Jack Wilson & Ian Snell

[TTown]

via Divish:

Ronny Cedeno was red-eyed, emotional and absolutely stunned about being traded, despite hitting just .167 this season.

"I don't have any control over it," Cedeno said. "It's baseball. It's a business. I'm really surprised."

Cedeno was notified this morning at 9 a.m.

"I'm really sad," Cedeno said. "Felix is my best friend. He and Carlos Silva are great guys and I'm going to be miss them."

In related news, the M's haven't put Carlos Silva to sleep yet.

I'm as stunned as you are.

[Sweezo]

I like this trade for the M's. Wilson is a defensive stud and I think Snell will improve at Safeco.

I think there is more trades to come.

It's not so much that I hate this trade, as i think Wilson and Snell are dramatic upgrades and I honestly couldn't tell you the names of the three minor league pitchers we gave up. But I'm concerned that it's a move that shows the team trying to bulk up for a stretch run. If we go out and trade Washburn [or hell, I really don't think I'd oppose extended him], then I'm fairly happy with what's going on.

Thinking big picture: If the M's decided to re-sign Beltre, Branyan, and Washburn for a decent amount, have Carp/Shelton platoon at DH, and they call up Adam Moore next season [Johjima's a waste]...I think they have a legit shot at the AL West title. Good pitching, great defense, and enough offense to do what they need to do. I think this roster, while maybe lacking star power, would win games.

C: A. Moore
1B: R. Branyan
2B: J. Lopez
SS: Ja. Wilson
3B: A. Beltre
RF: Ichiro
CF: F. Gutierrez
LF: M. Saunders
DH: M. Carp

Bench: C. Shelton
Bench: R. Johnson
Bench: J. Hannahan
Bench: R. Langerhans
Bench: Jo. Wilson

SP: Felix
SP: J. Washburn
SP: I. Snell
SP: B. Morrow
SP: RRS

CP: D. Aardsma
RP: S. Kelley
RP: S. White
RP: M. Lowe
RP: G. Olson
RP: J. Vargas

[BlazersDozen]

So what do the M's get for Johjima and no Ackley?

[Sweezo]

So what do the M's get for Johjima and no Ackley?

Are you responding to my post?

Johjima: I don't care what they get...trade, buyout, whatever. Maybe he decides to go back to Japan on his own. He can't enjoy what's going on right now.

Ackley: We'll him in 2011...just like we should.

[Bulltalk]

I had a thought today. I had completely forgotten about the wild card, as every fan of a western division AL team should. I wonder if that plays a tiny part in Z trying to remain a little more competitive here than some of us might like in the way we might be pursuing trades? I know, I know, we're talking about the Red Sox here, or the Yanks, or Devil Rays. As it stands now, however, we're 5 1/2 games back in the wild card race, whereas we're 7 1/2 games back in the division race.

Just a tidbit.

[Ex-hippie]

I had a thought today. I had completely forgotten about the wild card, as every fan of a western division AL team should. I wonder if that plays a tiny part in Z trying to remain a little more competitive here than some of us might like in the way we might be pursuing trades? I know, I know, we're talking about the Red Sox here, or the Yanks, or Devil Rays. As it stands now, however, we're 5 1/2 games back in the wild card race, whereas we're 7 1/2 games back in the division race.

Just a tidbit.

The wildcard isn't completely out of the question, but it's harder because there are more teams in the running. Not only do the M's have to be better than the Red Sox by 5 1/2 games the rest of the way, but they also have to be better than Texas and Tampa, and not let Chicago or Minnesota catch up. If just one of those teams is at least as hot as the M's the rest of the way, the M's lose out. The M's would have to count on all of them playing comparatively mediocre ball. Or, alternatively, the M's could go on an incredible tear where they leave everybody in their dust, but this just isn't the kind of team that I can see doing that.

However, I'm starting to wonder if, when Beltre gets back, this is now the best all-around defensive team in baseball. They'll have a chance to stay in a lot of games, that's for sure.

[Bay_Areas_Finest]

Not sure how I feel about this deal.

I certainly wasn't expecting to get a 31-year old in return for a handful of prospects, but we'll see. Wilson is for sure a huge upgrade over Cedeno, both offensively and defensively. However, I'm not sure how long he'll be around and he is on the backside of his career. Snell is rather interesting though. I've always thought he had great stuff and could be a fairly dominant pitcher if he had his head on straight, so hopefully he's able to flourish with the M's.

Fortunately we didn't give up a whole lot. I hope Clement gets an opportunity with the Pirates.

[jumanji]

Not sure the scepticism over resigning Wilson going forward, there isnt that much interest in him by the teams with the big money or they would have gone after him by now. I think realistically he has to know he isnt an 8 mil per year player and would probably sign for a more acceptable rate.

[PhilipNelsonFan]

I'm certainly not in love with this deal, but I like it.

To me, this deal is all about buying low on Ian Snell. Snell is a legitimate talent, a No. 3 starter when he's all there. I believe the pundits that claim that the Pittsburgh organization is responsible for much of Snell's regression, although he does have to put up or shut up in Seattle. He's young enough to potentially be a rotation cornerstone in the future. He does need secondary pitch work, but we have enough back-end starters to fill in until he proves himself.

Wilson is a dramatic upgrade at SS compared to what has occupied that space this season, and the club should pick up his option for next season. Wilson could likely net another prospect a la last season's Arthur Rhodes trade or sneak his way into Type A status. And Lord knows that the Mariners will free him from expectations at the plate, as they have with everyone on the team beyond Ichiro.

Adcock and Pribanic are nothing more than relief prospects. Lorin is a much better prospect but he's not as far along.

This move does scream, in many ways, that GMZ wants to further imprint this team with his personal stamp and clear out the Bavasi clutter. It's an attitude I welcome with open arms.

[Sweezo]

However, I'm starting to wonder if, when Beltre gets back, this is now the best all-around defensive team in baseball. They'll have a chance to stay in a lot of games, that's for sure.

Definitely. If they can retain Beltre, which is a huge if [although they should have the payroll room to do it], they're above average at most defensive positions. Except, what, 1B, 2B, and C? If Branyan grades out above average defensively I'd be surprised, but I think he does an average job at 1B.

If this team can field an above average defense [if not the best overall defense in the league], average starting pitching + Felix, and an average defense...they're a playoff team, right? It's a different story when you have good defensive/below average players like Langerhans, Hannahan, and Cedeno out there...but replace them with the same or better defensive and average bats like Beltre, Wilson, and [potentially] Saunders and you've turned around a bottom half of the order which was a threat to no one. The team still needs to figure out what they're doing at catcher, but I'm sure Moore's performance this year earns him a shot in spring training.

I will grant that this thought is very general and backed up with nothing in terms of stats but...that's what happens when I post between client meetings at work. Which has been the majority of my posts for the last five years...ha...

[jumanji]

However, I'm starting to wonder if, when Beltre gets back, this is now the best all-around defensive team in baseball. They'll have a chance to stay in a lot of games, that's for sure.

Definitely. If they can retain Beltre, which is a huge if [although they should have the payroll room to do it], they're above average at most defensive positions. Except, what, 1B, 2B, and C? If Branyan grades out above average defensively I'd be surprised, but I think he does an average job at 1B.

If this team can field an above average defense [if not the best overall defense in the league], average starting pitching + Felix, and an average defense...they're a playoff team, right? It's a different story when you have good defensive/below average players like Langerhans, Hannahan, and Cedeno out there...but replace them with the same or better defensive and average bats like Beltre, Wilson, and [potentially] Saunders and you've turned around a bottom half of the order which was a threat to no one. The team still needs to figure out what they're doing at catcher, but I'm sure Moore's performance this year earns him a shot in spring training.

I will grant that this thought is very general and backed up with nothing in terms of stats but...that's what happens when I post between client meetings at work. Which has been the majority of my posts for the last five years...ha...

I think as of now and probably the near future this isnt a playoff team. The Rangers are improving and the Angels are still there. The east + Chicago or Detroit seem to have a lock on the wildcard spots.

Fast forward to the time when we can get our young pitchers up to speed and get a Dustin Ackley and an Adam Moore on the field and i think things will change.