Mariners Trade Scenarios: How Can They Make Up for Not Getting Prince Fielder?

After missing out on Prince Fielder in free agency, the Seattle Mariners must inquire with other teams about a player who can propel them to the playoffs immediately.

It's not going to be easy.

Fielder is a premiere player. His talents are duplicated by few.

Most superstars of Fielder's caliber are already on teams looking at a playoff run. Those teams are unlikely to part with any player who will provide a boost into the postseason.

Instead, the Mariners will have to hope for the best. They'll need a diamond in the rough.

They're off to a good start by acquiring Jesus Montero. He'll certainly contribute very soon. Ichiro Suzuki remains a top talent and Dustin Ackley has a bright future.

But they need more pieces in place if they want to compete now.

Here's a couple of players the Mariners should look at to help fill the void.

Poach the White Sox

Though GM Kenny Williams denies the Chicago White Sox are rebuilding, they don't stand much chance against the staunch lineup of the Detroit Tigers.

The Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals are in prime positions to compete again after years of coming in last.

The Minnesota Twins are likely to rebound from last years' injuries to Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau as well.

The White Sox, meanwhile, have lost Mark Buerhle, Carlos Quentin, Sergio Santos, Juan Pierre, Edwin Jackson and Mark Teahen.

The losses are significant. The White Sox would be smart to call it what it is and start reloading.

Enter the Mariners.

Alex Rios maintained a .290 batting average in Toronto but has been a disappointment in Chicago. He might benefit from a change of scenery and White Sox fans wouldn't be sad to see him go.

At his worst, Rios is comparable to current center fielder Franklin Gutierrez. If Rios does well, he can make a case to bump left fielder Mike Carp.

Alexei Ramirez will be a harder buy, but the Mariners could take advantage of Ramirez's "down" year last season in which he hit .269.

In a typical year, Ramirez is good for a .279 average, 15 home runs and 70 RBI—all higher than current incumbent Brendan Ryan's statistics.

Similarly, Paul Konerko would be a more expensive option, but one worth considering.

He's 36 this year, but in the last two seasons Konerko has maintained a batting average above .300, hit more than 30 home runs and over 100 RBI.

Konerko would replace Mariners first baseman Justin Smoak, a move likely to be scoffed at by fans. Otherwise Konerko could DH, once Jesus Montero takes over full-time catching duties.

Convince Michael Young to Head North

The Seattle Mariners should try to pry Michael Young away from the Texas Rangers.

Sure, it's a hard sell to get the utility infielder to switch from a World Series contender to a division rival unlikely to compete.

Young should at least hear them out.

The Rangers have continuously disrespected Young's talents. Their everyday shortstop, Young was asked to move to third base in favor of Elvis Andrus.

He continued to produce and the Rangers still signed third baseman Adrian Beltre, reducing Young to a utility role.

In Seattle, Young could be an everyday starter at third base.

Stability and respect for the career .304 hitter who averages 16 home runs and 89 RBI per season.

It's a hard sell, but one worth exploring.

Take Oakland's Castoff

The Oakland Athletics have four options at first base including Brandon Allen, Daric Barton, Chris Carter and Kila Ka'aihue.

None of them are overwhelming options that can produce Prince Fielder-esque numbers. But each has power.

So far in spring training, Allen has produced 10 RBI and a home run in seven games.

Ka'aihue has only gotten three hits so far, but he's hit a single, double and home run.

They're not options that will really come out and grab anyone, but they'll push Justin Smoak and won't cost a thing.

Do the Angels a Favor

The Los Angeles Angels want to get rid of Vernon Wells for multiple reasons.

His contract is too big, he's disappointed in L.A. and he's standing in top prospect Mike Trout's way.

The Seattle Mariners could easily talk the Angels into eating a large amount of Wells' contract in hopes the change can spark a rebound.

Wells hit .280 in his career before moving to southern California. A return to the north may coincide with a return in numbers.

Snag Brandon Inge

Brandon Inge has been one of the most loyal players in the Detroit Tigers' system.

In return the franchise has moved him all over the field, transitioned him from starter to backup and back again, sent him down to the minors and threatened to cut him.

This season, Inge will be the Tigers' starting second baseman.

But if he begins to falter, the Seattle Mariners can swoop in and snag him for cheap.

Inge is only a career .235 hitter, but he's also only two years removed from hitting 27 home runs and 84 RBI.

It's one more low-risk move with potential upside. If the experiment fails, it fails.

Take a Giant Leap of Faith

San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt should be a beast in Major League Baseball.

At just 24, he's already shown intriguing power by hitting nine home runs in 63 games.

Unfortunately for Belt, he currently has Aubrey Huff blocking him at first.

Belt has found time in San Francisco's outfield just to get in the lineup.The outfield alignment appears to be Melky Cabrera, Angel Pagan and Nate Schierholtz. Each would be difficult to replace.

In order for the Seattle Mariners to talk the Giants into giving up Belt, they'd have to throw in a prospect of equal value. One such as pitcher Taijuan Walker and/or James Paxton could solve the Giants' woes regarding the back end of the rotation.

In the worst case scenario, Seattle could take Aubrey Huff off San Francisco's hands and hope for Huff's 2010 production. He'd be another option to push Justin Smoak.

Help the Mets Cut Payroll

Though David Wright hit .254 last year, he's still a career .300 hitter.

The Seattle Mariners need to strike now after Wright's down year. Besides, the New York Mets are likely to dump payroll due to financial woes.

Wright might be the most affordable of available talent.

He's a much better option than Chone Figgins at third base.

Pilfer the Orioles

Even with an additional playoff spot, the Baltimore Orioles remain an unlikely postseason candidate.

The best arrangement would involve the Seattle Mariners trading for Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis.

In six seasons, Markakis has maintained a .295 batting average. He's typically good for 18 to 20 home runs and just under 100 RBI.

The Mariners need an upgrade in center field and a replacement for right fielder Ichiro Suzuki soon. Markakis could play all three outfield positions.

The next best thing would be shortstop J.J. Hardy.

Hardy had a quality 2011 season with a .269 average, 30 home runs and 80 RBI. He'd be an improvement over Brendan Ryan and he's the same age.

Mark Reynolds is an interesting option as well. While he strikes out entirely too much and is a poor hitter for average, Reynolds produces around 35 home runs and 90 RBI.

Any of these three can contribute more pop to the current lineup.

Yet another option, shortstop prospect Manny Machado is the 10th best prospect in baseball according to MLB.com.

It's not unrealistic to get such a player. Earlier in the year the Mariners added Jesus Montero, the sixth-best prospect.

Machado may not be ready to contribute in 2012 however.

Concede 2012 and Look Ahead to 2013

Not many teams make trade deals in the middle of spring training. At this point, teams will have to wait until the midseason trade deadline.

Remaining in contention for the AL West crown in 2012 will be incredibly difficult for the Seattle Mariners.

The smartest thing to do might be to stand pat for the year. The move would allow young players continuity, time and experience at the big league level.

Here's a look at some of the players the Mariners can target next offseason:

James Loney (1B)
Erick Aybar (SS)
Delmon Young (OF)
Melky Cabrera (OF)
B.J. Upton (OF)
Shane Victorino (OF)
Andre Ethier (OF)

The hearts that broke when Prince Fielder signed with the Detroit Tigers would surely be mended by Andre Ethier.