2014 Rumor Thread

[NWinAZ]

Jack sure has a rep amongst the other GM's.

1- GM's can't get him to the finish line in deals
2- Asks for everything to open with with other GM's
3- Confused other GM's when wouldn't trade 3 walk players others were willing to trade for last year.

Not the rep you want your GM to have.

 

[cezero]

hey NW, your dreams have come true.

uggla is available, and his OPS+ of 33 can be had for a bargain price!

plus, z can't give away too much for him.

 

[seahawksfan234]

Surprised that Jack Z turned down Ben Zobrist for Nick Franklin + Brandon Maurer. I'd personally take that deal if I'm the Mariners.

Brandon Maurer has good stuff, but was absolutely terrible as a starter. Perhaps he has a future in the bullpen, but he reminds me of a MUCH worse version of Brandon Morrow.

Nick Franklin has no future with this franchise. 2B is locked down by Cano for the next 5 years at least, and Brad Miller has played well since the beginning of June (5 HR 14 RBI .264/.321/.424). Franklin has talent, but he just cannot seem to put it together at the major league level.

Zobrist on the other hand can play nearly every position on the field and has great leadership skills. Zobrist is past his prime, but he's still a good player with a ton of versatility.

 

[gowazzu02]

Surprised that Jack Z turned down Ben Zobrist for Nick Franklin + Brandon Maurer. I'd personally take that deal if I'm the Mariners.

Brandon Maurer has good stuff, but was absolutely terrible as a starter. Perhaps he has a future in the bullpen, but he reminds me of a MUCH worse version of Brandon Morrow.

Nick Franklin has no future with this franchise. 2B is locked down by Cano for the next 5 years at least, and Brad Miller has played well since the beginning of June (5 HR 14 RBI .264/.321/.424). Franklin has talent, but he just cannot seem to put it together at the major league level.

Zobrist on the other hand can play nearly every position on the field and has great leadership skills. Zobrist is past his prime, but he's still a good player with a ton of versatility.

Zobrist is a little better willie bloomquist. Career . 260 avg, his best days are behind him. His outfield d isnt any better then ackley.....not really an improvement

 

[seahawksfan234]

Zobrist is a little better willie bloomquist. Career . 260 avg, his best days are behind him. His outfield d isnt any better then ackley.....not really an improvement

I highly disagree.

Bloomquist 2011-2014: 267 G 5 HR 75 RBI 27 SB 23 CS .287/.324/.364 OPS .688 WAR: 0.0 dWAR: -0.8
Ben Zobrist 2011-2014: 554 G 59 HR 262 RBI 49 SB 21 CS .270/.360/.441 OPS .801 WAR: 21.5 dWAR: 5.2

The stats speak for themselves.

 

[NWinAZ]

Like I said about Zobrist earlier, he by himself improves us a little. If we can get 3 Zobrist types, it would allow us to improve the total lineup and it would make a major difference. Having even average capable hitters 1-9 would be a world of difference.

 

[SeattleCoug]

Im on the fence. But watching this offense do nothing again is making me feel desperate here. I love what Maurer brings in the bullpen but the bullpen will still very good without him. He alone wont make a difference in wins or losses. Zobrist could because he is an actual MLB hitter that could do something.

 

[cezero]

I highly disagree.

Bloomquist 2011-2014: 267 G 5 HR 75 RBI 27 SB 23 CS .287/.324/.364 OPS .688 WAR: 0.0 dWAR: -0.8
Ben Zobrist 2011-2014: 554 G 59 HR 262 RBI 49 SB 21 CS .270/.360/.441 OPS .801 WAR: 21.5 dWAR: 5.2

The stats speak for themselves.

zobrist is 33, his numbers have been steadily declining since july of last year, and he's pretty bad defensively at SS and in the OF.

he's a glorified utility guy for the rays (16 games in the OF, 22 at SS, and 54 at 2B), and has been for awhile now.

his best position is 2B, and we have that kinda covered.

i'm fine with adding zobrist if it doesn't cost too much, but it's not a move of much significance in itself.

 

[johnfree63]

zobrist is 33, his numbers have been steadily declining since july of last year, and he's pretty bad defensively at SS and in the OF.

he's a glorified utility guy for the rays (16 games in the OF, 22 at SS, and 54 at 2B), and has been for awhile now.

his best position is 2B, and we have that kinda covered.

i'm fine with adding zobrist if it doesn't cost too much, but it's not a move of much significance in itself.

What did you think of the reported Fanklin and Maurer for Zobrist trade? I wouldn't have minded that before I saw how dominate Maurer has been in the pen.

Just your opinion on that reported move, I know the M's need more then that to contend.

 

[cezero]

What did you think of the reported Fanklin and Maurer for Zobrist trade? I wouldn't have minded that before I saw how dominate Maurer has been in the pen.

for sure. that's a tough one. maurer has been terrific for awhile now in the pen.

i think i'd be okay with it.

 

[johnfree63]

for sure. that's a tough one. maurer has been terrific for awhile now in the pen.

i think i'd be okay with it.

Even with Maurer being great in the pen, I could talk myself into it because bullpens are so unreliable year to year. The M's need to take advantage while all this pitching is in their favor.

 

[gowazzu02]

Even with Maurer being great in the pen, I could talk myself into it because bullpens are so unreliable year to year. The M's need to take advantage while all this pitching is in their favor.

I think franklin still has some value. Wouldnt want to drop him for a utility player with a deceasing ba

 

[cezero]

Even with Maurer being great in the pen, I could talk myself into it because bullpens are so unreliable year to year. The M's need to take advantage while all this pitching is in their favor.

yeah, exactly.

 

[johnfree63]

I think franklin still has some value. Wouldnt want to drop him for a utility player with a deceasing ba

I just think Zobrist is a 4 WAR player this year and next year. I don't see Franklin and Maurer matching that over the next two years. By that time there will be another bullpen arm and Chris Taylor or someone else will be the starting SS. Doesn't seem like a big loss.

 

[NWinAZ]

2 things:

1 - I would try and get another player thrown in for Franklin/Maurer. I suggest Jennings first and then settle for a guy like Loney. Loney Is a nice upgrade over Smoak. Less power, but more contact.

2 - Hard to believe but true;

Top 5 WAR's since 2011:

1) Trout 26.9
2) McCutchen 24.9
3) Cabrera 24.3
4) Cano 22.6
5) Zobrist 20.4

 

[NWinAZ]

A new Byrd to M's article. Interesting.

MLB trade rumors: Phillies' Marlon Byrd to Mariners for prospect Gabby Guerrero, nephew of future HOFer? | NJ.com

 

[gowazzu02]

A new Byrd to M's article. Interesting.

MLB trade rumors: Phillies' Marlon Byrd to Mariners for prospect Gabby Guerrero, nephew of future HOFer? | NJ.com

Not a huge byrd fan, but thats a pretty inexpensive price.

 

[cezero]

 

[wazzu31]

I think Zobrist would be a huge upgrade, I'll admit that I haven't seen Zobrist play a ton of OF but Dustin Ackley is a huge liability in the outfield. He judges the ball horribly, when he gets to it then he is fine but I have seen at least 6 balls that he should've been able to get to but got a horrible jump and an easy homerun even Raul Ibanez would've saved.

If that deal did take place that still allows for them to keep Ackley and put him in the role he should be, a younger Willie Bloomquist.

 

[NWinAZ]

4m[/ame] Exec involved in Price conversations said this: "It all comes down to which teams decides to be aggressive--Dodgers, Cardinals or Mariners."