Mariners Offseason Thread 2014-2015

[HawkFan72]

Ruggiano is a 4th OF, platoon RH bat.

He's a good depth piece, but if the M's decide to platoon him and James Jones in RF and call it an offseason, this is going to be very underwhelming.

Paired with a good LH bat, getting Ruggiano could be a good move. Just not very exciting.

i think its a better move than you're giving it credit for. but yes, hopefully it does not stand alone.

The Ms didnt need exciting in every move they make. this one is solid (by all accounts, as I didnt know who the guy was, admittedly)

Considering the M's needed an Outfielder BEFORE they traded Saunders, and needed 2 after they traded him, I am fine if Ruggiano is one of those. I think he's a solid option as a platoon bat and 4th OF.

I just won't be happy if he's the only OF they add.

I don't think they need a star there either. I'd be happy if they added Rasmus or Seth Smith to platoon with Ruggiano.

I don't hate trading for Ruggiano at all. Unless (like I said) they just call it an offseason and platoon him with James Jones.

 

[Blitzer88]

Thought Ruggiano would be younger, but he is 32 years old.

 

[HawkFan72]

Thought Ruggiano would be younger, but he is 32 years old.

Yeah he had a late start in the majors. He's 32, yet he's only has 4 years of service time. He's still in arbitration years. Weird to see for a 32 year old.

 

[davidonmi]

Ruggiano isn't going to be the everyday starting RF.
The mariners needed 2 outfielders after trading saunders, I think this is a solid platoon guy in RF who they got for basically free.
Good move.
Now get Seth Smith and have Ruggiano and Smith, and possibly ackley from time to time platoon.

 

[SeatownJay]

Mariners appear to be interested in Nori Aoki. Corner outfielder with speed and good OBP, though not much power.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/ ... nori-aoki/

 

[Uncle Si]

Mariners appear to be interested in Nori Aoki. Corner outfielder with speed and good OBP, though not much power.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/ ... nori-aoki/

would be a good top of the order hitter. set the table for Seager, Cruz, Cano (in whatever order they roll out).

 

[hawkfan68]

Mariners appear to be interested in Nori Aoki. Corner outfielder with speed and good OBP, though not much power.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/ ... nori-aoki/

would be a good top of the order hitter. set the table for Seager, Cruz, Cano (in whatever order they roll out).

Aoki seems like Ichiro 2.0. Their stats are similar. If he continues to hit around .285, he'd be 2nd best avg on the team.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

Good thing we didn't go after Kemp, he has old lady hips.

http://deadspin.com/report-matt-kemp-tr ... socialflow

 

[MizzouHawkGal]

Mariners appear to be interested in Nori Aoki. Corner outfielder with speed and good OBP, though not much power.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/ ... nori-aoki/

I'd be fine with that.

 

[jkitsune]

I'd like to take a moment to thank Jack Z for being the opposite of the Padres right now. They've basically sold off their entire farm system for aging veterans with injury concerns and/or 1-year rentals.

I will always hate the Saunders trade, since we're still actively looking to replace him on the roster and I don't think it helped us significantly for this year (and probably hurt us), but the Mariners still have all of their chips, have avoided the biggest pitfalls in free agency, and still have room to make a run at the excellent FA crop next year.

 

[HawkFan72]

I'd like to take a moment to thank Jack Z for being the opposite of the Padres right now. They've basically sold off their entire farm system for aging veterans with injury concerns and/or 1-year rentals.

I will always hate the Saunders trade, since we're still actively looking to replace him on the roster and I don't think it helped us significantly for this year (and probably hurt us), but the Mariners still have all of their chips, have avoided the biggest pitfalls in free agency, and still have room to make a run at the excellent FA crop next year.

Actually the Padres have been able to do all this while still retaining three of their top prospects.

Still think they are crazy, but it's been pretty impressive they held on to those guys with all the dealing they have been doing.

 

[jkitsune]

Mariners moving closer to trade for OF Seth Smith, who would be a solid platoon for Ruggiano in RF. Rumored return is a bullpen arm. We'll see who it is, but given how volatile and replaceable bullpen arms are, and given that Smith would be a solid player under affordable control for 2-3 years, would be a nice pickup. Would also allow us flexibility to look at significantly better options in next year's FA class.

 

[bigtrain21]

Mariners moving closer to trade for OF Seth Smith, who would be a solid platoon for Ruggiano in RF. Rumored return is a bullpen arm. We'll see who it is, but given how volatile and replaceable bullpen arms are, and given that Smith would be a solid player under affordable control for 2-3 years, would be a nice pickup. Would also allow us flexibility to look at significantly better options in next year's FA class.

I love it pending who we give up. I have thought Seth Smith would be a good fit for a few years.

 

[HawkFan72]

Looks like it would be for Maurer. He's a nice bullpen arm to have, but that's the place we can afford to trade from.

Would love to get Smith. Great platoon partner for Ruggiano and we can go after a full-time guy in RF next offseason.

 

[SeatownJay]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/ChrisDaniels5/status/550061553006178304[/tweet]

 

[jkitsune]

Nice move IMO. Dealing from a position of strength for a position of dire need. Smith will be good depth for a few years, and a Smith/Ruggiano platoon is a reasonable solution to our issues this year. More importantly, we didn't overspend or trade away any significant pieces for any of our pickups this year. Significantly better FA crop + money to spend next year? Sounds good to me.

Maurer has shown flashes of dominance as a 1-inning reliever, but has never been able to even approach a serviceable starter. Given the volatility of relievers (Beimel and Medina anyone?) I don't mind selling high on Maurer.

Mariners have a reasonably complete roster. There's always room to improve, and I'd love to see them sign a mid-range SP FA still, but if they were to stop here, I'd be pretty satisfied with this offseason.

 

[Sports Hernia]

Like the move, more depth, possible platoon.

 

[Atradees]

two more hitters a righty and lefty(hittin specialist) and both outfeilders. Good.

 

[HawkFan72]

M's have no gaping holes anymore. This was a great trade. Now they can upgrade if they wish, but there is no spot on the roster that absolutely needs to be addressed. That's a good spot to be in and now they can look for potential bargains.

 

[IndyHawk]

Good job Jack! Go M's!!!