It has become pretty tough to guess what GM Jack Zduriencik’s next move is as he moves his way into the discussion for most unpredictable GM in baseball with the likes of Kenny Williams and Billy Beane, among others.  What seems like an obvious move or direction is bumped off the table by a move no one saw coming.  But it looks like the blogosphere as a whole was correct in thinking a right handed bat who could split time between first base, DH and left field could be on Zduriencik’s wish list.  Zduriencik has a couple of options for that role currently on the roster in prospect Matt Tuiasosopo, who can play around the diamond (though not particularly well), and waiver claim Tommy Everidge, who provides solid defense at DH and can get by at 1B, but those guys are merely a safety net.

Zduriencik, quoted by Larry Stone:

“We’re still looking for a right-handed bat. We’d like to add a right-handed bat, to be somewhere, whether it’s at first base, DH, outfield. That’s something I think we need, and we’ll continue to pursue that in the next few days, and weeks, depending on how long it takes.

Of course, saying he wants something doesn’t mean he’ll get one.  Last offseason he was quoted multiple times talking about getting a “big bat” and that never happened.

Who is available?  Let’s review some of the free agents that look like they could be a fit for Seattle.

Melvin Mora -The one time All Star and Silver Slugger is going to be forced to consider a utility role after coming off the worst offensive season of his career at age 37.  He has experience at all seven positions, though hasn’t played significant time anywhere but third base in several years.  Still, Mora is athletic enough that you have to think he can make spot starts at 3B, 1B and LF, while being a third stringer at SS and 2B.

Ryan Garko -Garko hasn’t panned out exactly as once hoped, but he’s a solid platoon bat who profiles well as a right handed hitter at Safeco Field because of his ability to hit long home runs and hit for power to all fields.  He has a career .313/.392/.495 line against lefties, making him an ideal bat to steal some at bats from Casey Kotchman and Ken Griffey.  He can play a good 1B and could play some LF in a pinch, though the fewer innings out there the better.

Eric Byrnes – It was looking like he was heading to San Francisco, but apparently the Giants aren’t interested.  He’s an outfielder only, which is unfortunate, but he’d also come at the league minimum, which is a plus.  He’s struggled with injuries in recent years, but when he’s been on the field he’s an effective defender and hits lefties well.

Jermaine Dye – He can’t field, and he couldn’t hit in the second half last year, but he could still be a solid cheap pickup as his market never really developed.  Dye has only played 1B for one game in his big league career, but he has said this offseason that he is willing to work at the position if it helps him get a job.  Dye reportedly turned down a $3.3M offer from the Cubs.  If he’s looking for more than that, he’s going to have a helluva time finding a job.

Jonny Gomes - Had a nice 2009 but can’t do much in the field and doesn’t play first base.  M’s could do worse than to give some of Griffey’s at bats to Gomes, but he would handcuff the team a bit.

Reed Johnson – Mashes lefties, hopeless against righties, decent enough defender in the outfield.  Not a bad fallback.

There are others, but I think these guys will be the ones Seattle looks at first.  That said, there’s no telling if Don Wakamatsu might try to convince Zduriencik to bring back Mike Sweeney or go for Nomar Garciaparra.  Bleh.  Granted, Sweeney wasn’t half bad once he got his legs under him last season.

I’ll take a look at the trade market a little later.  It’s sure to be headlined by Josh Willingham, who we’ve brought up a few times since last season.