Adam Lind: Could The Mariners And Blue Jays Make A Trade?

Earlier today, the Toronto Blue Jays claimed first baseman Justin Smoak off waivers from the Seattle Mariners. Smoak was waived after the season and if no one had claimed him, the M’s would have been on the hook for a $3.65 million option or $150K buyout.

The Blue Jays are looking to shed payroll and had been rumored to be shopping 1B/DH Adam Lind. This waiver claim now makes it very likely that Lind will be moved.

Could the Seattle Mariners end up being a viable trade partner for Toronto?

Joel Sherman named Seattle as a likely landing spot along with Oakland. It’s no secret that the Mariners are looking for more pop in the lineup, even if it’s a left-handed bat.

Last year, Lind slashed .321/.381/.479 with 6 HR and 40 RBI in 96 games. Lind is owed $7.5 million in 2015 (only about $4 million more than they would have paid Smoak).

Lind also has an $8 million team option for 2016 as well. So anything the M’s give up in a trade would potentially be for two years of Lind versus just one like with Yoenis Cespedes or Justin Upton.

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According to Kyle Franzoni over at Jays Journal, the Blue Jays are interested in shedding payroll first and foremost. After that, they hope to add a second baseman and bullpen pieces.

And while they would prefer MLB ready players, they would be willing to consider a minor leaguer that is close.

The two bullpen names Kyle threw out there were Danny Farquhar and Tom Wilhelmsen. Choose one and a infield prospect and the Mariners could get themselves a DH.

So how about Ty Kelly? It’s not like the Mariners will need a second baseman for another nine years or anything.

Kelly spent all of 2014 in Triple-A Tacoma where he posted a slash of .263/.381/.412 with 15 homers and 80 RBI. According to Kyle, he thinks the Jays would be interested in a player like Kelly.

So, let’s call it:

Blue Jays get: Tom Wilhelmsen and Ty Kelly
Mariners get: Adam Lind

What do you think fans? Do you want two years of Adam Lind and is it worth giving up the Bartender and a minor league 2B stuck behind Robinson Cano for the next nine years?

Stay tuned. If Sherman is right, a deal for Lind could be the first major move we see in this offseason, as soon as the World Series wraps up.