Luke Scott: Are the Mariners a Potential Destination?

When the Orioles acquired Felix Pie from the Cubs, Andy MacPhail suggested that Luke Scott would become the full-time DH, against right-handers at least. As FanGraphs' Dave Cameron points out, this move lowers Scott's value by close to 1 win, because Scott is actually a pretty decent defender in left field.

As a result, Scott moves from being a $10 million player to something like a $6 million player, a pretty big difference.

The recent signing of Ty Wigginton means that the O's now have a player who could potentially replace Scott as the full-time DH. With Pie essentially guaranteed a spot in the outfield on opening day, could this point to a trade involving Scott?

There are quite a few teams that could use a good left-handed hitting corner outfielder with decent defense - including the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners, in addition, happen to be a rebuilding team with a ton of bad contracts they don't really want right now. Could this be a perfect trade match?

The Mariners would want to get rid of Carlos Silva, Miguel Batista, Jarrod Washburn, and possibly Kenji Johjima. Silva and Batista, however, are completely untradeable.  In addition, the O's would have no interest in Johjima.

What about Washburn? The Orioles have only two definite starters in their rotation, Jeremy Guthrie and Koji Uehara. The rest of the spots are slated for the likes of Rich Hill, Hayden Penn, and Mark Hendrickson. Washburn would immediately become the 3rd or possibly even 2nd starter if he were traded to Baltimore.

Meanwhile, the Mariners are going into 2009 with Ichiro at right field, Franklin Gutierrez in center, and a gaping hole at left field. The current favorites for LF would appear to be Wladimir Balentien (career .207/.254/.362 in the majors) and Endy Chavez (career .270/.311/.369 in the majors).

Both of these players profile as 4th or 5th outfield types, with their ability to play good defense at all three outfield positions, combined with their inability to hit major league pitching consistently. Scott (career .266/.353/.497 in the majors) would be a clear upgrade, with Balentien possibly serving as his platoon mate.

Clearly the Orioles would have no interest in a straight trade involving Washburn and Scott. Even if the Mariners ate half of Washburn's salary (currently $10 million), it wouldn't be a good long-term deal for the O's. So the Mariners would have to give up a prospect.

The biggest long-term needs for the Orioles are, in order: Middle infielders, starting pitchers, corner infielders, everything else. How do the M's stack up?

Middle infielders: Ronny Cedeno (utility infielder in 2009 and potentially a starting 2B or SS in 2010 and beyond); Gabriel Noriega (C prospect shortstop)

Starting pitchers: Ryan Rowland-Smith (another 2009 rotation contender); Philippe Aumont (B prospect, high ceiling); Juan Ramirez (B prospect, high ceiling); Michael Pineda (B prospect, better command)

Corner infielders: Mike Carp (C+ prospect 1B); Matt Tuiasosopo (C prospect 3B).

I think a good starting point for a deal would be: Washburn + $5 million + one of these pitchers + one of the infielders, and see what happens from there.