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BA does screwy things at times. Halman as the #1 Ms prospect last year for example.
Saunders is a very good prospect (the #2 or #3 Mariner spec) and if Ackley weren't in the system I'd be down with developing him at the MLB level.
As is I think we're better off trading for a guy like Seth Smith who has both short+long term upside and cashing Saunders in for a prospect of lateral value at a position of need. If Saunders struggles in '10 offensively as I expect he will, and Ackley is ready for the bigs by '10/11 (as I also expect he will), then you've blown Saunders' trade value and no longer have a spot for him on your roster.
I have a hard time believing that teams will give up prospects like Alcides Escobar or Brett Wallace for Saunders straight-up, but there has to be a good fit out there. Saunders+ for LaPorta maybe.