Where We Go From Here

The trade dealine snuck right up on us, tantalizing fans with dementia and halucinations of promising additions to a uneventful baseball team. Regardless of the deals that were or weren’t there, or the demands of our General Manager, we are were we are, and we walk away from it with the putrid taste of disapointment. The big deal never materialized and while I aplaud the Mariners fornot making a move for the sake of making a move, it still doesn’t fill the void. The trade dealine was dissapointing.

So where does Seattle go from here. Most of the players that have been placed on waivers at this point have made it through or have been claimed. It isn’t likely that we are going to catch on impact bat through the August waiver period. Unfortunately for the impatient, the Mariners will have to wait until the offseason to make any moves.

Here is a chart of the teams outlook next season.

This scenario has the Mariners cutting ties with Hisashi Iwakuma, Munenori Kawasaki, Miguel Olivo, and Chone Figgins. This scenario also lives under the assumption that the Mariners will find options to replace both Justin Smoak and Mike Carp. It also has Ryan and Thames on a very short leashes. I believe the Mariners are going to use the offseason to acquire 1-2 impact bats. Major League ready, proven but young, impact bats. 1st base, 3rd base, and one of the corner outfield spots figure to potential upgrade positions as the team moves into the offseason.

Going through potential trade candidates can be a delcate process, and one that it’s extremely difficult to do. So with that in mind, I’ll go team to team and post players that the Mariners may be interested in, players that are acquirable (AL tonight and NL tomorrow).

Baltimore

• Chris Davis
• Nick Markakis
• Nolan Reimold
• Chris Tillman

Boston

• Jacoby Ellsbury

New York

• Ivan Nova
• Phil Hughes
• Nick Swisher
• Curtis Granderson

Tampa Bay

• James Shields
• Desmond Jennings
• B.J Upton (Not particularly an impact bat, but a great addition)
• Matt Joyce
• Ben Zobrist (Not particularly an impact bat, but a great addition)

Toronto

• Brett Cecil
• Brandon Morrow
• David Cooper
• Brett Lawrie (Availability in question)
• Colby Rasmus

Chicago White Sox

• John Danks
• Gavin Floyd
• Alex Rios
• Dayan Viciedo
• Alejandro De Aza (Not particularly an impact bat, but a great addition)

Cleveland

• Zach McAllister
• Nick Hagadone
• Justin Masterson
• Carlos Santana (Availability in question)
• Asdrubal Cabrera (Availability in question)
• Shin-Soo Choo

Detriot

• Rick Porcello
• Max Scherzer
• Drew Smyly
• Ryan Raburn (Not particularly an impact bat, but a great addition)
• Brennan Boesch
• Andy Dirks

Kansas City

• Billy Butler
• Mike Moustakas
• Alex Gordon

Minnesota

• Scott Baker
• Scott Diamond
• Cole De Vries
• Ryan Doumit (Not particularly an impact bat, but a great addition)
• Justin Morneau

Anaheim

• Ervin Santana
• Kendrys Morales
• Mark Trumbo

Oakland

• Daric Barton (Not particularly an impact bat, but a great addition)
• Chris Carter
• Michael Taylor

Texas

• Alexi Ogando
• Nelson Cruz
• Mitch Moreland

There are other players that are available, but are you really willing to give up King Felix, because that is the price tag for those kind of players. There is one player I would even consider trading Felix for right now and that is Mike Trout and I can guarantee irrevocably that he and Bryce Harper are the only two untouchable players in the game right now.  Be prepared to lose a few pieces in the process of acquiring one of these impact bats. James Paxton, Carter Capps, Phillips Castillo, Vinnie Catricala, and pretty much any prized player outside of Jack’s list of untouchables and Jesus Montero will be up for grabs. I’m really looking forward to the tricks Jack has up his sleeve this winter.