Olney on Ibanez, Rhodes
by Jon Shields ~ July 22nd, 2008
ESPN’s Buster Olney, via Ryan Divish:
There is a perception that the Mariners’ asking price on Raul Ibanez is high, but Seattle hasn’t deeply negotiated with anyone yet — though the Mariners will be getting into those talks in the days ahead. While their asking price is going to be affected by the fact that Ibanez will likely be a Type A free agent after the season and would command two compensation draft picks, it figures that they’ll work out a deal with the Mets, Diamondbacks or some other team for Ibanez, who is arguably the best left-handed hitter on the market. It figures, too, that the Mariners will be looking to move Jose Vidro.
Arthur Rhodes, Mariners, LHP: Lefties are hitting .194 against him, with a .286 on-base percentage, and more importantly, without power — in 35 at-bats versus left-handed hitters, he’s allowed two doubles. Philadelphia GM Pat Gillick once signed Rhodes for the Mariners, and rival executives speculate that Gillick may make a move on Rhodes to become a power situational lefty for the Phillies — he has racked up 12 strikeouts among those 35 at-bats.
It’s encouraging that Seattle is asking for a lot for Ibanez. As Olney mentions and we discussed here, Seattle does not need to trade Ibanez since they’ll be getting those compensatory picks if Ibanez walks at the end of the year. If he is traded Seattle’s going to get a good value for him.
Olney goes on to make the the Rhodes-Gillick connection that I made a few days ago in this post. I think Philadelphia is a safe bet as to where Rhodes is playing baseball in August.
3 Responses to Olney on Ibanez, Rhodes
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1 July 22nd, 2008 at 10:02 pm
I look at Ibanez and I can see pros and cons for both sides here. I’d hate to see such a consistant and stable part of their lineup go away. The Mariners need stability. However, he is one guy you could trade and get something for. Like they say, you gotta give something to get something. So, with this apparent rebuilding they have going on, it’s probably in their best interest to trade him.
Going off that for a sec, why not put Beltre on the block? Some might think I’m crazy for various reasons. However, as good a thirdbaseman as he is, I have a hard time believing the Mariners couldn’t get something pretty good for him to fill the gap. There’s more to that . . . but you get what I’m saying.
2 July 22nd, 2008 at 10:09 pm
^ Seattle would love to do a proper rebuild and trade away some of their veterans on bad contracts, but unfortunately too many of them are untradebale (Vidro, Batista…). That said, I think it may be important to trade guys like Ibanez who can definately bring something back.
As far as Beltre goes, he is on the block. That said, Seattle is in no hurry to trade him since he isn’t in his contract year and the organization still wants to give fans a reason to come to the ballpark this year. The Twins have apparently found Beltre too expensive, and the Dodgers are apparently uninterested, though I have a hard time believing that.
Welcome to the site!
3 July 22nd, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Thanks for the reply Jon. I read that article about the Dodgers not being interested after I posted this lol.
That said, I see what you mean.
Thanks for the welcome. I’m glad to be here! =)