A Brief Rundown on the Offseason

By: Anthony

Offseason Rundown: Mariners Rumors and Speculation Galore

            If you haven’t been paying attention to the off-season, not much has happened. Psyche! The Marlins traded almost their entire team to the Blue Jays, who then followed that up by signing Melky Cabrera. The Jays also have a manager now in Jay Gibbons and they are the new sexy pick to win the AL East, like the Marlins were last year. The Melky signing hurts the Mariners more but for 2 years and 16 million, I am not upset about it. Melky only made sense to me at a one-year deal because of the PED issues and general inconsistency in his career.

            Now the obligatory note about Josh Hamilton. (We will delve into this issue in much more depth soon.) Of course the Mariners have been linked to him, as well as the Orioles, Phillies, Red Sox and Braves. His asking price has been rumored at 175 million. I don’t like many players at 175 million, let alone aging sluggers with injury and drug problems. So there’s that.

            There has been no news on the Nick Swisher front, but in other former AL East corner outfielder news Cody Ross is available. Since the Mariners need offense and corner outfielders, Ross’ name was bound to come up. He is similar to Swisher but is not a switch hitter and has been less consistent throughout his career. If we cannot sign Swisher, Ross is a solid consolation prize.

              "What is this place they call 'Seattle'"

             A rumor I heard the other day that intrigues me but is only a rumor revolves around Billy Butler. The Royals first baseman is a stud and would bring a good approach, power and would hold down first base for awhile. His price would be quite high, probably one of the big three and another B level prospect like Stefan Romero, Brad Miller or Francisco Martinez, or Brandon Maurer, Nick Franklin and a low level prospect. I am quite high on Butler but it will take a lot to pry him away from the Royals.

            Speaking of Nick Franklin, the M’s got an insurance policy against him in Robert Andino. They traded away Trayvon Robinson for the utility infielder who should compete with Franklin as the backup middle infielder or will take that role should Franklin be traded away. Andino is a light hitting backup, essentially Muenori Kawasaki minus the awesomeness. Robinson didn’t really have a spot on the team this year with a free agent filling in one spot in the outfield and Wells/Carp/Peguero/Someone else filling in the other. He is not a big loss unless you are my father who loved him for some reason.

             

I for one will miss this beautiful man 

             In 40-man roster moves, Chone Figgins and Scott Cousins were designated for assignment, meaning we have 10 days to cut, trade or send them to the minors. A moment of silence please for the illustrious career of Scott Cousins. Added to the 40-man were Brandon Maurer, Vinnie “The Old Prospector” Catricala, Bobby “The Levitating Zucchini” LaFromboise, Julio Morban and Anthony Fernandez.  

            Whoever the Mariners pursue and eventually sign, there will be a target on their backs. If we get another Figgins-esque performance it does not bode well for Jack Z or Howard Lincoln. That being said, I don’t think that they will make that mistake again. For one, it is really hard for someone to be as bad as Figgins was, but the front office will take their time and won’t make a risky decision in case it does blow up on them.