Jack Zduriencik Says Mariners Open To Adding Another Bat

The Seattle Mariners made their free agent splash this offseason, acquiring Nelson Cruz to be the presumed cleanup hitter and DH for the next four seasons.

Much like the 2013 offseason in which the club landed one “big fish” – Robinson Cano – then surrounded the move with other smaller moves – Corey Hart, Chris Young, Logan Morrison – it appears that Seattle was done this year.

After all, they landed Cruz, then made their smaller moves, acquiring J.A. Happ, Justin Ruggiano and Seth Smith.

But according to Jon Morosi via Twitter, Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik is still open to the possibility of adding another hitter:

That’s all fine and well. It may not mean a dang thing. A GM would be stupid to not at the very least, be “open” to the possibility. But who do you trade for and who do you trade?

One option to trade seems to be Erasmo Ramirez. Though it’s unclear how much the Mariners could get in return, there are several teams that value Ramirez at least at some level.

He is out of minor league options so he would have to make the 25-man roster out of Spring Training, or be designated for assignment and clear waivers for the M’s to send him down.

With a starting rotation – seemingly – of Felix Hernandez, Hisashi Iwakuma, James Paxton, Taijuan Walker and Happ, there simply is no room for Ramirez. And I don’t think you should use a bullpen space for him.

So who do the M’s get in return? The Rockies have been rumored to be potential trade partners with the Mariners for months. And while they would want Walker, they may take Ramirez and another piece – perhaps Chris Taylor or Brad Miller – to part with Charlie Blackmon or Drew Stubbs.

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Just throwing it out there.

I’m also not entirely convinced that the Mariners aren’t going after a big name pitcher. Throwing money at James Shields or Max Scherzer may seem unlikely, but people said that about Cano as well.

Then that creates even more trade flexibility to bring in another bat.

Perhaps the M’s could trade for a bat and an arm at the same time?

Okay, time to play fantasy GM…..and I truly mean FANTASY. What about a trade with the Phillies that would bring both Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard to Seattle?

It would never work, right? And I’m sure you’re gonna kill me in the comments for this. But I’m just tossing ideas out there. I don’t even want Howard. Though, if he were to become even somewhat close to the type of player he once was, can you imagine that lineup?

Paxton, Taylor, Logan Morrison and a prospect gets this done as long as Seattle takes all of the salary. If they want Philly to pick up some of the tab, then the prospect total increases.

Okay, back to reality.

The truth of the matter is, we have probably seen the last major move by the M’s. Expect to see a lot of minor league contracts with Spring Training invites. Stuff of that nature.

I just feel that Jack has one big move in him each year and he already pulled the trigger on Cruz. Maybe I’m wrong.