A few days ago Baseball America released a list of 561 minor league free agents, 22 from the Mariners organization:

RHP: Travis Chick (AAA), Jon Huber (AAA), Roman Martinez (AA), Scott Shoemaker (AAA), Jorge Sosa (AAA)
LHP: Jason Kershner (AA), Ryan Ketchner (AA), Nelson Payano (AA)
C: Fleming Baez (SS), Fernando Encarnacion (Hi A), Gabe Johnson (AA), Luis Oliveros (AAA), Jose Yepez (Hi A)
1B: Geraldo Valentin (Hi A)
2B: Kevin Howard (AAA)
3B: Lou Lucca (AA)
SS: Mark Kiger (AA)
OF: Victor Diaz (AAA), Shawn Garrett (AAA), Noah Hall (Hi A), Jon Nelson (AAA), Craig Wilson (AAA)

Lets take a quick look at who we could be losing, and who should probably be brought back.

Keepers: SP Travis Chick – Still young and is close to MLB ready.  Seattle may as well try to bring him back to add some depth.   RP Roman Martinez – Numbers look decent enough and he’s only 23.  Former High Desert Pitcher of the Year could make a big league bullpen sooner than later.  May as well keep him.  RP Jason Kershner – Seattle needs a left handed specialist, and Kershner could be among the better internal options if they decide not to give someone a major league deal.  I say bring him back the veteran and let him compete for a spot with Justin Thomas and others.  RP Nelson Payano – 25 year old lefty reliever that misses bats and keeps the ball on the ground.  Could figure into the 2009 bullpen at some point if brought back.   SS Mark Kiger – Non-prospect that has never really been a great hitter but he walks a ton.  If his defense is passable there is no reason to let go of a guy like him in an OBP deprived system, in my opinion.  OF/DH Victor Diaz – 26 year old tore up AAA this year and is kicking ass in winter ball as well.  He’s been capable of starting in the bigs for several years now but hasn’t gotten much of a shot.  Unless Jeff Clement figures to be Seattle’s full time DH in 2009, Diaz is the best option we have internally and is free talent.

Bye bye: RP Jon Huber – Hasn’t been consistent at all during his professional career.  He keeps the ball on the ground, but Sean Green and Roy Corcoran are already on board and are much better at it.  C Fleming Baez – Roster filler and nothing more.  C Jose Yepez – Same as Baez.  OF Geraldo Valentin – No real offensive upside.  3B Lou Lucca – Has never logged an inning with the organization so I’m not sure how he figures into this, but he’s old and isn’t a good player anyway.  1B/OF Shawn Garrett – Non-prospect roster filler.  OF Jon Nelson – Had some pop back in the day but is getting old and can’t draw a walk to save his life.  1B Craig Wilson – Veteran still walks a ton and has good pop, but Seattle would be better off giving 1B to someone younger.

I’m good either way: SP/RP Scott Shoemaker, RP Jorge Sosa, SP Ryan Ketchner, C Fernando Encarnacion, C Gabe Johnson, C Luis Oliveros, UT Kevin Howard, OF Noah Hall,