Opinion

Over the last couple of days, I have read every rumor I can find about the Mariners: which free agents are they interested in, which players are they looking at in trades, etc...etc...etc...and about the only logical conclusion at this point is that the Mariners, especially GM Z, are seriously looking at every big-name free agent on the market. 

What that means is that the front office is in a position to spend, and if ownership agrees, the M's could have a very different look in 2010. 

Let's take a look at the players that the M's have been linked to so far.

It has been reported that the Detroit Tigers may be willing to trade center fielder Curtis Granderson. I just hope the Cubs aren't interested.

Sure, the Cubs need a center fielder, so they can trade Milton Bradley and move Kosuke Fukudome (who, if it weren't for the money owed to him would be gone by now) to right field, where he is at least adequate defensively.

But let's stop right there, Cubs fans. Granderson isn't an everyday player. He is a guy who can't hit lefties and would be overpriced as a platoon player.

Baseball's hot stove season is finally in full swing, and rumors are flying out of the ballparks of every contender in both leagues.

From the Big A, reports are swirling in left field, where the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim may make a significant upgrade with the potential acquisition of Curtis Granderson from the Detroit Tigers. 

In return, the Tigers are looking for a package that could include Brandon Wood, Maicer Izturis, Chris Pettit, and Jose Arredondo.

As Jim Rome would probably say, this deal seems like “the biggest no-brainer in the history of mankind.”

Much fuss has been made on this blog recently in regards to Minnesota's complete lack of a No. 2 hitter to bat behind Denard Span . I hold to my belief that it is the most important hole that remains to be filled, and should be taken care of before the starting rotation is addressed.

Houston, you have a problem.

Your ballclub is bad, really bad.

The Astros, a perennial contender for much of the last decade, have fallen on hard times.

With the Oakland A's coming off a 75-87 record, and their third straight losing season, is it time to question General Manager, Billy Beane's motives?

During his time as General Manager, Billy Beane has made it a habit to trade away his most proven and successful players just before they reach their full potential in exchange for younger talent, who ultimately get traded away for even younger talent.

Rumors are flooding the Internet that the Rays are offering up Pat Burrell in trade talks. The Rays are desperate to part with the bad contract of Burrell, a major disappointment in the DH role for the team and are even willing to trade bad contracts to rid themselves of the much maligned player.

Burrell was an awful .221 at the plate with just 14 homers and 64 runs batted in. With limited athletic ability making him a liability in the outfield, Burrell's return on investment on his $9 million a year salary is very low.

The most valuable asset in baseball is good pitching. Good, young, controllable pitching could be likened to winning the lottery for a million dollars, and when you go to cash in your ticket, you find out you actually won five million.

To call the 2009 season a roller coaster for Chad Billingsley would be an understatement. He was named to his first All-Star game in July, but he also had his career-worst year statistically.

David Murphy reports in today’s Philadelphia Daily News that Chase Utley has won his fourth straight Silver Slugger award. Utley led all N.L. second baseman in runs scored, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, home runs, and extra-base hits.

If it feels like we’ve been in this bunker before, we have. Almost every year for the last three or four years, either Jarrod Washburn, his agent, or the Twins’ front office makes some noise about the LaCrosse native playing closer to home, and fans are forced to duck and cover.