Jon Paul Morosi: Mariners Focusing On Willingham?

[ashbury]

But the risk is still there in Josh entering his mid-30's with around 16 million left on his deal and a pretty solid injury history. I guess I don't see how you go from being undervalued and in 7 months you're king ****.

Note that quotes have surfaced indicating other GMs think they're being asked too much for Willingham (and all the useful players Ryan is trying to peddle), so it's unclear who if anyone thinks Josh is king of anything.

 

It's just that the Twins have borne the risk of Josh breaking down for 4 month now, and since any player can get hurt, or decline in ability in their 30s, the worries from before the season may be lower now, making him more valuable than before. Hot a kingly price - just more valuable and worth looking for a high bidder.

[chopper0080]

I couldn't disagree more with this. Willingham is a proven contributor but he is on the wrong side of 30 and is having a career season. There is zero chance the Mariners would trade their top prospect for Willingham. Yes, his contract is nice but its only for 2 more years, its not like he has 4-5 cost controlled years left and several more years of upside.

 

example: Would we trade Sano for Kubel straight up?

 

no way.

 

The poster above me is correct, when we set ridiculous expectations like this it makes perfect sense that everyone then screams that Ryan "blew it"

I would agree except for the fact when you hold all the cards you should shoot for the moon. The Mariners are looking for a team controlled power hitter, and there are TWO on the market as this article mentions. Power bats are worth power arms, and the Twins should totally hold to this. Home runs are very expensive to buy on the open market and the Twins bought low on a very big power bat. He is under team control for the next two years at an affordable rate.

 

This isn't Liriano, Willingham is a quality player that deserves quality prospects back. I agree, negotiations should start at Hultzen +. Worst case, you come down to make the trade straight up.

[shs_59]

I think BOTH Walker and Paxton are in play here....

 

2 for 1. in Willingham

 

Hultzen is all theres tho.... i would bet.

[Rosterman]

Josh has been overplaying his contract worth. He is a .250 hitter with a decent K/BB ratio wjo can consistently give you 25+ homers and 90+ rbi and also getting older.

[DaveW]

I think BOTH Walker and Paxton are in play here....

 

2 for 1. in Willingham

 

Hultzen is all theres tho.... i would bet.

?

?

?

[DaveW]

 

I agree, negotiations should start at Hultzen +. Worst case, you come down to make the trade straight up.

That's all fine and dandy if the Twins don't want to be serious about an offer, but the Mariners don't and won't make that trade straight up. Period. There is literally zero reason for them to do so. If Willingham was about 7 years younger and still under team control for 3-4 years then they would prob consider it. But as it is now? No way in hell. That would be 5x worse then us trading away Sano and Arcia for RA Dickey.