FS Faux Winter Meetings: Seattle Mariners Trade for Jordan Zimmermann, Stephen Souza

As faux GM Dan Hughes continues wheeling and dealing with no signs of stopping, another trade was finalized today, this time with the Washington Nationals. Interestingly enough, it is these two teams that are currently projected for the highest cumulative WARs for the 2015 season.

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In another substantial trade, the faux Seattle Mariners sent Chris Taylor, Roenis Elias and a player to be named later to the Washington Nationals for outfield prospect Steven Souza and starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann.

This faux trade is exciting: the Mariners are getting an established starting pitcher and an outfield prospect in exchange for an unproven starting pitcher and a shortstop prospect with very real potential. From GM Dan himself:

"We’re happy to welcome Souza and Zim to the Mariners family. We are also sad to see Chris and Roenis go.But I am confident that they have a bright future ahead of them in Washington.The job now, is to see if Jordan is interested in extending his time here past 2015. It’s something we touched on during the trade talks so we know there is a starting point."

He are the player-stat breakdowns:

Mariners to Washington, D.C.:

Roenis Elias:

2014 season: 10-12 record, 3.85 ERA. 163.2 innings pitched, 64 walks, 143 strikeouts. 4.03 FIP, 1.314 WHIP.

Service time: 1 season, free agent in 2020.

Chris Taylor:

2014 season: .287/.347/.346 in 47 games played. 0 home runs, 9 RBI, 8 doubles. 11 walks, 39 strikeouts.

Service time: free agent in 2021.

Nationals to Seattle:

Steven Souza:

2014 season (in the minors: 3 teams A, A+, AAA): .345/.427/.577 in 100 games played. 18 home runs, 77 RBI. 25 stolen bases, 25 doubles, 62 runs scored. 52 walks, 80 strikeouts.

Service time: has not begun his Major League service time clock.

Apr 12, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (11) throws to first over starting pitcher Taylor Jordan (38) for an out in the third inning against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Zimmermann:

2014 season: 14-5 record, 2.66 ERA. 32 game started, 199.2 innings pitched. 29 walks, 182 strikeouts. 2.68 FIP, 1.072 WHIP.

Career (6 seasons): 57-40 record, 3.24 ERA. 145 games started, 892.1 innings pitched. 182 walks, 739 strikeouts. 3.31 FIP, 1.149 WHIP.

Service time: under contract through 2015. Free agent in 2016.

Analysis:

This trade has a lot of moving parts, but with it comes both established pitching and a young hitter with middle of the order potential. Steven Souza, an Everett, Washington native, is expected to compete and likely earn a spot on the 25-man roster.

As quoted above, faux GM Dan wants to test the contract extension waters with Jordan Zimmermann, as he could become the veritable number 2 in the rotation when Hisashi Iwakuma’s contract is up. Jordan Zimmerman, a stalwart in the Nationals rotation, has finished in the top-7 in Cy Young voting the last two seasons. Jordan Zimmermann’s potential as a part of this team could really lend to a push for the World Series in 2015.

As for the player to be named later for the Mariners, it has been speculated that recently drafted Ryan Yarborough will be the PTBNL. Since he was drafted in the June MLB First Year Players Draft, he cannot be traded until June of 2015.

With the losses in the trade– shortstop Chris Taylor and LHP Roenis Elias– the Mariners will be filling a few voids. Brad Miller will be the short stop incumbent, unless another move is in the works (ahem Hanley Ramirez?). Then, with Elias out of the rotation, Jordan Zimmerman will take his spot as the number 3 in the rotation, though Lloyd McClendon may look to have James Paxton pitch in the 2 or 3-hole so as to avoid 4 straight games with righties on the mound.

With this move, the Mariners roster is almost complete for the 2015 season. However, as faux GM Dan hinted at in a recent comment: the middle of the order bat is coming soon.

As of today– with the omission of the middle of the order bat– here is what the Mariners starting lineup and starting rotation will look like on Opening Day.

Lineup:

Carlos Gomez 8

Dustin Ackley 7

Robinson Cano 4

(the soon to be announced righty power hitter)

Kyle Seager 5

Scott Van Slyke 9

Logan Morrison 3

Mike Zunino 2

Brad Miller 6

Starting Rotation:

Felix Hernandez RHP

Hisashi Iwakuma RHP

James Paxton LHP

Jordan Zimmermann RHP

Francisco Liriano RHP

What do you think of this faux Mariners roster so far? Is this trade for Steven Souza and Jordan Zimmermann a good? And how deep is this potential rotation?