The Mariner buzz on Trade Deadline Day is ... well ... not exactly buzzing, but here's a place to share/discuss whatever happens.
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Mike Morse
The only "new" development seems to be a tweet from Joel Sherman of the New York Post indicating that Morse is "very available," but "no serious talks" were going on between the Mariners and Yankees.
Of course, they just cut Jason Bay in order to put Morse back on the roster, so Sherman's info may not even be accurate (not that Bay was a huge sacrifice, but if you were expecting to trade Morse for a prospect wouldn't you figure out a way to keep him around?).
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Jesus Montero
Not a trade rumor, but Montero continues to be listed among those likely to get a 50-game Biogenesis suspension. Of course, it won't make much of a ripple, since he's at AAA and has already missed much of the year with knee surgery.
He did hit his first home run for Tacoma Tuesday night.
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Oliver Perez
Perez remains probably the most likely trade, given that he's attractive to other teams and there are potential substitutes in the organization. On the other hand, unfortunate luck in his two tryouts (16.88 ERA; 3.04 xFIP) may make them reluctant to count on Bobby LaFromboise, and Brian Moran has no MLB experience.
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Joe Saunders/Aaron Harang
Open a spot for "Walker, Seattle Mariner"?
Saunders has lost value due to some spotty starts of late. Harang never had much value, though his overall numbers are comparable to Saunders', and he's cheaper.
Plus, Walker will probably be shut down before the end of the year. If you put him in the MLB rotation, somebody needs to be around to pick up those starts at the end of the year ... and those games might still have meaning. You don't really want to have to toss Blake Beavan or Hector Noesi in there, do you?
Moving one of these guys remains possible, but not very likely. And remember, Harang was already traded once and all the Rockies got was Steven Hensley, a reliever well past being considered a solid prospect.
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Cliff Lee
Well, it did happen before. With the Phillies.
And no one was expecting it then, either.
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Kendrys Morales
A few pixels were tossed about on digitial computing devices that the Rangers had an interest in Morales.
That didn't seem likely even when the rumor was bouncing around, and it seems considerably less likely now.
But just throwing it out there in case something unusual happens.
Peter Gammons indicates that several teams are interested in Morse. Maybe a bidding war! Or not.
There was some Orioles buzz regarding J.Saunders and Perez, but then there was counter-buzz indicating a lack of interest in Saunders.
That was one of the dullest July trading periods I can recall. Not just from an M's perspective but all of MLB.
Please go on with your normal lives.
Kelly Shoppach opted out of his Nationals contract and is signing with the Cardinals (now that Molina is hurt). The penny lands heads up!
The Cardinals were also looking at Miguel Olivo.
In other news, Nate Adcock, Joel Pineiro, and Kameron Loe were released by their respective clubs. -- It's an ex-Mariners market building!
When half the teams were easily out of the playoffs by the deadline, there were trade partners to be had. When only the absymal teams are out of the chase now (and they're absymal likely because they have no useful vets, especially short-termers) it's tough to have much of a trade situation.
And if teams value prospects more than rent-a-players since the good rentals don't give comp picks any longer, then it's over.
Better get your team right from the start or have internal adds to make, because it's gonna get harder to find what you need in July.
~G