Offseason Plans

[D-train]

For those who want Semien, why would he and the Blue Jays not want a reunion?

He thinks the Blue Jays "became the best team in baseball."

They could easily pay him considering Guerrero, Bichette and Biggio are making zilch.

If I'm the Jays I pay him 3-years $80 million and call it a day.

To get him, I'd go at least 4 years. He's blocking Biggio, BTW. If I'm the Toronto GM, I'd try to sign him, but even without him Toronto will still be one of the top hitting teams. Toronto is lacking in pitching. so I'd spend to sign SP and high leverage RP.

Good points and I agree about them needing pitching. Especially RPs. They were ranked 25th this season. Cost them the playoffs.

[SeattleSportsRUs]

Reading all over Blue Jay Twitter that Jays fans want to sign Semien and trade for Ramirez. Imagine thinking that highly of your front office.

M's twitter is praying for Matt Chapman or pissing themselves over the prospect of spending.

[TraderGary]

For those who want Semien, why would he and the Blue Jays not want a reunion?

He thinks the Blue Jays "became the best team in baseball."

They could easily pay him considering Guerrero, Bichette and Biggio are making zilch.

If I'm the Jays I pay him 3-years $80 million and call it a day.

Semien scares me for the same reasons you listed in your post on page one. Has had 7 replacement or below replacement level seasons, a nice season in 2019 and a career year in 2021 which just happens to be a contract year. How many times have we seen that, only to see said player fall off a cliff in the following year after being rewarded with a massive contract? I could easily see that happen with Semien.

Also he's 31 years old and may be peaking. We could sign him to a massive contract only to watch him begin his decline with the M's, and we've effectively handcuffed ourselves again with a bloated contract.

In my mind, 7 bad seasons and 2 good ones spells danger to me, particularly when you consider his best season to date was a contract year. For what it would take to sign him, it's a huge risk and not one I would personally take. I believe there are better options. He's a pass for me, but I could definitely see the Mariners targeting him given our holes in the infield, along with their belief that they're set in the outfield with Kelenic, Lewis, Haniger and J-Rod. And they've already made it clear they're not interested in signing a full time DH.

[bpj]

We already have a full time DH. He's just not good enough to be full time, but he's still taking up the roster spot like one.

They just don't want to pay for a good one, then they'll act shocked when their offense continues to score less than other good teams.

[TraderGary]

We already have a full time DH. He's just not good enough to be full time, but he's still taking up the roster spot like one.

They just don't want to pay for a good one, then they'll act shocked when their offense continues to score less than other good teams.

But I really don't think they view Torrens as a full time DH as evidenced by working him out at 3rd base recently. They've stated several times that they plan on using a rotating DH to give guys "days off". Not my preference by any stretch, but that's their stated plan going forward.

[AT Funchal-Madeira]

Very intriguing off season ahead.

Saying goodbye to Seager means the M's could easily go after Semien with an offer of 100 million for six years or so.

They'd be fools not to target Robbie Ray, IMO. Ray's going to want more.... $140 million for six years I'd say. But then you get a guy with over 200 strikeouts this year to anchor the rotation who is just turning 30 and produced a .271 ERA and over 6 WAR. If I'm putting a big contract out there, I'd rather do it for the pitcher.

So if we over spend for the ACE, we can hopefully overspend in pitching prospects to target Jose Ramirez instead of Semien. Ramirez's contract gives us a lot more flexibility than being locked in at $100 million for Semien. Also Cleveland has a history of developing outstanding pitchers so they may favor a trade offer heavy on the pitching side.

And I wonder if Dipoto might kick the tires on Sterling Marte? He seems a lethal possibility....He affordable at 12-14 million, but Haniger is extremely favorable cost wise. Wouldn't mind having both on the team.

Hell, no matter what Dipoto does, we are all gonna be somewhat disappointed in one area and thrilled in another area. So many possibilities...

[D-train]

For those who want Semien, why would he and the Blue Jays not want a reunion?

He thinks the Blue Jays "became the best team in baseball."

They could easily pay him considering Guerrero, Bichette and Biggio are making zilch.

If I'm the Jays I pay him 3-years $80 million and call it a day.

Semien scares me for the same reasons you listed in your post on page one. Has had 7 replacement or below replacement level seasons, a nice season in 2019 and a career year in 2021 which just happens to be a contract year. How many times have we seen that, only to see said player fall off a cliff in the following year after being rewarded with a massive contract? I could easily see that happen with Semien.

Also he's 31 years old and may be peaking. We could sign him to a massive contract only to watch him begin his decline with the M's, and we've effectively handcuffed ourselves again with a bloated contract.

In my mind, 7 bad seasons and 2 good ones spells danger to me, particularly when you consider his best season to date was a contract year. For what it would take to sign him, it's a huge risk and not one I would personally take. I believe there are better options. He's a pass for me, but I could definitely see the Mariners targeting him given our holes in the infield, along with their belief that they're set in the outfield with Kelenic, Lewis, Haniger and J-Rod. And they've already made it clear they're not interested in signing a full time DH.

Who is your FA bat target given that its clear that they are sticking with at SS?

[D-train]

Very intriguing off season ahead.

Saying goodbye to Seager means the M's could easily go after Semien with an offer of 100 million for six years or so.

They'd be fools not to target Robbie Ray, IMO. Ray's going to want more.... $140 million for six years I'd say. But then you get a guy with over 200 strikeouts this year to anchor the rotation who is just turning 30 and produced a .271 ERA and over 6 WAR. If I'm putting a big contract out there, I'd rather do it for the pitcher.

So if we over spend for the ACE, we can hopefully overspend in pitching prospects to target Jose Ramirez instead of Semien. Ramirez's contract gives us a lot more flexibility than being locked in at $100 million for Semien. Also Cleveland has a history of developing outstanding pitchers so they may favor a trade offer heavy on the pitching side.

And I wonder if Dipoto might kick the tires on Sterling Marte? He seems a lethal possibility....He affordable at 12-14 million, but Haniger is extremely favorable cost wise. Wouldn't mind having both on the team.

Hell, no matter what Dipoto does, we are all gonna be somewhat disappointed in one area and thrilled in another area. So many possibilities...

I have never been "thrilled" with any JD moves though I really like the Haniger and France trades.

[D-train]

To me Robbie Ray is even worse than Semien in terms of few good seasons and killing it in a contract year. In his prime years from 2018-20 he had a 4.53 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP.

He also choked hard when it counted last week vs. the Yankees and cost his team the playoffs.

[Sexymarinersfan]

Assuming Kyle Seager leaves, who takes over third full time? We have options which is nice, that helps us in free agency, not having to be locked in for one specific position.

Something has to be done about the catcher position. While I do like Tom Murphy's handling defensively of the pitchers, his bat was a black hole in the lineup. Combined with Cal Raleigh getting introduced to the majors, i wouldn't mind if we went out and made a trade for a more offensive veteran savvy back stop.

James Paxton was a fun wish, but his time is over in Seattle. I don't care how, but the Mariners need to acquire a top of the rotation ace. Whether its through free agency or trade, there needs to be at least one, if not two at the top of the rotation.

Is it time to trade Mitch Haniger while his value might never be higher? Don't get me wrong, I love Mitch, but the math does not work out in his favor. Kyle Lewis, Jarred Kelenic, Julio Rodriguez, Zach DeLoach, Jake Fraley, Alberto Rodriguez all come to mind. What could Haniger fetch us in return?

Try and re-sign Kendall Graveman! What boost in morale that would be after Seager and Haniger both possibly depart the team?

Need an on base machine, ala Ty France, that preferably has speed on the base paths.

Do not retain Kikuchi's 4-year option. If he chooses to activate his 1-year player option, then trade him to Oakland plus prospects in a deal for Matt Olson. Say Kikuchi, Evan White, and Jake Fraley for 1B Matt Olson.

That's just the beginning of my wishlist