Baseball GM Meeting Start Monday

The major league baseball teams are in Orlando Florida three days for general manager meeting. One guarantee we know is that Seattle Mariners general manager will be busy talking with other teams about making trades along with agents of the players that are free agents.

Whether the Mariners will pull off a trade in these three days or not we do know that action will take place where a trade or more will happen over the remaining month of November and going into December.

The needs of the Mariners will be getting a first baseman, an outfielder, backup catcher and starting pitching. The Mariners could snap up a relief pitcher as well along with adding depth with players who could start next season at Tacoma.

The free agency route could be the Mariners picking up a first baseman and backup catcher. They could go that route as well getting an outfielder and at least one starting pitcher though the likelihood the Mariners will look to get both through a trade.

There has been talk about the Mariners getting outfield Jay Bruce through free agency however most believe he would be too costly for the Mariners to sign. Personally the money it would be to sign Bruce I would give to a starting pitcher instead whether it is in free agency or picking up in a trade.

Though the Mariners can use another outfielder to go along with Ben Gamel, Mitch Haniger and Guillermo Heredia whether he is a starting outfielder or a fourth outfielder would all depend how much the Mariners have to dish out in money or in players.

I am sure that Dipoto has been speaking with Yonder Alonso and his agent about signing a multiyear contract however the cost will decide whether they will sign him or not. They could go with another first baseman that doesn’t cost as much. I did discuss that in a previous post so I won’t go any further there.

The Mariners did pick up two minor league catchers with little major league experience but I am sure they will see what might be out there that could be better however I wouldn’t be surprised if they stick with those two or pick up another catcher with triple A experience ad ready to make the jump to the majors. Next year will continue be development in the career of Mike Zunino. The Mariners are hoping that he will be able to hit like he did most of the time from June on of last season. If he goes backwards to where he was last April the Mariners may have to look elsewhere for picking up a regular catcher.

The Mariners will be looking to get a starting pitcher that will go with James Paxton, Felix Hernandez and Mike Leake. It would be nice to pick up a pitcher in the likes of Drew Smyly they did last year. At this point though he is on the 40 man roster Smyly will likely not be ready to start the season in the Mariners rotation. He might not be ready to pitch until after the all-star break if then.

James Paxton and Felix are both prone to injuries so at least one or even two starting pitchers would be where the Mariners will need to go. In fact I believe the Mariners may have to trade Paxton to pick up a couple high quality pitchers though they may not match him exactly. They could be both third and fourth starters instead of an ace. Paxton still has the potential to be an ace pitcher but the injuries he has suffered puts in question whether the Mariners can rely on him and the question goes for Felix as well. The next few days we will see what tricks and surprises that Dipoto has up his sleeves. Go M’s.