In honor of the latest free agent pick-ups by the Seattle Mariners, I was led to search through the MLB to find out what active players were born in Washington. Our recent Jason Bay and Jeremy Bonderman signings have helped in large part because this is their hometown team. Not that it would have been the end of the world if we didn't sign these guys, but it did give us an option unlike other free agents.
The Mariners just passed up signing Tim Lincicum in the draft and instead signed Brandon Morrow who we ended up trading straight across for Brandon League. Scouts missed on that one.
Here is a list of active players born in Washington, where they are and what they do:
HITTERS
Willie Bloomquist: Bremerton - Arizona Dbacks - RH/Utility Player - Former Mariner
Michael Brantley: Bellevue - Cleveland Indians - LH/Outfielder - Son of former Mariner Mickey Brantley
Travis Buck: Richland - San Diego Padres - LH/Outfielder
Hank Conger: Federal Way - Los Angeles Angels - Switch/Catcher
Ryan Doumit: Moses Lake - Minnesota Twins - Switch/Catcher, 1B, OF
Matt Hague: Bellevue - Pittsburgh Pirates - RH/1B
Travis Ishikawa: Seattle - Baltimore Orioles - LH/1B
Brent Lillibridge: Everett - Free Agent - RH/Utility Player
Lyle Overbay: Centralia - Free Agent - LH/1B
Grady Sizemore: Seattle - Free Agent - LH/OF - Didn't play in '12
Travis Snider: Kirkland - Pittsburgh Pirates - LH/OF
PITCHERS
Dana Eveland: Olympia - Free Agent - LH/Starter?
Jon Lester: Tacoma - Boston RedSox - LH/Starter
Tim Lincecum: Bellevue - San Francisco Giants - RH/Starter
Evan Meek: Bellevue - Pittsburgh Pirates - RH/Relief
Eric O'Flaherty: Walla Walla - Atlanta Braves - RH/Relief - Former Mariner
Sean White: Pullman - Los Angeles Angels - RH/Relief - In AAA but recently with Mariners
There aren't a whole lot of players and there isn't a whole lot of interesting ones. Obviously Lincicum and Lester would be assets to the team, maybe Hank Conger. The M's wanted Grady Sizemore for years but are probably glad they never got him. He's had more trouble staying on the field due to injury than Erik Bedard.
As you can see, Pittsburgh has 3 players from Washington on their team. Maybe there is a scout that lives around here. Either way, after the Jason Bay and Jeremy Bonderman signings, I can't see the M's grabbing any of the other free-agents. Overbay and Sizemore are about done in and Lillibridge is a utility guy at best. We don't have enough room for the guys we got at the moment. As far as pitchers go, Dana Eveland is the only free agent and he spent more time in AAA in the last couple of years than he has in the big leagues and has pitched for seven MLB clubs. I would say, probably not.
Would anybody else take a flyer on any of these guys? What are your thoughts? Trades? This is Washington's best, take it or leave it.
SodoJoe
