1
..it's theoretical and applies to the average team in the average situation. The Mariners have no one who can adequately play shortstop. NO ONE! Betancourt is a -15 run fielder. -15!! Ronny Cedeno is a -40 run hitter (and no...I'm not exaggerating). Chris Woodward is a -20 run hitter and a -5 or -10 run fielder at short. There's no one there...the cupboard is bare...do you pay 4 million for the rest of Jack Wilson's 2009? You're darned right you do...if you're the Mariners.
I'm hoping we get Freddy Sanchez somehow though...Sanchez helps out more offensively and plugs the third base hole until Beltre gets back. If we could get BOTH Sanchez and Wilson...I would be pretty happy about our playoff chances.