The Seattle Mariners just can't seem to acquire the big bat they've been searching for to help in the middle of their order. As the New York Yankees continue to struggle with their budget and can always use some prospects, should the Mariners reach out and ask for Curtis Granderson?
Let's face it, the Yankees don't have any other moving parts in their team. Nobody wants to take a contract for Mark Teixeira or let alone that of Alex Rodriguez. The Yankees are old and for the right prospect, Brian Cashman would be willing to make a move.
The biggest issue however, as we can see, the Yankees have always been about winning now, acquiring prospects won't do much for the Yankees today unless they change their vision, lose in the next couple of years to set themselves up further down the future.
The Mariners have a couple of guys with a lot of potential. Let's begin with a shortstop named Brad Miller. Yes, a shortstop. Derek Jeter is playing at a high level, but let's face it, he won't be around forever.
Let me tell you about this Miller kid. He's 23 and was drafted in the second round as the 62nd pick of the 2011 draft. He handled the bat well while Class A-Advanced and Double-A hitting a combined .334, seven triples, 15 home runs and 58 RBI in 137 games played. Miller is the Mariners' ninth ranked prospect.
There's also another guy, Stefen Romero who had very similar numbers as he also moved up from Class- A to Double-A, hitting a combined .352 with 23 homers and 101 RBI. His on-base percentage in both leagues were close to .400.
Romero could be the guy to fill in for the Yankees at third base as Alex Rodriguez should be solely DH'ing towards the end of his career. The Yankees do have Dante Bichette Jr. in the minors who plays third, so they might want to see if this kid Romero could play somewhere else. The Yankees also have plenty of pitching prospects as their list of Top 20 prospects is loaded with arms.
If the Mariners could save some money and hold off until next year, maybe they can sign Granderson to a new contract, which will keep the outfielder in the northwest for the next few seasons.
Granderson is owed $15 million in 2013 and has hit 84 homers in the last two seasons. The fences have been moved closer in Safeco Field, which should be attractive for the slugger. No fences are like those in Yankee Stadium, but at least it improves the chances of seeing homers fly out of players' bats.
Let your thoughts ring. You can follow me @Frankie_SWR
