Sep. 29, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Justin Upton (10) stands at bat during the game against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

Ultimately, Justin Upton had put the Seattle Mariners on his no-trade list, so his prospects of becoming a Mariner were really low. When Upton was traded to the Atlanta Braves, his package consisted of:

• Seven players were involved.
• The Arizona Diamondbacks received Martin Prado, Randall Delgado, Zeke Spruill, Nick Ahmed, and Brandon Drury.
• The Atlanta Braves received Justin Upton and Chris Johnson.
• Upton’s contract is good from 2010 until 2016 when he will become a free agent. The remaining contract time is for $38.5 million dollars.

That’s a pretty expensive trade. Sure, if the Mariners had been able to pull it off, they might not be scrambling to figure out who exactly will wind up on that 40-man roster for opening day. But carrying out Upton’s contract may have broke them. This way, too, he is able to join his brother on the same team. Playing with his brother was also probably part of the appeal for him to be cool with the Diamondbacks-Braves deal.  (more…)

October 3, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Bourn (24) steals second base ahead of the throw to Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Josh Harrison (5) during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Bourn is still a free agent, and he’s still listed as someone that the Seattle Mariners are interested in. According to reports, Bourn is not interested in playing for the Texas Rangers, but he is interested in playing for either the Mariners or the New York Mets.

After being shunned by Justin Upton, it’s nice to be wanted. At least, it’s nice to have the rumor that we’re a favorite for Bourn. While the Mariners have been picking up some sluggers (well at least some guys who have been great hitters in the past, anyway), Bourn would be a nice round-out addition to the team. Sure he’s another aging player (he’s 30), but he’s also a guy who can get on base and get around the bases (276 stolen bases in his career).

On the one hand, it’s rumored that the Mariners are a favorite when it comes to this ball player making a decision about where he will go. On the other hand, he rejected the Atlanta Braves’ offer of 13.3 million dollars for one year in order to become a free agent. Rumor also has it that Bourn has received offers of up to $80 million for five years. If the Mariners are going to make a move, they will need to have some dollar signs behind that move in order to be successful.  (more…)

Sep 1, 2012; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez (34) pitches to the Los Angeles Angels during the 2nd inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Whether you have been following the rumors that say that the Seattle Mariners have been talking contract extensions with Felix Hernandez or not, an important question to be addressed involves asking the question, “Just how much is King Felix worth to the team?”

One set of Felix rumors has the Mariners offering him $100 million dollars over four years (broken by Ken Rosenthal over at Fox Sports). Currently, Felix’s contract is a five-year contract that was negotiated as a compromise between Hernandez’s desire (a six-year contract) and the Mariners’ offer (a four-year contract). Hernandez has been quoted as saying that he wants to see the Mariners through a division championship and a World Series. But will he accept what the Mariners will pay this next go-around?

Zack Greinke, recently signed for the Los Angeles Dodgers, was the recipient of a $147 million over six years contract that caused many Mariners fans to bite their nails. Cole Hamels, signed by the Philadelphia Phillies in July 2012, received a six-year $144 million dollar contract. Neither of them threw the perfect game Felix had last year. His ERA is 127 – compare this to Hamels’ ERA at 126 and Greinke’s ERA at 114, and you can understand the cause of all the nail-biting.  (more…)