10 bold predictions for this offseason
November, 20, 2014
NOV 20
11:17
AM ET
By Jim Bowden | ESPN Insider
3. The Mets finally upgrade at shortstop, getting one from the Mariners
Publicly, the Mets say they are prepared to give Wilmer Flores a chance to be their everyday shortstop, but behind the scenes, their actions have been quite the opposite, as they have been talking to almost every general manager and agent who has an available shortstop. Although there are free-agent solutions, everyone from Hanley Ramirez to Asdrubal Cabrera to Stephen Drew, I think they'll trade for the answer. The Mariners have two shortstops who are available for trade in Brad Miller (pictured) and Chris Taylor, and I predict the Mets will trade a back-of-rotation starter to get one of them.
lastname
4. Mariners sign Hanley Ramirez
Seattle is committed to getting the final impact bat it needs, and Ramirez is the perfect right-handed bat to put between Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager in the lineup. Ramirez, 30, is a legitimate middle-of-the-order threat and has told his agents he'd be willing to change position for the right contract commitment. The Mariners could play him at shortstop for a year or two or move him to right field. Cano is encouraging the Mariners' front office to sign him, and Ramirez would fit in nicely in the Cano-led Mariners clubhouse.