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I actually am one of the few that want Morales back.
Many would argue with Hart/Morrison/Smoak now it would be a waste and meaningless to sign Morales. I've been pushing to get Morales back to DH against RHBs, and play 1B against LHBs when Smoak should be sitting. That was before the Hart/Morrison signing/trade. But I still am for it, considering Hart/Morrison can play LF/RF/1B/DH.
It was reported that Hart put together a pretty intense and awesome scouting video to supposedly "prove" he is more than 100%...and very impressive. Our Infield is VERY set, and 1B/DH can be played with great matchups, with the only exception being we need a backup Catcher....which I'm hoping we land Kurt Suzuki (the best Defensive catcher on the market) could be a great/positive influence on Zunino.
We have to remember that we still have numerous teams with "Strong Interest" in Franklin, and a number of teams with 1B needs not knowing what they are going to do. I'm expecting a trade, that will knock us all over.
I wanted Ellsbury and Granderson very badly too in the OF, so yes our OF isn't at the level that I was personally hoping for, but I did want Gutz back on an approx $2M base salary. And now $1M base is even better. With Saunders, Ackley, Gutz, Morrison, and now Hart all rotating through the OF...I think that is an OF that can hold it's own in 2014 defensively and offensively on proper pitching matchups!
We are currently sitting at $80M in 2014 Payroll, with an additional $9M in incentives. I "think" the M's budget for 75% of contract incentives, so that puts the current payroll in the $86M range. Lincoln stated in late October that we would surpass the 2013 $95M budget that we never spent. Plus we have $25M in MLB TV money coming to us early in 2014. Paid off stadium, so no lease fee. We won't even touch on the ROOT Sports Network Ownership deal, since no one has any clue on the revenues that will generate.
Seattle could "easily" take payroll to $120-$130M with the $25M in added cash from MLB TV.
I would like:
1. Kurt Suzuki $1.5-$3M
2. One of Price/Lee/Hamels (whichever one doesn't require us to part with Walker/Paxton OR Zunino
3. Tanaka "if" posted
4. Morales $8M/yr 3yr (Can't see him getting more at this point). Considering he may have to wait until after 2014 draft to sign, Seattle would do well to just resign him if we end up losing the draft pick. Just my thoughts.
5. I also wanted Balfour or Benoit, but now would be ok with Rodney who will be a lot cheaper then Benoit and Balfour.
But, depending up the Balfour physical with the O's this could be a major blow on his expected salary & years, enough to put other teams in question. This will devastate Balfour's value like the Napoli issue last offseason going from an expected 3yr $39M to a 1yr $5M deal in BoSox. I'm still shocked after BoSox pulled that off that he resigned with them this offseason. Of course a WS Ring changes things, which us Seattle fans wouldn't understand.