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If Adam Jones is Traded, Who Replaces Him?

The one question I hear most out of Mariners fans this offseason is this: 

Who fills Adam Jones’ outfield spot if he is dealt for a starter?

It’s a valid question, considering how ofter Jones’ name has come up in trade talks (Santana, Bedard, Blanton and Snell).  I’ve asked myself this question as well, but never really thought about it.

Until now.

In house candidates:

Wladimir Balentien seems to be directly behind Adam Jones on the prospect lists and Mariners depth chart, but it is unclear if the Mariners’ front office is willing to give him a 25-man roster spot.  Whether they are unwilling to start two rookies in the same outfield (Jones/Balentien) or just disinclined to start Wlad Opening Day is open to debate.

Balentien had a great season in his first year in at the AAA level.  His ‘07 stats stacked up well against Jones’, falling just short in extra base hits and batting average, while walking more and striking out less.  He also swiped more bases last year than Jones did, stealing 15 in 19 attempts.

Someday he’ll be a force in the major leagues, possibly a Carlos Lee type, but the Mariners organization would like to give him another half season or so in Tacoma.  This can’t hurt him, as he is only 22 years old.

Wlad is above average at the corner outfield positions and can play center field in a pinch.

Seattle Mariners fans got a taste of what Charlton Jimerson has to offer during his 2007 September callup, as he swiped a couple bases and hit an absolute moonshot beyond left-center field wall against Tampa Bay.

Hardly a prospect, Jimerson has already dipped into his prime years at age 28.  He has loads of talent, hitting 112 career minor league homers and stealing 25 or more bases six times, but has struggled with low batting averages and astronomical strikeout totals (striking out about 33% of the time during his minor league career).

In his first year with the Mariners organization Jimerson had a career high batting average between West Tennessee and Tacoma, hitting .288.  His strikeouts are still a problem, but he is already a favorite to become the Mariners’ fourth outfielder and he could start if there are no better options.

Charlton is more than capable of manning all three outfield positions.

Jeremy Reed, former top White Sox prospect and the Mariners’ 2005 starting center fielder was supposed to be our center fielder of the future.  A tough 2005 followed by a disastrous 2006 lead him to a full time spot in AAA Tacoma’s lineup last season. 

He had a good year, hitting .300 and setting a career high with 13 home runs.  His major league experience could make him the favorite to replace Jones, especially if he has a solid Spring Training.

Reed can handle all three outfield positions, though he may not possess the throwing arm you’d like out of a right fielder.

(Realistic) Free Agents:

Shannon Stewart could be a viable option as a one year solution, but he may require a 2-year contract.  He had his best season since 2003 last year, but he’s always a health risk.  He made it into 146 games for the A’s in 2007, and did a good job.  There’s nothing that jumps out of the stat sheet; good batting average, some pop, and a few stolen bases left in his legs. 

There has been very little interest in Stewart this offseason, so it wouldn’t appear difficult to sweep in and sign him if a Adam Jones deal occurs.

The fact that Shawn Green is a type-B free agent may rule him out from the beginning, but his left handed bat could fit nicely into the Mariners’ lineup at the 6 or 7 slot.  He’s played right field for the majority of his career, and can still get it done at the plate.  While he is no longer a 40 homer threat, Green could take advantage of Safeco’s dimensions and have a good season. 

There have been rumors that Green will only play in 2008 if he gets a starting role somewhere.

Kevin Mench is a cheaper and more realistic option, but he is more of a platoon player at this stage in his career.  He mashes lefties, and could possibly partner with Jeremy Reed, who hit .320 and all of his homers against right handers last year in Tacoma.

Brad Wilkerson, Emil Brown, Luis Gonzalez, Trot Nixon and Reggie Sanders are all unlikely, but who knows.

Hope that answers some questions.  As a fan I’d like to see Wlad out there if a deal happens, but I understand that he may not be ready.  Jimerson would also be exciting to watch, but Jeremy Reed or free agent Shannon Stewart could be the answer.

I suppose it would be best if Adam Jones was out there, huh?

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 5th, 2008 at 8:06 pm and is filed under Hot Stove. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.