I hear Bobby Ayala, Mike Schooler AND Norm Charlton are available. Might take some trade bait to get Joe Table, though.

Because he is well-known for doing that.

C Johjima
1B?
2B Lopez
3B Beltre
SS Betancourt
LF Doyle
CF Ichiro
RF Guillen
DH Manny

It looks like Ibanez is playing first base (bad idea) or the FO plans on trading him or another OF/DH type and picking up a 1Bman. I don’t mind the idea of trading Ibanez, but who here thinks the M’s are looking at that route? Ichiro? They just signed Guillen and just got Manny, so it looks like they’ll play Ibanez at first or trade Snelling. Which would you prefer? I like neither, but I have to say in this scenario I’d rather see them get some pitching help back for Snelling than watch Ibanez at first again. Another problem with this is it leaves the team with two players who you’d rather see DH, so you haveto bench one or play one in the field. It’s possible Manny could be adequate at 1B, but he’s never done it in MLB. I don’t see how Manny makes sense unless they’re willing to trade Ibanez, and then you’re replacing Ibanez and Sexson with Guillen and Manny. You get talent back too, but I’m talking about Offensive production. It doesn’t look like as much of an improvement as it looks before thinking about how everyone’s getting playing time. Maybe there’s some other way to work that out, but I don’t see it.

I’d rather see the team get pitching and MiLers back for the pieces they’re trading and Willis isn’t the only option. As long as you’d only be expecting a #2-3 type starter out of him and the pieces being traded aren’t out of line with that I like the idea.

Let’s say you dont make the deal, Soriano never finds form and Putz turns back into the guy he was before. We’ll be shuffling for closers anyhow, so why not make the move to improve the teams offense, shore up starting pitching then search around the system to shore up the pen and groom Sherril/Lowe for closing duties as needed.

The talk about reeling in a big fish [haha] in D-Train is very eye catching but is it realistic? I dunno.

I think us trading for Manny is a brilliant idea. If it gets us into a winning mode then that will only bode well come trading time next year. Who wouldnt want to play for a team with Ichico, Beltre, Ramirez, Ibanez, and Guillen in its lineup? Provided we get some good pitching (Read: Zito) then come trade time mid-next season we can be looking for some pieces to make a good run at the playoffs/series. Sure Manny is a problem in left field, but come on… he can’t be any worse than Mike Morse!

With the current rumors, we are giving up players that currently dont have jobs or open holes on the team, and at least one of our multiple closer possibilities. If they want Putz, fine.. I’m sick of seeing him give up GW Salami’s, if they want Soriano, fine.. he hasnt done much with his health problems/bad luck. We have Lowe and Sherril in the weeds and either could turn into a fine closer.

My $.02

Bill

#34 I agree. There are always these rumors around the Mariners and I get my hopes high just to feel disappointed in the end. I mean, it’d be great to get Manny/Zito/Lowry/LaRouche/Jennings/Lilly [or any combination] but is it reeeeeally being worked out or just some out of control jibber jabber?

When I first saw the supposed three team deal where we give up Jones, Soriano, Sexson and get Manny and Lowry in return, I thought “they’d better pull the trigger on that one” but after reading more sources, the name Putz came up. I think the deal would be sweeter if we kept him, but if he is a necessity to make a deal then we better keep Soriano. Having a big bat like Ramirez in our lineup is great but I believe having an anchor at the end of the game is more crucial.

I’m pretty okay with the Schmidt idea but would far rather see Zito in an M’s jersey. Sadly, I highly doubt that we’ll be able to afford him, no matter what the rumors say. Truly believe he’d be worth the money, especially at Safeco.