Potential Mariners Free Agent Signings

September 22, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners celebrate their 3-2 victory against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

We here at SodoMojo.com have talked quite a bit about the potential free agents that may be available for the Mariners to sign this winter. But how likely are any of them to come to Seattle and help this team make it where it has never been before….the World Series?

This post will take a look at five of the top names that are on the fans’ radar, followed by a Vegas-type odds as to whether or not they will actually be signed by Seattle.

Sep 14, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher

(55) pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Tim Lincecum

Timmy “The Freak” has been linked to the Mariners for years now. Many have speculated and hoped that the Washington-born Lincecum would like to return home (he pitched for the University of Washington in Seattle) to pitch for the M’s.

The Giants will more than likely offer Lincecum a qualifying offer of around $14 million for 2014. According to some reports, Lincecum will test free agency before simply signing a one-year qualifying deal.

The Angels and Dodgers are both thought to be in the running with the Rockies as an outside shot.

If the price tag gets north of $18 million/year, the Mariners should pass. But if they can come to terms on a 3-4 year deal at $15-$16 million/year, then I think “The Freak” will join “The King”

ODDS OF SIGNING IN SEATTLE: 3-2

Oct 19, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder

(2) hits an RBI single during the fifth inning in game six of the American League Championship Series baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Jacoby Ellsbury

Another Northwest native with not-so-strong ties to Seattle is Boston outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury. Or as he will forever be known in my house, “TACOby BELLsbury” from him winning free tacos for everyone in the natinon by stealing a base in Game two of the 2007 World Series. The origin may have many creators, but I coined the phrase on my Sporting News blog the night it happened and it stuck in our house ever since.

Born and raised in Madras, Oregon – a small town 120 miles to the southeast of Portland – and a graduate of Oregon State University, Ellsbury’s closest team growing up geographically speaking was the Mariners. Whether that will land him in Seattle has yet to be determined.

The Mariners need an outfield bat with some pop. They also need a leadoff hitter. Ellsbury could give them both but could come with a hefty price tag. Projections put Ellsbury’s services at 6-7 years at $21-$23 million/year.

ODDS OF SIGNING IN SEATTLE: 3-1

Sep 23, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds center fielder

(17) watches his game winning single during the tenth inning against the New York Mets at Great American Ball Park. The Reds defeated the Mets 3-2 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

Shin-Soo Choo

From the local products to the “we should have kept him when we had him” category. Shin-Soo Choo will create quite a buzz on the free agent market.

Choo was traded away years ago and then he developed into an All-Star caliber player. Story of the M’s decade of futility. But Choo coming back to Seattle seems like less of a chance simply because of the number of teams thought to be interested.

The Astros, Mets, Cubs and Reds are all thought to be in on the race to acquire Choo’s services. That will probably push the price tag beyond what the Mariners are willing to pay.

ODDS OF SIGNING IN SEATTLE: 9-1

Sep 2, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics pitcher

(50) reacts after the Athletics recorded the last out of the game against the Texas Rangers in the ninth inning at O.co Coliseum. The Athletics defeated the Rangers 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Grant Balfour

Finally, it would be nice if Seattle had a true closer to secure some wins for King Felix and Company. Balfour’s 2013 season will undoubtedly drive his price higher than the Moneyball-types will care to afford.

Balfour is thought to be on the radar of the Tigers, Yankees, Angels, Brewers and Rockies as well as the M’s. He has acknowledged that he has more than likely played his last game as a member of the Athletics, why not close games out against them now?

At $9-$10 million/year and two or three years with an option year, the Mariners should invest the money here.

ODDS OF SIGNING IN SEATTLE: 10-1

And there you have it. While I would really love to see the Mariners go for broke and get all five of these players, chances are they will be lucky to get one. Odds of getting all five are at 750-1. But look at the lineup we would have:

C- Mike Zunino
1B- Justin Smoak
2B- Nick Franklin
SS- Brad Miller
3B- Kyle Seager
LF- Shin-Soo Choo
CF- Jacoby Ellsbury
RF- Dustin Ackley
DH- Kendrys Morales or Raul Ibanez

SP- Felix Hernandez
SP- Hisashi Iwakuma
SP- Matt Garza
SP- Tim Lincecum
SP- James Paxton
CL- Grant Balfour

I’d take that.