Winds of Change Blowing through the Pacific Northwest?

As the Mariners have yet to make any major free agent signings it is becoming obvious that the team may in fact have to go to the trade market to change how the team will look last season. The team is pleased with returning to the playoffs, but feels it has some areas it needs to improve in, if it is going to challenge for another division crown and possibly another World Series title.

The team is looking at a number of areas in which it can improve. First and foremost is the Starting Pitching. Last year, young ace Johnny Cueto was limited to 11 starts while dealing with a significant back injury. If Cueto (6-4 3.62 era) can stay healthy the team’s SP will be much improved. Besides Cueto lefties Billy Traber (16-9 3.92) , Ryan Rodriguez (11-8 4.25 era) and Robert Rohrbaugh (15-10 4.66 era) make up a solid if unspectacular front four of the rotation. According to GM, mgcoug2 the team would love to add a frontline right handed SP to better slot the entire rotation and make the team better suited for September and on in the AL.

Additionally their have been rumblings that the team and 3B Willy Aybar may part ways as the team would like to upgrade at 3B. Furthermore, the team is as always looking to continue to build it’s farm system by adding talented prospects that could fit into the team longterm.

Of course in order to get something you have to give something the M’s have plenty of quality names that have been thrown around the rumor mill this off season. Guys who have the chance to be impact everyday players like C Nick Hundley (.262/.319/.424 6HR 35 RBI in 172 ABs), 3B Ryan Adams (.313/.444 at AAA Tacoma), Infielder Asdrubal Cabrera (.256/.355 30 SBs), 1B Brett Bonvechio (.282/.416/.583 30 HR 94 RBIs) and MLB pitchers such as SP Ben Hendrickson, RP Joe Bateman (career 4.43 era), and RP Julio Mateo (2.28 era in AAA Tacoma). The team has also hinted that it would be willing to deal prospects, including highly thought of young talents such as OF Abrera Espinol (100 contact potential!), C Win Easterwood (91 Power potential!), RP Reidier Munro, and C Nelson Guess.

The bottom line is that the team has a solid core and the team is trying to build around it in order to become a more complete baseball team.

The next article will look at the team’s core and a future article on the team’s best prospects is in the works.

The Moose is Loose!!!

The first real post to come soon. The goal with this blog is too promote MLBDreams, a online baseball league that utilizes OOTP2007. As one of the Commishes and the GM of the Seattle Mariners, this blog will hopefully reflect my love of baseball, while facilitating interest in the league.