FanSided

Alternate Universe: Mariners Blow it Up, Part 3

By ColPatnode |
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)
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.

SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 4: Danny Valencia
SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 4: Danny Valencia /

Sign Danny Valencia to a 2 year, $16 million Deal

Yes, the third base options are that bad in 2017. In a rebuild, Mike Moustakas is not a realistic option. Todd Fraizer at 32 doesn’t make a lot of sense unless he is available for a similar AAV for 3 years or less.

Danny Valencia can play both corner spots, crushes lefties, and is at least mediocre against right handed pitching. This is valuable to a contender mid season, and could net a decent mid level prospect. In the mean time, he can get a majority of time at 3rd.

The team needs to see if Daniel Vogelbach is a part of the future or not. So being able to hand him 500 PA at first base could be the best idea for the team going forward. Retaining Valencia to spell Vogelbach at first makes a lot of sense.

PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 12: Carlos Gonzalez
PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 12: Carlos Gonzalez /

Sign Carlos Gonzalez to a 2 year, $28.5 million deal

Remember when Carlos Gonzalez was one of the best players in Major League Baseball? My how fast things can change. Injuries have derailed the once Hall of Fame bound Gonzales, but this gives the the Mariners a unique opportunity to strike.

The soon to be 32 year old has had a dismal season, but was a solid MLB player in the previous 2 seasons, showing their might be more left in his tank. Gonzalez, or “Cargo”, has seen his defensive prowess diminish into Matt Kemp territory, and is a much better fit for an American League team in need of a DH. Hello Seattle.

If Gonzalez can find his form early in 2018, the Mariners will enter the deadline with a premier bat at a reasonable cost with 1 1/2 year of control. That could net them a solid, B level prospect or two, and provide veteran leadership to a young outfield.

Mariners
Mariners /

Sign as many veteran arms to low cost (possibly minor league deals) as possible.

After filling the holes at third, first and DH (Valencia, Vogelbach, and Gonzalez), the Mariners should turn their attention to any cheap piching they can get their hands on. Consider the White Sox signing of Anthony Swarzak to a minor league deal. 6 months later, they were able to flip the reliever for a solid B level prospect from the Milwaukee Brewers.

Moving former starters to the bullpen can be an excellent way to recoup value. Guys like Derek Holland, Clay Buchholz, Francisco Liriano, and Ubaldo Jiminez all fit the mold.

Pitchers who are coming off a bad year also make a lot of sense. Tyson Ross, Chris Tillman and Jon Lackey fit that mold. All of these names are  the type of guys who can allow you not to rush Gonzales, Neidert, Reid-Foley, Toussaint, and Willson to the big leagues. Perhaps just as importantly, the could net a decent prospect or two, or possibly some international pool money to allow the Mariners to be more active over seas.

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