Trade Deadline Speculaton Part 2: Slightly More Insight

By Anthony

So this is a continuation of the series on the Mariners and the trade deadline. If it seems like this is all we are talking about here, it’s because that is the only interesting thing about the team right now. That may be an exaggeration, but do we really want to talk about how Blake Beavan is back or that Jonathan Sanchez is terrible? I do not. So we continue with the rampant speculation and guessing. As opposed to the last version, there are actually some rumors swirling versus sheer speculation.

On the Jason Vargas front, Patrick already kind of covered it. I don’t think Vargas will garner the same returns as Doug Fister because of his home run problem and the insane impact Safeco has had on fly balls this year. The Orioles are rumored to be kicking the tires on Jason, and since Jason Hammel is out for a bit, this would make sense. The back of the Orioles rotation is also terrible so that also lends itself to the rumor. The Tigers have also been linked to Vargas who could reunite with Doug Fister in Motown. From what I have seen, it seems like Vargas wouldn’t garner much by himself but as Patrick mentioned hopefully we could package in some relief help like Brandon League or Shawn Kelley and get some prospects.

Going with the reliever trend, Tom Wilhelmsen should be getting some attention from teams. I have heard the Mets, Marlins and White Sox are looking for some bullpen help. The Heath Bell disaster in Miami needs fixing so that would make some sense. The Mets have been linked to Royals closer Jonathan Broxton so it is not too much of a stretch to see them also looking at Wilhelmsen. The White Sox need some help as well and these three clubs could get desperate and end up giving away some top of the line talent for the cheap and dominant Bartender.

Brendan Ryan was linked to the Atlanta Braves, once their shortstops, including Jack Wilson, both were injured, but then they went out and signed and even more light hitting shortstop. What I am hoping for with Ryan is that some team looks at his awesome defense and thinks that they need that for the last innings of a playoff game and we can flip him for something of value. Of course, this then raises the issue of who plays shortstop next year. I am telling you right now, Muenori Kawasaki, despite being a super awesome guy, is not a major league hitter. Maybe Nick Franklin gets the nod, even though I don’t think he sticks at short in the future. Maybe we get a guy in free agency like Stephen Drew, which I would like.

Of course, all of these are rumors and the situation is more fluid than superfluid liquid helium, the least viscous liquid in the world. So keep paying attention to the wild and crazy speculative tweets and articles and rumors. If nothing else, it is fun to imagine Brendan Ryan winning a World Series with an average under the Mendoza line.