Dice-less Roster Version 1.0

Okay. I get it. It can't be just a smokescreen anymore. The M's are not going to employ the services of one Daisuke Matsuzaka. I was actually going to proceed with this assuming that the M's were going to lose out on the sweepstakes. Because, yeah, well, there's always that possibility.

So, looking at my last post, I figured the 2007 M's definitely need two starting pitchers, a backup catcher, and could possibly tweak the roster a bit to improve their offense. Here's my first draft of the 2007 M's that is both possible (i.e. the M's might look at these guys) and realistic (i.e. not going above and beyond the 90 or so million they're likely to budget. Contract figures from this site here.

1) Richie Sexson (1B): Third year of 4-year $50 million contract. Due $14 million in '07
2) Adrian Beltre (3B): Third year of 5-year, $64 million contract. Due $11.5 million in '07
3) Ichiro Suzuki (CF): Final year of 4-year, $44 million contract. Due $11 million in '07
4) Jarrod Washburn (SP): Second year of 4-year, $37.5 million contract. Due $9.5 million in '07.
5) Kenji Johjima (C): Second year of 3-year, $16.5 million contract. Due $5.2 million in '07
6) Raul Ibanez (DH/LF): First year of 2-year, $11 million contract. Due $5.5 million in '07
7) Willie Bloomquist (UTIL): Second year of 2-year $1.25 million contract. Due $.85 million in '07
8) Yuniesky Betancourt (SS): Second year of 4 year, $2.826 million contract. Due $.4 million in '07
9) Jose Lopez (2B): Team-controlled pre-arbitration contract. Figure $.375 million

XX) DFA/Trade Julio Mateo & pay contract: Due $1 million in '07

So far: $59.325 million. I've probably got the math wrong, so let's round up to $60 million. That's a whole lot of money for 9 players (10, if you include the price of Mateo).

Here's where it goes up.

10) Greg Maddux (SP): 2 years, $19 million (2007, $9.5 million, 2008 team option for $9.5 million, with a $1 million buyout). Okay, I know he's not a huge periphs guy (i.e. High K/9, etc...). Still, even at 41, he'd have a reasonable shot of translating his success to the AL. Likely would be better than Jamie Moyer, since he's more of a groundballer. I'm fairly certain he wants to retire in the NL, so this isn't necessarily likely, but you just never know. I like the thought of Maddux over Schmidt, mostly because of the length of contract.

11) J.J. Putz (CL): Arbitration buyout: 3 years, $12 million. Not sure 'bout this, but this is what I'm thinking. $3 million in 2007, $3.5 million in 2008 and $4.5 million in 2009. Not sure if that's a good idea, but Bavasi doesn't take players to arbitration.

That's $12.5 million to the pot, bringing us to $62.5 million. Oh, wait. I also need to add the guys under team control:

12) Felix Hernandez ~$.4 million
13) George Sherrill ~$.4 million
14) Cha Baek ~$.4 million
15) Chris Snelling ~$.4 million
16) Mike Morse ~$.4 million

So, that adds another $2 million, bringing things up to $64.5 million. Let's look at the roster, then:

1B: Richie Sexson
2B: Jose Lopez
SS: Yuniesky Betancourt
3B: Adrian Beltre
CF: Ichiro
LF: ? + Ibanez
RF: ? + Snelling
C: Kenji Johjima
DH: Ibanez + ?

SP: Felix Hernandez
SP: Jarrod Washburn
SP: Greg Maddux
SP: Cha Seung Baek

RP: George Sherrill
CL: JJ Putz

UTIL: Willie Bloomquist
UTIL: Mike Morse

So, 16 players and $64.5 million in salary. Still need 1 SP, 1 backup catcher, 1 corner outfielder (preferrably RH) and either 4 RPs and 2 bench bats, or 3 RPs and 3 bench bats. With roughly $20 million to spend. Let's keep going, then.

17) RHRP Scott Williamson. 1 year, $750K. Hargrove needs a veteran in the 'pen. Not a great addition, but might be a useful arm. Horrid walk rate, but high K/9 and neutral GB%. Seems to keep the ball in the park.

18) RHRP Jon Huber. Team control ~$.4 million

19) LHRP Eric O'Flaherty. Team control ~$.4 million. Since Hargrove gets his veteran, I get two yutes for the 'pen.

20) DH/1B/LF: Eduardo Perez. Decline option ($2 million?) and offer $.5 million (with $100K buyout totals $.6 million. Great bench bat and awesome clubhouse presence. Rather him than Dobbs.

21) OF Jose Cruz Jr. 1 year, $1 million. Why not. Both Dave and Jason have added him into their plans. He's a "switch hitting" corner OF who would be great off the bench and to add depth.

Total now: $67.65 million, with one more SP needed, and a backup catcher, and two spots for either 2 RPs or 2 bench bats, or one of each. Still have $18-20 million or so to spend...

22) C Greg Zaun. 1 year, $1 million. Might return to Toronto. But if he doesn't, he's my top target. Due for a raise??? My second choice, though, would be Robert Fick for 1 year $600K -- if only so the Fick Fanimutation could still be kept alive.

Lineup
1B: Richie Sexson
2B: Jose Lopez
SS: Yuniesky Betancourt
3B: Adrian Beltre
CF: Ichiro
LF: ? + Ibanez
RF: ? + Snelling
C: Kenji Johjima
DH: Ibanez + ?

Rotation
SP: Felix Hernandez
SP: Jarrod Washburn
SP: Greg Maddux
SP: Cha Seung Baek

Pen
RP: Scott Williamson
RP: Jon Huber
RP: Eric O'Flaherty
RP: George Sherrill
CL: JJ Putz

Bench
UTIL: Willie Bloomquist
UTIL: Mike Morse
C: Greg Zaun/Robert Fick
1b/DH/LF: Eduardo Perez
OF: Jose Cruz

Okay, so I need another RP. Or, at least Hargrove does. I'd prefer another bench bat, but since it'd likely end up being Dobbs, I'm flippant as to who gets the nod in the 'pen. I still see Soriano as trade bait, even with Lowe's career-threatening injury. With still nearly $20 million to spend, that leaves some options for the last two spots on my 25-man roster.

I'd agree that Manny Ramirez would be the best fit. But, since Dave's even hinted that Bavasi wouldn't go for it, I'm not going to trade for him. Bonds is out of the question, too, for similar reasons.

Here's where I go out on a limb.

24) SP: Gil Meche. 3 years, $21 million. 2007: $6.5 million; 2008: team option: $7 million; 2009: team option: $7.5 million. Probably throw some mutual option in there, too, if that's what it takes to keep him (sorta like Eddie's contract with the M's). I'm a bit gun shy because of Pineiro's 2006 contract. But I believe Meche will be a solid, league-average pitcher for the length of that contract.

And finally:

25) Alfonso Soriano: OF 5 years, $65 million ($12 million in 2007-2010 and a $5 million signing bonus -- not paid in 2007) Option for $12 million in 2011 ($3 million buyout) . Absolutely crazy, I know. No way he performs up to that deal. Honestly, though, if the M's are going to add a potential albatross contract, I'd rather it be on a hitter than on a pitcher like Schmidt or Zito. Probably not a good fit, but the M's don't need an all-LH outfield.

Here's, then, my 2007 M's 25-man roster. All $87 million worth (unless my math is off).

Lineup
1B: Richie Sexson
2B: Jose Lopez
SS: Yuniesky Betancourt
3B: Adrian Beltre
CF: Ichiro
LF: Alfonso Soriano
RF: Chris Snelling
C: Kenji Johjima
DH: Raul Ibanez

Rotation
SP: Felix Hernandez
SP: Jarrod Washburn
SP: Greg Maddux
SP: Gil Meche
SP: Cha Seung Baek

Pen
RP: Scott Williamson
RP: Jon Huber
RP: Eric O'Flaherty
RP: George Sherrill
CL: JJ Putz

Bench
UTIL: Willie Bloomquist
UTIL: Mike Morse
C: Greg Zaun/Robert Fick
1b/DH/LF: Eduardo Perez
OF: Jose Cruz

Plenty of options for defensive arrangement. Probably need a true lefty bat on the bench, though. That's where my 23rd slot is flexible. Perhaps you sign both Robert Fick and Greg Zaun. Either another 'pen arm, or a lefty bat off the bench. That's Hargrove's choice. Maybe you keep Broussard, and stretch the budget to $90-95 million.

Trade Bait
Julio Mateo
Ben Broussard
Jeremy Reed
Rafael Soriano

The M's badly need to restock their system. They need some starting pitching depth. They need some power depth. The guys in the trade bait list should help bring back some younger talent.

Other Options:
SP: Orlando Hernandez
SP: Andy Pettite (probably will retire)
SP: Ted Lilly (not much better than Meche, and will definitely be waaaay overpaid)
SP: Jason Schmidt (rather him than Zito)

I'm just glad I'm not in Bavasi's shoes. It's a tough, tough offseason to be shopping.