Dave’s 2003 Offseason Plan
Just playing around with the roster under the constraints of a $95 million budget. Originally, I built an $82 million team that looked a lot like last years team, just with a better bench and less experienced pitching staff. I realized that I had enough money to upgrade the offense, and went all out and got myself Vladimir Guerrero. I don’t think this will happen, and I’m not advocating these moves in totality, but it does show that the M’s could afford to make a run at Vlad if they so chose. In order to create enough room financially, I’ve traded Freddy Garcia, Randy Winn, and Ryan Franklin for prospects. All three have too much value to earn a non-tender, but none of them are worth their projected 2004 salaries to the Mariners. I also released Jeff Cirillo, eating his entire contract in the process. The free agent signings I’m advocating include a few guys who didn’t show up on my earlier list.
Miguel Batista is a quality pitcher who Arizona let go because of their cost cutting maneuvers. With Safeco Field keeping the balls in the park, he’d be a perfect fit. Also has great stuff to come out of the bullpen if young pitchers step up and demand a look.
Paul Quantrill is one of the most underrated relievers in the game. Murder on right-handers. Perfect compliment to Rhodes as a RH/LH pair.
Ben Grieve slots in as the left-handed bat off the bench. I think he could be in for a nice rebound season in the right environment.
Pokey Reese takes McLemore’s spot as the utility player, but actually provides tremendous defense at short and second as well as being able to handle third base. Solid pinch-running option as well.
Vlad, I don’t need to explain. He’s just awesome.
Here’s the roster:
Position Player Salary
C Wilson 3.50
1B Olerud 7.00
2B Boone 8.00
3B Leone 0.30
SS Guillen 2.50
LF Guerrero 15.00
CF Cameron 5.00
RF Ichiro 10.00
DH Martinez 4.00
Bench Colbrunn 2.00
Bench Grieve 1.00
Bench Davis 1.00
Bench Reese 1.00
Bench Bloomquist 0.30
SP #1 Moyer 6.25
SP #2 Pineiro 1.00
SP #3 Batista 4.00
SP #4 Meche 0.50
SP #5 Soriano 0.30
Closer Sasaki 7.50
RH Setup Quantrill 4.00
LH Setup Rhodes 2.50
RH Setup Mateo 0.30
RH Setup Taylor 0.30
Long Relief Madritsch 0.30
Sunk Cost Cirillo 6.50
Total 94.05
Comments
2 Responses to “Dave’s 2003 Offseason Plan”
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U.S.S. Mariner » Dave’s long-term plan for 2004 on
November 12th, 2004 9:04 pm
[…] ut Dave’s last post, I’m a little surprised no one’s looked at what Dave wrote about this last year, which I thought was awesome. And generally, while going back and looking at wha […] -
U.S.S. Mariner » M’s sign Pokey Reese on
January 4th, 2005 2:11 pm
[…] roster and to clear budget space. This is a terrific move. I’ve been stumping to sign Pokey for two years now. Yes, he’s a miserable hitter and the team can expect to have to pinch […]