MLB Free Agency: Grady Sizemore and Players the Seattle Mariners Should Target

2011 for the Seattle Mariners started out promising, but just like past seasons, ended up as a rebuilding year. 

Since their historic 2001 season where the Mariners matched a major league record 116 wins, they have not really been a factor in the AL West and had their last "good" season in 2003. 

Despite rebuilding these past few years, the Mariners organization is looking forward to a 2012 campaign where they believe their talented youth will fuel a competition within the AL West.

Players like Dustin Ackley, Mike Carp, Felix Hernandez and Michael Pineda are part of an extremely talented group of young players who are in the Mariners organization and ready to make a lasting impact starting in 2012.

Though they may have a few key pieces and positions solidified, there is much work that needs to be done in Seattle before they are a legitimate contender in the AL West.

Positions that the Mariners need to address this off-season include:

-Shortstop (currently occupied by Brendan Ryan)

-Left Field (occupied by a rotation of Greg Halman, Carlos Peguero and Trayvon Robinson last year)

-Catcher (mostly held by Miguel Olivo last year, though Adam Moore did see more playing time towards the end of the season)

-Designated Hitter (rotating basis with Mike Carp, Dustin Ackley, Carlos Peguero, Justin Smoak)

-Third Base (played at the end of the year on a rotating basis with Alex Liddi and Kyle Seager)

So far, the Mariners have not made any moves and have hinted that they may not be big players in free agency, but you never know with Jack Zduriencik as the GM of the organization, who does like to make big moves every now and then.

If the Mariners do become active players in free agency, this list will address the main players that the Mariners should target in 2012 free agency.

Outfielder Grady Sizemore

Grady Sizemore used to be considered one of the most promising young players in the major league, but due to consistent injuries these past few years has been cast out of the limelight.

After hearing that he would have to have yet another surgery on his knee, the Cleveland Indians opted not to re-negotiate Sizemore's contract and put him into the free agent market.

Though he may have been injured these past few years, Sizemore is the perfect candidate for the Seattle outfield.

Not only is he from the Seattle area, but Sizemore could move into left field where he would not be as stressed defensively while rehabilitating his knee. Putting Sizemore in left would give the Mariners one of the fastest and best defensive outfields in the league, with Sizemore in left, Franklin Guitierrez in center and Ichiro Suzuki in right.

Sizemore would not only give the Mariners a good defensive presence in the outfield, but when healthy, Sizemore has one of the best bats in the game, both in terms of power and average, something the Mariners have been looking for ever since the departure of Edgar Martinez.

Signing Sizemore would also provide competition for the other young players who would be able to learn from Seattle natives style of play and develop skill sets similar to his.

Though many would speculate this as a risky move due to his injuries, Sizemore is still fairly young (29) and should have many good years ahead of him.

Shortstop Jimmy Rollins

Though this may be somewhat of a stretch for the organization, the Mariners need a big name shortstop, something they have not had in quite a long time.

And who better to fill this position than the always reliable Jimmy Rollins.

Rollins would bring all the skill sets to the Mariners that the club would salivate at. He is a top-of-the-order hitter who finds his way on base consistently and is a threat to steal a base whenever he gets on. Not only does he bring speed and agility to the top of the lineup, Rollins also has some pop in his bat, something that the Mariners also desperately need.

Rollins could be signed to a two- or three-year deal while the Mariners wait for prospects to adjust to the major leagues more and would also provide an added spark and charisma to the lineup and infield that has not been there in awhile.

Adding Rollins would give the Mariners some of the fastest players in the league, with Ichiro Suzuki and Dustin Ackley complimenting each others' speed.

Prince Fielder

It is no secret that the Mariners have not had a power bat since the dark ages. After Edgar Martinez retired, the Mariners have been constantly cycling through DH after DH, trying to find a worthy enough replacement for one of the legends in Mariners history.

Though replacing somebody like Martinez is virtually impossible, Prince Fielder could resurrect the Designated Hitter position in Seattle and give Seattle the bat it needs to contend in the AL West.

Even if Prince wanted to remain in the field at first base, the Mariners could rotate Justin Smoak, one of their prime prospects, to the DH position, thus giving Fielder the time in the field that he desires.

If the Mariners are to contend anytime soon they are going to need to find a big bat and quick, and Prince Fielder is the perfect opportunity for the Mariners organization to state that they want to be considered legitimate contenders in the West.

Relief Pitcher Darren Oliver

Even at the age of 41 Darren Oliver was able to remain efficient against the league's best hitters.

Oliver went 5-5 last season in relief appearances with a 2.29 ERA and 44 strikeouts and has voiced his willingness to return in 2012, given the right opportunity.

Though the Mariners' bullpen does have talented youth, they need a veteran presence to help guide them through the rigors of a 162-game season, and Oliver would be the perfect person to fill in this role.

Besides being a mentor, Oliver has been a consistent pest to left-handed hitters and has fared well against right-handed hitters in recent memory as well and has proved that he can still be a dominant force in the bullpen.

Third Basemen Aramis Ramirez

Aramis Ramirez is clearly the best third basemen in a rather weak 2012 free-agency class at the hot corner, but is an option that should very much intrigue the Mariners.

Ramirez hit .306 last year with 26 home runs and 93 RBI and has proven that he can still play at a high level of baseball. After parting ways with big bust Chone Figgins, the Mariners are searching for a third basemen who can be a mentor to their younger players while also providing some added pop into the lineup.

Aramis has stated that he is looking for a multi-year deal, and with the plethora of young players on the Seattle Mariners roster, this should be easy enough for the Mariners to accommodate.

Adding Ramirez to the hot corner provides good defensive stability as well as more of an offensive presence at the plate.

Catcher Ryan Doumit

Another player from the Washington State area, Ryan Doumit is a very viable option for the Mariners to pursue at catcher, a position that they have also been looking to fill in recent years.

Though Adam Moore looks as though he will be the catcher of the future for the Seattle Mariners, it will still be two or three years before Moore is able to perform at the level the Mariners want him to, and Doumit would fit perfectly into this situation.

He is only 30 years old and has been consistently around the .300 mark throughout his entire career, hitting .303 last year.

Not only is he a catcher that can hit for average, but Doumit provides a stable stop behind the plate, committing only six errors last season.

Doumit would be a very good option for the Mariners to look into if they want to transition away from elder Miguel Olivo to a more youthful presence behind the plate.