harmony

Depends on the money. It could be a win-win if the Mariners send no more than $25 million on top of the $37 million owed Jay Bruce and Anthony Swarzak. Edwin Diaz has significant surplus value and Robinson Cano is probably worth at least $60 million over five years after posting 20.7 fWAR, valued at $163.7 million, over the first five years of his $240 million contract with Seattle. Steamer projects Cano with a 2019 WAR of 3.0, which is valued at about $25 million. Cano is only 16 months older than Nelson Cruz was four years ago when the Mariners signed Cruz to a four-year, $57 million contract. Cruz had a prior banned-substance suspension as well but came with less defensive value and a less-established record of production. The Mariners don't regret the contract with Cruz, who posted 14.7 fWAR, valued at $126.3 million, with Seattle. It's tough waiting for all of this to play out.

For what it's worth, since general manager Jerry Dipoto's arrival three years ago the Seattle Mariners have a better cumulative record than 10 of the 15 American League teams. Still no postseason appearance since 2001.

Steamer projects a 28-year-old Brian Johnson to post a WAR of 0.3 and an ERA of 5.13 ERA in 23 starts next year: https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=14272&position=P With no options remaining, Johnson would need a slot on the 25-man roster unless the lefthander clears waivers, which is possible.

Despite their similar flaws, Steamer projects 2019 WAR of 0.1 in 31 games for Blake Swihart and 1.1 in 75 games for Omar Narvaez. Swihart and Narvaez, who were born less than two months apart, each come with four years of team control although Swihart is projected with a 2019 salary of $1.1 million as a Super Two while Narvaez should again earn near the league minimum salary.

That includes Dee Gordon’s 0.0 fWAR and $10.5 million salary.

Seattle is likely to trade only one of their three middle infielders with multiple All Star appearances: 36-year-old Robinson Cano, 30-year-old Dee Gordon or 28-year-old Jean Segura. Unless a promising middle infielder comes back in a trade.

The Mariners aren't tearing it down and starting from scratch ... they're merely taking a step back in 2019-20. Barring a trade, Seattle next year will pay only $2.6 million to outfielder Mitch Haniger, closer Edwin Diaz, center fielder Mallex Smith and lefthander Marco Gonzales, who this year posted a combined for 15.1 fWAR, valued at $120.6 million. Let that sink in: $2.6 million next season for four players who contributed $120.6 million in value this year. And the Mariners retain a combined 17 years of team control on those four players. Seattle will likely build around those players unless one is hitched to a trade of Robinson Cano and his contract. Coming off his stellar age 24 season, Edwin Diaz might be dealt independently as was closer Ken Giles following his stellar age 24 season. Regardless of the on-field success or failure, I am likely to remain a Mariner fan.

Seattle would still have 2017 American League saves leader Alex Colome. I agree that the trade talk won't amount to anything. And the Mariners would have little interest in Dustin Pedroia when the M's would still have two other middle infielders -- 28-year-old Jean Segura and 30-year-old Dee Gordon -- with multiple All Star appearances.

WEEI columnist Rob Bradford reports that the Red Sox have "strong interest" in Seattle closer Edwin Diaz: https://weei.radio.com/blogs/rob-bradford/red-sox-reportedly-showing-strong-interest-mariners-closer-edwin-diaz

Forty-five years ago Tuesday a guy I went to high school with climbed on to the concert stage and played the drums with The Who after Keith Moon passed out: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/entertainment/music/2018/11/20/who-keith-moon-scot-halpin-anniversaity-cow-palace-san-francisco-iowa-crazy-concert-moment-music/2065306002/?fbclid=IwAR1ZFatvP_tHZwZa0iywPCj1brBW3qQDuiineuTS9MDHstZVqTUvHv5JeTE https://www.thewho.com/the-whos-substitute-drummer-t-scot-halpin-to-have-daily-memorial-blog/ https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5223059 Best concert story ever.

... to a one-year, $6.25 million contract, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports:

Seattle could make available two years of reliever Alex Colome, who in 2017 led the American League in saves pitching in the AL East. However, I don't see a good match for a trade.

Steamer projects Boston lefthander Brian Johnson with a 2019 ERA of 5.09 and a WAR of 0.3 in 23 starts: https://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=14272&position=P Marcel projects Johnson with a 2019 ERA of 4.15 in 91 innings: https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/johnsbr02.shtml#all_pitching_proj

+1 On the other hand today marks the low point in my 24 years as a Seattle Mariners fan.

MLB Trade Rumors offers its offseason outlook for the Red Sox: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/11/offseason-outlook-boston-red-sox-9.html

It's safe to say each team generally attracts a different type of fan.

In December 2013 I displayed rare anger when the Seattle Mariners signed Robinson Cano to a 10-year, $240 million contract but Cano has posted 20.7 fWAR, valued at $163.7 million, in the first five seasons of his Seattle contract. Steamer projects Cano with a 2019 WAR of 3.0, which would again justify Cano's annual salary of $24 million. It's the final years of Cano's contract that are concerning unless Cano ages like "big brother" David Ortiz: https://nesn.com/2016/08/robinson-cano-on-big-brother-david-ortiz-every-player-would-love-to-have-his-career/

The Red Sox topped my Seattle Mariners in this ranking of farm systems: https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/post-2018-farm-system-rankings/

That's good news, my friend.

I expect Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto to be busy filling out (and rearranging) this current lineup: C ???? 1B Ryon Healy 2B Dee Gordon SS Jean Segura 3B Kyle Seager RF Mitch Haniger CF Mallex Smith LF Ben Gamel DH Robinson Cano The Seattle lineup disappointed this year when Kyle Seager's on-base percentage fell from .323 in 2017 to .273, Mike Zunino's from .331 to .259 and Dee Gordon's from .341 to .288. Ryon Healy's OBP fell from .337 in 2016 to .302 in 2017 to .277 in 2018. That's four-ninths of the 2018 batting order.

I hold the Tampa Bay Rays in high regard. I am warming up to the deal because of Seattle's need for a true center fielder, and the years of team control (two for Mike Zunino versus four for Mallex Smith). However, I am a fan of Zunino and suspect the Mariner pitching staff will miss him.

Christian Vazquez presents an interesting valuation issue. With his guaranteed money through 2021 a team could not get out from under the financial obligation by merely designating Vazquez for assignment if he does not rebound from his negative 0.8 fWAR season. This year Seattle first baseman Ryon Healy matched Vazquez's negative 0.8 fWAR but can be cut at anytime. Healy remains under team control for four more seasons with a 2019 salary near the league minimum. The 28-year-old Vazquez has posted 1.3 fWAR in 291 MLB games with a Steamer projection of 1.1 WAR in 90 games next year. The 26-year-old Healy has posted 0.9 fWAR in 354 MLB games with a Steamer projections of 0.3 WAR in 122 games next year. Those numbers favor Vazquez but the the contracts favor Healy. I am confident that Seattle will not trade two years of reliever Alex Colome, the 2017 American League saves leader, for a catcher guaranteed money coming off a negative 0.8 fWAR season. And the Mariners would have little interest in Blake Swihart, a fringe utility player who has not been trusted with everyday catching duties. I prefer that a team sell high and buy low but Seattle was on the wrong end of that philosophy in the Zunino/Smith swap. The Mariners created a hole by trading Mike Zunino for Mallex Smith but would create another hole by trading Healy for Vazquez. I suspect Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto has sent out multiple feelers.

Serious question because, as notin wrote: "... there is a possibility of a deal, since the Mariners now have a need and the Sox have a surplus."

In a trade with the Seattle Mariners, what would the Red Sox want in return for catcher Christian Vazquez with his long-term contract coming off a season in which the 28-year-old posted a negative 0.8 fWAR? :)