Not point in waiting: the Official Hot Stove Thread for fall/winter 2015

[PolarVortex]

Catcher - We need a starting catcher. Zunino should remain on the team but only start 55-70 games. We also need a 3rd string catcher in Tacoma who is better than Sucre. Someone who can do a reasonable job at the MLB level if called upon.

First Base - I'm sure Logan is a nice guy and good teammate. But, I'll take a cranky, sour puss if he can offer a .330 OBP and drive in 75 or more runs.

Second Base - We're OK, but Robbie needs to show in April next year instead of waiting until July.

SS - The Miller/Taylor tandem is OK for now. They are just keep the spot warm for Ketel Marte anyway.

Third Base - Seagar is fine.

LF - As a group, we posters have been trying to get rid of Ackley since 2013. Hopefully this year winter it actually happens. We need a solid guy here who can start against all kinds of pitchers and not be another platoon type motherfucker.

CF - Need to spend some money here. AJax is a free agent and will be gone and we don't want him back anyway. Jones is not ever going to be s starter at the MLB level. CF should be a high priority this winter.

RF/DH - Seth Smith and nelson Cruz arecoming back so RF and DH should be OK. Bring back Gutierrez to play for Smith against lefties.

SP #! - Felix. No problems.
SP#2 - Iwakuma is gone. I don't think they will resign him. I don't think Paxson nor Walker should be asked to step up as the #2. Neither one is ready for that type of responsiblility yet. Mariners need to spend some money here also and there will be plenty of quality arms available in this winter's free agent pool.
SP #3 - Walker. Walker is fine here. No reason to change anything. He's had a rollercoaster season so far but I think he'll be more cconsistent next year.
SP#4 & #5 - Happ will be gone also. We have Paxson, Montgomery and Elias to fill two spots. Hultzen may be in the picture as well by mid-season next year.

Closer - Rodney is in his walk year. He picked a bad year to be a pending free agent, but that isn't our problem. Our closer will be Carson Smith.

Set up - If we learned anything from this year, it is that set up relief can not be counted on ffrom one year to the next. Last year we had five exccellent right handers who could all pitch set up relief when called upon. This year we only had Smith and Lowe. Smith is no longer available in that role and lowe has far exceeding expectations. i think they to sign a veteran who has had both succcess and good health.
Wilhelmsen's salary, through arbitration, may be too expensive from what he gives the team. I don't expect him to be back. We need a rebound season from Farquar, if he is back, but they also need a contingency plan in place in case he falters again.
they are going to have to spend some money on right handded relif also.

Lefty relief specialist - Furbish should remain the #1 guy next year and Nuno the #2. Beimel needs to retire. Rollins is strickly AAA material.

Priorities:
1. Center Field
2. #2 starting pitcher
3. Starting catcher
4. Left Field
5. Right handed relief
6. First base

 

[gowazzu02]

You just KNOW it that once Ackley leaves he'll figure it out with whatever team signs his ass.

 

[seahawksfan234]

Catcher: I think it makes sense to keep Zunino in AAA full-time. He has issues he needs to work out, and he needs to be playing more than 30-50% of the time.

1B: Unfortunately there is not much on the free agent market at 1B. Mariners will have to improve here either internally, or through a trade.

SS: Ketel just had his first career start in CF. Perhaps the Mariners like Miller at SS going forward.

LF: Alex Gordon, Yoenis Cespedes, Justin Upton are options.

CF: I like Dexter Fowler a lot. Shane Victorino could be a reclamation project perhaps.

#2: I'd like to see Iwakuma back, I can't imagine the Mariners spend too much money on the #2 though. I have to assume that money will go to the offense. Although, with Happ ($6.7m) and Kuma ($7m) leaving, the Mariners would have in theory $14m to spend on a pitcher since one of the younger guys will likely take Happ's spot.

It is worth noting that with Iwakuma, Happ, Jackson and Rodney becoming free agents, and the $5m in dead money the Mariners have that clears up almost $34m in payroll space. And assuming a modest $10m increase in payroll, the Mariners can have an extra $44m to spend. This isn't including any fluctuations in salaries or arb increases though.

 

[NWinAZ]

LF: Alex Gordon, Yoenis Cespedes, Justin Upton are options.

Yes, all 3 please.

 

[NWinAZ]

Seriously, let's give this a try. I will use your $44M as a guide.

Catcher: Wieters $8M per. Big risk, but possible biggest reward. (2nd option: Navarro)

1B: Need to trade for one since free agency is weak here. Creative- Make Smith the 1B since he isn't much of an OF.

LF: Gordon $15M per. (2nd option: Cespedes $15M per.) (3rd option: Parra $7M per.) (4th option: Raji Davis $7M)

CF: Fowler $10M per. (2nd option: Span $10M per) (3rd option: Parra $7M per)

SP: Mike Leake $12M per.

RP: Many as possible!

------------------------------

C: Wieters
1B: Smith
2B: Cano
3B: Seager
SS: Miller
LF: Gordon
CF: Fowler
RF: Parra
DH: Cruz

SP1: Felix
SP2: Leake
SP3: Paxton
SP4: Walker
SP5: Elias

Bench:
C: Hicks or Baron
BN: Taylor
BN: Morrison
BN: Guti or Marte if ready

 

[seahawksfan234]

Seriously, let's give this a try. I will use your $44M as a guide.

Catcher: Wieters $8M per. Big risk, but possible biggest reward. (2nd option: Navarro)

1B: Need to trade for one since free agency is weak here. Creative- Make Smith the 1B since he isn't much of an OF.

LF: Gordon $15M per. (2nd option: Cespedes $15M per.) (3rd option: Parra $7M per.) (4th option: Raji Davis $7M)

CF: Fowler $10M per. (2nd option: Span $10M per) (3rd option: Parra $7M per)

SP: Mike Leake $12M per.

RP: Many as possible!

------------------------------

C: Wieters
1B: Smith
2B: Cano
3B: Seager
SS: Miller
LF: Gordon
CF: Fowler
RF: Parra
DH: Cruz

SP1: Felix
SP2: Leake
SP3: Paxton
SP4: Walker
SP5: Elias

Bench:
C: Hicks or Baron
BN: Taylor
BN: Morrison
BN: Guti or Marte if ready

I really like the idea of Matt Weiters. Best case, he's one of the best hitting catchers in the game, worst case - he is either injured, or hits .230. Either way, it's not like the Mariners would regress here if they signed Weiters. Really high upside there.

Moving Smith to 1B is an interesting idea, honestly. Never really thought about that. The Mariners could platoon Smith and Montero at 1B. Smith has a career line of .275/.356/.478 against righties, Montero has a career line of .317/.373/.452 against lefties. Put those together and you have some pretty competent offense from 1B.

We've discussed this before, but Fowler and Alex Gordon are two players I really love. They both get on base a lot, play good defense and can run. From 2011-2014, Gordon had an average of 6.1 WAR which is phenomenal.

Leake is a pretty solid option, still fairly young at 27.

 

[NWinAZ]

I really like the idea of Matt Weiters. Best case, he's one of the best hitting catchers in the game, worst case - he is either injured, or hits .230. Either way, it's not like the Mariners would regress here if they signed Weiters. Really high upside there.

Thank heavens for setting low standards...lol.

Moving Smith to 1B is an interesting idea, honestly. Never really thought about that. The Mariners could platoon Smith and Montero at 1B. Smith has a career line of .275/.356/.478 against righties, Montero has a career line of .317/.373/.452 against lefties. Put those together and you have some pretty competent offense from 1B.

Good idea actually. I just assumed he will be gone soon (Montero).

We've discussed this before, but Fowler and Alex Gordon are two players I really love. They both get on base a lot, play good defense and can run. From 2011-2014, Gordon had an average of 6.1 WAR which is phenomenal.

Ya I would be all over that. Or even Cespedes if Gordon goes elsewhere, but prefer Gordon.

Leake is a pretty solid option, still fairly young at 27.

Perfect age, but now thinking about it I think I remember him wanting like a $100M deal if I am not mistaken. If that is the case, I would pass.

 

[cezero]

A lot of great ideas so far that a GM who understands the modern game would be exploring...or at least have a staff that would explore it.

i realize that a new GM isn't a panacea given Nintendo, but since Nintendo's not going anywhere, it's all we've got.

i'm NOT in favor of trading away Cruz because he has shown that it IS possible to hit at Safeco. We've had such dogshit for so long, nobody has believed it, but his presence can entice some players (like Gordon) to maybe think about signing with us without having to pay an absurd amount over what other teams would offer.

 

[SeattleCoug]

Yea first base is pretty weak in FA. Unfortunately they could hold onto Trumbo or Lomo by default although I hope both are non tendered. Maybe try and work something out with the Brewers who are rebuilding. Gomez, Lind and Lucroy are all guys who would improve the team greatly. Gomez and Lind are only under control through 2016 and Lucroy has an option for 2017.

I just Cruz is strictly the DH going forward. His value is diminished by playing in the field so I don't see an NL team trading for that contract anyway.

I'm just not a fan of Cespedes at all but like pretty much all the other OF options

 

[unlvmariners]

1B: Unfortunately there is not much on the free agent market at 1B. Mariners will have to improve here either internally, or through a trade.

Not ideal but I think the first basemen for next season will come from in house. What about having Trumbo or Montero take first base full time? Or as AZ suggested have Smith take over then platoon with Montero.

Just a curiosity question: Who would you rather have playing the majority of time at first base right now? Montero, Morrison or Trumbo?

 

[NWinAZ]

I just Cruz is strictly the DH going forward. His value is diminished by playing in the field so I don't see an NL team trading for that contract anyway.

I actually think a NL team would trade for him. As an AL team, we are nuts for playing him there when we have the DH available though we don't exactly have a valid alternative.

I'm just not a fan of Cespedes at all but like pretty much all the other OF options

I can see why guys are not fans of his. I am not big on the guy, but I do see how he can make us better so I would be willing to live with him.

 

[NWinAZ]

Just a curiosity question: Who would you rather have playing the majority of time at first base right now? Montero, Morrison or Trumbo?

I don't think 1B is Trumbo's best position. He looks so stiff over there. I want to like Morrison for 1B because I love his passion, but his play just doesn't match. I really don't believe Montero will be here after July 31st. I think that will be one of Jack's last bucket list things to do.

So the answer for me is none of the above I guess.

 

[unlvmariners]

I don't think 1B is Trumbo's best position. He looks so stiff over there. I want to like Morrison for 1B because I love his passion, but his play just doesn't match. I really don't believe Montero will be here after July 31st. I think that will be one of Jack's last bucket list things to do.

So the answer for me is none of the above I guess.

I think Trumbo's best defensive position is DH. I think he is pretty awful in the field in general.

 

[NWinAZ]

I think Trumbo's best defensive position is DH. I think he is pretty awful in the field in general.

Agreed, but luckily his comparisons for OF with us is Smith and Cruz so low expectations...unfortunately.

 

[unlvmariners]

Agreed, but luckily his comparisons for OF with us is Smith and Cruz so low expectations...unfortunately.

Very true. We have garbage for defense in the outfield.

 

[seahawksfan234]

There is talent on this team to win next year, I hope that any moves made at the deadline recognize that fact. Plus, with the contracts of Felix and Cano, and considering they're not getting any younger, the franchise has already committed to winning now - something they can't back out of considering it would be nearly impossible to unload Cano's contract.

That being said, the Mariners should unload the guys with expiring contracts while aiming to add guys who can benefit the team next year.

 

[seahawksfan234]

A lot of great ideas so far that a GM who understands the modern game would be exploring...or at least have a staff that would explore it.

i realize that a new GM isn't a panacea given Nintendo, but since Nintendo's not going anywhere, it's all we've got.

i'm NOT in favor of trading away Cruz because he has shown that it IS possible to hit at Safeco. We've had such dogshit for so long, nobody has believed it, but his presence can entice some players (like Gordon) to maybe think about signing with us without having to pay an absurd amount over what other teams would offer.

There are a good number of general managers who had previous experience in law before joining a franchise. Perhaps someday I can work my way into baseball haha.

Safeco isn't the reason this team is terrible offensively, the players on the roster are the reason. That being said, Z has done a poor job trying to build a roster that fits this stadium. The Mariners need good defensive outfielders who hit doubles (Gordon), instead we have some of the worst defensive corner outfielders in the game.

 

[seahawksfan234]

Not ideal but I think the first basemen for next season will come from in house. What about having Trumbo or Montero take first base full time? Or as AZ suggested have Smith take over then platoon with Montero.

Just a curiosity question: Who would you rather have playing the majority of time at first base right now? Montero, Morrison or Trumbo?

Some sort of platoon is what I'd like to see. An ideal situation would be Montero hitting lefties and someone like Smith hitting righties. Montero has a career average against lefties that is around 90 points higher than righties.

 

[seahawksfan234]

Cespedes kind of worries me and I feel like he's a bit overrated. IMO he has underperformed what people expected of him prior to coming into MLB. His OBP is poor, and who knows if he is actually 29. I wouldn't say no to him obviously, but I feel like his contract will be a lot higher than his worth.

 

[NWinAZ]

His OBP is poor,

His season OBP of .320 ranks him 4th if on our team. He has a career .316 OBP which would also rank him 4th if that was even his season OBP on this team.

and who knows if he is actually 29

You mean he could be younger?