There are 3 things I am a complete sucker for in sports, and each are a bit irrational. First, the NFL Draft, man I love that. Second, the high school state football tournament. I still write up a bracket and project the whole thing. And finally, MLB hot stove rumors. This time of year is a gold mind for hot stove rumblings, bloggers playing general manager, and ridiculous trade ideas are littered on twitter. And yet, I can’t keep away from it, I love it all. It is in this vein that I’d like to construct a Mariners offseason plan, though in a way that I hope is not redundant to what you’ve seen. I should also point out that I will do my best to put forth a somewhat realistic plan, meaning, you won’t see Robinson Cano, a trade for Cliff Lee, or any free agent who clearly wants to play for a contender. There are many offseason plans circulating online that offer up fantasy plans, if that’s what you’re looking for. (cough…Lookout Landing…cough)
What To Fix
– Offensive Production
– Outfield Defense
– Middle of the Rotation
– Back End of Bullpen
– Middle Infield Depth
How to Do It
Acquire 1 top tier free agent; 2 trades that obtain MLB talent; 2 middle tier free agents; 2 low cost signings; and 2 minor league deals with invites to spring training
– at least 2 starting outfielders
– starting pitcher who can be plugged in at 3 or 4 in the rotation
– established set up or closer
– backup infielder that can fill in at 2nd, SS, or 3rd base
– backup catcher
Considerations
– Projected payroll of $90-95 million
– The Untouchables are Felix Hernandez, Hisashi Iwakuma, and Kyle Seager
The $92 Million Plan
Sign 1 top tier free agent, the candidates-
C-Brian McCann, Jarrod Saltalamacchia; SP-Masahiro Tanaka, Matt Garza, Ricky Nolasco, Ubaldo Jimenez, Ervin Santana; OF-Jacoby Ellsbury, Shin-Soo Choo, Curtis Granderson; 1B/DH-Mike Napoli
The move-
Sign OF-Jacoby Ellsbury to 7 year, $140 million contract
2 trades that obtain MLB talent, the candidates-
CF-Matt Kemp, Dexter Fowler, Peter Bourjos; DH-Billy Butler; C-Matt Weiters; 2B-Brandon Phillips, Daniel Murphy; SP-Rick Porcello; RF-Matt Joyce
The moves-
Trade Nick Franklin to Detroit for Rick Porcello
Trade Yoervis Medina and $ to Oakland for SS/2B-Eric Sogard
Sign 2 middle tier free agents, the candidates-
C-Carlos Ruiz; SP-Scott Feldman, A.J. Burnett, Bronson Arroyo, Scott Kazmir, Josh Johnson, Jason Hammel, Paul Maholm, Jason Vargas, Phil Hughes, Bartolo Colon, Dan Haren; RP-Joe Nathan, Grant Balfour, Brian Wilson, Joaquin Benoit, Fernando Rodney; OF-Nelson Cruz, Carlos Beltran, Chris Young, Jhonny Peralta, David Murphy; 1B-Corey Hart; SS-Stephen Drew; 1B/DH-Kendrys Morales
The moves-
Sign 1B/DH-Kendrys Morales to 3 year, $33 million contract
Sign Chris Young to 2 year, $12 million contract
2 low cost signings, the candidates-
SP-Scott Baker, Chris Capuano, Roberto Hernandez, Ryan Vogelsong, Barry Zito, Edinson Volquez, Ted Lilly, Gavin Floyd; RP-Joba Chamberlain, Chris Perez, Edward Mujica, LaTroy Hawkins, Matt Thornton, Jose Veras, Oliver Perez, Jesse Crain; SS/2B-Ramon Santiago, Clint Barmes, Brendan Ryan, Willie Bloomquist, Mark Ellis, Alexi Casilla, 2B/3B-Ryan Roberts, Placido Polanco; C-A.J. Pierzynski, John Buck, Kurt Suzuki; 2B/OF-Kelly Johnson; 1B-James Loney, Justin Morenau, 1B/3B-Mark Reynolds, Kevin Youkilis, Michael Young, Juan Uribe; 2B/OF-Skip Schumaker; OF-Nate McLouth, Franklin Gutierrez, Rajai Davis, Reed Johnson; OF/DH-Raul Ibanez, Delmon Young, Jason Kubel, Luke Scott
The moves-
Sign Franklin Gutierrez to 1 year, $2 million contract w/ incentives
Sign Kurt Suzuki to 1 year, $2 million contract
2 minor league deals with invite to spring training, the candidates-
Too many to list!
The moves-
RP-Joel Hanrahan, SP-Colby Lewis
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The Good Guys Sports Blog 
Ellsbury could be problematic. Injury concerns, playing in a place that isn’t the warmest. Speed players do age well though, but it just reminds me too much of the Figgins hype. I also prefer keeping Ackley in the outfield. You could see in the second half of the year, he was much more comfortable out there. His offensive numbers went up and he played well defensively. Keep Franklin and Miller together for at least one more year to evaluate them before trading.
I would love to see Suzuki be our back-up, but he’s coming off a $6.5M per year contract. If someone gets him for 2 per year, that’s a great deal, but I expect him to end up somewhere else (guessing Cubs). I’d suggest Olivo as a cheap catcher option who fits well in the clubhouse and could act as a mentor.
If I’m going to risk and injury prone guy, I’d go with Grady Sizemore. Should not be too expensive, good defense, and if you can keep him on the field would provide quite the bargain
And bring back Casper Wells. Give the man a chance already.
Pitcher, I think I would target Scott Feldman. Good value, ground ball pitcher. We have a good defense. We have been burned by signing too many fly ball pitchers. It doesn’t work for us. A guy like Feldman would fit well, even if he isn’t a sexy pick.
Maybe see if we can pick Vargas back up too. Leave us with King, Bear, Vargas, Feldman, and a young gun as the rotation. These sorts of decisions should leave flexibility in the pocketbook if something unexpected pops up.