If You’re Wondering
If the Mariners make a trade today, I’ll write about it. I don’t expect them to, despite the reports that they’re talking to other teams about Michael Morse, Oliver Perez, and Tom Wilhelmsen. My guess is that their asking price is probably a bit different from what teams are going to want to pay for these guys.
That isn’t to say that the Mariners won’t make any trades this season. A lot of the M’s pieces are guys you could trade pretty easily in August. Joe Saunders isn’t going to get claimed by a low-ranking non-contender, so if he doesn’t clear waivers, he’d probably still get to someone who might give something up for the stretch run. Same with Raul Ibanez, who I doubt the M’s have any interest in trading anyway, but if they did decide to let him have another playoff run to end the year, they could get him to a contender in August. Morales, they’re going to keep and try to extend or at least make the qualifying offer. At least, that seems like the pretty clear plan.
So, really, besides Morse and Perez, their trade chips aren’t really subject to today’s deadline anyway, and those guys might end up getting to a contender as well, depending on how they perform over the next few weeks. They’re less likely to sneak through waivers, but it’s not completely out of the question.
Today’s trade deadline is really about pieces like Jake Peavy or Matt Garza. These guys can’t really be traded in August because their value is too high for even non-contenders to pass on them. For bit pieces, role players, and marginal improvement guys — basically, everyone the M’s might sell — this deadline isn’t really a deadline.
It’s a 3-for-1 deal! Saunders, Morse and Perez for ???
I agree Dave, I just don’t see the O’s or Pirates buying for those guys.
A big nothing. Boo. Man, it’s sure looks like we could have had Norris for cheap
A big nothing. Boo. Man, it’s sure looks like we could have had Norris for cheap
I think Raul might’ve gotten some interest if he hadn’t decided to complete suck since the all star break.
41 years old, historically streaky, hitting much better than could be expected then suddenly falling off the table…
Shoot, it could have been Ian Kennedy for even less!
Like watching Joe Saunders on the mound, a big collective YAWN from M’s fan this trade deadline.
Wait . . we are sellers?
The second wild card helped change the landscape. The qualifying offer angle is another one – I was sure Kendrys would get shopped.
Waiting until late August means less time for the player to help in the regular season, although he’s still there for the (hoped-for) playoffs. I guess more players will become available, too, as more teams fade out of the playoff picture.