Matsui to the Mariners?

by ~ November 5th, 2008 at 9:37 pm

From Yahoo’s Tim Brown:

One source mentioned a potential three-way deal that would send outfielder Hideki Matsui from the New York Yankees to the Seattle Mariners for a pitching prospect, perhaps Ryan Rowland-Smith. The Yankees would package the prospect with second baseman Robinson Cano and another young player to the Rockies for Holliday.

Wow, if this has any truth I will be insanely angry. There is no way that the most we can get for Rowland-Smith is Matsui, who is an aging, below average defensive outfielder. Sure, his bat is definitely a positive, but in two of the past three seasons he’s been hurt, and been limited to less than 100 games. He has two surgically reconstructed knees, which would basically limit him to DH duty. He is set to make $13M next year. I would not like to see this deal go through.

Am I overrating Rowland-Smith?

Thoughts?


  • http://marinermelee.blogspot.com/ Mariner Melee

    No you’re not overatting him. Ryan Rowland-Smith is a good flyball pitcher built for Safeco.

    I doubt this has any truth, doesn’t seem like the kind of move Gmz would make. Not that he has a track record but he is a scout…so I don’t see how he deals a young pitcher for a aging DH.

  • http://addictedtoquack.com Quinn

    I personally have a major mancrush on Hyphen. I would commit seppuku all over Jack Zoinks’ face if this deal went through.

    Now, RRS for Halladay is another story ;)

  • http://addictedtoquack.com Quinn

    Well who knew, WordPress does auto-emoticons? Learn something new everyday I guess…

  • http://bleedingblueandteal.com Jon Shields

    Dustin -

    I can see how this deal makes sense. Seattle gives up RRS and gets a legit DH option. Washburn is kept, and produces similarly to what RRS would likely do. Seattle drastically improves their DH position while losing nothing in the short term.

    That said, it’s completely short sighted and I can’t say I endorse it. After Washburn leaves via free agency Seattle would have to count on someone else to step up and effectively fill the back of the rotation, and I’m not confident in the current choices.

    Not to mention that I also have a man-crush on RRS. I think he’s one of the most fun personalities the Mariners have right now, and I would hate to see him go, especially after just buying a place in Seattle this offseason.

  • http://bleedingblueandteal.com Jon Shields

    Mariner Melee:

    I doubt this has any truth, doesn’t seem like the kind of move Gmz would make. Not that he has a track record but he is a scout…so I don’t see how he deals a young pitcher for a aging DH.

    Bill Bavasi was a scout ;)

  • Slurve

    replace RR-S with WAsh maybe but if not then noooooooooooooo heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelll noooooooooooooooooooooooo I too love the hyphen.

  • http://bleedingblueandteal.com Jon Shields

    Rob T. pointed out to me that RRS’ inclusion in this rumor sounds a lot like speculation on Brown’s part, and I would have to agree with that. If this were legit, who knows what we would actually be giving up.

    For what it’s worth, Ken Davidoff thinks this is bogus. “The Yankees would trade Cano in the right deal, but the right deal isn’t a one-year rental of Holliday.” Makes perfect sense.