Free Agent Sluggers

by ~ January 2nd, 2009 at 7:07 pm

The Seattle Mariners are looking for another big bat for their lineup, and could make a splash by inking one of the big-name free agents to play either DH or left field.  These three guys have been connected to the Mariners all offseason:

Milton Bradley – The best all around offensive DH/OF type left on the market that isn’t named Manny Ramirez, Bradley had a career year with the Rangers last season by putting up a slash line of .321/.436/.563 over 509 plate appearances.  The chances that he repeats those numbers in 2009 are slim to none, but he has been a great player throughout the course of his career (.280/.370/.457).

Bradley is reportedly seeking a 3 year/$30M contract, which is pretty risky considering how volatile and injury prone he has been over the years. When healthy, however, he is worth much more than $10M per season.

Needless to say, Bradley would be a great fit for Seattle, providing fantastic production while being an ideal hitter in the 3-hole.

Seattle has been linked to Bradley several times this offseason, but there is no word on how aggressively they’re pursuing him.  A deal with the Chicago Cubs seems imminent, but it’s not too late for things to change (see: Rafael Furcal).

Pat Burrell – I’ve never been much of a Burrell fan, so whenever his name comes up in Seattle Mariners rumors I find myself cringing a bit.  I can’t help but look at a potential Burrell signing as Richie Sexson 2.0.

Yes, Burrell could feasibly have a Sexson-esque crash if he came to play at Safeco Field, but there are a few reasons why he could be a decent option at DH.  One, he’s not going to get the four year deal that Sexson got.  Two, he’s not going to get the $14M annual salary that Sexson received in his final two years.  For both of those reasons, Burrell wouldn’t be nearly as risky as Sexson was.

With the way the market is moving, Burrell might have to settle for a 2 year deal worth $18-24M, or perhaps even a one year deal.  For a 1-2 year deal I could get over my Burrell-hate and find myself on board with the signing.  Anything longer would be terrifying.

Burrell has been popping up in quite a few rumors and I believe there is genuine interest there, but GM Jack Zduriencik has said that he would prefer a lefty bat.

Adam Dunn – Known as one of baseball’s most disciplined hitters, Dunn also possesses some of the best raw power in the game.  Those two skills have allowed him to tally 40 or more home runs and 100 or more walks in each of the last five seasons.

To put in perspective how impressive that is, the Seattle Mariners franchise only has two players to ever hit 40 homers while walking 100 times in the same season: Jay Buhner in 1997 and Alex Rodriguez in 2000.  Those two players only managed to do once what Dunn has accomplished for the majority of his career.

Power and plate discipline are two things the Mariner lineup needs, and Dunn obviously provides plenty of each.  Unfortunately, he wouldn’t fill Seattle’s need for a number-3 hitter, but he would still benefit the offense.

Dunn’s been connected to the Mariners all offseason, and could be a worthwhile investment on a 2 year deal worth $24-26M (plus an option?) or a three year deal worth $33-36M.  Four years is too much of a gamble for a player of his skillset, even though he is still on the right side of 30.  If Bradley signs with the Cubs, the chances of Dunn signing with Seattle increase as the Cubs are said to be Dunn’s number one choice.

Dunn isn’t the great fit that someone like Bradley would be, but I can’t help but wonder how many time he and Russell Branyan could tag the Hit it Here Cafe.  It would be fun to watch (no matter how disappointing the whiffs would be).

There are other names out there that could be connected to the Mariners as pieces begin falling into place, but these three guys seem to be highest on GM Jack Zduriencik’s radar.

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  • JAC

    FWIW, the M’s have been connected to Bradley via speculation only. Media, fan forums and the like, but Bradley isn’t fond of Seattle, Safeco Field or the idea of a rebuilding team.

    The M’s would have to make the money do their negotiating, and that’s very unlikely at this point.

    You can say the same for Dunn and Burrell, with the possible exceptions of not being fond of Seattle and/or Safeco.

  • http://bleedingblueandteal.com Jon Shields

    Thanks for the input, Jason. I would bet that a lot of (most?) “rumors” are simply speculation blown out of proportion.

    Just a few weeks ago Zduriencik did say he’s not done, though.

    “We’d like to get a legitimate power hitter, if possible.”

    Perhaps that is someone besides Dunn or Burrell, like an Eric Hinske or (unfortunately) Ken Griffey?

    It seems that Dunn and Burrell could become possibilities down the road if they’re not right now, depending on how the market shakes out.

    I guess we’ll see. Glad to see you back on the site, Churchill.

  • Slurve

    How bout Giambi, or Abreu? They could fill the DH option and what about Crede I’d only sign him if Beltre was traded though…

  • Paul5418

    I wouldn’t mind Abreu…rumors are that most of the mid-tier sluggers aside from Dunn and Bradley (Abreu, Burrell, Giambi, Griffey) are going to have to settle for one or two year contracts given the market. This is a good year to sign a decent player to a short term contract.

  • Shawnuel

    Aside from Bradley, Abreu would be at the top of my list for one reason. Like Bradley, he is a legitimate #3 hitter, something we don’t have currently.

  • http://bleedingblueandteal.com Jon Shields

    I agree with that, especially on a one year deal.

    Just as long as he doesn’t see much time in the outfield. He’s scary out there.

  • chris d

    I think that Clement should be given the opportunity to be the DH instead of bringing in a slugger for a 2 year or 3 year contract. He does not have necessary catching skills and is not durable and he has struggled in each minor league level in the beginning. He can and will adjust to ML pitching and be a successful DH. It would be to his advantage if he gets experience at 1B. He is having trouble letting go of his catcher fantasy.

  • ernier

    The problem with all of these guys is you really want them to be your DH, but since nobody is really sure if Clement is healthy enough or has the defensive skills to catch every day he’ll have to get his AB’s at DH. I think it would be a mistake to not give Clement AB’s everyday because if he does figure it out he can be one of those left handed power bats we need.

    It might be better to try and get a LF with power via a trade. Maybe use Vlady and pitching to try and get a guy.

  • Librarian

    I’d love to see us sign any of these sluggers–to a one year deal. Anything longer and I’d rather save my 2010/11 dollars to go after an a-list player, or players who fit our needs when we’re realistically closer to contending (and know what those needs are).

  • JAC

    It really sounds like one of the remaining bats – Burrell, Dunn, etc, – would have to fall into Jack’s lap, almost literally.

    It’s also been tough, since the park opened, to get bats interested in Seattle equally, so it’s a long shot to begin with.

    It sure sounds like Jack is protecting 2010 and 2011′s payroll, too.

    BTW, this is what I got when I asked some in the game about Seattle being connected to any impact names.

    “Bradley? Nothing.”

    “I haven’t heard that he (Jack) is in on any of the bigger names. They’re bargain shopping.”

    “A bat isn’t even their biggest area of need, considering their rebuild project. I heard they are high on Hudson if the market clears the way some more. I guess they’d move some infielders around if they had to. But Dunn is looking for a warm weather place where he can play right field. That’s from his agent, too.”

  • http://bleedingblueandteal.com Jon Shields

    Great stuff, Jason.

    After Wak brought up the possibility of moving Lopez to 1B we talked about Hudson for a while, but the idea faded away pretty quickly. Perhaps it’s time to take another look at the possibility and what it would mean for the Seattle Mariners ballclub..

  • http://www.seatownsports.net seatownsports

    Out of the three, I like Bradley the most. Burrell will cost a lot and Dunn has Richie Sexson written all over him.

  • Brandon

    I think Burrell would be the most Richie-like.
    I would be happy if we signed Bradley, content with Dunn, and straight up pissed with Burrell.