@ GDH:
In fairness to the Mariners, you’re forgetting to mention that they’ve had a new GM in charge since the middle of 2008. The Beltre/Sexson/Silva/Bedard deals weren’t a part of the current administration.

And while I think signing Griffey was a waste of a roster spot (and continues to be), I understand that the M’s needed to build some good will with their fans after such a disastrous period of time. Apart from the Griffey signing, I’d argue that he current GM has done a good job managing his 25 man roster, made some good trades to shed payroll, and isn’t the same old M’s you’re thinking of.

@ Raf:
Such as, Beltre, Bedard, Sexon, and Silva. They did manage to re-sign Ichiro, priss that he is, he’s still an incredible talent. And they did manage to bring back Junior, which was a no-brainer. They haven’t cracked the AL West since 2001. Maybe I’m being too harsh on the M’s, but they got killed on Beltre and Bedard for sure. Silva could blossom, but he’s an average pitcher at best being paid at 11-12 Mil per year. We picked up Sexon off waivers IIRC, and he couldn’t hit sand in the desert. Hey- they’re rebuilding. If they decide it helps them rebuild to move Felix, I’m all for the Yanks helping them out with that.

@ 77yankees:
I’m not debating the fact that Bedard has a bad reputation or that Harden has durability issues and can tend to get bogged down in pitch-count problems early in games.

But I’d take a flyer on either of them over Piniero in a heartbeat. If you’re going to give up a draft pick for a Type B free agent, shouldn’t it be a guy with upside? Why take a guy like Piniero who absolutely stinks? At least aim high and accept that it may not work out. Aiming low is pointless. The draft pick is worth more than Piniero is.

For the record, I agree that Pettitte/Chamberlain/Hughes/Gaudin all present the same issue in that they may not work deep into games. But Piniero doesn’t address that concern either. Hittable pitchers don’t work deep into games.

MJ wrote:

@ 77yankees:
Considering Erik Bedard and Rich Harden are both out there as Type B free agents and they both have much more upside, I’d rather go for one of them over Piniero.

Erik Bedard…oh, God no. There was talk in Seattle how soft he was, so he wouldn’t survive in NY. Harden’s good, but he’s not durable and not a length guy (5.4 IP per start in ’09)

If you have Pettitte, Joba/Hughes in the rotation – those guys will be 6 inning pitchers, so you’re going to need some length other than CC & AJ or else the bullpen will get burnt out as it did in the past.

@ GDH:
To be clear, when I said the M’s weren’t stupid, I meant they would never consider the kind of deal you suggested in your initial proposal. They might choose to deal Felix Hernandez if (a) they conclude they will not be able to lock him up long term and (b) they are blown away with an offer that would help their franchise recover from his departure. Given that Cashman has shown a reluctance to deal top minor league talent and prefers to sign a free agent instead, the chances of a Yankee bid here are very small. Which brings us back to Lackey and where we started…..

GDH wrote:

The relative stupidity of the Mariners is debatable. They’ve certainly made some moves in the past couple years that could be interpreted as not too brilliant.

Such as?

First, I don’t think they’re dealing Felix. If they were and they wanted Cano, I’d do Cano, Joba and Montero, and whatever else for Felix in a second. They need one OF more than they need 2B.

The relative stupidity of the Mariners is debatable. They’ve certainly made some moves in the past couple years that could be interpreted as not too brilliant. Whether they’re stupid enough to deal Felix – well I don’t know if they’re that stupid, but if they were… I wouldn’t mind the Yanks ending up with him for the right pieces. I could even be persuaded to trade both Joba and Hughes and let them figure those two out, and take my chances with a rotation of CC, Felix and Burnett, and build around that for a couple years.

@ GDH:
The Hernandez conversation would START with Montero, Chamberlain, and one other significant talent such as Hughes or Cano. Don’t expect yoru pocket lint to bring back real talent. Nady and Kennedy are coming off serious injuries; Cervelli is a back-up. The M’s may have holes, but they aren’t stupid.

I would like to see Cash make a serious run at Felix Hernandez. Not sure we or anyone would get this done, but the M’s have a lot of holes to fill, not the least of which is catching and pitching. I’d send them Nady, Kennedy, and one of Joba/Hughes to start the package, and maybe even Montero/Cervelli. I’d throw in Kei Igawa, his airfare and a package of Top Ramen too.

@ GDH:
I agree with all your points here.