Mariners Could Make a Move for Cleveland Indians SS Jhonny Peralta

With all of the rumors surrounding the Pirates duo of All Star second baseman Freddy Sanchez and shortstop Jack Wilson, Mariners fans have been preoccupied with salivating over the two.

Recently I saw another intriguing name who has hit the trading block that could be a realistic option for the Mariners at shortstop as they push for contention amidst a rebuilding year.

That would be shortstop Jhonny Peralta of the AL Central last place Cleveland Indians, he has apparently begun to fall out of favor with the team. 

With the Indians 19 games under .500 and 14 games out of first place in the AL Central it is safe to classify them as "sellers" as the July 31 trade deadline looms.

With Peralta on the block the out of contention Indians appear to be heavily inclined to trade their starting shortstop to begin building towards to future. With prospect Luis Valbuena waiting in the wings the Indians have no qualms about letting Jhonny go Jhonny go-go-go.

Catcher Victor Martinez is another Indian on the block, although I do not see the Mariners coughing up enough to land one of the top catchers in the game.

Peralta has seen his BA drop .020 from a season ago and is on pace to hit half the home runs and 13 less RBI's from a season ago.

When your team is in last place, your stats do take a hit, its as simple as that. Being dealt to a contender would jolt his production and he would be a solid addition to the Mariners, or any other contenders in need of a shortstop.

He would be a huge upgrade in general from former shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt. Even in an off season he still statistically blows him away in every offensive and defensive category.

At 27 he still has a lot to offer, and has the potential to be the starting shortstop for years to come. 

The price is not going to be overwhelming, a two to three player package with one decent prospect and some throw ins should be more then enough.

Some players the Indians could target are OF Wladimir Balentien, C Jeff Clement, and 3B Matt Tuiasosopo, the latter would likely nix any trade deal.

If the Mariners could swing a trade without selling the farm, I say go for it, depending on what else they have on the burner with other teams.

Ronny Cedeno is not the answer if they want to contend, they have to acquire someone else if they plan on doing so. If it is Jack Wilson, Peralta, Sanchez, whoever, an upgrade is needed.

If they could land the pair from Pittsburgh, or in general just a quality starting 3B and SS, it would signal the light is green and they are going for the playoffs.

With Zduriencik at the helm, I have full confidence in whatever moves he makes, the man is a genius. If he decides to not go for it all this year, I am excited to see what prospects he adds for future.

In Zduriencik we trust.

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