Hmm this is an interesting article from the Seattle Times bout possible scenarios with quite a few teams,

 

Lineup's look unsettled until dominoes fall

By Bob Finnigan

 

Among the complexities facing Seattle this winter in rebuilding the team are prioritizing needs, and timing the ways to fill them.

 

In the infield, for instance, with Mark McLemore and Rey Sanchez likely going, Carlos Guillen's situation may have to wait for resolution on Kazuo "Little" Matsui, a star Japanese shortstop who is a free agent and as much an enigma as Pat Gillick, the Mariners' will-he-stay or will-he-go general manager.

 

If Matsui, voted the best shortstop of all time by fans in Japan, is not available, does Seattle go for a coup in pursuing Miguel Tejada? Oakland's free-agent shortstop would bring life the Mariners often lacked and a sometimes-lead glove. Or does the club put Guillen back at short, where he prefers to play, and look into Joe Randa, Kansas City's free-agent third baseman?

 

Those questions have to wait until early November, because Matsui is expected to play at that time for Japan in the Asian Area qualifying tournament for the 2004 Olympics.

 

At various times this year, Matsui was said to be coming to the United States, with the requirement of playing shortstop. Then, he was said to limit his interest to the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Mariners. And with the presence of shortstops Derek Jeter (Yankees) and Nomar Garciaparra (Sox), that would seem to favor Seattle.

 

But nothing is known for certain, because the Seibu star has stuck to his vow to say nothing.

 

Thus, the earliest reports may bear the most credibility, that Matsui is a family man, who is not challenged to play here like Ichiro and Hideki "Big" Matsui of the Yankees.

 

Last word, from Japan about a month ago, was that Matsui was leaving the decision up to his wife.

 

If Matsui comes — and costs $6 million? $8 million? — is there financial room for Guillen? Or is Willie Bloomquist the third baseman?

 

Given Matsui's seeming ambivalence about coming over, he might wind up with Yomiuri, where the Tokyo conglomerate/team would pay him what he might expect to get here, a reported $8 million a year for three or four years.

 

 

 

 

Overall, given Safeco Field's spacious and atmospheric advantage to pitchers, are free-agent hitters willing to sign with Seattle, or must the Mariners wind up overpaying as Texas and Colorado do for pitchers?

 

If one cannot sign hitters, one must trade for them. Right-hander Freddy Garcia looms as lead trade bait, but if Garcia is offered either salary arbitration or a multiyear deal, will Seattle move another starting pitcher to acquire an outfielder and/or a third baseman?

 

Also, if one is after hitters from low-budget teams, Garcia is not a factor, since he will make as much as the entire pitching staffs in both Tampa Bay and San Diego, probably between $8 million and $9 million next season.

 

Houston and the Chicago White Sox, clubs who could be broken up, present potential. Astros outfielder Richard Hidalgo, under contract for $12 million next season, might be traded. The White Sox might choose not to offer a contract to outfielder Carlos Lee, who really is no fit for Seattle if Randy Winn stays in left field and designated hitter Edgar Martinez returns.

 

Also, Hidalgo and Lee are right-handed hitters. The Mariners would prefer to add left-handers to the lineup.

 

The idea of acquiring an outfielder will take on more urgency after the World Series when Mike Cameron will be among the first to file for free agency, with the high probability he will not return to Safeco Field, where his production showed he never felt at home.

 

Winn had a superb year on offense and in left field. He has played center, but showed this year he's far better in left — not that anyone would look good filling in for Cameron, a master of center.

 

Unless someone like the San Francisco Giants' Jose Cruz Jr., a potential free agent, is brought back to play in the middle, it would be far better to have Ichiro move over.

 

"I would be willing to play center field if they asked me," Ichiro said this week. "Randy Winn has played there, but I've played there in Japan, and I can do it."

 

Seattle is likely to include Raul Ibanez, left-handed hitting Kansas City outfielder and former Mariner, among its primary free-agent goals, which are likely to be led with Vladimir Guerrero, the Montreal outfielder.

 

If Gillick does not return as GM, and Seattle goes outside for a replacement, Jim Beattie's Montreal background with Guerrero could be a factor.

 

While a worthy target, the Mariners will be competing with the luxury-tax-level teams for Guerrero. Alex Rodriguez-like numbers have been bandied about, except that Guerrero's bad back, which prevented Seattle fans from getting a preview of him in Montreal's June visit, could be factored in.

 

Of course, Guerrero hit .350 with 17 home runs in 217 at-bats after he got back in the lineup, so the back might not be much of a factor. But the competition for his services will be fierce and expensive.

 

The Mariners could solve their need for a left-handed bat and a center fielder — and rid themselves of the $15 million due third baseman Jeff Cirillo — by trading him for a familiar face:

 

Ken Griffey Jr.

 

Coming tomorrow: A trade for Ken Griffey Jr. — if he's healthy, happy and willing to return to Seattle — could help the Mariners on and off the field. But there are budget issues for the Mariners, who already have half their projected 2004 payroll tied up in seven players, including Cirillo and Kazu Sasaki.

 

 

Also heard that da Reds mite go after Gillick? (ex Seattle GM) for their GM spot.

I can't see the Sox just letting Carlos Lee walk.

I can't see the Sox just letting Carlos Lee walk.

That would never happen.

They won't let Carlos walk away for nothing. There are too many other players that can be let go first.

No way Carlos gets non tendered.

I guess Houston's a team that's in a similar position to us with some players probably having to leave because they just can't afford all of em. Hidalgo will prob be 1, but I also heard somewhere that Billy Wagner could be another guy to leave. I want Latroy Hawkins on this club 1st (his Yankee performance ite of made a few clubs take notice) but if we can't get him, what r ya thoughts on possibly gettin Wagner, but somehow I'd think he'd be out of our price range.

Do you think we could trick them into giving us Ichiro? We could just tell them "ya know, he plays outfield, Carlos plays outfield, Carlos is a BIG strong guy, Ichiro is just a tiny little guy. You know, Carlos is younger." etc., etc., etc...

 

Maybe I should give Kenny a call...

Freddy for Carlos wouldn't be bad if we didn't get Colon back. If we did get Colon back, Ordonez for Freddy and a couple of prospects. I like good pitching.

Freddy for Carlos wouldn't be bad if we didn't get Colon back.  If we did get Colon back, Ordonez for Freddy and a couple of prospects.  I like good pitching.

If you like good pitching, you wouldn't like Freddy Garcia the last couple of years. That said, supposedly if he got out of Seattle, his problems would be solved.

If KW could pry two of Soriano, Blackley, Nagoette, I'd be estatic. If Soriano can ever develop a plus changeup, watch out.

At various times this year, Matsui was said to be coming to the United States, with the requirement of playing shortstop. Then, he was said to limit his interest to the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Mariners. And with the presence of shortstops Derek Jeter (Yankees) and Nomar Garciaparra (Sox), that would seem to favor Seattle.

 

:( :(

Thats dissapointing, but a good sell job could be the trick.

Thats dissapointing, but a good sell job could be the trick.

I like the way you think, Jason. I really do think you'd be a good GM.

I like the way you think, Jason.  I really do think you'd be a good GM. 

Ok Jason ur our GM. How do u sell da Chicago White Sox to Kaz Matsui? Why should he play here instead of da Yanks, Mariners, or just stayin in Japan.

Why would we want to part with Carlos Lee for a mediocre pitcher? Carlos has really turned it on and I think we will see bigger and better from him in 2004. The same thing goes for taking prospects for him. He is young and a rising star nad to trade him for unknowns doesn't make sense either.

It looks like Kaz was just a pipe dream. With a Tokyo company offering him 24/3 why would he come to the states?

I love CLee.

To those of you who get to watch a lot of games, is his defense acceptible?

Can he play LF on a World Series team?

Or is it still horrific?

I was under the impression it's a bit better than last year.

I love CLee.

To those of you who get to watch a lot of games, is his defense acceptible?

Can he play LF on a World Series team?

Or is it still horrific?

I was under the impression it's a bit better than last year.

His defense is getting much better. And he definitely doesn't slack off like some players, he just was never very good defensively. He puts in a lot of work and gives everything he has in the field and is one of the guys we should definitely keep around.

I love CLee.

To those of you who get to watch a lot of games, is his defense acceptible?

Can he play LF on a World Series team?

Or is it still horrific?

I was under the impression it's a bit better than last year.

He has become a very solid defender. He will never be a gold glover as he has neither a great arm or great range but he has made dramatic improvements in the field.