Offseason Wish List

[LeFrançais]

As we all know what sector of the game we need to improve, we also all have ideas or thoughts to make it happen. Let's share it together, should be fun to see what all the fans have in mind.

Also what do you think with keeping Vargas ? Is moving the fence in, as we was touched by HRs this year, won't be to much for him, as I remember his contract ended but it's his last year of arbitration eligibility.

I like what he have done, being a reliable 2nd pitcher and like the guy too but I'm 50/50 on keeping him. One of my first wish is to keep Iwakuma (who have a high degree of sympathy as he owned the Angels ).

[Igoe4Mariners]

I think we need a veteran, middle-of-the-order OF bat to go around some of our young guys. I know we have a bunch of fringe outfielders in the system, but I don't see any of them amounting into anything more than platoon players once they reach their peak. I think we've seen enough of Casper Wells, Mike Carp and Trayvon Robinson to know they will never be average, full-time big leaguers.

[LeFrançais]

I think we need a veteran, middle-of-the-order OF bat to go around some of our young guys. I know we have a bunch of fringe outfielders in the system, but I don't see any of them amounting into anything more than platoon players once they reach their peak. I think we've seen enough of Casper Wells, Mike Carp and Trayvon Robinson to know they will never be average, full-time big leaguers.

Do you think the Ms could have any interest (payroll, chemistry,...) in considering Hamilton ? I'm not so sure about the guy plus I'm not a big fan in trading/acquiring player from divisional foes but... he sure have the pop we miss. I'm not so sure about the role he could play (OF or DH) but I'm kind of... well I won't be dispointed if we don't try anything with him but... Why not... Any opinion ?

[clarknova]

Josh Hamilton has to be one of the highest risk/reward free agents of all time. I don't think he'll be a Mariner for two reasons - 1. I don't think the M's think he's worth the risk for the money he will command, and 2. I think there are other teams out there with more money to burn that can absorb the considerable risk he brings with him (injury prone and EXTREMELY streaky). However, if I'm wrong about the other suitors and the market is low, there is an outside chance the M's could pick him up. I wouldn't be a huge fan of the deal, but it would be exciting. In a recent radio interview Jack basically said if there is a player out there that is available to purchase that they really think is a guy that can help them get to that next level, they will make an appeal to ownership to provide the capital to get it done. He also said that unfortunately the free agent class this year is not strong and as much as some fans might not want to hear it, next year might be the year that it happens. So, we'll see but I'd be shocked. Just doesn't seem like a good fit. For the right price, I'm on board, but in a weak free agent class someone will overspend and I can't see this M's front office doing that... Mostly because they haven't ever. Even once.

I like the idea of a Melky Cabrera reclamation project, and I'd like to see a trade or two this winter. Our needs remain the same: First base, RF/LF, and upgraded offense all across the board.

I'd rather have Iwakuma than Vargas if given the choice. Based simply on the fences moving and the type of pitchers they are. If we can keep both at reasonable prices, I'm all for that as well.

The Mariners find themselves in a similar situation to last offseason. They had one big (figuratively and literally) target and beyond that they had interest in some guys but didn't want to lock those players in for multiple years. The problem with upgrading this off season via free agency is say you bring in a guy like Nick Swisher. Ok, now he's likely your right fielder for 6 or so years. He'll probably get a contract for 90+ million. He's a decent hitter, no doubt, but if I'm the Mariners my problem is that I need star hitters. I need two or more All Star caliber hitters. I'm going to do everything I can to acquire them but when I do I have to have a place to put them and multi-year, 8 figure a season salaries have a way of blocking those players. I'm a "meh" on Swisher for that reason.

So, they have to do something. Moving the fences is going to help the hitters and hurt the pitchers. Two what degree, we're about to find out. I'd like to see a trade for a good bat. We're going to have to sacrifice one of the "big three" to get it done, and probably a decent prospect or player on the roster (see: Seager, Kyle) to get it done, but that's what I would like to see. I'd rather have them spend prospects on a sign and trade or a straight up deal for a young budding superstar then throw 100 million dollars at BJ Upton. That's my wish list. A good trade or two, like last off season.

Either way. They need to do something. Nothing will not cut it.

[LeFrançais]

@Clarknova

I'm all ok on Vargas/ Iwakuma.

As our needs are quite the same as last season, the way to fill them have to change. This time no other choice but to hit the FA market. Wedge gave the chance everyone needed, we just realise that except Seager, we can't rely only on what we've got. So... the big bat will come from what you can call a light FA market (compare to last year for example).

Of course a surprising trade like the Pineiro/Montero also might happen as we're filled with young arms... but I quite don't like it because we haven't seen them perform at the big league level.
An OF or two might be also considered in trades.

At least we have options, we still don't know how much money we can spend on FA... (not that I'm crazy about spending money on anyone).

[Igoe4Mariners]

I'm on the Melky bandwagon. Swisher bandwagon too, a little. Not a big fan of signing Hamilton to a long-term contract.