So I know the playoffs aren't even close to being over but it's never too early to start talking about next season's roster. There are bound to be a number of changes from this season's impressive squad so what would people like to see happen? We need to improve our scoring somehow since at times we looked like we were clueless on how this would happen. I think right wing would be a good place to find someone who is dangerous. We'll inevitably have to lose someone useful in the expansion draft, who should we protect beyond the obvious players?

Do teams that do not sign their supplemental 1st round pick get the pick back in the following year's draft? I have heard a number of conflicting reports on this subject for "Yes" and "No". So can someone settle this once and for all? I'm sure some people might be interested since not all supplemental picks are signed. Linking to a source would be helpful, rather than just claiming one way or another. 

First Base is one of the more interesting spots open on our roster and it could be filled in any number of ways but I want to focus particularly on the Free Agents. The general consensus on the blogs lately has been to trade for Brewer Brad Nelson. Which I also agree with. Trades, unfortunately, are hard to predict and any number of hang-ups can doom them, even if your GM has recently worked with your trade partner. I've included last years VORP to each player.  Anyway here are most of the options out there for first among free agents.

So lets get on our way...

Mark Teixeira - Great player. Never going to happen, ever...Wants big money, on a winning team, Boras client. Type A free agent. 37.0 VORP

Rich Aurilia - Been there done that, didn't really work, getting older, right handed, not a fan favorite after his last stint in Seattle. Might be considering retirement. 8.2 VORP this year.

Sean Casey - Decent defense, decent contact bat but has less power than Willie Bloomquist. Has a history of injuries. Could be had relatively cheaply. Had an identical 8.2 VORP as Aurilia.

Tony Clark - Getting older and it shows. Known for his lefty power but that's all but left him, only 3 HRs this year. Bench player. Retirement is possible. -1.5 VORP. There are better options out there.

Kevin Millar - Hmmm. Tough year, still has a bit of pop, but he's right handed and his career is going downhill as well. Good clubhouse presence though if that stands for anything. Probably a bench player now. -.3 VORP

Miguel Cairo - Still wondering how he got as much playing time as he did. I bet he thought he hit the jackpot. No bat, average glove. -4 VORP which was lower than pretty much everyone on the team not named Vidro, Balentien, or Jojima. Probably better suited as some sort of coach that has nothing to teach.

Russell Branyan - One of the better cheapish options. Had a good year last year with Milwaukee .925 OPS. Left handed power bat. Won't hit for average and will strikeout a lot but he has good enough on base skills to counteract that. Makes me think of a lefthanded Richie. Platoon needed. 11.2 VORP

Adam Dunn - One of the more expensive options. Pretty sure he won't be worth the contract someone gives him. Rob Deer at its best. Average at best fielder. 40 HRS in each of last 5 years. Type A free agent. 10.3 VORP

Doug Mientkiewicz - Well known for his glove and an average at best bat. Not much in the way of power but he does get on base. Kind of similar to Sean Casey in that regard. Inexpensive, would be a stopgap at best. 7.6 VORP

Eric Hinske - Should not be an outfielder ever again. First base would be more suitable. Platoon option only, he can't hit leftys to save his life. His value as a hitter was hidden in the Rays lineup of hitters. Fairly inexpensive. 13.6 VORP

Hank Blalock - Will probably have his option picked up. Could be a decent fit as long as the contract isn't too long to block Raben or someone else. Would be pricey if he does hit the market. Has a tough time staying healthy but is a decent bat when he is and would fit in well at Safeco. Type B free agent. 14.6 VORP

Jason Giambi - Really bad fielder, still a good hitter. Should be DH. Will have his $22 mil option declined. Probably wants to stay with the Yankees. Steroid history. Good fit for Safeco though. 32.5 VORP

Lastly

Raul Ibanez - Fan favorite who should no doubt have been a DH or 1B long ago. We all know about his bat. Good clubhouse guy. Fairly expensive, at least a 2 year contract. Type A free agent. The draft picks would be nice but losing his bat would be a big loss for a bad lineup. 39.4 VORP

I may have skipped over some, please feel free to add if you think they'd be an option. Not a lot of exciting options but I think the best options of the group are Branyan, Hinske, or Ibanez, but others here may know better...

There hasn't been a whole lot of talk about the Mariners lately other than the whole GM search. So something I'm interested in is how we did in the international signing period. Did Bob Engle pull any rabbits out of his hat this year? As far as the best player available the Athletics gave their left testicle for Michel Inoa giving him $4.25 mil. I see we got a pretty highly rated outfielder named Julio Morban and a highly rated pitcher from Nicaragua named Francisco Valdivia. Both are 16 years old. Many sources are saying Morban got a $1.1-1.2 mil bonus. Other than them its hard to find any info on any other signings, anyone have info on any others? I know some of you know a hell of a lot more than I do. Engle made two big signings last year in Jharmidy DeJesus and Gabriel Noriega. I wonder if thats his strategy. Hopefully we'll see a few of these players come up through the minors in the next couple years.

Press release from Mariners with quotes from Engle on each player

ESPN had this to say about Morban and Valdivia:

Morban can play anywhere in the outfield, but his good defense and arm belong in center field. He is not too big (5-11, 178) but has speed on the base paths and swings an occasionally powerful bat. Morban bats from the left side and has a strong grasp of the game.

Valdivia has a nice build (6-3, 185) but needs to work on his mechanics, something that is not surprising if we take into account that he turned 16 in March. Valdivia pitches with a three-quarter arm slot, and his fastball reaches 91 mph.

Has anyone here considered wearing a paper bag over their head to a game yet? I've considered it a few times but didn't follow through. Could you get thrown out of a game for that? I know the Mariners organization is pretty anal on things fans can wear to the games. Wearing a bag over your head is one of the few ways (other than booing and booing gets old) fans can show how unhappy the fans are with our underachieving team. It could also bring media attention to how we're so unhappy about this team.So does anyone have the guts to do it? I know some of you would with a beer or two in you.

I laughed pretty hard after hearing what Ichiro had to say about his first hit of the Spring.

"I'm not sure what my next challenge is but for today, my feeling is sad, sad to say goodbye," he said. "Part of me is sad that it couldn't have gone on a little longer. But part of me realizes I have to show some results."

Ichiro said that as far as he knew, no one with the team was commemorating the hit. "I was planning to keep the ball and send it to Cooperstown but I couldn't get the ball back and make it a reality."

Has to be one of the most quotable athletes out there.

The Bedard Trade or last years Soriano Trade?

As for the Bedard Trade, at least we're getting something in return. But at the cost of 5 players which could be a big help to the club for a number of years.

As for the Soriano Trade, we gave up Soriano but that trade had less total impact(detriment?) to the club than the Bedard trade.