What’s Left To Do
Update: Zduriencik was quoted at today’s luncheon as saying the Mariners are looking to add a right-handed bat, and preferably a guy who can play multiple positions like left field, first base, and DH. Michael Saunders shot at breaking camp with the big league club just got a lot slimmer…
Like many of you, I’ve spent the past couple weeks wondering what would be Jack Zduriencik’s next move. About a week or two ago, I made the case that Jerry Hariston Jr should be the last position player acquired by the M’s. Since then, Hariston has signed with the Padres, and similar players like Randy Winn, Fernando Tatis, Xavier Nady, etc. have signed on elsewhere. That said, there are still a couple similar players that could fill the right-handed outfielder void the Mariners currently have (or seem to have anyway). Guys like Jermaine Dye, Eric Brynes, Ryan Garko, Rocco Baldelli, Marcus Thames, or Jonny Gomes could be of interest to the M’s. There is also the possibility that the Mariners sign a right-handed reserve infielder like Melvin Mora (the most recent rumor out there). However, please keep in mind that I am not advocating the Mariners sign any of these players, given, I don’t really like any of these guys and think going with Michael Saunders as your full-time left fielder and Ryan Langerhans as your 4th outfielder would be a better option than these guys anyway. Rather, I’m simply naming a couple of players that could be potential fits to the Mariners, if you do truly believe the M’s need to add a right-handed hitter who can play the outfield, and particularly left field. You could probably also make the case that giving the last roster spot to a guy already on the 40 man roster, such as Mike Carp, Matt Tuiasosopo, or Tommy Everidge would be a better move than acquiring any of the aforementioned players. However, I still think Saunders is a better option than any of these guys and you’d probably have a tough time trying to convince me otherwise (but please feel free to try and do so anyway)
Now, with that said, there are two names on the market (via free agency or trade) that represent more value in left field than Michael Saunders can currently offer. The two names I speak of are Johnny Damon and Josh Willingham. Much speculation has taken place recently whether or not either guy would be a good fit for the M’s. The proponents of Damon will mention that he is solid defensively and can still hit the ball quite a bit (they’ll also probably mention his ridiculously lousy throwing arm and really annoying personality). For the record, I can’t stand Damon as a player, but I realize that on a 1 year deal for about $4-6 million, he would be of significant value to the Mariners. In comparison, the proponents of Willingham will mention that he is only slightly below average defensively, and has significant right-handed power. I’ve made the case several times in the past that Willingham is a player the Mariners should target. That said, none of us know definitely if the Washington Nationals are willing to trade him, and what it might take to acquire him. The optimists will suggest we trade Jose Lopez to the Nationals to fill their void at second base, and receive Willingham in return to fill our void in left field. In my opinion, this is obviously an ideal scenario and probably not very likely to occur, but I will put absolutely NOTHING past Jack Zduriencik. In comparing the Damon and Willingham, I think both guys are worth about 2-3 wins this coming season. Both guys are of similar defensive value and would see time as the DH as well. When it comes to choosing which player I prefer, like many of you, I’d definitely choose Willingham if it involves dealing Lopez and signing Orlando Hudson. However, I’d be perfectly cool with signing Damon, trading Lopez for Francisco Liriano, and then signing Hudson to play second base. In reality, I’m not so sure either of these scenarios will happen, and if they dont, I’m of the stance that the Mariners are better off sticking with Michael Saunders in left field rather than any utility type player currently on the market
