After an insane week in San Diego, many teams have filled their holes and are ready to make a run at a title. Teams that made the most noise this week include the Cubs, White Sox, Red Sox, Marlins and Dodgers. The Cubs reeled in Jon Lester, the White Sox traded for Jeff Samardzija, the Red Sox surged up their rotation with Rick Porcello and Wade Miley, the Marlins acquired both Dee Gordon and Mat Latos, and the Dodgers renewed their middle infield with both Jimmie Rollins and Howie Kendrick.
However, now, one of the trade partners is in a tough spot. The Los Angeles Angels have lost Howie Kendrick, leaving them as the perfect trade partner for the Seattle Mariners. It just so happens that the Mariners need a right fielder, and the Angels have Josh Hamilton, a guy that definitely needs a change of scenery.
The Angels middle infield is now that of Gordon Beckham and the newly acquired Josh Rutledge. They could use an upgrade, such as a Brad Miller or Chris Taylor. The bullpen could also use an upgrade, another strength of the M's. So, here is this writer’s proposed deal:
Angels Trade:
OF Josh Hamilton
$20 Million
Mariners Trade:
SS Brad Miller
RP Brandon Maurer
Prospect
With the cash considerations, Hamilton becomes much more of an option. He is owed $75 million over the next three years, signed through 2017. Hamilton would provide a decent defensive ability with an incredible offensive upside. Many people are down on Josh Hamilton, yet he is still a great player. Take these numbers for example. Hamilton, age 33, with a .263 AVG, 10 homeruns and 44 RBI with a .331 OBP. All this came in just 89 games played. Hamilton has been seen as injury prone, playing in over 130 games only 4 times in his 7 year career.
However, in those times, Hamilton is and elite hitter, with both power and average. He has a career 192 homeruns with a .292 batting average, along with a career 27.1 offensive WAR. Hamilton won the MVP in 2010, set the record for the most homeruns in a single round in the homerun derby and is a 5 time All Star. To boot, Hamilton hit 43 homeruns in 2012, accumulating to about one homerun every 13.1 ABs.
While Hamilton is a strikeout machine, the Mariners could use his power in the outfield. In fact, Hamilton had nearly the exact same season as he did in 2009, the year before his MVP season. While that is clearly not a good indicator, but it is an interesting factor. Check out the comparison.
2009: 89 GP, 336 AB, 43 R, 90 H, 19 2B, 2 3B. 10 HR, .268 BA, .741 OPS
2014: 89 GP, 338 AB, 43 R, 89 H, 21 2B, 0 3B, 10 HR, .263 BA, .745 OPS
The similarities are astounding. Does that mean Hamilton is poised for an MVP caliber season? Of course not, but it is clear that he is capable of coming back from a season such as his 2014 campaign.
As for the Mariners, they have pursued Hamilton before, when he became a costless agent after the 2012 season. They were outbid by the Angels, but now may be the time. The Angels (and their fan base) are slightly down on Josh Hamilton due to his lack of production and injuries. Hamilton's strikeout rate has grown and his plate discipline is terrible, but the upside is still incredible for a player that might be on the market for cheaper than what he may really be worth.
Hamilton's trade value may have never been lower, meaning that he could be a low risk, high reward type player. He and Nelson Cruz could switch off playing the outfield and DHing, which could make things much easier for McClendon. That is huge. There is countless amounts of pros that follow that idea, including keeping both former Rangers healthy.
Hamilton could hit either 5th or 6th, depending on where Kyle Seager hits in the lineup. The Mariners would have an incredible lineup as well, a run producing offense that hasn't been seen in Seattle in years. Yes, Josh Hamilton is left handed, which does not seem to fit the M's idea of a right handed bat, however with the signing of Nelson Cruz, the M's have 4 right handed, starting position players. (Jackson, Cruz, Zunino, Taylor) Therefore, a lefty is not that big of a deal.
It has been said that Hamilton does not work hard, (He was out hours before every game when he was struggling) and that he is washed up. Whether those are true or not, the fact remains that Josh Hamilton is a great pickup for the Mariners. For those that say he is a bad clubhouse guy, look up the friendships he had in Texas.
He is not a bad clubhouse guy. Just because a player has a couple bad seasons, it does not mean that they become an isolated player. The Mariners have had talks about Viciedo, Rios, Cabrera and Gomes, however the only one that gives Hamilton a run for his money is Cabrera, who does not provide the power the Mariners are looking for.
It must be noted that the M's are looking at Ian Desmond, a shortstop. The position that is already occupied by Miller and Taylor. The Mariners do not have a starting right fielder. The fact that the M's would acquire yet another shortstop before they received a right fielder is mind boggling. Now, if they were to acquire Hamilton for Miller, the M's could have a need for a shortstop, lining them up to acquire Ian Desmond. This could look similar to the Red Sox plan of allocating their money away from Jon Lester to other starting pitchers.
The end of the Winter Meetings is just around the corner, and so far, the Seattle Mariners have struck out. A move for Josh Hamilton would be a homerun for the M's. The last 24 hours has been crazy to say the least for the MLB. The next few hours could be crazy for the Emerald City.