M’s make meaningless trade
The M’s have traded Yorman Bazardo to the Detroit Tigers for Jeff Frazier, a 24-year-old outfielder who is a longshot to be a major leaguer. Frazier was a 3rd round pick in the 2004 draft out of Rutgers University, and wasn’t horrible in his first two years of professional baseball, but didn’t exactly light the world on fire either. When given an assignment to the high-A Florida State League last year, he hit about as poorly as anyone in baseball not named Tuiasasopo. His .228/.279/.346 line, as a 24-year-old in A ball, is horrible, even for the pitching friendly environs of the FSL.
Now, one bad year doesn’t end a career, and scouts have always liked Frazier, so maybe he’s a late bloomer who just needs to get out of a pitcher’s park to remember how to hit. But, it’s not likely. The M’s made this deal after designating Bazardo for assignment last week (to make room for Jeff Weaver), as they figure Frazier is better than losing him on waivers. Bazardo had never impressed them after coming over from the Marlins, so they’d have taken anything they could get for him.
In this case, what they got is a 24-year-old outfielder who couldn’t hit A-ball pitching. You’re unlikely to ever care about this trade again.
That’s these Mariners for sure: the Y’s. As in, Y won’t ownership clean house? Y do they think this constitutes a reasonable offseason? Y is Hargrove still managing? Y does Bavasi still have a job? And most importantly, Y am I still watching this team?
Speaking of Hargrove (and, in passing, Yuniesky), Heyman at SI picks him as the MLB manager most on the hot seat, and gives 3-1 odds he won’t be managing the M’s next year. So 2008 has promise, anyway…
BTW, since nothing is happening on here right now, and I brought it up: we already know the USSM consensus choice for Bavasi’s replacement. But who would you like to see replace Hargrove? From that same Heyman article, here’s a list of many of the available names (including a few I had completely forgotten about — Cito Gaston, anyone?)
Piazza.
Jesus God… Piazza really? Guess I should throw prices up there as well… Piazza went for 8.5 mil. M’s are paying about 6 mil to Vidro. Hillenbrand is around 4 mil. Botts the league min… but try not to use the fact that you have Botts locked up long term influence your decision… THIS year which DH?
I’d have to say Vidro… and that give us the best DH in our division.
Hey, you only gave me 5 seconds….you’re expecting deep thought?
I would take Piazza. Very similar OBP, but more power, more RBI. Plus, Piazza is much tougher than Vidro. Vidro’s always complained about being hurt while playing 2nd Base, and all Piazza did is play hurt at Catcher plus produced. And Piazza isn’t 20 pound over weight. And didn’t cost us 2 prospects. Plus, made 1.3 million dollars last year.
Vidro cost us 2 prospects, 6.5 million this year, almost 7 million next year, and 8.5 million in his last year.
We could have used that extra money on Vidro and signed Aubrey Huff. Who is a left handed power hitter—WHICH IS WHAT WE NEED!
I am still so angry about the Soriano Trade. I feel will go down as a top 5 worst Mariner Trades of all Time–Carlos Guillen, Freddy Garcia, are by far worse.
I agree with Dave. This deal may be meaningless, but the M’s got something. I saw this over at Sporting News and it made sense to me. This organization has other areas of needs that are just more important. Namely for the 2007 season. Starting Pitching.
Looking at the stats… I could see where you would derive this. But, here is the deal. In many waiver wire trades there is really no winner/loser. In this case neither team made out better than the other it was a case of excess parts.
Yorman Bazardo has a good arm… I’ve seen him in the minor leagues pitching at or near 92-94 but he has gradually lost velocity since he was traded he used to be at 96-98 and profiled as a closer (he was originally a Top Marlin Prospect when Dombroski was the GM). Don’t forget he was traded by the Marlins to the Mariners for Ron Villone, but he just hasn’t been consistent enough to crack the rotation or the bullpen. He probably is better suited to the bullpen but the lack of velo and lack of a consistent second pitch(his is the changeup) put him in the middle relief area. At this stage the strength of the M’s minor league system is the back of the bullpen. Jon Huber, Travis Chick, Mark Lowe, Eric O’Flaherty and Julio Mateo are all arms that I would judge to be well ahead of Bazardo. Not to mention Stephen Kahn and Brandon Morrow who both throw 98+. So, ultimately the decision as I see it was this… Is Yorman Bazardo’s spot on the 40 man roster worth more than the aforementioned or any other player currently on the 40 man? I guess the answer was he was the most expendable. The rotation need the spot for Jeff Weaver.
Frazier was well regarded by the Tigers. I don’t see them jumping for joy. Just 2 years ago they ranked him as their 3rd best prospect. Funny how a bad season makes fans forget. If Jeff Frazier plays last year like he did the previous 2 this trade doesn’t happen, and rightly so. Having seen Frazier he has tools scouts like, power, speed and arm strength. If you are a Tiger Fan you have to know that you don’t give up on that combination until it’s proven the player just can’t play…. see Craig Monroe.
In any case… the trade in a nut shell was the Mariners couldn’t risk losing Bazardo and getting nothing. Remember, a team that had a dismal season, say the Devil Rays or Nationals would have high waiver position. And could claim him without giving back anything….Or scenario number 2, make a deal with a team lower down for a position of need. Based on the Tigers excellent year last year they never would have been in position to make a waiver claim without giving up a player that the Mariners liked and thought would help fill a need. I’m sure they discussed deals with several teams.
This was the anatomy of a designated for assignment, waiver wire deal.