After the numbness sets in, it’s hard to work up any strong emotional reaction towards this designation for assignment. The one word that keeps coming to mind is shame. What a shame. At times, many of us have felt sympathy for Adam Moore. It’s hard to argue any other prospect has had such hard luck as Moore, his career has been wrought with injury and an apparent organizational favor to Rob Johnson. He never really took off at the big league level and every time it looked like he might, his chance was ripped away from him by some form of unjustice.

While this move doesn’t necessarily have to end his time with the Mariners, it’s hard to imagine him returning when he can move to another organization less flush with younger, more promising catching depth. Everything indicates the Mariners have moved on, so why shouldn’t he?

We’ve been through a lot together, and we have invested many of our hopes and aspirations in you. But it’s time to part ways. We have John Jaso, we have Jesus Montero, we have Hicks, Marder, Marlette, Littlewood and we’ll soon have Zunino. The organization has placed its faith elsewhere and soon enough so will the fans. Like it or not Moore has become a name of the past, and it would be impossible to look forward while still looking back.

Adam Moore was once a name of interest, he was once a above average hitting prospect who played respectable defense. But he is now 28 years old, and with that his prospect status is evaporating faster than a rain drop in the Sanoran Desert. His story isn’t necessarily a tragedy, but it is a shame. He was never really able to grasp any opportunity to shine. I wish you many fruitful endeavours as you try to find a job elsewhere, and if you choose to stay, then I hope the Mariners can find a way to get you in there.

Either way, good luck Adam Moore, you’re going to need it.

Credit: Jake Roth-US PRESSWIRE

Still, as fans of a non-contending team, we have the luxury of examining the surplus of talent the Mariners are stockpiling in their farm system. By 2013 or 2014, and making exceptions for current Mariners under 25, this is what Seattle’s lineup could look like:

C Brandon Bantz

1B Scott Savastano

2B Nick Franklin

3B Francisco Martinez

SS Carlos Triunfel

OF Trayvon Robinson, Denny Almonte, Chih-Hsien Chiang

SP Andrew Carraway

RP Stephen Pryor

Behind the plate, Jesus Montero is being primed as the Mariners’ everyday catcher. With expiration dates pinned on Olivo, Jaso, and Triple-A veteran Guillermo Quiroz, Brandon Bantz might be looking at a backup role. He’s currently batting .371/.395/.600 in 40 PA, with a .50 BB/K and .429 wOBA. It’s the smallest of sample sizes, but next to the oft-injured Adam Moore, he’s not a bad option.

The infield poses a stickier situation with Justin Smoak, Dustin Ackley, Kyle Seager, and Alex Liddi clogging the bases. Without Brendan Ryan and his perfect UZR, there is enough wiggle room at short to accommodate Nick Franklin or Carlos Triunfel, both of whom are raking in Double- and Triple-A. Franklin is batting .328/.393/.496 over 146 PA, while Carlos holds a .269/.328/.444 line in 188 PA, including 18 extra bases and 21 RBI.

In the outfield, Ichiro appears determined never to retire. That day may be a few seasons away, but there is a slew of outfielders ready to fight Michael Saunders and Mike Carp for a starting role. Trayvon Robinson is working on a bounce-back spring after a rough debut season with Seattle; showing patience at the plate with a doubled BB/K, raising his average 70 points, and stealing 6 more bases than he did with the 2011 Mariners.

Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

Equally as promising are outfielders Denny Almonte and Chih-Hsien Chiang. Almonte carries a batting line of .267/.352/.422 in 183 PA, with a hint of power in his 13 extra bases—7 of which have gone for home runs. Chiang was promoted to Tacoma after only 3 games with Double-A Jackson, adjusting to Triple-A with a .256 wOBA and .25 BB/K.

Perhaps most intriguing is the arsenal of pitchers Seattle is developing in Jackson and Tacoma. At the Triple-A level, part-time reliever Erasmo Ramirez is preparing for a starting role, while RHP Stephen Pryor hurls 100 MPH fastballs to close out games.

Taking into consideration the Big Three (Danny Hultzen, James Paxton, and Taijuan Walker), one of the most outstanding young pitchers this year is right-hander Andrew Carraway. In 7 starts with the Generals, he logged 32 strikeouts in 38 IP, with a 4.57 K/BB and 2.49 FIP. He made a stunning first impression in Tacoma, carrying a shutout through 7.1 innings with 4 strikeouts and a pair of baserunners in 24 batters faced. While it hasn’t all been smooth sailing—over the next 13 innings, he allowed 12 hits, 5 earned runs, and 5 walks—Carraway has 11 strikeouts in 3 appearances and has yet to record a loss this season.

At this point, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to remain patient. Chone Figgins is still on Eric Wedge’s good side (if only because he’s seen very little playing time recently), Miguel Olivo is fresh off the DL, and Kevin Millwood is polishing his performances as his trade value magically increases. September should give us a preview of the up-and-coming Mariners, provided the club is eliminated early from the hunt for the second wild card. Until the day when Brandon League and his 10+ blown saves are dealt to the A’s, however, you might be better off packing your bags for Tacoma.

Adam Moore to have surgery tomorrow for right medial meniscus tear in knee.

-Geoff Baker

After a while you just become numb to this sort of thing. At one point, I felt terrible for Adam Moore. I couldn’t believe how unlucky he was with all these injuries and how every time he got hurt he lessened any chance he had of solidifying a future with the organization. I was and still am a huge Adam Moore fan. But after a while, you can’t continue to be let down anymore.

While injuring his wrist probably hurt his odds of making the big league club, it certainly didn’t end it. This ends it. With Jesus Montero and John Jaso already wearing Mariner blue, and a slew of younger, newer catching prospects waiting in the wings, Moore’s days with this organization are coming to a close. Surprise will not be an emotion that courses through me if I see Adam Moore among the minor league free agents next year. A rather doom and gloom prediction I know, but it’s something Adam Moore fans might have to prepare themselves for.

Adam Moore was once an intriguing bat as displayed by his 58 minor league home runs and a .303/ .367/ .481 slash line. While he has struggled in the majors, two things have kept him off the Big League Squad more than anything else. Injury and poor managerial decisions (Starting Rob Johnson).

This is the second time Moore has received this particular surgery and his third knee surgery overall.

I had such high hope for you…