Rumors: Swisher/Nady, Varitek

by ~ January 18th, 2009 at 11:00 am

Larry LaRue:

Yes, Zduriencik is pursuing trades and talking to teams. The Yankees are [dangling] outfielders Nick Swisher and Xavier Nady, and the Mariners have chatted to see what New York wants in return.

I’m sure any team with even the hint of an outfield need would at least inquire, so this isn’t really noteworthy at this time.  Inquiry and pursuit are very different.  Still, there has been a lot of support for a Swisher acquisition in the Mariner blogosphere (BBT included), so hopefully this could lead to something.

Nick Cafardo:

While it doesn’t seem an obvious fit, a couple of Mariner advisers have talked up Varitek as someone who could help improve the Seattle pitching staff.

No, it doesn’t seem like an obvious fit, but this isn’t the first time we’ve heard Jason Varitek’s name in connection with the Seattle Mariners.  Back in November Jason A. Churchill relayed information from a player agent who had heard the M’s connected to Varitek.

With our current catching logjam I could never endorse a Varitek acquisition, but if anything he’d be a good mentor to Jeff Clement (in theory, at least).

Don’t count on anything happening on the Varitek front unless Kenji Johjima is miraculously (and mercifully) traded, but even then it seems like a stretch.

Oh.. and I might as well throw this in: GO CARDINALS!

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  • bakomariner

    Swisher: Hell yes!

    Tek: God NO!!!!!

  • Mr.Benton

    I do not want another aging catcher! When he retires maybe bring him in as a coach.

  • Slurve

    Man if we got Swisher for a package that the Yankees gave up then by all means take it but Cashman is a pretty smart GM so I think it might cost us a prospect.

  • SABR Matt

    Saunders, Balentien, Feierabend, Lowe…that’s the class of prospects I’ve be willing to move for Swisher…anyone higher on the prospect list than those guys is a no no.

  • http://bleedingblueandteal.com Jon Shields

    I think Saunders outclasses those other three by quite a bit, but that’s just my opinion.

    I wouldn’t want to give up Saunders. I wouldn’t exactly by heartbroken, but overall I think he’s a pretty underrated prospect and could be an ideal COF for Safeco Field (plus range in LF, lefty pop).

  • SABR Matt

    Pop? Saunders has pop?

    Not seeing it.

    At BEST, Saunders will some day be a weaker version of Rusty Greer. If he ever develops the plate discipline.

  • banton

    At some point, we have to stop referring to Balentien as a prospect. He is out of options, I believe. He either makes it this year or he doesn’t-and Z does not sound as though he will make it with us, anyway.

  • ernier

    I know I’m in the minority, but I would take Tek for 1 year if we could move Joh. He’d be a great mentor to Clement and If he caught 3 or 4 days a week I think he could be somewhat productive, plus last year he was going through a divorce so mentally he may have been distracted. I’m not saying he would hit like he did in his prime, but might be able to bounce back a bit and help the pitching staff.

    It’s probably a moot point though because we can’t move Joh and looks like he’ll end up back in Boston.

  • bakomariner

    Tek is doooooooooone…

    And I’ve wondered why so many recently have soured on Saunders…

    WLAD will never be productive in Safeco…he HAS to be moved before ST…

    And congrats to The King…3.8 seems like a steal for us…hope the kid doesn’t think he’s getting lowballed and doesn’t sign long-term…

  • SABR Matt

    I haven’t soured on Saunders…I was NEVER high on Saunders. He’s Casey Kotchman without the bat control and pitch recognition. Oooooh…I’m so excited.

  • Slurve

    Saunders has been rushed through the minors and right now is Corey Hart-ish but his bat is expected to develop since he has “one of the nicest lefty swings” out there also he is supposed to have the fabled “5-tool” talent.