Chris Capuano To The Red Sox…Now What?

Sep 20, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Ervin Santana (54) delivers a pitch against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Another week down and another free agent starting pitcher off the market. Free agent LHP Chris Capuano signed with the Boston Red Sox. According to Jon Heyman of CBSsports.com, “(Capuano) agreed on a major-league contract that will pay him a guaranteed $2.25 million with incentives that could push the deal to $5 million.”

Capuano represents the second pitcher signed from free agency this week who had been linked to the Seattle Mariners rumor mill at some point over the offseason. Ubaldo Jimenez being the first.

Obviously rumors are just rumors, but has there been truth behind any of this nonsense when it comes to us signing a pitcher? I feel that the Robinson Cano signing made reporters around the league assume that we can bring anyone to Seattle, so why not just link us to every free agent who fits a need that we have.

We need action. As you read yesterday, Dan Hughes feels very strongly that either Nick Franklin or Brad Miller will be gone by opening day to trades. I am on board with Franklin being traded, I said my goodbyes to him in December. I just feel that crazy legs is more worth the risk. He has a great bat but still has a lot to learn defensively.

The tough part is that Franklin will not get us the starting pitcher we really need. He must be packaged in order to get what we want. The Mariners could really use David Price but are not willing to give up Taijuan Walker in the process. Would Seattle pull the trigger if Tyler Pike, Erasmo Ramirez and Nick Franklin were included? They Rays will want a lot in return for Price and to be honest, I am not sure if those three guys will cut it.

Also look for the Matt Kemp to Seattle rumors to heat back up. Kemp’s value for the Dodgers continues to drop as there is word he may not be ready for the season opener and at this point might be the odd man out in Los Angeles.

If we are not trading for a starting pitcher, then the Mariners must go all in on Ervin Santana. He is still relatively young and is coming off of a very strong 2013 campaign. Seattle has to be the sexiest option for Santana. We will pay him more than the Royals or Blue Jays and on top of that we will win more games than them next season.

What it comes down to at this point is what do we believe, that we are broke or that we are waiting for the right free agent to commit?

Stay tuned because this next couple of weeks will tell us a lot about how dedicated our front office is to winning.