Ken Rosenthal has some interesting M's and Padres bits in his latest inside dish. The highlights:
The Mariners have informed clubs that they are" open to anything," according to two major league executives. That means the M's would field offers not only for RHP Freddy Garcia, but also 2B Bret Boone, RHP Gil Meche and possibly RHP Joel Piniero. Trading a young starting pitcher might be the only way for the Mariners to obtain young position talent, and the team is deep in possible pitching replacements at Class AAA. Boone, 35, could appeal to the Dodgers, Giants and Yankees, but he would represent the Mariners' only power threat next season if Edgar Martinez retires. Some teams also would balk at his contract; Boone's $9.25 million option for 2005 will vest if he makes 500 plate appearances, or the team can exercise his option for $8.25 million. The Padres, trying to obtain a young starting pitcher, are targeting Meche; Rockies RHP Jason Jennings could be another possibility.
Not much we didn't know in this, the "open to anything" is a good start. As much as I like Boone, if we can get something useful, I'd certainly deal him. He's 35, and not going to be around the next time this team is any good. I still don't like the idea of trading Meche, unless someone knocks our socks off I'd keep him. I've come to accept the idea that Freddy is gone. From the Padres standpoint, either Jennings or Meche would be a nice pickup, though I think Meche has more "upside". That is the best word in sports: upside. Love it. Anyway, Rosenthal has more on the M's and White Sox.
The White Sox represent another possible trade partner for the Mariners. G.M. Ken Williams badly wants to add a starting pitcher, but he likely would want Seattle to assume at least part of Garcia's $6.875 million salary and include a young player if the Sox were to part with a major league-ready outfield prospect like Joe Borchard or Jeremy Reed. Borchard, a former No. 1 pick, was named the Class AAA International League Player of the Week for May 17-23 after he hit .452 with five homers and 18 RBIs. The White Sox have two other top outfield prospects, Ryan Sweeney and Brian Anderson, in Class A
It always seems to me that Ken Williams expects a lot more than he should on trades. I think it's reasonable that he expects Seattle to pick up some of Garcia's salary for this season, but an additional player? It would have to be a purely borderline prospect, like a Michael Garciaparra. Never to quick to end that particular failed experiment. I'd rather take Jeremy Reed, just because Borchard hasn't done much the last couple years, and may very well be the dreaded Quadruple-A player.
Posted by Frinklin at May 31, 2004 12:02 PM