I love baseball even when it hates me. I have a love-hate relationship with Billy Beane, but no one has ever doubted his intelligence. Jerry Dipitio is a gun slinger that has been doing everything in his power to get the Seattle Mariners back to the playoffs. Even though the A’s are chasing the Mariners, I don’t hate the Mariners. In fact, I am fan of many Mariners players including: Jean Segura, Dee Gordon, Mitch Haniger, Edwin Diaz, Ryan Healy, and James Paxton. You get the fucking point. I am a bigger fan of baseball than I am of the A’s. There is no reason to hate on great players on other teams well except the Angels and Rangers.
Today, I am going to talk about possible trade targets for SKA’s members favorite baseball teams. Mostly, the AL West teams. Ron and I have early morning discussions about our teams pretty much every morning, and I enjoy those conversations. Bob is now a gentle baseball loving monster. This article is basically an exercise for myself, and on the behalf of Bob and Ron. I don’t give a fuck that most of SKA will hate it. I hope my boy SC can add some names in the coming weeks that I didn’t think of.
Mariners Needs: The Seattle Mariners most glaring need is in the starting rotation. James Paxton is a stud, Wade Leblanc has been a revolution, and Marco Gonzalez has been solid. Still do Mariners fans really feel comfortable with the idea of Wade Leblanc starting in October? The Mariners can also probably use another a RP, probably a LHRP. In my discussions with Ron he says he does not want rentals. Sorry Ron I have a few rentals on my list.
Possible Targets: First, lets begin by saying the Mariners probably made their biggest trade in June. They acquired Alex Colume and Denard Span from the Tampa Bay Rays. Second, the Mariners farm system leaves a lot to be desired. Still that’s not going to stop Mr. Dipitio. Oh, I will probably be off about every single player I put on this list but that’s half the fun.
1. Mike Friers SP Detroit Tigers: Mike Friers will not be a top of a rotation arm. He will however be a steady innings eater that will keep the Mariners in games, and can be acquired at a reasonable price. Mr. Friers was a member of last years World Champs Houston Astros. On the season he has pitched 104.2 innings, with a 3.70 E.R.A, 76 strike outs, and 21 walks. I won’t get into his advance stats.
2. Bartolo Colon: He will throw fastballs and keep the team in game.
3. Jake Odorizzi: He pitched better in past seasons than this one. To be fair he signed late into the offseason and they may have impacted the start to his season.
4. Zach Duke: A left handed RP that will be an effective loggy. He had a rough appearance earlier today but has been a solid pitcher for many years.
5. Zach Britton: A relief ace in years past. This season he has been having a difficult time recovering from an off-season Achilles injury. He would be a rental but if he payed offed he would be a great addition to the back of the bullpen.
6. Cole Hamels: Would he be willing to waive his no trade clause? He has pitched big games for Phillies, and if the option was picked upped he would also be a member of the 2019 roster.
7. Dan Straily: Another mid to back of rotation type but probably more reliable than Mike Leake. He is arbitration eligible for another two seasons past this one.
8. Tyson Ross: Wildly inconsistent. Has pitched like a TOR arm in the past but would be a rental.
9. Keone Kela: A man that would cost a bit. He has pitched relatively well for the Rangers, and is arbitration eligible for another two seasons. Has a .250 FIP.
10. Mychal Givens: He pitches for the O’s so he is on the trade block. He is having a rough year E.R.A wise but that be a blimp. Also the O’s defense is god damn awful minus Manny Machado so how does that impact his ERA? More than a rental as he is arbitration eligible for another two seasons. FIP is 2.73, so peripherals show he is a better pitcher than his E.R.A.
11. Nathan Eovaldi: He got completely blown up in his last start but before that was having a good season. Has the potential to be more of TOR arm. He is coming back from a arm injury that cost him his 2017 season, and only has 51 innings pitched so far.
There are more names that will show up in rumors. I am just giving a quick glance of possible Mariners targets. Over the next two weeks more teams will decide to sell and more names will show up. The Rangers also have Jake Diekman available. The Twins may also be willing to sell Lance Lynn if the Mariners eat his salary. If the A’s somehow decide to sell Trevor Cahill would be an interesting swing man, and Ryan Butcher would be a logy that’s under contract for another three seasons.
Oakland Athletics’ Needs: The same as the Mariners. They have started 12 different SP’s so far and its only July. They can also use a catcher but that’s not likely to happen in the middle of the season. Maybe they add another bat and increase the depth in the lineup.
Possible Targets: Many of the same names I listed for the Mariners but the A’s have a much better farm system than the Mariners. That said Jesus Luzardo, AJ Puk, and Sean Murphy are on the “ I don’t want to trade list”. The only untouchable is Luzardo. I’m not including him in any package except maybe for Jt. Realmuto or one of the Mets pitchers ( Degrom or Noah Syndergaard)
1. Brad Hand: A dominant LHRP that would cost a fortune. Add him to Treinen and Trivino and you have the best bullpen in baseball. I don’t know how realistic of a target he is but it’s my article damn it! He signed a contract extension this past off season and would be under team control for another three seasons.
2. Michael Fulmer: This one would cost one of Puk/ Luzardo. He has not been as good as past seasons but a possible TOR arm if right. Is under team control for another three seasons.
3. Nick Castellanos: A LF that would improve the A’s lineup. He would be on the 2019 team. On the season he has hit .306 with 15 HR’s and 56 RBI’S. Has accumulated a 2.2 War, and has a .362 OBP. The cost would not be cheap but would allow the A’s to platoon Cahna/ Fowler in CF.
4. Kyle Barraclough: The A’s are not going Kyle without trading two out of the five of their best prospects plus more . A dominant RHRP with a 1.31 E.R.A, and 1.3 WAR in July. I wonder if they would accept the A’s less sought after but still talented prospects. Under team control for another three seasons.
5. JT Realmuto: A catcher that would automatically become the best catcher in the A.L. He would cost a huge package, but it may be worth it. He is an excellent hitter for a catcher and is young enough where he still be in his prime to work with the A’s young pitchers.
6. Jalen Beeks : A prospect that I would do a prospect for prospect trade for. Would be under team control for six years and pretty much slide into rotation. The same can be said about Shane Bieber but the Indians are not trading him. He is a LH with a power arm, and I want him. Probably not realistic but it’s my fuckin list. Come on Dombroski do what you do best trade way your prospects.
- The Astros and Braves needs can be summarized with one word BULLPEN. Many of the names I have listed would be good fits for them. The Astros probably should go out and trade for Brad Hand or Barraclough. If the A;s decide to sell Blake Treinen add him to the list.
- I don’t want to speak for Giants or Phillies fans. I believe the Giants biggest need is a LF and probably add a RP because Hunter Strickland is a dumbfuck. You would need to ask Philly fan about the Phillies needs.
- Do the Red Sox have a weakness? I guess they would be in the third base market and have been connected to Manny Machado.See you in two weeks SKA. I’m going to try to stay away until about the 28th or 29th. Some personal stuff and visiting family.
