would they move their best young arm?
http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071105&content_id=2293155&vkey=new s_sf&fext=.jsp&c_id=sf
Robert - December 6, 2010
Do. Not. Want.
Robert - December 6, 2010
I hope you mean at the price he would command
because not wanting Lincecum is wrong.
Robert - December 6, 2010
I rather have Felix and Jones over Linecum
And that is what it seems like it would come down to.
Robert - December 6, 2010
Well
Felix and Jones are probably PART of what I’d come down to. I imagine they might ask for Triunfel too. Except it’s the Giants, so you never know, I guess it could come down to Sexson and Washburn. In which case Bavasi needs to immediately ask where to sign. And if he did ever get offered that, and didn’t sign, then he needs to move to Antarctica pronto before any M’s fans find him.
Robert - December 6, 2010
Luckly the Giants ownership seems to have increased the Blow, Booze& Broads fund recently
So I will not have live through that type of silliness again. But if I have to see him leave the Giants the M’s would be favorite spot for me to hope for.
daveinexile - December 6, 2010
Ah, I missed this.
CapSea - December 6, 2010
Not even at that price?
kentroyals5 - December 6, 2010
I'll believe it when I see it
trading him away would be retarded. But hells yes I’d want him if we could make it happen.
Modrik Zutar - December 6, 2010
And I'd love a time machine too if we could make it happen
seattlebruin - December 6, 2010
Publish date: 11/2007
andrewgolfsalot - December 6, 2010
Oh. I get it.
Funny. Gotta pay attention to those article dates
Modrik Zutar - December 6, 2010
Mariners Baseball: Overwhelming stench
Given that the stuff about money is inaccurate, I’m not worried about the other comments.
yuniform - December 6, 2010
"Steve Henson is the MLB editor for Yahoo! Sports. He previously worked at the Los Angeles Times, where he covered Major League Baseball, college football and college basketball and did investigative reporting. "
but not a lot of it, apparently.
msb - December 6, 2010
I find this hilarious because A's fans are currently complaining about top-tier free agents avoiding THEIR team.
ThundaPC - December 6, 2010
At least this year, the Mariners don'thave money to spend.
At least under their current budget.
Ryan Divish - December 6, 2010
That is just the stench of Oakland driving them away.
Sec 108 - December 6, 2010
By this logic every team has money to spend.
Every owner or ownership group is filthy rich. Every one has “money to spend” but pesky things like budgets and reality always seem to get in the way. Not that it stops some fans from complaining that Nintendo should spend as much as the Steinbrenners.
KC Mariner - December 6, 2010
That's not losing
That’s Tacoma
chaney - December 6, 2010
Man, remember 10 years ago when we won a whole lot of games?
That was fun.
joof - December 6, 2010
That was after another spell of high-priced players choosing other places over Seattle.
yuniform - December 6, 2010
SF Chronicle reports A's have pulled 5yr/$64M offer to Beltre.
Now are pursuing Godzilla.
andrewgolfsalot - December 6, 2010
He'd look good in green.
JY - December 6, 2010
Even better in........ NORTHWEST GREEN!!
jackyz - December 6, 2010
You can run and teal that.
thehemogoblin - December 7, 2010
I think Matsui at 1 year $6m + option would be a good signing for the M's.
Decatur - December 6, 2010
If we're going to bring in a DH that can't play the field they're going to have to hit better than Matsui
I would ideally only want to give up that roster flexibility for someone like Thome or Manny
Poochie - December 6, 2010
Matsui has been a +20 hitter for the past two years, though.
And there’s no way Thome will sign with Seattle. Manny would be intriguing, I grant you.
Decatur - December 6, 2010
Manny would finally prove how much it stinks for righties hitting at Safeco.
yuniform - December 6, 2010
Sure, if Manny will play for $1/5
seattlebruin - December 6, 2010
He's 37, can't field, isn't an exceptional hitter, will cost 1/3 of the budget. Pass.
I’d rather use the spot on a veteran who can make big impact now, or go after someone else at another position and rotate some guys through DH.
Poochie - December 6, 2010
I wonder how receptive Ichiro would be to bringing in Matsui
Ryan Divish - December 6, 2010
I've always wondered what the truth was to this.
I’ve read theories that Ichiro doesn’t like Matsui because he jumped in a hottub out of turn back when both were in high school (Ichiro was the upperclassman and feld disrespected) and that some Japanese sense of hierarchy wouildn’t allow them to co-exist.
Both sound pretty flimsy to me and I’ve never read any statement from Ichiro on the matter. I can’t believe Ichiro would hold a 20 year grudge over something that stupid and we’ve had other Japense players on the team before.
KC Mariner - December 6, 2010
I've talked to some people ...
And they think Ichiro would be very opposed to having Matsui on the same team.
Ryan Divish - December 6, 2010
Fair enough.
I’m sure other teams make similar concessions to their superstars, so I don’t have a problem with the Mariners doing it for Ichiro.
KC Mariner - December 6, 2010
I've heard the same. I'm no reporter, but over time I've read a bunch of random articles that say the same thing.
SeaKoala - December 6, 2010
Also, I remember a while back at Yankee Stadium,
Matsui was supposed to come over and bow or something because he’s younger, and he never did that, and it was seen as very disrespectful.
SeaKoala - December 6, 2010
It would have to have been a national team...
as Ichiro and Godzilla attended different HS. Ichiro attended Aikoudai Meiden in Aichi-ken, while Godzilla attended Seiryou in Ishikawa-ken.
KaminaAyato - December 6, 2010
What do people here think about Jack Cust? Oakland just non-tendered him
BaronVonBullshit - December 6, 2010
A lot more interesting than Manny
seattlebruin - December 6, 2010
Cheaper too
BaronVonBullshit - December 6, 2010
And not a good a hitter
Poochie - December 6, 2010
Not a great hitter, still a good hitter
Branyan career – .234/.330/.490
Cust career – .245/.378/.452
People seem on board with bringing Branyan back at a low cost… Cust is younger, doesn’t have a history of injuries, and in an emergency you could put him in the outfield.
The first rate asshole issue may still be a problem though… otherwise I’d like Cust at the right price.
BaronVonBullshit - December 6, 2010
That's the only reason why he'd be more interesting
as a hitter he’s inferior to Manny in almost every way
seattlebruin - December 6, 2010
Including being a lefty, which we really don't need.
yuniform - December 6, 2010
If it came down to purely baseball terms, I think Cust being a lefty is actually beneficial
due to Safeco.
However, we are essentially swapping out a right handed bat (Lopez) for a lefty one (Ackley), even though the Kotchman/Branyan —> Smoak trade might help re-balance the lineup
seattlebruin - December 6, 2010
But he'd be a sub for Saunders, Bradley, or Smoak, all of whom also hit left-handed.
He’d be stuck on the bench like Langerhans.
yuniform - December 6, 2010
I consider him for cheap.
I like him more than Matsui, but word around the campfire is he’s a first rate asshole, so who knows. He also brings a flexibility problem though. You can’t really stick him in the OF.
Poochie - December 6, 2010
I really would prefer your second option of a rotating DH
Eyeball Kid - December 6, 2010
You can't really put Matsui or Manny in the OF either
that’s the biggest reason smart teams relegate these guys to DH in the first place
seattlebruin - December 6, 2010
Even through his struggles the last two seasons
Manny has still posted a .400 OBA and a .500 SLG. He’s still in a class above Cust, Matsui, and the like.
Poochie - December 6, 2010 via mobile
Oh, Ozzie.
@OzzieGuillen I wish I was bruce bochy now the diva of the metting
@OzzieGuillen And he have sport coat loved
msb - December 6, 2010
Damn, I wish I had sport coat loved.
Eyeball Kid - December 6, 2010
The second one makes me think of OzzieGuillen tweeting in iambic pentameter.
JY - December 6, 2010
Ozzie was pretty popular in his briefing.
It was packed around, mostly cause writers want to hear him say something truly insane.
Ryan Divish - December 6, 2010
Ozzie, are you just looking at things at the Winter Meetings and saying you love them?
Or do you really love the sport coat?
KC Mariner - December 6, 2010
I love lamp.
msb - December 6, 2010
Ozzie bids farewell to his players
@OzzieGuillen I going to miss smiley and u family
@OzzieGuillenLiner good luck whit the braves buddy thanks to givme the best out a you
@OzzieGuillen Good luck jj was great to have you bro good job last season hope the best to u and u family
msb - December 6, 2010
Buster Olney says Putz may be heading to Arizona
Those Diamondbacks are a busy bunch.
Eyeball Kid - December 6, 2010
No, overpay for our current closer, not our former closer!
yuniform - December 6, 2010
Seattle news!
From John Paul Morosi!
SeaKoala - December 6, 2010
Apparently the Phillies are interested in bringing back Cliff Lee.
Eyeball Kid - December 6, 2010
Laugh. Out. Loud.
CapSea - December 6, 2010
Well I guess that means we can say goodbye to Mauricio Robles, Kyle Seager and Nick Hill.
ThomasG - December 6, 2010
Also, don't know if this has been posted yet, but the Upton rumors are officially dead and buried.
Goose - December 6, 2010
He was one of only 14 players in the 17/18 club! The Mariners should've made a better offer.
The 1/68/starting DH club is more exclusive.
yuniform - December 6, 2010
Mariners sign SS Esteilon Peguero
$2.9 million
BrianL - December 6, 2010
Huzzah?
Coach Owens - December 6, 2010
Highly ranked international FA.
So yeah, good thing.
BrianL - December 6, 2010
FUCK YEAH
JY - December 6, 2010
I asked Connor over Twitter
but does Peguero look like he could actually stick at SS?
BrianL - December 6, 2010
There aren't many people that think so.
I don’t know about his arm strength, but he seems to be talked about as a guy who can’t quite hack it at short, but is really good elsewhere.
I’m more inclined to believe this opinion with the advances in local scouting, though I remember back in the day people said the same about Noriega.
JY - December 6, 2010
Well that is a SHITLOAD of money for an IFA. So there has to be something somewhere I'm guessing without knowing anything about this guy.
Kenneth Arthur - December 6, 2010
BA said it's the fourth highest bonus the Mariners have ever given out to a player.
Behind Ackley, Ichiro, and Jeffy.
yuniform - December 6, 2010
Jerry Cransick says the Mariners are
kicking the tires on Eric Chavez.
Coach Owens - December 6, 2010
Buster Olney reports that Eric Chavez tires are now on 60 day DL.
CapSea - December 6, 2010
Amazing
tootthekazoo - December 6, 2010
If you kick those tires too hard, the entire frame will collapse.
JY - December 6, 2010
I hope they just take the chance to kick Eric Chavez around for a while just for the fun of it.
They should not be considering him for the team though. A broken 3b/dh with a .268 wOBA fits in all too well with the 2010 Mariners.
Droid Rage - December 6, 2010
Are those Firestones?
Kenneth Arthur - December 6, 2010
I think they mean that they're kicking the tires on the Segway that Eric Chavez will ride when he plays in the field for us.
I’m pretty sure that Dave Cameron, the noted Segway enthusiast, will heartily approve.
Decatur - December 6, 2010
Morosi says Mariners are looking at Cust and Matsui
It’s sad that I’m really excited about Cust.
Stormton - December 6, 2010
I think Cust is my preference for DH
Griffin Cooper - December 6, 2010
Expectations!
Kenneth Arthur - December 6, 2010
.
Lowered expectations!
ThomasG - December 6, 2010
Mike Salk tweeting that the Mariners are meeting with Gregg Zaun's agent tonight or tomorrow.
BrianL - December 6, 2010
We are so lucky to have gotten an appoitment.
Kenneth Arthur - December 6, 2010
He's a good backup catcher, but do we need a backup catcher?
yuniform - December 6, 2010
Ever watch Rob Johnson attempt to play baseball?
JLC - December 6, 2010
But what else will we have to laugh/go-into-suicidal-rage about?
the other side - December 6, 2010
But if the team's not expecting to contend next year, why waste money here?
The $1 million needed for Zaun could go elsewhere.
yuniform - December 6, 2010
If I had the money, I would gladly pay $1 million not to have to watch Rob Johnson.
I am glad someone who has the money apparently agrees.
Droid Rage - December 6, 2010
Maybe it will be cheaper.
Z: “Hi Gregg Zauns agent. Thanks for meeting with me. I know you are a busy man. Now, first off, let me say that we’d like Gregg for one year, and of course we’ll get him two sets of season ticket-”
Gregg Zauns agent: “DONE!”
Kenneth Arthur - December 6, 2010
Vizquel-style mentor role?
Moore could be here for a while if his bat develops. It’s a throw-away year, so why not pick up a veteran catcher with good defense who (speculation) could show Adam the finer points of catching and keep the development process going? It’s not like $1 million is going to buy us a championship, or even a playoff berth this year, so I can see the thought process.
Plus, Zaun playing defense is fun to watch. I love watching him play defense. Mariners fans loved Dan Wilson. We all hated watching Rob Johnson drop the ball. This is, at the very least, money spent to make the team easier to stand.
chaney - December 6, 2010
I'll never see this type of money
But I think 1 million is pretty trivial to a team that has a 94 million dollar payroll. If 1 million would prevent them from going after a DH or SP they really, really wanted, I think Zduriencik could manage to squeeze it out.
Remember that the MLB minimum is 450,000. Swapping out Rob for Zaun saves you 550,000, assuming Rob is making the absolute minimum.
JLC - December 6, 2010
As far as I can tell, Rob Johnson will make 412,500 next year on the major league club and go into arbitration for the first time in 2011.
Kenneth Arthur - December 6, 2010
It might be worth keeping him just to see that arbitration hearing.
the other side - December 6, 2010
`
Arbitrator: Let’s see. You had seventy-two passed balls in the span of eighty-nine games and you were so terrible at the plate that they’re now referring to it as the Johnson Line.
Johnson: Is that bad?
Arbitrator: You owe the Seattle Mariners $275,832.58.
BrianL - December 6, 2010
.
Johnson: But sir, Felix likes me!
Felix: No
Johnson: But…
Felix: No
Johnson: Awwwww
the other side - December 6, 2010
It's pretty simple actually.
Felix likes Rob Johnson because Rob Johnson gives him the impression that his pitches are so good, they’re almost impossible to even catch.
Felix doesn’t seem to realize that most pitches, for Rob Johnson, are impossible to catch.
JY - December 6, 2010
Rob Johnson is the catching version of a fluffer.
ThomasG - December 6, 2010
And you never see the fluffer.
We do not need to see Rob Johnson.
Droid Rage - December 6, 2010
Whoops
Apparently the minimum is 400,000. Point is the same, though.
JLC - December 6, 2010
Isn't this like the fourth offseason in a row we've been linked to Zaun?
Hope we get him this time.
BigR - December 6, 2010
Diamondbacks sign Putz for 2yr, 10 mil with an option for '13
Link
When I heard the Putz/DBacks rumors, I expected another crazily overpriced closer signing. This one actually seems reasonable. When healthy, he’s one of the best relievers in baseball.
Fuckmikereilly - December 6, 2010
Towers has been a busy man today....
BaronVonBullshit - December 6, 2010
Apparently he's not all rumors...
Matt Erickson - December 6, 2010
He's no putz, that's for sure.
ThomasG - December 6, 2010
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