We’ve heard a lot in the local media that lefty setup man Arthur Rhodes is Seattle’s most likely trade candidate.  What we haven’t heard is who, if anyone, is interested.

The reason is that there are higher profile lefty relievers that still haven’t found a home.  Brian Fuentes, George Sherrill and Damaso Marte three of those “higher profile” players because they are all currently closers.  Fortunately for the Mariners there are more than two teams in search of southpaws.

The Florida Marlins, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs and maybe the Arizona Diamondbacks are clubs that would benefit by adding Rhodes, in my opinion, who is sporting a 3.06 ERA (2.70 vs lefties, 3.06 vs righties) with 21 Ks in 17.2 innings.  All these teams, the Marlins especially, could appreciate Rhodes cheap contract as well.  If the Yankees and Diamondbacks were indeed interested in Rhodes, Rhodes could be packaged with Raul Ibanez in a trade with either team to maximize their earnings.

While I haven’t caught wind of any specific rumors, wouldn’t it make sense for Rhodes to go to the Phillies?  Pat Gillick, general manager for the Phillies, was the GM for the Baltimore Orioles in the late ’90s where Rhodes was establishing himself as a solid reliever.  When Gillick went to Seattle in 2000 he brought Rhodes along and Rhodes put up some of the best seasons of his career.  Not only does Gillick have a relationship with Rhodes, but he has been stockpiling every former Seattle player he can get his hands on since arriving in Philadelphia, so I think the Phillies could definitely be the team Rhodes ends up with.