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Alternate Universe: Mariners Blow it Up, Part 3

ByColPatnode|
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 30: GM Jerry Dipoto of the Seattle Mariners looks on from the dugout prior to the game against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field on September 30, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 30: GM Jerry Dipoto of the Seattle Mariners looks on from the dugout prior to the game against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field on September 30, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
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SEATTLE, WA – JUNE 11: Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto watches batting practice before a game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 11, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. The Rangers won the game 2-1 in eleven innings. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)

As we wrap up our fun experiment of a skeleton rebuild, we look at some players the Mariners could attack in free agency to help facilitate their rebuild. Free agency is an excellent way for teams to make low cost free agents into potential prospects down the road.

Now, if you missed our previous two articles, lets take a quick moment to recap. In the first article, we traded Kyle Seager, Nelson Cruz, and James Paxton. In the second article, we focused on finding homes for the veteran most members of the bullpen new homes. Neither article includes obvious trade candidates like Mike Leake or Edwin Diaz, but both names would certainly generate buzz.

After our flurry of trades, the Mariners have glaring needs at third base, first base, and DH and starting pitching. This is a particularly poor free agent class, and if the goal is to be bad, then signing high priced free agents doesn’t make a lot of sense. After dealing Seager, Cruz, Paxton and the two bullpen arms, Seattle would have roughly $80 million less in commitment to their payroll in 2018 as they do now.

The current projected 25 looks something like this:

  • Catchers: Mike Zunino and Mike Marjama
  • 1B: ???, Dan Vogelbach
  • 2B: Cano
  • 3B:???
  • SS: Jean Segura
  • LF: Ben Gamel
  • CF: Guillermo Heredia, Joc Pederson
  • RF: Mitch Haniger
  • DH:???, Daniel Vogelbach
  • Utility: Taylor Motter
  • 4th OF: Noel Nueva
  • SP1: Felix Hernandez
  • SP2: Kevin Gausman
  • SP3: Sean Newcomb
  • SP4: Mike Leake
  • SP5: Erasmo Ramirez
  • Bullpen: Diaz, Altivilla, Phelps, Simmons, Miranda, Zych, Vieria

Not great right? But remember, we are not worried about winning at the Major League level. And this series of trades nets you Anthony Alford, Richard Urena, Sean Reid-Foley, Touki Toussaint, and Bryse Wilson to add to your minor league sytem that includes Kyle Lewis, Nick Neidert, Evan White and Sam Carlson.

That is in addtion to nabbing young, potential members of a new core like Sean Newcomb and Joc Pederson. But now, lets fill in some gaps by adding to our Major League roster, with some future potential trade chips.

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