Seattle Mariners trade rumors suggest a Franklin Gutierrez trade for pitching could be in the best interest of the team. A report on Wednesday (Jan. 30) points out that Chris Capuano of the LA Dodgers could be the perfect trade candidate.
Capuano has posted better numbers than Jason Vargas over the last three seasons and he is projected to throw 189 innings in the 2013 MLB season. Putting him in the Mariners' starting rotation after Felix Hernandez would give opposing hitters a different look and it would almost be like the team hadn't dealt Vargas away.
To make a deal like that work, the Mariners wouldn't want to trade away any of their top prospects, so the obvious answer becomes one of the veterans on the team. If the Mariners traded Gutierrez it would actually free up some salary as well, giving the team more flexibility to pursue someone else this offseason or next year. That might make fans who want to see the team go after Michael Bourn very happy.
While a Joe Saunders signing would alleviate the need to trade an outfielder, that move alone wouldn't solve the issue of the Mariners having no leadoff hitters. Dustin Ackley might be forced to step back into that role, but there were times he didn't look comfortable at all there in 2012.
Consider these Seattle Mariners trade rumors nothing more than conjecture at this point, but that a Franklin Gutierrez trade might already be something that the front office has explored with the logjam of outfielders on the 40-man roster.
More Seattle Mariners News:
Joe Saunders Signing Possible?
Morales, Ryan Get New Contracts
Comments