If my math is right, 2014 was Smoak's last option year. That means that he can't be optioned next year without a DFA. Look for Smoak to be traded for a bucket of balls this winter. LoMo has clearly beat him out for his spot. So Grizz's question is this: Do you shoot for V-Mart, or try for a rebound project, or stay in house for 1B-DH?
It seems like the front office has been 0fer a million on these one year rebound players that try to make it in the Safe. Safeco just isn't the sort of environment for a rebounding hitter to come in for a soft landing. The Mariners should stick to stars, or fungible scrubs on this one.
The RickRoll looks pretty good:
1. Smoak,
2. Montero,
3. Choi
4. Kivlehan
5. Deej
Smoak is burnt toast, Montero needs a change of scenery. The young guys are golden, but MLB 1B/DH is a bit much to saddle a youngster with. With Choi, notice that his suspension was in April 2014, and he came back in June after being demoted to AA and immediately got two hits. Then, he lasted only four games in AA before being reinstated in the PCL, and put together a .774 OPS season for the Rainiers.
The problem with Choi is that he hits lefty, and he's probably not better than LoMo. If he were right handed, he could slot in as an ideal platoon partner.
The other candidates are probably too young to consider. Kiv and Deej need a little while in the high minors before being relied on as MOTO guys.
So, we have V-Mart for the annual gross domestic product of the Marshall Islands or thereabouts, and Country Breakfast. Butler is a career .913 hitter versus lefties and he was .849 OPS v. left in 2014. We could use some of that.
What about Butler's .690 OPS? Well, it may make the budget Royals decline his 2015 12.5 million team option. If he was killing it, he wouldn't even be available.
Other ideas? Maybe the Angels would trade us Albert Pujols or something.
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