Rumors: Olney on Lackey, Cafardo on M’s

by ~ November 16th, 2009 at 1:05 am

Rumor dump from the weekend:

  • ESPN’s Buster Olney, Saturday: “If I were to set an early handicap on the upcoming Lackey sweepstakes, I’d throw out an educated guess on the rankings, from top to bottom, that looks like this: Mariners, Angels, Brewers, Mets, Red Sox, Yankees. The Mariners have a lot of payroll flexibility and a clear strategy predicated on strong pitching and defense.”
  • Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo produces a quote that jives with my We Don’t Know Jack post from a few days ago: “I think they’ve been one of the most aggressive organizations in the early going,’’ said an American League GM. “They aren’t as restricted with their budget like other organizations are, so they have a chance to do some things.’’ Cafardo also expects the Mariners to make serious runs at Jason Bay and Adrian Gonzalez, but I have a hard time seeing either in Seattle colors next season.  I am curious to know what new Padres GM Jed Hoyer would be looking for with regards to Gonzalez, though.  He’d obviously be a great fit.
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  • PrimeTimeG

    I’m not too big on Bay or Gonzalez. Gonzo will cost too much and Bay I think is ready to hit that wall, so no long contract for him please. I’d much rather see us sign Lackey and Harden instead. I’m willing to Saunders a chance in left and if he can stick, great. If he can’t then Ackley will be ready soon enough.

  • maqman

    I’m pretty much in the frame with PrimeTimeG’s comments above. I do think Ackley might not be ready for The Show as soon as some people seem to believe. Gonzo is best kept in the NL. Lackey and Harden maybe, depending on the cost and commitment.

  • rudolf11

    Is Lackey the guy? Type A, injury history, #2 starter stuff, potentially a $90 million price tag? Aren’t the M’s better off drafting with the #17 pick, picking up some type B’s, (Harden, etc.), and saving the $$ for a legit ace next year or the year after? Prima facea, it’s going to be tough to contend in 2010, even with Lackey, Nick Johnson, and/or Brandon Phillips.

  • MarinerMan6

    What is the obsession for Jason Bay? I know he is from the NW but the guy is a DH masquerading as a left-fielder. We already got rid of one LF who could not play any defense who was cheaper and may be a better overall player (Raul Ibanez). Plus Bay is RH so this is going no where.

    With Saunders there now and Ackley on the way hopefully by the start of 2011 there is really no need to get a left-fielder unless a long-term solution arises that is much better than what we already have. Signing OBP machines or power guys that hit LH and play 1B/DH should be a priority. Sign Branyan and Nick Johnson, then pick up Harden and the M’s are instantly competitive in the AL West (though I would still pick them 3rd if I had to put money on it).

  • eastcoastmariner

    Speaking of rumors, how about the one on Fox Sports reporting the M’s are interested in Edwin Jackson and possibly Curtis Granderson to play in left field.

    Thoughts Jon??

    • http://proballnw.com Jon

      I haven’t seen that yet.. been behind on my reading. But Zduriencik was trying to get Jackson last season so it wouldn’t be that surprising. That said, last year Jackson was an upside guy, and now he’d cost a lot more. Link?

  • eastcoastmariner