Seattle-Area Pre-Deadline Festivities

By Stevil, June 8th, 2019

 

Braden Bishop depicts Jerry Dipoto banishing Jay Bruce to Philadelphia in a sketch for sale to benefit his charity 4MOM.

There's a huge showcase happening in Seattle and the other 29 organizations have been invited. Few will actually attend the event, but those who do should leave with someone useful. Some have suggested that this will go down like a 1970's key-party, but the Players' Union is showering everyone involved with the rules of consent. There's little reason for stress, though. Jason Wood won't be at the event, so the showering shouldn't be too awkward.

While the attorneys and representatives worry about details and towels, we'll focus on the candidates for expulsion and what the returns might look like—just as you would expect from the gentlemen at Hardball via Hardcore.

Without further ado, here are the keys and their potential escorts to the postseason...

1. Edwin Encarnacíon, 1B/DH, Mike Leake, RHP, and 19 million to Milwaukee; Clayton Andrews, LHP, to Seattle.

Milwaukee could use a boost at first base and Encarnacion's profile fits the profile. Their rotation is banged up as well and they lack depth, so the inclusion of an innings-eater with a knack for keeping the ball on the ground should be enticing—if Mike gives his consent...and his keys. Damn unions.

Seattle might prefer a more sizable return than Clayton Andrews, but I would argue he is just that. Figuratively. Simply forwarding the incoming salary relief from St. Louis and covering the buyouts for both players may not be enough, but we'll assume it is and leave it at that.

2. Mitch Haniger, OF, Kyle Seager, 3B, and 15 million to Philadelphia; Alec Bohm, 3B, Rafael Marchan, C, and Maikel Franco, 3B, to Seattle.

Haniger has a ridiculously low BABIP that simply isn't sustainable and he might be reaching a bit given the struggles of the pitching staff, but he's still a proven hitter with solid defense and there's certainly an argument to keep him around. I myself was firmly in the don't-trade-Haniger camp throughout last offseason. His current batting line has had zero influence on my thinking, but other factors have.

Players like Jake Fraley and Jarred Kelenic are poised to debut sooner than expected, or sooner than I would have expected, anyway. Domingo Santana's defense in left field gives pause for thought as well, but in right field there's less concern. A veteran presence is needed both now and in the future, which Haniger could likely handle, but that could be addressed a number of other ways. Sometimes an opportunity presents itself that can't be ignored, much like we saw with the Mets over the offseason. Teams are often more desperate as the deadline approaches, opening up opportunities that may have previously been unimaginable.

Philadelphia might represent a new opportunity.

With Odubel Herrera on administrative leave and likely facing a league suspension for his actions in a domestic violence case in which he was arrested for assault, Philadelphia moved Andrew McCutchen to center field and acquired Jay Bruce for a very fair price. Before Bruce could even settle in, McCutchen went down with a knee injury which turned out to be a torn ACL (the news broke while writing this post).

How they choose to address center field for the long term remains to be seen, but their lead in the NL East is vulnerable and this would be one way to address two issues in one pop. Obviously there are cheaper options available than those whom I'm proposing, but we're talking about the Pennsylvania team that isn't notorious for being cheap. This is a party they shouldn't be late for. Update: Mitch Haniger has been placed on the IL with a ruptured testicle since this proposal was drafted. The editor who missed this bit of information before posting has been fired and reported to local authorities as a suspected prowler. We take this site very seriously, and rest assured, we will continue to enforce strict observation of all relevant facts with strict discipline. 

3. Dee Gordon, 2B, and 17 million to LA Dodgers; Jordan Sheffield, RHP, to Seattle.

This may seem like a stretch, and it should, because it is. LA doesn't need an upgrade at second base, but I would argue that Hernández is better served off the bench, specifically against RHP. Gordon can handle RHP's just fine, and his speed would help LA maintain their dominance on the base paths.

In order to facilitate a reunion between Gordon and LA, Seattle would probably have to eat nearly everything owed (perhaps more than the 17 million I'm proposing). But if it meant netting a solid relief prospect like Sheffield, Justus would be served.

4. Ryon Healy, 3B/1B, to Kansas City; Richard Lovelady, LHP, to Seattle.

This isn't the first time I've suggested this swap, but I hope it will be the last. KC still needs a cheap first baseman that can hold his own and Seattle still needs a left-handed reliever. The key to this getting done has nothing to do with salary or bad puns, so I'll hold out hope.

While there's some debate over whether or not salary relief is more important than adding mediocre prospects (HVH believes it is), simply opening up opportunities for Crawford, Moore, Long, Vogelbach, Bishop, etc., was probably the larger point of focus all along. They're actually seeing action already and there's still over seven weeks before the deadline. It should be a painfully fun ride to the finish line and we'll be guiding fans every step of the way.

For those new to Hardball via Hardcore, what is written here is gold. You can take these ideas to the bank and feel good about your investments. Millions have been made from our intel—which is free! Just be sure to play by the rules and leave your keys by the door like everyone else, preferably with a full tank.