Seattle Mariners Free Agent News: 10 FAs That Could Bolster the Mariners

With a bunch of money coming off the books at the end of 2011, the Seattle Mariners will have a lot to spend during the up-coming free agency period.

There are many names out there that should tempt Jack Zduriencik and company, but it will be interesting to see what path he takes.

A lot of young guys have stepped up at the end of this year.

Does he stick with most of those guys and save money for Matt Kemp in 2013?

Does he sign established veterans so he can trade some young talent for help at other positions?

Doe he go with a mix of both?

All of these questions remain unanswered, but here are 10 guys that can, one way or another, make the M's better in 2012. 

Mark Buehrle

I'd say that the only certainties for the M's rotation in 2012 will be Felix Hernandez, Michael Pineda and Jason Vargas.

So, as set as the rotation was looking earlier this year, there are definitely question marks. Blake Beavan, James Paxton and even Danny Hultzen will all compete for spots during spring training, but the Mariners would be smart to add another starter.

The Chicago White Sox have a lot of money invested in other guys (cough, Adam Dunn, cough), and it's unlikely they'll be able to hold on to their veteran.

Buehrle is essentially an older version of Doug Fister, and there's nothing wrong with that.

He never strikes out a ton of hitters, but he keeps his walks down, works fast and gets the job done. The lefty has put together 10 straight 200-inning seasons, and it appears he will make it 11 this year.

Still though, he's never been a power pitcher, so I wouldn't be scared to sign the 32-year-old to a long contract.

Buehrle should also be attracted to pitching in Safeco, as he induces more fly balls than grounders. 

Erik Bedard

Why not? 

He's proven himself pretty healthy, has shown that he will sign an incentive-based contract, and likes it in Seattle.

Give him a (nother) shot.

Jason Kubel

The Seattle Mariners have a pretty crowded outfield, but a signing of Jason Kubel would let them trade some of those guys for help in the infield.

Kubel plays mostly right field and DH but has also played left in his career. He hits at a decent average and would provide some power from the left side of the plate.

In the last three years, Kubel has averaged 23 home runs and slugged .479. This year, he's slugging .452 with 12 homers (he's only amassed 88 games because of injury).

Like I said, this would be a good route to take if the Mariners don't like the free agent options at short, third or catcher.

Kubel carries a powerful bat, and this would allow for a trade of Trayvon Robinson or Casper Wells for proven talent in the infield. 

Lance Berkman

This would be a situation similar to Kubel's. Lance Berkman has played primarily right field this year, but he also plays left and first.

If the M's wanted to buy Berkman's resurgent 2011, then it would free up room for a trade of some youngsters. 

Still though, Berkman is 35, and the Mariners should be careful. He has a terrific OPS of .964 this year, but he really struggled in his last couple years with Houston.

It's unclear whether those were just injury-riddled years and he can still truly hit like this, or if he has just benefited from hitting behind Albert Pujols or Matt Holliday for most of the year.

The M's should certainly keep an eye on the switch-hitter. 

Albert Pujols/Prince Fielder

We'll go ahead and file Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder into the same category: long shots.

Pujols or Fielder would clearly be awesome additions, but it's probably unlikely that Jack Zduriencik would fork over the money it will take to land one of these guys when Justin Smoak and Mike Carp are likely to hold down first base and DH next year. 

Prince Fielder would be more likely since he has ties with GMZ, but I'd still say the chances of Seattle getting him are low. 

Yadier Molina

This is just pure speculation that Yadier Molina hits free agency, because he still has a team option for 2012.

My thinking is that if the St. Louis Cardinals give Albert Pujols the money he deserves, they probably won't fork over the $7 million Molina is set to get. And I'm aware that isn't great reasoning, but if Molina actually hits free agency, the M's need to jump all over him.

Molina is one of, if the not the, best defensive catchers in the league, and he provides a great average with decent power.

I don't really care if Miguel Olivo is under team control through 2013. Yadier Molina is one of the best catchers in the game with a WAR of 3.1, while Miguel Olivo, with a WAR of 1.0, is the lowest among catchers with at least 250 plate appearances.

That's an upgrade I could get on board with.   

Aramis Ramirez

Even with the recent emergence of Kyle Seager, it's no secret that the Seattle Mariners want an upgrade at third base.

Well, the free agency pool is quite thin over at the hot corner, with Ramirez being the clear best option.

Still though, the 33-year-old is averaging 30 home runs during his successful career, and he's hitting .305 with an OPS of .865 this year.

His defense is far from ideal, but Ramirez is actually slightly underrated and would be a nice get for the weak-hitting Mariners—assuming the deal isn't longer than two years. 

Jimmy Rollins

Sure, Brendan Ryan is signed through 2012, but the addition of an All-Star caliber shortstop would obviously bolster the Seattle Mariners' lineup immediately.

Jimmy Rollins' contract is up this winter, and with the Philadelphia Phillies having so much money invested in other stars, there is a good chance they let him go. 

With Rollins in Seattle, I'm not saying the M's could move Ichiro to somewhere in the middle of the lineup and insert the shortstop at leadoff, but, OK, yeah that is what I'm saying.

Call me crazy, but I would much rather have Rollins and his .342 on-base percentage leading off instead of Ichiro and his .311 OBP. I also wouldn't mind seeing Ichiro, who is seeing his batting average fall anyways, try to hit for power.

Jose Reyes

Jose Reyes is going to get big money this winter, and he is quite injury prone. That's not a good combination, but when he's healthy, he's one of the most explosive players in the league. 

In just 101 games this season, Reyes' WAR is an impressive 5.3. If you're thinking it's just the contract-year phenomenon, take a look at 2006-2008 when Reyes put up WARs of 6.1, 5.8 and 6.4 (when healthy).

Reyes is always electric, and he's still just 28. Still though, it's unlikely the Mariners, who are still rebuilding, would take such a pricey risk.

Even if it is one that could turn a team around.