Alright...We've Entered Tradeland...What Now?

[jumanji]

There's no question about Bedard now. We either sign him soon, or we trade him soon.

And since he's shown zero interest in re-signing, that answers that.

Seems so. And there seems little doubt that he has the potential to be a real difference maker for the right team down the stretch. I think we have to trade him before he pulls up lame in some way.

Come on that makes too much sense. Knowing how these front office people think they are probably going to wait and see where they are in the standings come the trade deadline. Just like they were left holding the bag with Washburn last year they'll figure out a way to hose this up too. I wouldnt be adverse to trying to sign someone of his caliber longterm but he doesnt have the makeup i would be looking for.

[Sweezo]

Alright...so what does this sweep of the Angels do to the thoughts of trading off every last piece that can be traded? we'll be in second place in the division and close to .500. Are we going to be good enough to avoid a firesale? Is this going to be like that winning streak against the A's that cost us Strasburg?

[Sweezo]

I guess I spoke too soon about the sweep...thought a seven run lead late in the game would actually mean something. Burn this team and salt the earth so that nothing will grow again.

[Bulltalk]

I guess I spoke too soon about the sweep...thought a seven run lead late in the game would actually mean something. Burn this team and salt the earth so that nothing will grow again.

The only good thing to say about it was that I didn't witness it.

[Sweezo]

it was awful. EASILY the worst game I've seen this year...

[PhilipNelsonFan]

Well, with each passing start Erik Bedard's trade value is increasing. I'll miss his quotes to members of the press, but he's obviously gotta go.

Washburn's been serviceable, and the Mariners can probably do something a little better than last year's Arthur Rhodes trade with him. Beltre should be explored to the fullest, but I don't know what a contending team would offer for him. I'd imagine he's good for a couple top prospects but that might be it.

Also, I hate to be "that guy", but I'd swing Jeff Clement for a top pitching prospect as soon as humanly possible. Obviously, the organization is not high on him in the slightest, and the Mariners have never prioritized catcher as an organization, so why start now with so many other problems?

This team is carried by its pitching, not its offense, and pitching must once again be the focus. I'm more OK with winning 1-0 than losing 9-8. And find the next-best pitcher after Stephen Strasburgh in the draft and take him. All bets are off after he's off the board. Just go straight pitchers for 5-10 rounds; might as well, given the organizational weakness.

[jumanji]

Well, with each passing start Erik Bedard's trade value is increasing. I'll miss his quotes to members of the press, but he's obviously gotta go.

Washburn's been serviceable, and the Mariners can probably do something a little better than last year's Arthur Rhodes trade with him. Beltre should be explored to the fullest, but I don't know what a contending team would offer for him. I'd imagine he's good for a couple top prospects but that might be it.

Also, I hate to be "that guy", but I'd swing Jeff Clement for a top pitching prospect as soon as humanly possible. Obviously, the organization is not high on him in the slightest, and the Mariners have never prioritized catcher as an organization, so why start now with so many other problems?

This team is carried by its pitching, not its offense, and pitching must once again be the focus. I'm more OK with winning 1-0 than losing 9-8. And find the next-best pitcher after Stephen Strasburgh in the draft and take him. All bets are off after he's off the board. Just go straight pitchers for 5-10 rounds; might as well, given the organizational weakness.

You make a lot of good points. I'd trade Bedard in a heartbeat, to think they'll keep him and make a run at the division is about on the level of winning those last 3 last year removing them from the Stephen Strasburg sweepstakes. I think they might be able to pry a young shortstop out of some organization like the White Sox or Phillies.

Jeff Clement i think is a potentially good hitter at the next level but he cant catch, thus reducing his value. If they were to move Branyon they might be able to either DH Clement and or play him at first.

As for the draft Justin Ackley out of North Carolina seems the unanimous 2nd pick and he can hit like crazy. Not sure what his eventual postion is but there seems to be some versatility at 1B/2B/Outfield so i think he's a lock. Phillipe Aumont and Joshua Fields can be good MLB pitchers so i'm not quite as down on our staff as some.

[Ex-hippie]

If Clement can't catch, he's pretty much just another Mike Carp. Which isn't to say his trade value is zero, but it's severely diminished, and his value to the M's organization is minimal.

[Sweezo]

You have to trade Clement while he's hitting and other teams still think he's able to catch. Whether he can or can't doesn't matter as the M's clearly don't view him as a catcher, and since he's moved to DH he's not going to be given the chance to show if he can catch for this organization. If he continues to hit but is only a 1B/DH type, his value isn't that great.

[Ex-hippie]

You have to figure the right thing to do is let Clement catch in Tacoma. Right now the perception is that he can't. If they let him try, the worst case is that he looks terrible at it and essentially removes all doubt that he's a 1B/DH. But that's pretty much how the market values him now in any case, so why not give it a shot? There's still some upside, and the downside is pretty much right where he is now.

[Ex-hippie]

For those of you who subscribe to ESPN's premium content, check out Buster Olney's blog.

The Rangers have the depth to fill holes. Texas will have the option of promoting some of its young players from a deep farm system, or perhaps using some of those pieces to make a trade for a starting pitcher. If a bidding war develops for an elite starting pitcher late this summer and the Rangers choose to flex the full muscle of their farm system in a push to win the American League West, they could outbid others for the likes of Erik Bedard.

Now, this could be intriguing. I think that by now most people are in agreement that refusing to trade within the division is idiocy, so I hope the M's pursue this. All of us would be happy if the M's can be the beneficiary of organizational muscle-flexing.

[jumanji]

You have to figure the right thing to do is let Clement catch in Tacoma. Right now the perception is that he can't. If they let him try, the worst case is that he looks terrible at it and essentially removes all doubt that he's a 1B/DH. But that's pretty much how the market values him now in any case, so why not give it a shot? There's still some upside, and the downside is pretty much right where he is now.

I think the knee forced him to DH, as for his catching we know he isnt too good about throwing guys out but it's hard to say his rapport with the pitchers. If he can continue to progress as a hitter i would be inclined to keep him and get him to the bigs by mid season, our DHs are atrocius.

[Ex-hippie]

Just saw the news that the Braves released Tom Glavine. What does this mean? I think it proves that if you bring back a local hero for an end-of-career victory lap, it doesn't mean that he's immune from being jettisoned if that's what the team thinks is in its best interest. Know where I'm going with this?

[PhilipNelsonFan]

We should sign Tom Glavine!







For real, though, he'd bolster the pitching staff.