The Ocean Breathes Salty

I’ve been thinking about how to make this post for the last week, and while I have my own opinions about how to construct the 2010 Seattle Mariners roster I don’t think I am way off basis here. My ideas at times may have seem strange and I admit some of my posts in the past have been rushed and certain times not thought all the way through. I know people and even Griffin have disagreed with me on certain points here and there, but here it is –I just don’t know if I can buy into the thought of putting someone else in left field other than Michael Saunders next year.

I’m not naive enough to believe there is no one better in the league, than Saunders. There are quiet a few, however, there are not many available that fit into the scheme of what Seattle is trying to do. Not only that but even fewer can be acquired for a price within our budget.

Fans will point out Carl Crawford’s supposed availability in Tampa, and while he is a great outfielder we don’t truly know if he  may or may not be available. Even if I gave you the benefit of the doubt and went with the idea that Tampa is shopping him (and why not with him in his last year of  his contract and Desmond Jennings ML ready, I’ve seen him play and he’s amazing!) his price tag  to acquire him for just one year is far too steep to pay.

Then you have the northwest prodigal son, Jason Bay who will command a huge salary, most likely outside the Seattle’s realm of being able to afford him on top of that he is just a BAD fit. Right handed, incredibly poor defensively? No thanks, I would rather try and pry Adam Dunn from the Nationals and use him as a DH.

Bobby Abreu has already shown that he wants cash by turning down the Angels extension and I don’t know if LA has the money to come up with to keep him. That may make him available, but is his -UZR what we want roaming around left field? Sure, his offense is a huge reason the Angels took first and kept it, but his defense is horrible and his days in the field are done. If the Mariners could swing it, I wouldn’t have a problem with him at the DH but left field is not option.

Rick Ankiel? Inconsistent, injured often, and no defensive wiz.

Randy Winn? He’s been inconsistent year from year, and while defensively he’s sturdy are you going to pay 5-7$ for a defensively sturdy but questionable bat 35 year-old left fielder?  No.

Jermaine Dye? No

Anything else available in Free-Agency? No

We have other positions that are more of an issue right now. In fact the whole infield is currently a gigantic question mark with things up in the air like both Branyan and Lopez, not to mention the issue of Jack Wilson’s option and then you have to figure out between Tui, Hannahan and Hall how you are going to deal with the Third basemen issue.

Left field isn’t that complicated, it’s Michael Saunders.

I know some people have been throwing out and suggesting using Saunders as a trade chip in tons of different crazy “if-I-was-the-Seattle-Mariner-GM-hypothetical-trades”. The truth is Greg Halman can be used as the same bartering tool as Saunders and while his potential is amazing, the possibility of Saunders reaching his potential is not only more likely but it’s also sooner. While Halmaan’s value may not be what Saunders is, he still is a prospect and there are other organizations who value his numbers more than what Seattle does.

Yes, I understand that this is more “I love Michael Saunders and I don’t care if the world knows it non-sense”, but the fact is that I continue to see more and more articles in favor of the Mariners going after “a real left fielder with a bat” and with the exception of LL and USS:M, I have seen few if any off-season reviews that suggest that left field isn’t an issue and this worries me.

If we all agree that we dismissed a bad General Manager that made deals that hurt us financially and kept us from being able to compete not just now but also long term.  Then, how in the world do people continue to suggest deals that he would make if he was back in his position?

If we want to be considered a serious fan base we need to stop drooling over high priced all-stars and realize that they are not always the best deal available.

I have heard a few people make the comparison of Jayson Werth to Michael Saunders. Take a peek, tell me if you think this is a fair assessment or not, either way it makes me excited for what we have.

Jayson Werth vs. Michael Saunders

Saunders doesn’t have quiet the same power, but could develop more the older he gets.

Just think about what Michael Saunders could be not just this coming year but the following, instead of just pushing him to the side and over-paying for someone who isn’t going to fulfill the real need.

It’s the epic case of getting what you want and not what you need.