Who had the best plan from the mariners podsters

[D-train]

I was looking over this off seasons comments, really what's to glean is the focus on the farm system. In that sense it seem unlikely he would trade for Donovan.

Checking off boxes

“This train’s been moving for a while,” said Dipoto. “First time in our organization’s history we’ve had five straight winning seasons. We’ve won 90 games three of the last five years. We’ve been to two of the last four postseasons. We’ve now won a division title. We’re just checking off boxes.”

Donovan is such a no brainer and a relatively low prospect cost. Not trading prospects for him would be basically stop upgrading after Naylor. Your point is valid regarding Skubal Marte trades but no freakin Donovan. They have to do something else.

[Seattle or Bust]

A simple review of the Locked On Mariners plan would answer that question but someone would need rudimentary internet skills to access the entire offseason plan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcK7lWfD7G0&t=242s

Here is a hint:

One would think that whoever started this thread would have taken the time to break down the plan so others didn't have to.

I haven't taken 15 seconds to review this thread since I read the initial post. Why is this thread titled "Who had the best plan from the mariners podsters" and the initial post doesn't even link the video?

Regardless, if Jerry is telling the truth and the deals offered for Castillo made them scratch their heads... then the return is way better than what LO Mariners proposed.

Maybe if the M's trade for Skubal, they send Castillo back to Detroit in the deal and eat a little bit of the money alongside sending prospects. The Tigers still figure on competing even if they trade Skubal and they'll need a starter or 2 to complete their rotation. Castillo would be a welcome addition to a team like this IMO.

I agree with you initial comment but the Skubal trade would be for Kirby. We would have to pay 99% of Castillo's salary for them to have interest.

I mean, if for Kirby it would be a straight up 1:1 pretty much. I don't see the Mariners ever doing that.

I also don't think that's true at all when it comes to Castillo.

Castillo was 36th in baseball among starters who tossed at least 100 innings in fWAR. He was one of just 17 pitchers to throw for 180 innings and have an ERA under 4.00. Only 40 starting pitchers had an ERA sub 4.00 who threw at least 150 innings.

All of those numbers put him firmly in a no. 2 starting spot in a league starved of quality pitchers who make their starts. Teams are so desperate that they are looking to make Ryan Helsley a starting pitcher. The Giants tried that with Jordan Hicks and it failed miserably... 6.47 ERA -0.7 WAR.

MLBTV has routinely struggled to accurately evaluate veteran starting pitchers being moved. His money is not THAT prohibitive.

[D-train]

Not sure what you are disagreeing with SOB

[Seattle or Bust]

Not sure what you are disagreeing with SOB

You said the M's would have to pay down 99% of Castillo's money if he were the pitcher being sent in a trade for Skubal.

I don't agree with that at all.

[D-train]

Not sure what you are disagreeing with SOB

You said the M's would have to pay down 99% of Castillo's money if he were the pitcher being sent in a trade for Skubal.

I don't agree with that at all.

Well that was an exaggeration but I don't think they trade Skubal for a guy making more than him. They are going to want young cost controlled starter to replace him like Kirby otherwise they would just keep Skubal.

[Seattle or Bust]

Not sure what you are disagreeing with SOB

You said the M's would have to pay down 99% of Castillo's money if he were the pitcher being sent in a trade for Skubal.

I don't agree with that at all.

Well that was an exaggeration but I don't think they trade Skubal for a guy making more than him. They are going to want young cost controlled starter to replace him like Kirby otherwise they would just keep Skubal.

Sure, that's possible.

But I doubt they're trading Skubal solely for that pitcher which is why Kirby doesn't make sense.

I think Miller is far more realistic in that scenario because teams almost always use rentals like this to acquire a bevy of players. Acquiring Kirby and basically nothing else is lateral at best. Acquiring multiple top prospects alongside a pitcher gives them the chance to hit on multiple guys rather than just accepting a worse pitcher with a little more control.

I'm under no illusion that Castillo and Kirby's values are equitable... I'm saying them taking on Castillo for a couple years means they're going to take on a little bit of money... get similar production... and they'll be able to really build their farm out in the process. That seems to be the route most teams take when trading players like Skubal.

[D-train]

You said the M's would have to pay down 99% of Castillo's money if he were the pitcher being sent in a trade for Skubal.

I don't agree with that at all.

Well that was an exaggeration but I don't think they trade Skubal for a guy making more than him. They are going to want young cost controlled starter to replace him like Kirby otherwise they would just keep Skubal.

Sure, that's possible.

But I doubt they're trading Skubal solely for that pitcher which is why Kirby doesn't make sense.

I think Miller is far more realistic in that scenario because teams almost always use rentals like this to acquire a bevy of players. Acquiring Kirby and basically nothing else is lateral at best. Acquiring multiple top prospects alongside a pitcher gives them the chance to hit on multiple guys rather than just accepting a worse pitcher with a little more control.

I'm under no illusion that Castillo and Kirby's values are equitable... I'm saying them taking on Castillo for a couple years means they're going to take on a little bit of money... get similar production... and they'll be able to really build their farm out in the process. That seems to be the route most teams take when trading players like Skubal.

They are getting 3x the control with Kirby not a little more. You are describing what Skenes trade would look. Tigers almost made the ALCS, they aren't going to be doing a rebuilt starting with our prospects.

[Sexymarinersfan]

M's need to bring back Polanco. He does so many things for this lineup.

If the M's are intent on re-signing Suarez, then I wouldn't say no. But I wouldn't break the bank for him. And I certainly wouldn't offer him a multi-year deal with Colt Emerson, Ben Williamson, and Cole Young waiting in the wings.

They still need to acquire high leverage arms for the bullpen too, which will cost money on the open market. Or they could trade prospects for one. Trading Castillo's huge contract would free up a ton of space on the yearly budget.

They could also trade one of our starters plus a prospect package to acquire Skubal or a high leverage reliever. Logan Evans and Emerson Hancock could pitch every 5th day until Kade Anderson is ready. Some scouts say he could be ready by mid-simmer, maybe sooner.

Yandy Diaz is a better option for DH imo. Polanco is due to have another injury riddled year. He has never played 120+ games two years in a row.

If we can get him, then sure. I read an article today that someone from inside the organization said that the front office has turned their sole focus to bringing Polanco back. So we'll see. So far we're off to a great start this offseason.

[Seattle or Bust]

Well that was an exaggeration but I don't think they trade Skubal for a guy making more than him. They are going to want young cost controlled starter to replace him like Kirby otherwise they would just keep Skubal.

Sure, that's possible.

But I doubt they're trading Skubal solely for that pitcher which is why Kirby doesn't make sense.

I think Miller is far more realistic in that scenario because teams almost always use rentals like this to acquire a bevy of players. Acquiring Kirby and basically nothing else is lateral at best. Acquiring multiple top prospects alongside a pitcher gives them the chance to hit on multiple guys rather than just accepting a worse pitcher with a little more control.

I'm under no illusion that Castillo and Kirby's values are equitable... I'm saying them taking on Castillo for a couple years means they're going to take on a little bit of money... get similar production... and they'll be able to really build their farm out in the process. That seems to be the route most teams take when trading players like Skubal.

They are getting 3x the control with Kirby not a little more. You are describing what Skenes trade would look. Tigers almost made the ALCS, they aren't going to be doing a rebuilt starting with our prospects.

When has a player of Skubal's caliber as a 1-year rental been traded from a contender and it wasn't for prospects?

The most recent trade I can think of is Mookie Betts being traded from Boston to Los Angeles. I'm fairly certain Boston is trying to be a contender every year. They moved Betts for multiple top 100 prospects.

The Mariners did the same when they traded Johnson and Griffey for prospects, they were still very much set on contending.

I also think the Tigers are very much following the development model after experiencing Miguel Cabrera in his 40's. I think they want to keep payroll low, trade players as they get expensive, and replenish the roster with prospects.

[D-train]

M's need to bring back Polanco. He does so many things for this lineup.

If the M's are intent on re-signing Suarez, then I wouldn't say no. But I wouldn't break the bank for him. And I certainly wouldn't offer him a multi-year deal with Colt Emerson, Ben Williamson, and Cole Young waiting in the wings.

They still need to acquire high leverage arms for the bullpen too, which will cost money on the open market. Or they could trade prospects for one. Trading Castillo's huge contract would free up a ton of space on the yearly budget.

They could also trade one of our starters plus a prospect package to acquire Skubal or a high leverage reliever. Logan Evans and Emerson Hancock could pitch every 5th day until Kade Anderson is ready. Some scouts say he could be ready by mid-simmer, maybe sooner.

Yandy Diaz is a better option for DH imo. Polanco is due to have another injury riddled year. He has never played 120+ games two years in a row.

If we can get him, then sure. I read an article today that someone from inside the organization said that the front office has turned their sole focus to bringing Polanco back. So we'll see. So far we're off to a great start this offseason.

Yes we are. Still early but I think we get out bid by someone given Polanco is testing the market. Don't blame him this is his best and last chance at a nice pay day. Jerry still remembers the nightmare of 2024 so I don't think he pays up like he did with Naylor. Naylor had zero downside and massive upside in terms of PR and good will.

Another reason I don't think Jerry trades Castillo is because it will be viewed as another salary dump that could destroy the well earned Naylor good will.