Three Way Blockbuster Goes Down

[Chrispy]

lol, so they win a world series they can't go win another one?

I don't agree with the Yankees having to make a blockbuster move, but to tell someone they shouldn't win a WS because they just did is flat out dumb.

yeah im not saying they have to make a blockbuster move but we def. need to sign another pitcher, i heard we are eyeing Sheets and Duchscherer.

[chazmaniandevil]

ya guys the yankees should just take a year off

[Chrispy]

Thank god the yanks wont have to face him that often unless we meet in the playoffs...again.

[Yawkey Way]

Sheets is asking for double digit figures i was surprised.

If he comes back from injury, that's essentially grabbing a 2/3 guy in your rotation for clearance value.

[Chrispy]

you already forget about Granderson?


the Yankees are still in the driver seat, these are just deals trying to shorten the lead.

nah, it addressed one of our needs and was an excellent pick up

Sheets is asking for double digit figures i was surprised.

If he comes back from injury, that's essentially grabbing a 2/3 guy in your rotation for clearance value.

yeah, as long as he can stay healthy too.

[Yawkey Way]

he's been gone for what is it 18 months? I think he'll be fine. You never know though.


Any word on who Toronto is getting for prospects besides Taylor/Aumonte?

[chazmaniandevil]

he's been gone for what is it 18 months? I think he'll be fine. You never know though.


Any word on who Toronto is getting for prospects besides Taylor/Aumonte?

none yet, i wouldnt be suprised if i heard liddis name in this though

[Obst]

Rosenthal and Morosi write that pitcher Phillippe Aumont of the Mariners and "possibly" outfielder Michael Taylor of the Phillies are among the players heading to Toronto in the trade. They add that outfielder Michael Saunders and pitcher Brandon Morrow are "in play." The FOX duo confirms an agreement is in place to send Halladay to the Phillies and Lee to the Mariners.

[Yawkey Way]

i see the names Michael Saunders and Tyson Gilles floating around, still just speculation.

[Obst]

Tyson and Michael Taylor would give the Jays two amazing outfield prospects.

[Chrispy]

Tyson and Michael Taylor would give the Jays two amazing outfield prospects.

Plus they already have that guy Travis Snyder or something like that, hits for power and plays outfield

[Yawkey Way]

not to mention Adam Lind and still have to deal with Vernon Well's massive contract. Who is Michael Saunders?

[Obst]

Michael Saunders is also an outfield prospects of the Mariners. He hit .310 with 13 homers and 32 RBI's in 64 games in AAA last year. Played with the M's for 46 games, batted .221 with no homers, 4 RBI's and 4 steals.

"A tall, sturdy Canadian, Saunders was a five-sport athlete in childhood and is a legitimate five-tool talent in the Seattle outfield. A natural center fielder with 20 home run potential and plus speed, he even touched 92mph as a sometime pitcher in high school. He'll be pushed fast, like all Seattle prospects seem to be, but unlike some that have fallen by the wayside, Saunders can probably handle the pressure and workload. He'll be fighting for an outfield spot in 2009's preseason, and could win the job outright by 2010." - Scouting Book

This is the report on Michael Taylor

"A 6-6, 250lb monster back in high school, Taylor avoided an early draft by committing to Stanford. When he emerged from college, he was gobbled up by the Phillies in the same 5th round selection that netted them Ryan Howard six years earlier, and scouts see similar things in the two sluggers. After ditching his 'Stanford Swing' for a bigger and more wide open hammer, Taylor tore up the minors last year, slashing .361/.441/.554 at A-level Lakeland and .329/.380/.560 after a promotion to high-A Clearwater. Taylor smashed 19 total homers in just under 500 at-bats. He strikes out a bit too much, especially on quality breaking pitches, but the Phillies system has never shied away from big strikeout numbers, so he'll probably be allowed to smash and swish, as long as he produces overall. As an outfielder, he has limited range, though his speed is probably average, or even a bit better than average. His strong throwing arm that suggests right field is his natural position. While his approach at the plate looks crude, he's actually a pretty polished product: he'll face his first real tests in AA in 2009 while shooting for a Phillies job in 2010."4

Finally here is Philipe Aumont

"The rising wave of Canadian pitchers continued when Seattle chose Quebec native Philipe Aumont with their first-round pick in 2007. With visions of Randy Johnson dancing in their heads, the Mariners are definitely looking to a strong future.

A 6-7 righthander with a 92-95 MPH sinking fastball, Aumont has an imposing mound presence that endears him to scouts and coaches alike. While he's still only 19, he's already raising eyebrows with a precocious ability to pound the lower part of the zone and work both sides of the plate. While he has a slider and changeup, neither is a plus pitch, which means he'll rise or fall on his sinker. A full season in the minors in 2009 will show the Mariners what they've really gotten a hold of, here, and settle some arguments about whether the sore elbow that shortened his pro debut was a fluke injury, or a sign of something more ominous and long-lasting."

[chazmaniandevil]

not to mention Adam Lind and still have to deal with Vernon Well's massive contract. Who is Michael Saunders?

Seattle Mariners fans got a taste of one of their top prospects this fall. Outfielder Michale Saunders has been labeled by many as a five-tool talent and Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik seems interested in having him in the Mariners’ outfield for much of next season.

The soon to be 23-year-old Saunders has intrigued Seattle fans for the past few years, but he really broke out this season in Triple-A Tacoma, hitting .310/.378/.544. He ripped 13 homers, 2 triples, and 15 doubles in 282 plate appearances this past season. He displays good power, likely to hit at least 20-25 home runs in the majors eventually. But Saunders will have to improve his plate discipline to succeed in the majors. His long swing has resulted in the following strikeout percentages (FanGraphs).
Season Team K%
2006 Mariners (A) 28.70%
2007 Mariners (A+) 26.90%
2007 Mariners (AA) 38.50%
2008 Mariners (AA) 26.60%
2008 Mariners (AAA) 31.60%
2009 Mariners (AAA) 19.40%

Obviously, his pre-2009 numbers are quite ugly. But Michael was pressed through the minors relatively quickly, especially for a player drafted out of high school, especially one as far north as British Columbia. The drop in 2009 was promising though. The 19.40% strikeout rate, though not great, was a good drop over his career averages and shows promise for his future. He likely won’t hit for a .300+ average, but may be eventually able to put up an average somewhere around .270-.280 regularly. Here’s a YouTube video of Saunders at the plate.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFjshrLkcHA"]YouTube- Michael Saunders - Seattle Mariners[/ame]

The scouting report on Saunders’s defense shows him as a passable centerfielder with a good arm. He’s better suited for right field though where his range would be above average and his arm would be an asset. For right now though, Saunders will play left field in the majors, giving the Mariners a great overall defensive outfield.

Of course, Saunders’ success in the majors hinges on his ability to improve his plate discipline. If that does improve, Mariners fans should be happy.

[Yawkey Way]

why are they grabbing all of the Canadians?