Mariners Swap Carter Capps for Logan Morrison
If there was one Mariner I was pretty sure wasn’t going to be on the team next year, it was Carter Capps. The Mariners don’t like pitchers who give up home runs. Pretty much every HR prone pitcher they’ve had in the last few years has been dumped at first opportunity. They love hitting home runs, and they hate giving them up. Carter Capps gave up a lot of home runs, so he’s gone.
In return, they got Logan Morrison. Logan Morrison is Justin Smoak. I wrote up my thoughts on Morrison and his fit in Seattle over at FanGraphs. I’m okay with acquiring him if Smoak is going away, or if Morrison was acquired to flip in another move, but I hope he’s not being brought in to play the outfield. That would be bad. That would be more of the same bad as last year. Having 1B/DH types is fine if you play them at 1B/DH. No more 1B/DHs in the outfield please.
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Jon Morosi is saying he hears SEA out on Choo now after these two moves. Boo.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/12/shin-soo-choo-rumors-wednesday.html
We need Choo. We need someone who can get on base and play the OF.
Morosi and Heyman are reading tea leaves, they are just speculating. One says we’re out on Cruz, the other says we’re still in on Cruz, but both are SURE we’re out on Choo.
Ignore them.
Just saw the Hart deal a few minutes ago and thought that the most obvious move finally got done.
Then I saw the Morrison deal and thought we just traded for another Justin Smoak.
Then I came here and saw that Dave referred to him as Justin Smoak as well.
I was hoping for a positive spin, but I was denied!
I guess Morrison does a little better getting on, but really, why him?
Here’s hoping one or the other of Smoak/Morrison is trade bait. Packaged with Franklin or Ackley, they would seem to add some value as a secondary piece.
i think that they will have Hart play DH. Now they have Morrison if Smoak falls flat on his face. Hopefully 2 more outfielders are on this list to acquire.
I could be sold on a Hart/Montero/Morrison 1B/DH rotation. Hart could spend most of his time at DH to ease the burden on his knees with Morrison (career .342 wOBA vs. RHP) and Montero (career .357 wOBA vs. LHP) platooning at 1B. That would leave Smoak (career .bad/.worse wOBA vs. RHP/LHP) as the odd man out.
Divish was tweeting that they want Hart in the OF and Hart want’s to play the OF. Hmmmmm.
They’re about to have one too many players on the roster, so someone has to go away.
Why, oh why do they insist on putting people in the OF that really shouldn’t be there?
I could be sold on a Hart/Montero/Morrison 1B/DH rotation. Hart could spend most of his time at DH to ease the burden on his knees with Morrison (career .342 wOBA vs. RHP) and Montero (career .357 wOBA vs. LHP) platooning at 1B. That would leave Smoak (career .bad/.worse wOBA vs. RHP/LHP) as the odd man out.
…except…
http://seattletimes.com/text/2022438276.html
• Zduriencik confirmed the team has interest in bringing back oft-injured outfielder Franklin Gutierrez. Zduriencik wouldn’t go into details, but it would likely be a one-year contract with heavy incentives based on playing time.
• Jesus Montero is on the outside looking in at the Mariners’ future. Zduriencik said the team is moving forward without considering him part of the immediate roster. In one season, Montero was demoted to Class AAA, converted to first base, injured his knee that required surgery and was suspended for performance-enhancing drugs. Zduriencik said Montero will have to earn his way back.
If Guti and Raul come back, this could be “2013 Mariners + Cano”. Ugh.
In 2011 and 2012, Hart was not terrible as a RF. His UZR/150 over some 1500 innings there avg’d about .5. He was worse at 1B. I know his knees are bad, but there was a note about him having put together a video showing just how great his knees/legs were now that was “impressive.” We know rehab for knees has reached new levels. Maybe he will not be the dead weight in RF that some are anticipating. I still want Choo, of course, or someone via trade.
Sign Choo!!!!! We have a GAPING hole in center field. It is more like a Big Black Hole. Kemp is staying in Dodger Town. Hart is pushing for an outfield job and doesn’t want to be stuck at 1B. He was semi-solid in the OF before the knee problems, so it’s not like we are sticking Cruz or Morse out there.
This leaves Choo, Cruz, Gutierrez, Morse, Ibanez and Kubel still available. Choo can play center although he would be a better corner outfielder. Saunders will add great depth and possibly emerge as an OF starter. Maybe we take a rider on Guti with incentives as well.
So many questions still yet to be answered. Do we keep Smoak. He should feel less pressured to hit the ball out of the yard. Is Cruz still an option being he is 33 and would want multiple years. Raul’s future? Is Morales now out of the conversation? Not so sure we should abandon him knowing we need more right-handed production.
Still need right-handed hitters and Morrison, should we keep him through spring training is a lefty as well. Gotta be concerned if we face left handed pitchers. Maybe Montero re-enters the fold? Finish what we started!!!
1. Choo-L CF
2. Miller-L SS
3. Cano-L 2B
4. Hart-R RF
5. Seager-L 3B
6. Saunders-L/Guti-R DH/OF
7. Smoak-L 1B
8. Zunino-R C
9. Ackley-L LF
Eastside suds, a Choo, Hart, Ackley outfield might be worse than last year defensively. Choo should spend no time in CF. I’m all for getting Choo and putting him in a corner, but it sounds like the price will be unreasonable.
@Eastside Suds, on bleacherreport it’s stated whichever team goes to 8 years for Choo gets him. He’s got a few 7 year offers on the table. With his age I think that contract is way to risky.
Totally agree on the years for Choo being ridiculous. I’d like to believe no one is going to give him more than 6. I also agree that Choo is a corner outfielder, but is he better than Saunders? Maybe so. We still need another outfielder regardless. Morse, Ibanez, Hart, Cruz….. we need an athlete and at least Choo can run.
Cali…..Hart is a better athlete than Morse. He’s worked really hard to get back in shape and he was a capable outfielder before the knee surgeries. You saw Morse and Ibanez last year. It can’t be worse than those two.
Hart would be every bit as bad as Morse or Cruz in the outfield. Over the last five seasons he’s been worth -56 runs as a outfielder. That was when he was in his 20s and before he had surgeries on both knees. It would be 2013 all over again.
Choo was a horrible CF in Cin. Great with the bat, but horrible defender in Center. He needs to be a corner OF where he’s decent.
What legitimate Center fielders can be had out there? Gardner? We should trade Ackley and pieces for him.
Sign Choo, but for RF.
Current roster
Ackley CF
Miller SS
Cano 2b
Hart RF
Seager 3b
Saunders LF
Morrison 1b
Franklin DH
Zunino C
A legit defensive CF would be a godsend for this pitching staff, maybe more needed than Choo.
I think Knickers has the right idea. Maybe they can trade for Gardner. Last season a lot of the losses piled up because we had no outfield defense.
I think Z has to say Hart and Lomo are for the OF right and Smoak is our guy for 1B (at least until he deals one).
If he is not dealt then we are left with a great back up if Smoak tanks. Year after year we are stuck with a dilema when our starters regress. I like the chances of these guys competing for playing time at DH and 1B and if they are all taking off sacarifice some D to have Hart and Lomo have limtied time in LF is not the worst thing. I do think we still need a platoon RH OF or even better full time legit RH CF. Am stoked about Hart and Lomo could be good too. We must have a full roster now so a deal needs to be done to get room to add BP pieces, hopefully kurt Suzuiki and a defensively sound RH OF’er.
Okay….Kemp says he’s staying. Ellsbury is gone. Granderson is gone….. so CF defenders left? The answer is, there aren’t any free agents available that are capable MLB center fielders..
So….assuming Choo can’t play CF, that leaves us with bringing Guti back or Saunders/Ackley. Barring a trade, that’s where the M’s are right now.
What legitimate center-fielders could be had right now? We desperately need one.
De Aza? They just got Eaton.
Chris Heisey any good?
Stubbs? Meh.
Gentry? – Would the As flip him? I wish.
Rasmus? I heard he’s available.
Kemp. I still like Kemp’s upside. For Franklin and pieces (maybe even Paxton or Hultzen) I’d do it.
Dodgers said today that Kemp isn’t going anywhere and he doesn’t want to leave either. Barring a flip flop, Kemp is off the market.
Knickers-
Colby Rasmus
or
Brett Gardner?
I know the Yankees have asked about Ackley for 2B… And Toronto is looking for cost controlled pitching.
Gardner through 6 seasons in CF has a .991 fielding pct. I would love to see him patrolling Safeco. I can post more stats later. I just come from the school that values defense over offense, especially at SS and CF.
I’m not interested in giving anything up for one year of Gardner. He’s going to command a massive contract after this year and there’s no guarantee that he’d have any interest in resigning with Seattle.
Asuray, I’m not sure how much he can command. He’s got a good glove and speed, but it kind of ends there, plus he’d be entering his age 31 season. Also unlike Jacoby he didn’t have a Rickey Henderson-esque season once.
An extension or resigning him shouldn’t be too much of a concern since he’s not going to be able to command Cano or Ellsbury money. A player of his skillset is exactly what the M’s need in CF with what’s availible.
Asuray-
You wouldn’t give up Ackley for a year of a true Centerfielder (well, one that’s actually healthy and makes it out onto the field– still love ya, Guty)?
There really is no role left for Ackley on this team, if we believe we’ll have a real MLB outfield. Franklin has more value, with his ability to play SS too. So the loss is minimal, in that sense. Much the same reason Gardner is available– if you have too many of something, then the extra one doesn’t really have much value, other than as insurance.
Maybe not what you meant, but what I heard in your statement was:
“I’d rather NOT have a centerfielder than have a top centerfielder if I just need to replace him again next year.”
Knickers-
I wonder what the price of a guy like Carlos Gomez or even a Ben Revere would be?
Another guy I’ve always thought could be a good player given a full-time opportunity is Jose Tabata from PIT. I believe he’s played a little CF in the past.
The PIT GM has been quoted in saying he’s looking for a platoon mate at 1B. They have the righty already. Maybe a fit for Smoak?
A legit defensive CF would be a godsend for this pitching staff, maybe more needed than Choo.
I agree. I really cringe at the thought of Hart (and/or Morrison) being in the outfield.
If any one thinks Choo is an outfielder they have been smoking a little too much of Washington’s best. HOWEVER compared to the 2013 M’s power trio he would be an upgrade.
We should make a run at Choo – the current team is still behind last season’s Mariners in the all-important “number of DH’s on the roster” metric!
I just read Choo is seriously considering Texas 7 year offer since his market seems to be drying up.
Seattle more than likely would have to go to 8 to make it happen and I think that contract’s a mistake.
Choo in center would be a mistake. But would Choo in a corner really be that bad? Not a great outfielder, but I’d feel more comfortable with him than with Hart or Morrison there.
Peter Gammons reported that he talked to a GM who believes Kendrys Morales may not be signed before the draft, because of concerns about losing the comp pick. Wondering if it is possible for the Mariners to sign Morales and the trade him to an interested team…. I vaguely remember a rule that a FA signee has to be rostered a certain amount of time before he can be traded, but wasn’t sure and wondered too whether that applies to a re-sign of your OWN free agent.
If it is possible it might become one of Boras’ only plays for Morales…..
Sp-da-man,
After the year Gomez had last year, I doubt MIL would trade him at all. And Revere could be a good get too but what other CF options do the Phillies have? Mayberry? He’s not starter-worthy. I don’t think they’d let Revere go unless they had another good option at center.
Tabata I like. He’s playing right, but could play center. Heck, we could give PIT Smoak and Saunders as a replacement in right for them for Tabata and ask for a reliever back too, like Watson or Hughes.
It’s fun to dream up ideas.
“Longgeorge1 on December 11th, 2013 6:01 pm ….If any one thinks Choo is an outfielder they have been smoking a little too much of Washington’s best. HOWEVER compared to the 2013 M’s power trio he would be an upgrade”
I don’t smoke the stuff personally, but sadly, he would be an upgrade at either corner spot. Not at a 7-8 year contract though. NO THANK YOU!!! Cruz either.
Resign Guti with incentive laden contract and hope Saunders stays healthy and has a breakout year. Between the two, we’d be better off than with anyone left. Thin FA market for athletic OF’s this year.
Choo doesn’t hit well enough to play OF and he’s too healthy! He’d have to DH.
The Mariners have become a hub for players who are too proud to admit they can’t field anymore.