Seattle Mariners: Trading for Joc Pederson from L.A. – 3 scenarios
By Ed Stein
Sarah Maninger – Call to the Pen, Contributor
“My gut says the Dodgers don’t let him go but if they were then I think it would be great if the Dodgers got Kyle Seager to play second (especially if they can’t re-sign Dozier) then move Muncy to first and Bellinger to CF. LA would have to throw in another player to the deal though. Would hate to see Pederson go but would love to have the Seager brothers on the same squad.”
Sarah and I were on the same wavelength here. I liked the idea of Seager for Pederson when I was working out a deal in my mind. Whether or not he can play second base or not, would be an issue for the Dodgers. If I were them, I’d keep Muncy at second, play Seager at third and move Justin Turner. The additional player from the Dodgers in this trade would be for them to cut salary, and there is an interesting option in the next section.
How it impacts the Seattle Mariners
In this scenario, the Mariners have a bit of shuffling to do. Healy came up as a third baseman with Oakland, so he would replace Seager at the hot corner. Gordon becomes the regular second baseman, a position he is much more comfortable with, and Cano moves to first.
Another idea would be for Seattle to let Cano DH and give Dan Vogelbach a shot at first. With Pederson in hand, I think the most enticing option for the M’s would be to sign free agent Josh Donaldson to a two or three-year contract, make him the third baseman and let Cruz walk.
This would be the likely batting order:
1- Pederson (CF) 2-Segura (SS), 3-Haniger (RF), 4-Robinson Cano (DH), 5-Donaldson (3B), 6-Healy (1B), 7-Zunino (C), 8-Gamel/Heredia (LF), 9-Gordon (2B).
In case you were wondering, Cano bats fourth because his left-handed bat breaks up the righties in the middle of the order.