FanGraphs: Top of the Order: AL Trade Deadline Preview

Interesting article especially the apparent match between the O's and M's which has been recognized in these pages.

HOWEVER, I think the author is a little off his rocker if he thinks the O's should trade Kjerstad + Norby for a "back end starter." If they are going to do something for a back end guy then might as well take a flyer on Flaherty or similar for a lot less player cost.

Interesting article especially the apparent match between the O's and M's which has been recognized in these pages.

HOWEVER, I think the author is a little off his rocker if he thinks the O's should trade Kjerstad + Norby for a "back end starter." If they are going to do something for a back end guy then might as well take a flyer on Flaherty or similar for a lot less player cost.

There's not a snowballs chance in hell I'm trading Kjerstad and Norby for last year's Jack Flaherty.

He's either an idiot or that's a typo.

I probably wasn't clear. What the author said was the Os should trade Kjerstad and Norby for one of the Mariners back end starters.

A trade with Seattle does make a lot of sense for both clubs I just disagree with the authors note that it should take Kjerstand and Norby to get Bryce Miller.

Just glanced at the current standings. Looking at the teams that would make the AL playoffs if the season ended today is quite interesting. The Mariners have scored 64 fewer runs than any other team that would be in the playoffs. Guys that's over 2/3 of a run a game. That is huge. They clearly need offensive help. Lets parlay that need into getting a starter from them.

Seattle has some solid pitching stats, especially their starters but I tend to take that with a grain of salt since T-Mobile Park is tough to score in.  I don't know what the park factor stats are exactly, but I do know it's traditionally a pitcher's paradise.  I'm sure it gives up it's share of homeruns since they moved the fences in about 10 years ago but it's still very hard to generate offense there.  I would be interested in seeing their pitchers' stats on the road to see if there was a marked discrepancy compared to home cooking.  Still, they've obviously got some great arms on that staff and would definitely be open to trade talk with them.  They desperately need some bats. 

There you go.  Much different picture on the road. 

There you go. Much different picture on the road.