RealGM

With the trading deadline in full swing, let's run through the roster and consider what kind of possibilities there are:

Batista, Miguel - a candidate to be the first high-salaried player the M's release before the last year of his contract. Untradeable, unless perhaps we eat at least half of his remaining salary, and even then we won't get anything for him.

Bedard, Erik - could have been valuable bait, but injured and not going anywhere.

Beltre, Adrian - the rumors are flying. With a year and a half left on his contract, this appears to be the time of peak value: he's not a rental, but his contract is not so long as to be burdensome either. I keep hearing that Minnesota is a possible destination. I also have heard that sending him back to LA is a possibility, though I don't know why the Dodgers would throw him into a mix that already has Laroche, DeWitt and Nomar.

Betancourt, Yuniesky - as Sweezo said in the Baldelli thread, anything we can get for him is gravy. Betancourt is a fat, useless sack of crap. Aren't we all glad the M's made Adam Jones an outfielder so that Yuni could lock up this position for the next decade? Shortstop is now by far the worst position in the organization.

Bloomquist, Willie - zero trade value, and a waste of a roster spot.

Burke, Jamie - zero trade value.

Cairo, Miguel - zero trade value. WTF is he even doing still on the roster??

Clement, Jeff - no, you can't have him. Not yours.

Corcoran, Roy - um, make us an offer, I guess.

Dickey, R.A. - see Corcoran, Roy.

Green, Sean - see Corcoran, Roy. (But it better be a decent offer.)

Hernandez, Felix - you can have him when you pry him from our cold, dead fingers.

Ibanez, Raul - they say the Mets need a lefty bat. Ibanez has a lefty bat. They say the Mets need a left fielder. I guess you can call Ibanez a left fielder. Ibanez would be a rental who can fetch an adequate prospect. The Mets have a weak minor league system at the moment but at least a few prospects who can be described as adequate, especially pitchers. Jon Niese is one I know about who is close to the majors and might provide competition for the likes of Justin Thomas and Robert Rohrbaugh for next year's rotation. Plus, Ibanez has already pulled a "Tom Thumb" and come back after being shipped away by the M's once; maybe they can re-sign him again after the season? No question he wants to be in Seattle.

Jimenez, Cesar - not going anywhere.

Johjima, Kenji - we're stuck with him unless we eat at least, say, a third of the $24m he's owed over the next three years. Otherwise, say hello to the most expensive backup catcher ever.

LaHair, Bryan - not going anywhere.

Lopez, Jose - I'd be open to suggestions, but realistically he is staying put. He's been a league-average starter this year, which is pretty good for this team. I do want to see Tug Hulett challenge him for his job, but even then, Lopez isn't terribly expensive and can be a capable utility guy.

Lowe, Mark - not going anywhere.

Morrow, Brandon - the other day, listening to WFAN in New York, I heard someone call in to discuss how the Yankees need a left-handed reliever. He said they should either go after Damaso Marte of Pittsburgh or Brandon Morrow. I swear, I lose two IQ points every time I listen to talk radio. (Obvious rejoinders: (1) Morrow is a righty, and (2) are you prepared to trade Joba for him?)

Morse, Mike - on the DL and not going to be traded.

Putz, J.J. - as many of us have indicated here, he could be valuable trade bait, although I don't think the team is shopping him. I've suggested using Putz to try to get Reid Brignac. Other thoughts?

Reed, Jeremy - finally finding his niche, and I think he can be a piece of the puzzle next year as a lefty hitter to balance out Balentien and Saunders in the outfield shuffle. I wouldn't trade him unless there was an offer I couldn't refuse.

Rhodes, Arthur - everyone needs a lefty reliever, everyone seems to want a veteran. Ideal trade would be similar to the one where we traded Ron Villone for Yorman Bazardo a few years back. Now if they can just avoid squandering the next Bazardo for a non-prospect....

Rowland-Smith, Ryan - not going anywhere.

Silva, Carlos - um, maybe we can trade him for Barry Zito or Juan Pierre?

Suzuki, Ichiro - any discussion of his trade value is entirely theoretical.

Vidro, Jose - ha ha, stop, you're killing me!

Washburn, Jarrod - very plausible trade candidate, albeit probably not for much more than assumption of the remaining contractual obligations.

Johjima, Kenji - we're stuck with him unless we eat at least, say, a third of the $24m he's owed over the next three years.

Solution: Put Johjima’s contract in front of Betancourt. He’ll eat anything.

^ He'll be here all week, folks.

I wouldnt say Yuni is fat, just not a smart ballplayer, i think he probably looks attractive to people on the outside so let's hope we can get quality for him. Have we not Tuiasosopo and Trunfel (sorry for the spelling) in the wings and Hullet and Willie could probably fill in for awhile.

Anyone got an opinion on this Gardner kid for the Yanks, who has been discussed in trade talks concerning Washburn?. Doesnt seem like he has any power (fits right in) for a centerfielder but probably a great glove and super speed. Word is he can work a count pretty well.

Neither Hulett or Triunfel nor Tuiasosopoopoo could play a passable major league SS. Hulett might be the closest but he'd be no better than Betancourt out there. But, if anybody was interest at this point, I'd gladly chip in the shipping costs to get Betancourt out of Seattle and take my chances with trying to sign a SS during the offseason.

Basketball Jesus wrote:Neither Hulett or Triunfel nor Tuiasosopoopoo could play a passable major league SS. Hulett might be the closest but he'd be no better than Betancourt out there. But, if anybody was interest at this point, I'd gladly chip in the shipping costs to get Betancourt out of Seattle and take my chances with trying to sign a SS during the offseason.

I havent seen too many Rainier games, what's up with Tuiasosopo? Good athlete, leader, hits a little.

jumanji wrote:I havent seen too many Rainier games, what's up with Tuiasosopo? Good athlete, leader, hits a little.

[/quote]

And plays third base.

Basketball Jesus wrote:

Johjima, Kenji - we're stuck with him unless we eat at least, say, a third of the $24m he's owed over the next three years.

Solution: Put Johjima’s contract in front of Betancourt. He’ll eat anything.

Thats pretty funny.

Seems like some teams are not adverse to making deals; Pirates, Cleveland, Brewers etc. We here in Seattle must like what the brass is running out there every night.

What is up with playing the young guys? LaHair may grow old waiting to face a righthander, and even in games where the lefty is pulled he isnt put in the game. I take it Clement is too hurt to play, you dont hear much from the announcers on that subject. My guess is Riggelman is dead set on trying to win every game (would argue that Cairo, Vidro and co. are the best for that strategy), for the young guys to play the GM is probably going to have to move those vets and bring up more kids thus forcing the manager to play the youngsters.

Why do i torture myself following this team, is the bite of Seattle still going on?

Can this team just pull the trigger on a Washburn to NYY deal? Jesus...on again, off again. This isn't the kind of deal where you're giving up tons of talent for a Bedard-type player and need to be sure.

jumanji wrote:is the bite of Seattle still going on?

No, but you just missed a hell of a good time at the Capitol Hill Block Party. Few things have entertained me more than seeing Zeke @ the King Cobra the other night...

I'm kind of torn about the Washburn deal. The Yankees have made it clear that they're not trading anything of value, besides assuming the obligation left on Washburn's deal. For that, I can take it or leave it. Washburn is a decent enough pitcher -- better than the other two ridiculously overpriced mediocrities signed by Bavasi -- and if the M's keep him for another year, they'll be compensated with a draft pick when he moves on after 2009. Otherwise, the choice is between taking Washburn off the books at the end of 2008 or at the end of 2009. If the cost savings translate into a quality free agent signing this offseason, then great; but what are the odds of that happening?

I dont see anything there that does much for me as far as players goes. Conventional wisdom probably would be to cut salary and get a free agent with the money in the offseason. Thing is Pelokoudos is probably trying to make a splash and a salary dump isnt going to make it. Dont want Cabrera by the way, tired of having nine guys on the field who dont speak the same language, sorry.

As for other deals woulnt mind Niece (left handed pitcher) from the Mets for Ibanez and a bat from the Marlins for Arthur.

The big deal ,which likely wont happen, would be to get rid of Yuni and maybe a JJ for a quality power hitting outfielder and i honestly wouldnt mind gambling on Matt Holiday either. Dream on.

Ex-hippie wrote:Beltre, Adrian - the rumors are flying. With a year and a half left on his contract, this appears to be the time of peak value: he's not a rental, but his contract is not so long as to be burdensome either. I keep hearing that Minnesota is a possible destination. I also have heard that sending him back to LA is a possibility, though I don't know why the Dodgers would throw him into a mix that already has Laroche, DeWitt and Nomar.

Ibanez, Raul - they say the Mets need a lefty bat. Ibanez has a lefty bat. Johjima, Kenji - we're stuck with him unless we eat at least, say, a third of the $24m he's owed over the next three years. Otherwise, say hello to the most expensive backup catcher ever.

Putz, J.J. - as many of us have indicated here, he could be valuable trade bait, although I don't think the team is shopping him. I've suggested using Putz to try to get Reid Brignac. Other thoughts?

Rhodes, Arthur - everyone needs a lefty reliever, everyone seems to want a veteran. Ideal trade would be similar to the one where we traded Ron Villone for Yorman Bazardo a few years back. Now if they can just avoid squandering the next Bazardo for a non-prospect....

Washburn, Jarrod - very plausible trade candidate, albeit probably not for much more than assumption of the remaining contractual obligations.

trade for prospects.... then use the money in FA

sign 1St base Mark Teixeira , Hank Blalock, Adam Dunn, Baldelli and Vladimir Guerrero

adds punch in our offense .... lots of power

POWER PITCHING PLUS POWER BATS = WORLD SERIES

I

^Not as easy as it sounds.

Biggest dissapointment to me, come friday morning, is going to be if Yuni Betancourt is still on the team. Someone explain to me how he has "loads of talent"?, his arm is eratic, limited if any power, cant bunt,cant run with any idea of what he's doing, poor selection at the plate. I'd move him even if it were for prospects and let Willie and Tug hold down short until Grant Green (USC shortstop) can be inserted into the lineup by the allstar break next year. Am i nuts on this subject?

Hell, I don't even think that's easy to do in MLB: The Show.

Dave over at USSM posted his thoughts regarding teams’ reluctance to trade prospects for established players. I don’t necessarily agree with his belief that teams are getting smarter to the value of their prospects. I think this is more a case of overcorrection based on years of undervaluing prospects, kind of like when, after Antiques Roadshow hit it big, you couldn’t find anything under $25 at flea markets because everybody was afraid of getting shortchanged on their valuables. Instead of taking the time to understand the value, they’d just freak out and overprice everything. I think that’s the case here: GMs have realized the value better-run teams have starting placing on their prospects and starting valuing their own kids a little too much.

I would lobby that right now would be a wonderful time for the Mariners to become a buyer. The market for top-tier players either entering their walk year or with a year left on their contract is slowly drying up; Dave’s right in that regard. The Mariners have enough marginal prospect talent that they could possibly entertain the notion of adding an Adam Dunn or Mark Teixeira type at a cost well-below their true value.

Basketball Jesus wrote:I think this is more a case of overcorrection based on years of undervaluing prospects, kind of like when, after Antiques Roadshow hit it big, you couldn’t find anything under $25 at flea markets because everybody was afraid of getting shortchanged on their valuables.

Is there something you've been meaning to tell us? NTTAWWT.

I would lobby that right now would be a wonderful time for the Mariners to become a buyer. The market for top-tier players either entering their walk year or with a year left on their contract is slowly drying up; Dave’s right in that regard. The Mariners have enough marginal prospect talent that they could possibly entertain the notion of adding an Adam Dunn or Mark Teixeira type at a cost well-below their true value.

And do what with them, exactly? Play the remaining 54 games, win 24 of them instead of 21 or 22, avoid 100 losses, then either (1) re-sign them (which we can do whether or not they played for us in 2007) or (2) offer them arbitration and get draft pick compensation (meaning we will have traded whatever prospects for draft picks, at the cost of picking up their pro-rated contract expenses in 2007)? Or do you think it will help to let them live in the PNW for two months just to show them what a nice place it is, to help induce them to re-sign?

Is there something you've been meaning to tell us? NTTAWWT.

David Dickinson is my hero.

And do what with them, exactly? Play the remaining 54 games, win 24 of them instead of 21 or 22, avoid 100 losses, then either (1) re-sign them (which we can do whether or not they played for us in 2007) or (2) offer them arbitration and get draft pick compensation (meaning we will have traded whatever prospects for draft picks, at the cost of picking up their pro-rated contract expenses in 2007)? Or do you think it will help to let them live in the PNW for two months just to show them what a nice place it is, to help induce them to re-sign?

Well, obviously I wouldn't advocate trading for two months worth of Adam Dunn in a futile attempt at making a serious run for third place in the AL West. A proclivity towards effecting a long-term deal before the end of the season would be the first stipulation in acquiring said player. If trading Greg Halman and two other faraway prospects gives the Mariners better position to lock up a player before the free agency market can inflate the asking price, why not? What happens in the worst case scenario? Situation 2 happens and the team ends up with two early picks in an incredibly deep amateur draft. You could theoretically end up with a better set of prospects than the one you're trading.

I'm not promoting an aggressive mien; I'm just offering the suggestion that it might be a good time to buy, considering the overvaluing of prospects.

Welp, looks like Teixeira's off the boards:

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/player ... LB&id=3329

I really like this deal for the Angels.