The Hot Stove won’t really heat up until the 2011 Winter Meetings this December, but rumors are surfacing around Seattle as the Mariners look to strengthen their infield and catch a few bats this offseason.
Major Moves — None yet, but word has it Seattle plans to shop Chone Figgins around the league, eying Cincinnati, Detroit, and San Francisco as possible trade targets. The Mariners are reportedly prepared to absorb a large chunk of Chone’s salary as part of the deal.
The 33-year-old third baseman saw 242 games, 210 hits, 86 runs, and 50 RBIs in two years, all while sitting on $17M. He batted .188/.241/.243, significantly lower numbers than he posted in 2010, as his WAR dipped from 1.1 to -1.2. With Bill James’ predictions (over at Fangraphs), Figgins may see 94 games, 38 runs, 22 RBIs, and a batting average of .261 in 2012.
In 2011, Chone ate 12.10% of the team’s payroll, according to BaseballPlayerSalaries.com. If you break it down by games played, he averages $111,111 per game and $28,753 per at bat. After 54 hits, 24 runs, and only 15 RBIs this season, the question bears repeating: is he worth the price? You decide.
Other trade rumors floating around the blogosphere: Jamie Moyer’s return to Seattle from Tommy John surgery; Prince Fielder a possibility, but not a must-have; M’s keeping tabs on Cuban defector and CF Yoennis Cespedes and Japanese RHP Yu Darvish.
Minor Match-ups — As mentioned in an earlier post, the Mariners have seven players in the Arizona Fall League and another 30+ in the Caribbean leagues. Big-league players look to sharpen their skills, while notable minor-league prospects include outfielder Chih-Hsien Chiang, shortstop Nick Franklin, LHP Danny Hultzen, LHP Brian Moran, and RHP Forrest Snow.
Both Franklin and Hultzen made headlines in the AFL Rising Stars Game earlier this month, where Franklin went 4-for-5 with his first AFL home run, and Hultzen posted a 0.00 ERA and nabbed the win. MLB.com reporter Greg Johns speculates that Hultzen may even be a midseason call-up for the Mariners next year.
Medals of Honor — Looks like the M’s won’t be taking home any Gold Gloves or Silver Sluggers this year, but rookie pitcher Michael Pineda and infielder Dustin Ackley both received nominations and votes for American League Rookie of the Year.
Don’t worry, though–there’s still time to vote for the Mariners in the 2011 GIBBYS. Felix Hernandez is up for the Starting Pitcher of the Year, while Ackley and Pineda get another shot at Rookie(s) of the Year.
It’s such a shocking shame about Chone Figgens. He was a difference making bat in our lineup, a constant terror on the basepaths and a hot glove at third. He showed up in Seattle with such a bad attitude and for no reason I can fathom, especially with that huge contract, and has never been even remotely the same player sense. The M’s have no choice but to ditch him at this point.
Mariner prospects sure were stealing the show in the AFL Rising Stars game. Your guys are on the verge of being seriously scary. But no matter how good Felix was this season, he isn’t getting that GIBBY. Verlander eclipsed everyone and will surely take all AL pitching honors, oh well. There’s always next seaosn for the rest of our pitchers.
– Kristen
We all hoped for that kind of production from him in Seattle, but it looks like he just hit a rut in several areas. I honestly hope whoever chooses him sees a major difference from these past two years!
Ah, well. Maybe it’ll inspire a handful of votes for Felix, though Verlander definitely deserves all the accolades he’s been getting. Like you said, there’s always next year!