Who should the Mariners trade? Washburn?..AKA Keifer Sutherland / The Beaver

Wow! Doesn't Washburn look like Jack. Maybe he can use those beaver teeth to intimidate his opponents! Anyways about the trades. This has been on my mind now for the last week ever since the rumors started about everyone on the team being on the trading block except Felix and Ichiro (who I think is overrated and should be traded if it wasn't for his popularity and amount of fans he brings to the games). I guess I'll start off by discussing Ichiro. First, there is no way the Mariners will trade him, at least this year. They've said this in the media and want to build around him. I have no clue why a team would want to build around a guy who is a singles hitter who doesn't steal enough bases or have enough range in the outfield to be the type of player that is earning so much money. I'll give him his credit, he has a cannon for an arm and is a good hitter for average, but his OBP is average for a leadoff hitter and he is not a clubhouse leader. Bottom line is that we could get some good players in a trade for him and I'd do it if I was the GM but they obvious care more about pleasing the majority of the fan base who like Ichiro. Plus the owner is from Japan and they want to build a fanbase there.

Now on to some guys who actually could get traded this year. I'll start off with Jarrod Washburn who almost got traded to the Yankees this week and may still get traded before thursday's deadline. I've been going back and forth all week on this one. At first I was exited to get rid of Washburn's contract in which he is owed $14 million over this year and next. Especially when I heard they might trade us Melky Cabrera or Brett Gardner. But it looks now that the Yankees only want to pay for Washburns contract and give us nothing in return. I say screw them. Washburn is a better pitcher now than a couple months ago. He's a quality left-handed starter where pitching is in high demand. The Yankees think they're the only big market club and they can buy any player just by picking up their contract. The Mariners are not a small market club. We have money to spend and aren't looking to just dump a contract if a player is performing well and could help us next year (Washburn is under contract through next year). I know its a risk by keeping him because we could invest that money elsewhere but what if Washburn continues to pitch well? We could have a formittable rotation next year with Felix, Bedard, Washburn, and Morrow/Rowland-Smith/Silva/Dickey.

Pitching has not been the problem. Its our offense. Wasn't it fun to watch yesterday's game? Actually some offensive firepower that has been missing lately. I would be sad if we traded Ibanez. He is such a good guy. Great in the clubhouse. And our most consistent bat (not saying much) the last couple years. His contract is up after this season so I hope we try to resign him and try to win next year instead of rebuilding. He has been rumored to be going to the Mets which would make sense since they need a LF. He could give us some good prospects but I don't think it would be worth it because he would give us a 1st round pick if he signs with another team because of his value.

I've been dreaming for the Mariners to sign Manny Ramirez to DH (he actually said this week he doesn't care where he plays as long as they pay him) and Mark Texeiera for 1B but that would cost some serious cash and the chances of that happening are small. This would fix alot of our problems. Could you imagine Manny and Texeiera in the middle of the lineup? It gives me goosebumps.

Arthur Rhodes is the next guy that will probably get traded. He's a lefty with good stuff and he's getting old so it would be good for the M's to trade him for a good prospect. He's probably the only one on the team that I'd approve to get traded. (Except our terrible players like Silva, Batista, and Vidro....and the case of Washburn that I mentioned above)

Here's my dream starting lineup and rotation for next year: Now this is an Offense!

1. Ichiro RF

2. Lopez 2B

3. Texeira 1B, but probably LaHair batting lower in the lineup.

4. Manuelito Ramirez DH, but probably Ibanez at DH w/ Wladimir playing LF

5. Ibanez LF

6. Beltre 3B

7. Clement C, but probably splitting time with Johjima (who actually is starting to hit! YAY!)

8. Wladimir Balentine, Jeremy Reed, or Brett Gardner/Melky Cabrera (if we trade Washburn)

9. Bentancourt SS

Rotation

1. Felix

2. Bedard...if he can stay healthy and not complain

3. Washburn

4. Morrow

5. Silva/Rowland-Smith/Dickey/Batista