As for Guillen, I am fine wiht his extension, it doesn’t garuntee he will start for the next 3 years.

I find it hard to believe that Guillen will not be retained. Not that I think he’s worth it.

Would they re-sign Guillen, play Jones regularly, and retain everyone else but Sexson?

It’s possible, but doesn’t look a whole lot better defensively. I don’t see this as improving something Mclaren has even noticed as something to improve this offseason, lack of patience by the hitters. The most likely I guess would be moving Ibanez or Vidro to 1B. Yuck.

FA’s:

http://mlb4u.com/freeagency.php?field=position

Where does anyone think a 1Bman is coming from?

If Clement is ready as a hitter, enough to learn a new position in the Offseason/Spring, I missed something.

A couple OF’s look marginally interesting (though Guillen actually looks a bit better to me than any FA OF) but I see no 1Bmen that are appealing at all.

An interesting thought about who could most easily be replaced, looking at available DH, 1B, 2B and OFers is one who’s been playing 2 of those positions. Alexei Ramirez is a 26 YO (this week) Cuban National who’s been playing 2B, and CF for Cuba (SS and CF in Cuba). Signing him could give the team some flexibility going in to the Spring, if he’s ready for the bigs. He hit .335 with a .574 slugging percentage including 20 HR this season for Pinar del Rio. He led the Cuban National Season in hits in ‘03 with the same team, but I can’t find the total number (nor AB’s/any other stats). Not sure about his height, weight, bats (saw him hit a HR RH on YouTube, Switch? probably not…)Anyone know anything else about him?

1. Regarding the Lopez issue:

Has anybody suggested the possiblity of playing Jones at his originally drafted position of SS? I imagine that he still has all of the skills to play SS well. The Mariners should make him the starting SS. He could also back up in the OF. Kind of like Willie B, but a good hitter.

This allows Yuni to be the 2B. Talk about a strong middle infield, not just in hitting, but in fielding, and in speed. Yuni has played 2B before and has great range. Much better hitter than Lopez.

This allows Lopez to be the utility player, as he has had experience at 2B, 3B, and SS. If he develops into a better player, then he can work his way back in to the starting lineup. In the offseason, he likely will be offered in a trade for starting pitching, with some combination of Sexson, Broussard, Clement, or Balentien…whatever it takes to get a really good starter. Probably will remain on the M’s unless he helps us land a top level starter.

2. Regarding the Sexson issue:

Sexson is gone. There are teams that will pay him between 6-10 million, so the M’s will pay the difference and send him along. Maybe he will just go in an isolated deal, or in a package deal, but he is gone. Even if the M’s thought he might have a good season next year, I don’t think they could risk all of discontented fans Booing Sexson with every “swing and a miss”. Sexson’s presence on the team could affect ticket sales, and the M’s are all about making the mighty dollar, and making Safeco a Fun Fan Experience.

Therefore, the remaining starters (back-ups) at 1B, DH, LF are:
Broussard (or Vidro) will play 1B.
Vidro (or Ibanez) will play DH.
Ibanez (or Balentien) will play LF.
(Jones could play LF at times, to let Lopez play at 2B, and let Yuni play SS.)

3. The Guillen issue:

The M’s will Sign Guillen to a 2-3 year contract. His leadership and aggressive play seems to light a fire in the mellow Mariners. Good hitter, too. I think he is a big part of their success this season. I think he is a weak fielder, seems to misplay the ball a lot, but does have a good arm. Could DH later in his career.

4. The Vidro issue (not likely to happen but should):

The M’s should seriously entertain any trade offer for Vidro. Buy low, sell high. His value is at its peak. Allows Ibanez to be DH, and Balentien to be LF (perhaps Reed as 4th OF). Vidro has had a decent season, probably better than anyone expected. But I will be surprised if he has this much success next year. Only signed for one more year, and certainly cannot be in the long-term plans.