More Money, Less Talent for Junior?
by Jon Shields ~ May 14th, 2008
It appears that the Seattle Mariners have no problem taking on Ken Griffey’s salary or next year’s option, meaning Cincinnati wouldn’t be on the hook for any of it.
To me, this is a good thing. If Seattle required Cincinnati to eat some of his contract, then high caliber prospects would have to be offered up in order to nab Griffey. Taking the Reds off the hook should allow Seattle to get Griffey without losing any major prospects. I think Seattle’s generosity could help them keep their top young catchers Jeff Clement and Adam Moore.
Still no word on whether or not he would accept a trade to Seattle, something that could be determined by Seattle’s performance over the next week or so.
If Seattle can get Griffey cheap (prospect wise), then I think it’s a win-win. He improves the team and puts butts in the seats. But if he costs any top talent, Seattle should probably just wait until he’s a free agent.
3 Responses to More Money, Less Talent for Junior?
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1 May 14th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
The key word here is “cheap”. If we need to blow a bunch of top-tier prospects, we shouldn’t go after him till after the season. Keep in mind, Junior isnt the player he used to be. It’s not like this is the last season in MLB history. Why blow our future on a temporary solution?
2 May 14th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Welcome to the site! I agree 100%. If Bavasi is going to send away top prospects, it should be for a young big-time producer that could be potentially re-signed. Jason Bay, Garrett Atkins, someone like that. As much as I’d love to see Junior in a Mariner uni again, I could only go as high as Rob Johnson and one of our top A-ball pitchers like Adcock or Pineda, and even that is stretching it.
The problem is that the casual fan would be thrilled to get Griffey, and wouldn’t be bothered that Adam Moore or someone of that caliber were traded.
Another thought is that Seattle’s willingness to take Griffey’s contract in full may persuade the Reds to take Kenji’s recent extension? That whole Kenji thing is a mess, so I dunno.
3 May 15th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I would much rather see griffey sign a 1 day contract and retire a mariner than see the mariners suck for the next 5 seasons.