Prospect Insider - Arbitration and the Seattle Mariners

Arbitration and the Seattle Mariners

By Jason A. Churchill

By 11-30-2008

The Seattle Mariners have a couple of arbitration-eligible players this winter, particularly ace-in-the-making Felix Hernandez, but they're undoubtedly eying similar players on other clubs.

There are a number of talents around the league that could get priced out of their current situation due to their arbitration status. Arbitration, unlike free agency, simply gives the player a chance to make a solid salary almost regardless of their performance on the field, which is a flawed system in itself.

The result is a trade market based on projected salaries via the process of arbitration.

But because every offseason I get dozens of e-mails asking me to explain the arbitration process, here it is now:

Any player without a multi-year contract through 2009 or beyond and has at least three years of service time -but less than six years - is arbitration-eligible.

Also, players with at least two but less than three years of service are eligible for salary arbitration if he has accumulated at least 86 days of service during the previous season (2008 in this case) AND he ranks in the top
17 percent in total service among the players who have at least two but less than three years of service, and the 86 days of service in 2008. These types are referred to as a Super Two.

Where some get confused is when others start talking about clubs offering arbitration to their free agents. Don't get the two mixed together, it's a completely different issue.

When we talk about arbitration-eligible players, see the regulations and stipulations above, or refer to the Primer page on the menu at the top of the page where arbitration, free agency, draft-pick compensation and service time rules are explained in easy-to-understand terms. (this will be added mid-week)

I won't go into the procedure of arbitration hearings, since it rarely gets to that point in the first place, but to finish it off, know that arbitration salaries are based on service time first, then the performance of the player with regard to other similarly-skilled players with similar service time at the same or similar positions on the field.

In other words, Felix Hernandez is going to be compared to players such as Scott Kazmir, Brandon Webb, Jake Peavy, Matt Cain and other frontline starters that have recently received pre-free agency, arbitration-based salaries or multi-year contract extensions.

In glancing at the arbitration-eligible players on each roster, there are some interesting names that may ultimately be made available, if they aren't already, due to a hefty raise via arbitration.

Here are the most interesting names I came across.

Jeremy Hermida, RF - Florida Marlins
Hermida is a solid defender in right with a good approach at the plate and more raw power than what his numbers have shown. He draws his share of walks, hits left-handed and is just 25 years old in January.

But Hermida is also just a first-year arbitration eligible and the Marlins have already dealt three of their 25-man members that were due somewhat large raises in 2009.

Hermida is a nice piece to take a risk on if the M's can land him, but dealing with a young, constantly-rebuilding organization like the Marlins would only cost Seattle what they are trying to add in the first place - young talent.

Might be a year early for Hermida to be moved, as Florida would be selling low.
Conor Jackson, 1B - Arizona
Jackson was selected 19th overall in the 2003 Draft, a spot the Mariners surrendered to the Diamondbacks for signing Greg Colbrunn - oops.

He hasn't developed into the ideal bat at first, but he'll be relatively inexpensive for another two years, isn't a free agent until after the 2011 season and his line-drive approach and superb contact rates are an asset to any lineup.

The D-backs aren't big spenders, but they aren't a small-market franchise, either, so trading Jackson partly for financial reasons probably isn't going to happen this offseason.

But Arizona is on the brink of bring a postseason contender and if Seattle can give them a piece or two that fills some holes, namely second base or shortstop, third base or in the bullpen, there might be a match.

J.J. Hardy, SS, and Rickie Weeks, 2B - Milwaukee Brewers
There's been a lot of talk about Hardy being an good fit in Seattle as their new shortstop, but I'd much prefer him at second base, and I don't buy into his bat long-term. I watch him via MLB.tv archived video and I see a decent player, one who can play shortstop, who has taken advantage of the NL Central's poor pitching and hitter-friendly ballparks for the better part of three seasons.

A move to the AL West pits him against John Lackey and Ervin Santana multiple times per year, not to mention the rest of the AL's superior 11 and 12-man staffs.

Weeks is probably a better thought for Seattle. He's a buy-low player right now - certainly costing the M's less in trade than Hardy - and if he doesn't work out at second base, the former No. 2 overall pick might be a candidate for center field.

And every year scouts tell me he's a legit breakout candidate with above-average bat speed, good overall plate discipline and above-average speed.

As far as what the Mariners can offer Milwaukee, that's a tough question. They need pitching - frontline pitching - power relievers, and a third baseman, too.

Perhaps the closer-less Brewers gave interest in J.J. Putz, who is under club control through the 2010 season.

To an NL Central club's assistant GM I suggested a Putz-Adam Moore-Jose Lopez for Weeks-Brad Nelson-Mat Gamel deal, and after a little while thinking about it he agreed there were no major holes in the idea.

"I would think the only potential issues would be 'is that the best he (Brewers GM Doug Melvin) can do,' not that it's a package to sneeze at in return for one proven big leaguer, and maybe Melvin isn't sure he wants to keep (Mike) Cameron and bring up (Alcides) the Escobar kid right away."

Nelson is a favorite target of Dave Cameron at USSMariner, and for good reason. He's blocked at first base by Prince Fielder, draws a good share of bases on balls, limits his strikeouts, bats left-handed and can handle first base for the time being.

So unless Milwaukee deals Fielder for starting pitching or gets a better offer elsewhere, perhaps the two teams will hook up in some capacity.

Adrian Beltre should be at least interesting for Melvin, but for $12 million might be too pricey. Though the draft picks he'd bring for their 2010 draft has to be attractive as well.

Kelly Johnson, 2B, and Casey Kotchman, 1B - Atlanta Braves
Both players are just first-year eligibles, but the Braves are always out to save a buck, despite middle-of-the-pack payrolls year-in and year-out. Johnson is an average to above-average defender, but has flashed plus glove skills in the past and his left-handed pop and plate skills would serve well right behind Ichiro in the M's batting order.

Kotchman, like Nelson and Jackson, isn't exactly Mark Teixeira, but he's a capable hitter still in his developmental years. Kotchman, the subject, or should I say victim, of one my favorite moments ever at Cheney Stadium, has average power but should produce average or better on-base numbers, while playing a solid defensive first base.

Atlanta is probably going to fill their starting pitching need via trade (Jake Peavy) or free agency (A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe, Randy Wolf), so helping them out both in the bullpen and perhaps at third base with Lopez or Beltre, might entice Frank Wren into making such a deal.

Other arbitration eligible players that are interesting:
Angels utility player Chone Figgins (3rd year), A's right-hander Justin Duchscherer (3rd year), Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth (2nd year) and first baseman Ryan Howard (2nd), Pirates first baseman Adam LaRoche (3rd), Rockies bats Garret Atkins (2nd) and Brad Hawpe (2nd), and O's righty Daniel Cabrera (2nd).

As the economy indeed scares some teams into more frugal practices, the Mariners can and should try and take advantage of that and snare some cheap talent out from under some of the payroll-strapped clubs while they can.

And though the idea is to rebuild, which gives the M's time to piece together a contending roster, the sooner and more often they add assets, the quicker the rebuild will be complete.

And in addition to the draft, free agent deals and other trades, scouring up and down for arbitration casualties is another way for Jack Zduriencik to flip the Mariners into a better situation.

arbitration-and-the-seattle-mariners

Comments
The following 73 comment(s) for this article are shown below:

1. By: marinerseric on 12-01-2008 02:33:26
Hey Jason, how much do you think Felix will get in arbitration this off-season? Any chance we get him under a multiyear deal or is that already out of the question?

2. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-01-2008 03:03:50
I think between now and mid-season 2009, Felix gets a new deal, and it very well could happen by the first week of April.

It's certainly something his agent Alan Nero and Zduriencik will talk about this winter. It's very possible that the two sides agree on a one-year deal to avoid arbitration, and continue working on a long-term contract into the first month or so of the season.

3. By: CrustyJuggler on 12-01-2008 11:34:48
I would be gitty if that Brewer deal went down. Weeks and Nelson need a change of scenery like nobodies business. Do you think Gamel could stick at 3B though? Never seen the kid play but I've heard more than a few times that he is a horrid defender.

Then, for 2010 and beyond.. We draft Grant Green for SS, Yuni moves to 2B, Gamel at 3B and Weeks to CF. (wink)

4. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-01-2008 11:41:11
Gamel is an outfielder. I saw about 20 minutes of video on he and Escobar late this summer and he's just not a third baseman.

But he's an asset and might hit enough to warrant left field.

5. By: Fireballer55 on 12-01-2008 11:46:09
Hey Jason, Are you hearing anything(trade, FA) that might be getting done. Seems like we are getting a little deeper into the off season without any news or rumors, other than JJ might become available. Anything?

6. By: Pumpkin on 12-01-2008 12:48:41
I think buying cheap on weeks would be great it seems like he has the ability to become a good 5 tool outfielder. He certainly has the ability.

Just out of curiosity I don't think we have offered Raul arbitration yet, this is the last day we can do that right?

7. By: jonbbt on 12-01-2008 14:06:25
^5 tools is a bit of a push.

8. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-01-2008 14:29:22
Eh, Weeks is a 5-tool guy physically, just not on baseball terms, at least not at second base, and not yet at the plate.

Re: Fireballer55,

Just that they are turning over every stone and ARE talking to free agents.

9. By: malcontent1 on 12-01-2008 14:35:11
What about Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp on the Dodgers? I know they have a lot of salary space right now, but they also have 6 outfielders. Is there a deal, involving players other than Ichiro or Beltre, that can get either player? And is Jason Repko basically the Dodgers' version of Jeremy Reed?

10. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-01-2008 14:39:28
I like both players, sure - Felix, Morrow or Triunfel, yeah, probably.

11. By: CrustyJuggler on 12-01-2008 14:48:16
I'm definitely more interested in packaging Putz up with a guy or two to land a few breakout candidates.

12. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-01-2008 14:56:12
The M's offered Ibanez arby an hour ago.

13. By: CrustyJuggler on 12-01-2008 14:59:57
The better news is that they DIDN'T offer it to Willie and Cairo! (TIC)

14. By: hmbaseball7 on 12-01-2008 16:08:56
You mentioned Ryan Howard in the article. Is he really an optionand what would it take to get him out of philly?

15. By: jonbbt on 12-01-2008 17:06:54
Zduriencik apparently has a contract on the table for an unnamed free agent. Any ideas?

16. By: CrustyJuggler on 12-01-2008 17:57:44
Yeah, amidst the rumored "Zduriencik talks to Griffey's agent" stuff.. They also say that he has an offer on the table to another free agent and may get an answer in the next 48 hours.

Finally.. some Mariner rumored movement.

17. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-01-2008 18:48:12
I hear the free agent is a bit of a surprise...

18. By: shemberry on 12-01-2008 18:52:57
A good surprise or a bad surprise?

19. By: Pumpkin on 12-01-2008 19:03:42
I am glad the leadership is finally doing something, but I am apprehensive whether or not it will be a good move. I think this will be a good sign as to whether or not Jay-Z is given freedom to do whatever he wants or if owners are influencing his actions.

20. By: CrustyJuggler on 12-01-2008 19:11:30
"A good surprise or a bad surprise?"

Ditto that. A guy over on Bakers blog guessed it was Garret Anderson.... Yah, that would be a bad surprise.

21. By: jonbbt on 12-01-2008 19:27:53
It could be anyone.. anticipation's killing me!

Just watch, Seattle is going to be the "mystery team" in on Furcal.. (half joking)

22. By: hmbaseball7 on 12-01-2008 19:54:37
Garret Anderson wouldn't be that bad he still has some pop and he kills the mariners. But I would rather have them get someone long term and at 37 Garret's not the answer.

23. By: CrustyJuggler on 12-01-2008 20:00:42
Garret Anderson would be horrible. He used to have pop (not anymore), doesn't play good defense, doesn't get on base..

Pass.

24. By: littlelinny6 on 12-01-2008 20:11:44
Jason, ideas on FA Zdurenciek is talking about? Any hope of Milton Bradley as a DH or Furcal??

25. By: hmbaseball7 on 12-01-2008 20:33:14
Whats 45 extra base-hits and 84 rbis mean to you. And if you throw him at DH thats a lot more production than last season from that position. And remember Raul Ibanez patrolled left field last year. But anyways Milton Bradley would be great for DH and Rafy would provide a huge upgrade over that guy we call our shortstop.

26. By: CrustyJuggler on 12-01-2008 21:19:53
"Whats 45 extra base-hits and 84 rbis mean to you."

--------------------

Not a whole lot coming from a 37 year old DH that is probably hunting for a 2-3 year deal.

Anderson is on a downward trend as is getting more and more swing happy as he gets older. He took about 10 more BBs than Yuni did last year so.. yeah.. thats what we need... another free swinger. An old.. free swinger that'll hit us about 12 HRs in 2009.

And I wish people would stop using the "Well, he would be better than last years DHs" because that is a loaded argument. A starched jock-strap would have out produced last years DH spot so its really not saying much.

27. By: hmbaseball7 on 12-01-2008 21:26:47
True

28. By: CrustyJuggler on 12-01-2008 21:46:18
Jim Street has caught on to the free agent offer now too. Its a little more specific in that it says its a position player who was offered the deal.

At least its not Alan Embree like Tim thought at MLBTRs.

Finally.. something to get a little excited over.

29. By: Talkbaseball on 12-01-2008 22:37:09
My guess either is Abreu or Furcal, if it's Furcal look for Betancourt to move to second and Lopez to move to first....or a Beltre trade and Lopez moved to third.

30. By: Talkbaseball on 12-01-2008 22:38:11
Church, can you at least tell us if anyone guessed the right guy?

31. By: CrustyJuggler on 12-01-2008 22:40:19
JAC's probably got a cellphone in each ear right now trying to figure out who this FA is.

32. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-01-2008 22:54:52
I actually don't know for sure, and the only person that would share their best knowledge on the situation prefers I didn't repeat it.

But I don't know who it is, just that it might surprise us. Sounded like more of a positive than anything, but I'm in the dark right now.

I'll send out my three-dozen email inquiries tonight and if I get something that qualifies as new, I'll share.

33. By: CrustyJuggler on 12-01-2008 23:07:07
Sweet.. My guess for right now (qualifying as a "surprise") is Adam Dunn. SURPRISE!

He wasn't offered arbitration and could theoretically man 1B or LF. Not well mind you but its possible (again, in theory).

34. By: Corey on 12-01-2008 23:38:32
I wouldn't mind a Jason Giambi signing. He definitely fits the roll as stop gap...and he isn't bad at all(if you go by last year's numbers). In fact, he's actually pretty good.

Is he looking for work?

35. By: hmbaseball7 on 12-02-2008 00:01:26
We need someone like the Giambino. He gets on base and is a true power lefty which is something we haven't had in a long time since Griffey. Adam Dunn would also be filthy. He'll probably break the glass on the "Hit it Here Cafe" one day. And moving Yuni to 2B won't help much. He can't hit or get on base and his range sucks and his arm is too strong to put him at 2B. Trade him while you still can get someone for him. I like the thought of moving Lopez to 3B.

36. By: Snave on 12-02-2008 01:09:15
I sure won't mind if it's Rocco Baldelli. The guy does have some medical issues, but he has a lot of talent. If he could be healthy enough to play about 2/3 of the Mariners' games, I could live with them signing him for a few years it the price isn't too high.

Can Adam Dunn play any 1B? We know he could play LF, and he could DH too. I wouldn't mind 40 HRs a year from the LF and/or DH position.

Re. Betancourt, is there still talk about the Royals maybe being interested, and might they still give us Billy Butler? He might also be better than what we have had lately at DH. What would it take to get someone like Jason Donald from the Phillies to replace Yuni? Or would the Mariners maybe just draft Grant Green?

Getting Weeks, Nelson and Gamel from Milwaukee would be interesting. I think Nelson would represent an improvement at 1B for the M's. Gamel could probably play OF or DH; don't know about 3B, he made 53 errors at that position in A+ ball in 2007. Putting Weeks at 2B might allow Lopez to move to 3B, which could clear the way to trade Beltre for a few prospects or a young MLB-ready player or two. Gamel is 23, Weeks and Nelson are 26

37. By: hmbaseball7 on 12-02-2008 01:49:29
No for Rocco he's injury plagued and he hits right handed and in a lefty/ pitcher friendly ballpark. But your right he is talented and he's still fairly young at 27.

38. By: jonbbt on 12-02-2008 02:13:16
Rocco is a huge risk, but I think he could be signed ultra cheap. Many teams view him strictly as a 4th outfielder because of his ailment, but if Seattle could promise him at bats he might sign at a reduced price (on top of his already low price). It seems like a smart risk/reward move. If it doesn't work out, you don't really lose much.

39. By: hmbaseball7 on 12-02-2008 02:46:05
Yeah. Good point he would be nice pickup for cheap and 1 year with an option or something.

40. By: hmbaseball7 on 12-02-2008 03:22:31
If we trade Yuni and if the free agent isn't Furcal or any other SS i think we should try and trade Beltre to Milauwkee for J.J. Hardy. Include Jarrod Washburn in the deal and if they want more find a prospect. Hardy's stats last year were .283/24/74/.343 OBP. He is also a much needed upgrade defensively as SS too, having much more range up the middle than Yuni.

41. By: hmbaseball7 on 12-02-2008 03:43:29
After the Emiliano Bonafacio for Scot Olsen and Josh Willingham trade. Would that make Dan Uggla available for trade? The Marlins are also looking to deal Jeremy Hermida so if Uggla could be traded why not deal Beltre, Washburn and a reliever like Roy Corcoran and some other player for Uggla and Hermida. Then move Lopez to 1B and sign Joe Crede. What you guys think??

42. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-02-2008 11:28:15
Uggla is awful at second, he should be playing third base where he has a chance to be average or so.

43. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-02-2008 12:09:29
And the Marlins aren't "looking to trade" Hermida. I covered that subject above, but in short, they'd be selling low and aren't likely to deal him unless someone blows them away.

44. By: jonbbt on 12-02-2008 12:20:56
Brew Crew signed Thorman. Seems like an odd move for them.. perhaps Brad Nelson is more available now.

45. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-02-2008 15:28:29
Snave,

Have you seen Dunn play the field? He shouldn't even be allowed to own a glove. In fact, he shouldn't be allowed to TOUCH one. There's no point.

46. By: jonbbt on 12-02-2008 15:55:07
Bad defender, yes. Horrible defender, yes. But not as bad as we've been fielding. You may be inclined to disagree when looking at the tape, but Dunn was a more effective LFer this year than Raul according to +/-, PMR, RZR or many other defensive measurements you might wanna use. Dunn should be a DH and nothing else, but I thought I'd point that out.

47. By: John_S on 12-02-2008 16:17:13
Softy says it may be Russell Branyon

48. By: CrustyJuggler on 12-02-2008 16:40:16
I would LOVE for them to sign Branyan! He had a hell of a year last year in limited ABs. Give him 500 ABs and he would have hit 45 homeruns last year. Sounds like the sort of deal Zduriencik should be looking to make.

49. By: Jerry on 12-02-2008 18:43:14
Crusty,

The problem with getting Branyan 500 ABs is that he is useless against lefties. In the last three years, he has hit .162/.279/.351 versus southpaws.

He would be a great pickup as a platoon 1b and DH, and he can also play a little 3B and corner OF. That is a useful player.

But don't expect him to hit .250/.342/.583 with 45 HRs over a full season. His numbers last year were over a pretty small sample of plate appearances. He is highly unlikely to duplicate that over an entire season.

50. By: CrustyJuggler on 12-02-2008 19:05:06
I concede that Branyan is awful against southpaws, granted. But looking at his career numbers, he is as steady with the longball as anyone. He averages a homerun for every 15 at bats.. against lefties and righties individually. Take that career mark, give him 500 at bats, and the guy would hit 33 HRs.

So, over a full season of ABs, I could see Branyan going .250/.340/.520 with 30+ jacks. All for 1/10 of the money it would take to sign Dunn or a similar LH bat.

Regardless if Branyan would start or not, I am still all for signing the guy.

51. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-02-2008 19:07:28
No, Jon, you said that Dunn could play left field.

He can't.

52. By: CrustyJuggler on 12-02-2008 19:08:33
Man, Mark Loretta Jason? .. Ugh. I hope not.

Talk about a let down.

53. By: Pumpkin on 12-02-2008 19:31:18
So the twelve to twenty-four hour time period is for the FA signing, was a time line given for the trade? Also as far as the twelve to twenty-four hour thing, that probably means tomorrow morning since I doubt they would announce it during the night am I right?
As far as the quote that the trade is not going to make fans jump up and down, I can hope that might mean an Ichiro trade, because if that is what it is Very few fans would be jumping up and down.

54. By: Slurve on 12-02-2008 19:33:09
How would there be a trade with up to 5 people with Freel as a centerpiece?

55. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-02-2008 19:51:34
Slurve,

Really? You really have to ask?

56. By: CrustyJuggler on 12-02-2008 19:54:15
They may be counting the cab drives and flight attendants involved with transporting said player(s).

But with all this talk of minor pieces (the Lorettas and Freels of the baseball world - or at least similar) you can probably bet that Zduriencik is in full rebuild mode. Really, as he should be.

57. By: Docmilo on 12-02-2008 20:13:50
5 players involving Cincinnati? I wonder if it's a 3 team deal with the WhiteSox and Dye getting moved.

58. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-02-2008 20:15:30
Docmilo,

Freel was a joke. Re-read the sidebar.

59. By: jonbbt on 12-02-2008 21:05:27
I didn't say Dunn would play left field for Seattle, that was someone else. He definitely can't, I was just making the point that, as bad as he is, he could be arguably better than Raul out there.

60. By: jonbbt on 12-02-2008 21:06:39
Trust me, I'm not trying to convince anyone that Dunn is an outfielder.

61. By: Slurve on 12-02-2008 21:18:29
Oh ok JAC I was pretty confused for a sec...

62. By: Snave on 12-02-2008 22:02:53
A five-player deal with Freel as the centerpiece would be like a five-player deal with Willie Bloomquist as the centerpiece. Heh...

I like to think that if the players Seattle might acquire in a trade aren't names that would make fans "jump up and down", it could still mean Seattle might get some good prospects whose names aren't familiar to many fans.

63. By: Adam T on 12-02-2008 22:19:55
If it's going to be a relatively low-impact deal, I think the best we could hope for is a Washburn or Yuni being sent away.

I don't see Jack Z trading away too much young talent, if any (other than perhaps one of our catchers), so hopefully, if this deal actually does come to fruition, we'll be saying goodbye to some unneeded veterans.

64. By: jonbbt on 12-02-2008 22:27:43
Also, the "jump up and down" comment is very subjective. It depends on who the person is that's saying it, and what they think of the players involved.

65. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-02-2008 23:29:35
The trade isn't as close as the free agent, according to an agent that is involved in the talks somewhat.

re: jonbbt

Not really. If any of this that he knew about was involving impact players, he'd understand getting excited. He's not saying they all suck and won't help, he's saying that... in fact, let me quote him exactly.

JAC: So you said you heard some details on it, so what did you get?

HS: It's an interesting pack of ideas. Jack has his hands in a lot of cookie jars, but their off to (player's name deleted), while intriguing, isn't a blockbuster move by any means.

Seattle called us about half our roster over a two week period, it seemed routine at the time. But they have been talking to (team deleted) pretty extensively. But it's nothing to jump up and down over. They aren't signing C.C. Sabathia or anything, not as far as I have heard.

He went on to say that he's certainly not privy to every deal Seattle is involved in, but rumors fly and teams talk to teams who talk to other teams, who reveal what teams they have talked to via various ways, and he's been in on some of the conversations with Seattle.

I'd be shocked if the Mariners made a HUGE signing or trade today or tomorrow. it might be interesting, intriguing or beneficial in one or more ways, but the players coming in don't sound super appealing.

Perhaps, as some of you have suggested, one of the first trades Zduriencik makes is about ridding the roster of the clutter - Batista, Washburn, Ichiro (half kidding)...

66. By: jonbbt on 12-03-2008 01:44:47
Ok, but there is a huge difference between Sabathia and someone that is still a very good player. The common fan who gets their info from Jim Street and the commentators might not find {mystery player} all that interesting, but it could be a different story for those fans that spend their time flying around the blogosphere. I'm sure a lot of us can be found "jumping up and down" over "minor" deals that a lot of people wouldn't spend too much time thinking about.

That said, my hopes aren't very high. I was just making a point that the statement can mean different things depending on the context. All said, I am totally on board with what you're saying JAC. I don't expect much and I'm not getting my hopes up. I will be equally surprised or excited whether this guy is Adam Dunn or his opposite, Adam Everett.

67. By: shemberry on 12-03-2008 12:22:06
Just heard on KJR that it is Branyan. I like it.

68. By: Jason A. Churchill on 12-03-2008 12:29:07
If it's for the money I hear, it's a solid get. But again, just a small piece.

jonbbt,

if you can't figure out the intent and tone from "it's nothing to jump up and down about," the I just can't help you.

Sorry, man.

69. By: mrmitra on 12-03-2008 12:34:54
I'm hoping its Brad Nelson, I've liked that idea since the first time I heard it.

70. By: StandinPat on 12-03-2008 12:47:26
I thought Nelson was appealing at first as well, but apon further consideration it seems like a so so move. Honestly, i think a Morse/Branyan or Hinske platoon outperforms Nelson, especially in the power department, over the next couple years, at which time Raben, who also appears to be better than Nelson, might be ready.

The M's have alot more money than they do prospects, so I'd rather see them spend money first to shore up some of these holes. If they are snaggin Branyan, for 1b I'd assume, that really only leaves SS as a hole in the infield. I think they do have the bullets to then sign Furcal, and make a trade for Peavy. None of the packages I've heard rumored for Jake have been that exciting, and I think He'd be a great get. Felix-Peavy-Bedard would be sick, plus he'd still be around for another couple of years so its not like an all or nothing trade.

71. By: FatBat on 12-03-2008 13:22:21
Dr. Z? Talk about pulling your pistol at high noon and hitting a "Dead Sea Monkey"? Branyan, is sexson's little brother.....and how did that work out for us! What a waste of a roster spot.

72. By: mrmitra on 12-03-2008 13:28:30
Peavy has a no trade clause and as of yet Peavy hasnt indicated he would waive it in a trade to Seattle. I would perfer a Nelson/Morse platoon over a Morse/Branyan platoon. Branyan SO/BB (3:1) ratio doesn't do alot for me. Nelson (granted I'm going off of AAA stats) fares better against righties than Branyan and has a much lower SO/BB ratio. I think its worth the sacrifice of Branyan's power for Nelson's better SO/BB (1:1) ratio and higher avg and OBP. Granted Nelson's stats are sure to drop in the majors but I still think he's a better option.

73. By: StandinPat on 12-03-2008 20:31:12
Nelson's stats are also those of a 26 yr old, repeating AAA. Look at his previous year and his K/BB ratio was a Branyanesque 3:1. He may have turned a legit corner, or he may have just figured out how to feast on weaker competition. Either way he's still a prospect and has yet to prove he can do anything in the majors. Branyon on the other hand slg'd .580 last year, or 100 points higher than Nelson mustered in AAA.

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