Oswalt likely to sign with Cardinals

by ~ January 27th, 2012 at 8:30 pm

According to Jim Duquette, the right-hander is close to signing a deal with St. Louis.  Oswalt posted a 3.44 FIP and garnered 2.5 wins above replacement last season in 23 starts with the Phillies.

This accordingly narrows the Mariners’ options on the pitching side of the free agent market.  With Jeff Francis off the market, we can expect the M’s to either ink Edwin Jackson to a multi-year deal or to stand pat with their current crop of starters.  At this point, though, they’re probably going to do nothing.  With two hotshot young lefties on the fast track to the majors, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense for this team to block a rotation spot for the next four years.  The organization clearly believes that Danny Hultzen and James Paxton can be successful major league pitchers, so the team’s current set of priorities dictate that the M’s will probably target a third baseman rather than a pitcher.

Edit: Sources also indicate that if the deal with St. Louis falls through, Oswalt could be headed for Texas.

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  • http://twitter.com/95MiracleMs Lance Miller

    Any thoughts on what 3B they could be targeting? I would love to add Lawrie from Toronto to our mix of developing  youngsters.

    • http://twitter.com/TaylorRobot Taylor

      It would be great to have Lawrie, but he’ll come at a huge price.  

      Dave Cameron seems bullish on Mark Reynolds, but Reynolds’ defense is catastrophically bad (he averages a -10 UZR over his five-season MLB career and put up a -28 last season with the O’s).  It’s possible the M’s decide to punt defense at that position and acquire Reynolds to hit ~30 bombs, but I would not recommend that.

      I don’t really have a preference as to who the Mariners target, as long as it’s someone.  Seager is pretty unexciting, and he’s more valuable to the club as a Willie Bloomquist-type guy.  I guess I wouldn’t mind Reynolds if he hits to his career numbers (.238/.331/.483) and DHs occasionally, which would of course require Montero to catch more often.  If we’re imagining a scenario in which Montero DHs 90 games, Reynolds DHs 50 (with Seager getting those 50 starts at third), and Carp gets the remaining 20, I wouldn’t be too upset.

      • http://twitter.com/95MiracleMs Lance Miller

        Not real excited about Reynolds. Saw him when he was here in AZ and he is just a hacker with a hole in his glove. Power upgrade? Yes. But at what cost.

        I know Lawrie would be expensive, but if you are going to rebuild then go get as many top MLB ready players at positions of need as you can. I was thinking sending League back to them along with a guy like Triunfel and ? (would Vargas work?) League is replaceable and not really needed in a rebuilding year when you have young guys you can try out for the role and Triunfel isn’t one of my favorites. The ‘?’ part is what might make the difference in the deal.

        They could also look into Moustakas for KC. Some upside and KC has other young options at 3B. Alvarez from Pitt would be another guy to take a flyer on if the price is right. Also Headley from SD, but not a huge fan of.

        I might pay a little extra for Lawrie knowing we can replace who we deal for him with the 3rd pick. Again, it all depends on the price.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_IY2FYEXQX7GHVMIMBGCHZQ5NBQ adam d

    No way we get Lawrie, the Blue Jays would want a haul. We’re probably looking at another year of Seager + Figgins…Yay!

    Just a guy to bring up, would Yoenis Cespedes be a possibility? It seems like the extra $15 Million that should be available is only rumored to be going to Edwin Jackson, but there’s still a few guys left out there

  • Anonymous

    JackZ says they’re done, willing to listen…but done looking.  The M’s are going with the kids this year, rebuilding the right way, and it will eventually lead to sustained divisional contention!!!

    • Anonymous

      GmZ says a lot of things
      then BAM! Cliff Lee

      But the truth is, there just aren’t many 3B options available league wide.
      Reynolds is not only a huge defensive liability but also has terrible contact
      rates. Everyone harps on the power part of our offensive ineptness but truely, I think it’s our lack of contact ability that’s leading to the inconsistency. Adding one of the worst contact rate offenders in the league only exacerbates the problem one would think

      • http://twitter.com/95MiracleMs Lance Miller

        Agreed.

  • Anonymous

    I’d prefer Dan Murphy from the Mets.  He would cost but I think he’s worth it.

    • http://twitter.com/95MiracleMs Lance Miller

      Not a bad option either.