Off Season Plan 3.0 Lots of trades

[Seattle or Bust]

I don't like this plan at all. You emptied the farm system and still have Julio and Cal hitting 3rd and 4th. If they empty the farm system they better end up with some legitimate middle of the order bats. Frankly that lineup is underwhelming.

The plan is about re-allocating money and working within the idea that Haniger's money serves as a major hindrance to what they can do in the off season unless he is moved. Considering payroll is only short about $15 million compared to 2024 when you consider non-tenders and increases in arbitration, re-allocating Haniger's $17 million is everything if you want to add impact. Otherwise the M's are stuck spending $20ish million on a 3B, 2B, 1B which = more Garver and Urias types.

These trades result in a net payroll increase of around $20 million after Haniger is moved which is about where I think they'll sit heading into 2025. They were at $148 million in 2024 and I see them increasing it to $155M or so. All the players acquired are also on short-term deals/have options which accounts for arb increases and some of the talent coming through the farm soon.

And what middle of the order bat do you think is even available? What middle of the order bat do you think the M's can get with Cole Young and Harry Ford? Hint... there's not much. Certainly not that you can get without taking on a lot money that they don't have unless Haniger is gone.

Both of Cole and Ford are overrated as hell. Both of them are only valued at around $20ish million each on MLBTV which basically nets you Jordan Westburg at this stage.

Luis Robert has had 130 and 154 OPS+ seasons. When right, he's basically a .270/.330/.520/.850 hitter who can hang 40+ dingers.

Brandon Lowe just had a 32 HR/162 season from 2nd base.

As I mentioned, Vaughn was an elite power hitter from 6/1 on where he was at 42 HR/162.

Where are you getting 17M from for Hanniger? According to BBREf. and Roster Resource he is slated for 15.5M in 2025.

And, I am with you on Cole Young. He is always one of the 1st guys I trade in these packages. But Ford on the other hand, I am like despite the fact he is not putting up elite overall hitting numbers: He has extreme tools that I value.

Ford has a unique profile in my opinion.
1st the speed. He had just over 20 bags in 2022&2023 in A & A+ but worked that up to 35 in the same range of games in 2024. (35 bags in 116 games)
2nd. The walk rate. He is at just over a 14% walk rate having reached AA in his age 21 season. One of the elements to JP's high floor and high prospect status was the advanced approach. This term is basically equivalent to saying he walks a lot. But JP only had a 10% walk rate in the minors.
3rd. Lack of slug JP has a line of: .268/.368/.390 in the minors. Now compare that to Harry's MILB #'s .261 .404 .418. Harry has an ISO of .157 vs .122

What profile do you see if you have a catcher that has a 40% higher walk rate, and a 20+% increase in ISO over JP. And catcher is the toughest position to find offense from in MLB. Harry has a nice development window behind Cal. Next year I am pushing for Mitch as a back-up C for sure and maybe DH based on performance and health, etc. I like what I see.

2026 I expect to see Harry Ford. The comparisons to Ford include Craig Biggio C-2B. But Harry could be a 2B, 3B, SS, OF based on his speed 60 grade run, and 60 grade arm.

That is why I see the M farm as this:
#1. Laz. Montez (extremely high ceiling left-handed bat)
#2. Colt E. (SS of the future)
#3 Logan Evans. (Latest development of the Kirby-Gilbert-Woo-Miller elite SP development)
#4 Ford (Some kind of Varsho-Biggio, offshoot would look great on about any roster)
#4 BCD because Ford has C ability and positional need, he edges the highest upside prospects: Felnin, Tai, and Farmelo.

His player option in '25 is $17.5 million via Spotrac.

Ford can't hit. A .367 slug is embarrassing and these insane K/BB ratios get nailed as soon as the player reaches MLB.

You expect to see Ford playing where in 2026? Cause it won't be catcher for the Seattle Mariners. Divish named Ford personally as the player he figures is most likely to get delt in multiple podcasts.



Quick, name this current Mariner who had 44 BB's to 63 K's in AA/A+ ball in '21.

Hint, hint... he strikes out a fuck ton now and seldom walks.

[D-train]

This is the second time in a week that Sportrac has been off for some reason.

He signed a $43.5M deal which matches BR and the $15.5M player option. Not that it matters....

https://www.mlb.com/news/mitch-haniger- ... own-giants

[Pharmabro]

Ford can't hit. A .367 slug is embarrassing and these insane K/BB ratios get nailed as soon as the player reaches MLB.

You expect to see Ford playing where in 2026? Cause it won't be catcher for the Seattle Mariners. Divish named Ford personally as the player he figures is most likely to get delt in multiple podcasts.

Image

Quick, name this current Mariner who had 44 BB's to 63 K's in AA/A+ ball in '21.

Hint, hint... he strikes out a fuck ton now and seldom walks.

I am guessing JK?

[Seattle or Bust]

Ford can't hit. A .367 slug is embarrassing and these insane K/BB ratios get nailed as soon as the player reaches MLB.

You expect to see Ford playing where in 2026? Cause it won't be catcher for the Seattle Mariners. Divish named Ford personally as the player he figures is most likely to get delt in multiple podcasts.

Image

Quick, name this current Mariner who had 44 BB's to 63 K's in AA/A+ ball in '21.

Hint, hint... he strikes out a fuck ton now and seldom walks.

I am guessing JK?

That is Julio Rodriguez.