Probably a more realistic scenario than many of us are expecting.
The only things I'd change are I'd keep France at first as he's solid defensively, I'd prefer someone other than Frazier at second and I'd really rather move on from the Kelenic/Trammel/Lewis experiment.
Two other realistic candidates that I haven't really heard linked to the Mariners are Jose Abreu and Michael Brantley. Brantley is a Bellevue native and his dad played for the Mariners. They're not long-term solutions but I think they'd both really help the team the next few years.
PolarVortex said:
I like Nimmo too but, imo, he's a bit too fragile for a 5-year commitment, which is probably what it would take. I'd rather they trade for Amed Rosario. Rosario is an FA after next season so it wouldn't cost too much to get him from Cleveland. Cleveland, a low-payroll club, probably won't want to pay Rosario what he will command for the third time through arbitration. And who knows? By the end of next season, maybe one of our fading AAA outfield prospects (Kelenic, Trammel, Lewis) will have shown enough at the MLB level to take over for Rosario in 2024.
RF Amed Rosario (R) (from CLEV for Winker and [maybe] a lower-level prospect in the #12-#15 range. Free agent after 2023)
SS Crawford (L)
CF Julio (R)
1B Josh Bell (S) (FA, 4 yrs/$68 mill). This guy is at the top of my wish list with everyone else a distant second
DH France (R)
3B Saurez (R)
C Raliegh (S)
LF Kelenic (L)/Trammel (L)/Lewis (R). I wouldn't mind punching in Haniger (3/$39) or Conforto (2/$25) here if the price is right but I don't have much confidence that the price will be right.
2B Frazier (L) (FA, 2 years, $17 mill)
Do the Mariners even have a package that could get him? I truly know nothing about him from last year.I heard a rumor that Braves have called at least 3 teams about Acuna Jr with Mariners being one of them. The podcasters who brought up the rumor said it was true but 0% chance M's get him. A man can dream.
Renfro may be ok.,Could M's pull of another Winker/Suarez trade this offseason? If so, my guess would be with Brewers for Wong and Renfroe. Fills two needs and I am reading Brewers are looking to lower payroll.