The Mariners signed right-handed batting Ryan Garko, who can play first base and catch, Monday. Following the addition of Eric Byrnes on Friday, the team's need for a right-handed bat is checked off, times two at a bargain-basement price of $1.5 million. Garko can earn $500,000 with incentives. The question is, with these two signings, who will be knocked off the Mariners' 25-man roster to make room?
Michael Saunders, the 23-year-old left fielder who made a tepid first appearance in the majors with Seattle last summer is the likely candidate for a trip to Tacoma. Having batted only .221, with no home runs and 40 strike outs in 122 at bats, Saunders is a less attractive backup outfielder than Byrnes, while Garko provides extra flexibility at first base. This means 23-year-old Mike Carp, the rookie first baseman who filled in for 21 games after Russell Branyan's back injury last season, is also likely headed to the minors.
One both could be packaged with a reliever for a young starting pitcher.
Saunders had a relatively hot bat in the minors, picking up 13 HRs and 32 RBIS in the 62 games he played in Tacoma last year. Carp showed promise in his limited at-bats in Seattle, batting .315 with an on-base percentage of .415 in his 54 plate appearances. Add a reliever to the package and perhaps a team like the Rays, which is packed with starting pitching talent, could be interested in a trade. Wade Davis, anyone?
The Mariners picked up Carp in the J.J. Putz deal last winter and GM Jack Zduriencik has shown a willingness to deal fast and frequently. The Rainiers, Seattle's AAA affiliate, can certainly use Carp this coming season, so Saunders is the most logical pick to be traded based on his promising minor-league performance.
As the Mariners gradually firm up their 2010 roster, Michael Saunders finds himself headed for the Tacoma Rainiers. This is great news for the Rainiers, who will get one of their strongest bats from the 2009 season back in the lineup. While it looked like Saunders had a shot at making the team early in the winter, the Safeco left field is a crowded corner with Milton Bradley and Eric Byrnes expecting to share time and Ryan Langerhans also hopeful for some outfield playing time.