Mariners In Market For Ervin Santana?

Aug 25, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Ervin Santana (54) delivers a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Hang on to your hats folks. In what could be the busiest period we have seen the Mariners this offseason, it appears that the team is in fact feeling pressure from the Seahawks Super Bowl win.

After signing Fernando Rodney Thursday, the team is reportedly “cautiously optimistic” about their chances of signing Nelson Cruz.

But that’s not the only possible move left on the table. Peter Gammons later tweeted something I have been talking about for some time. The fact that all of these DH’s/1B/OF on the roster could signal the end of Justin Smoak‘s time in Seattle.

A team like Pittsburgh is looking for a 1B. Could Seattle get a nice return?

But wait Mariners fans, there is more.

According to Jim Bowden, the Mariners are not done yet.

Bronson Arroyo signed with Arizona today. So of the remaining free agent starters, who would it be?

After a quick chat on Twitter with Ryan Divish, he shed a bit of light on the situation.

Neither was I, so that’s a relief. As for Ervin Santana and his asking price being too high? Divish pointed out that the “asking price has dropped per reports.”

So, Rodney was asking for 2-years and $15M. He got $14M and can make it $15M with incentives. Santana was asking for 4-years and $60M. What is a good price now?

My guess is that if the Mariners are serious and want Santana, they will come at him with a 4-year offer for between $50M and $55M, something similar to the $52M deal that Matt Garza received.

But like I said fans, hang on to your seat and stay tuned. This should be an interesting week ahead.