The deal is as follows…
To Chicago: RHP Freddy Garcia, C Ben Davis
To Seattle: C Miguel Olivo, OF Jeremy Reed, SS Michael Morse
Dave will have more to say on this shortly, but from the looks of it, the M’s did very, VERY well.
Freddy Garcia and Ben Davis for Jeremy Reed, Miguel Olivo, and Michael Morse.
Congratulations Bill Bavasi. Seriously, let me say this again. Congratulations Bill Bavasi. This is probably one of the best player-for-prospect hauls any team has gotten since the Bartolo Colon to Montreal trade. Since the White Sox farm system is essentially based in North Carolina (their Double-A team is the only one not within an hour of my house), I’ve seen all these guys extensively, and this is basically the heart of the Sox system.
Reed is a healthy version of Chris Snelling with a few more walks and a few less singles. Prospectus was a bit nuts when they called him the 2nd best prospect in the game this spring, but he’s legit top 20. He’s got line drive power and a very compact swing, makes great contact, and knows the strike zone. His swing won’t let him develop much more home run power, but his offensive game is tailored for the top of the order. In his prime, he should hit .290/.380/.450, which is a quality player. He’s got a great chance to be the next Rusty Greer. Defensively, he’s a corner outfielder. The M’s might dream that he can fill the need in center, but he just doesn’t have the range to be an asset there. He can play right or left well, and center in an emergency, but they should still be searching for a permanent CF.
Miguel Olivo is a league average catcher right now. He has a bit of a long swing and won’t ever win a batting title, but he has above average power and runs well to boot. He’s hitting .270/.316/.496, making him not only our best catcher, but probably our fourth best hitter. He’s only in his second year, meaning he’s making peanuts for the next two, maybe three years. He’s not the catcher of the future-he’s the catcher of the present. At 25 years old, he still could turn into a Jason Varitek type player.
Michael Morse is a decent hitting prospect with line drive power and a nice swing. He’s also abysmal defensively. I watched him probably 30 times last year in Winston-Salem, and he’s the worst defensive SS I’ve ever seen. He doesn’t have the footwork or instincts to play third, either. He should probably end up in left field or at first base, and there were a few nights I thought he should DH. But the swing was always there, and he’s had a breakout offensive season at Double-A. There are attitude problems involved, though, as he was just suspended for 2 weeks for violating a team rule. He’s never been the hardest worker, and motivation can be a problem. He’s definitely not a choir boy, but he can hit.
Seriously, this trade is so much better than what the Royals got for Beltran it isn’t funny. Reed is now our top prospect, Olivo our best catcher, and Morse is about as interesting a bat as you’ll find in the system, even if he has nowhere to play. Making them pay Ben Davis’ salary the rest of the year is icing on the cake.
Seriously, just a fantastic trade for the Mariners. Great deal, Bill. Very well done.
BREAKING NEWS…
Freddy Garcia to the White Sox. Details to follow.