What should the Mariners do now?

Fig Jam

Here’s what:  Trade Erik Bedard.  Immediately.  The M’s have had a better first half of the season than anyone could have imagined.  Russell Branyan has played great, provided power, and helped out an offense that looked to be in big trouble.  Ichiro has hit the cover off the ball as usual and the pitching staff has performed up to expectations.  However – this still isn’t a championship caliber team.  They still need help.

When Erik Bedard went on the DL in June, the M’s actually played better than they had with Bedard.  With Washburn and Felix pitching lights out, the M’s have a solid rotation with or without Bedard.  The Bullpen, up until this series against the Orioles, has done well.

So – in my opinion, the M’s need to trade Bedard before he walks away at the end of the season for nothing.  Trade him for 1 solid power hitter who can come in and solidify this offense for the next 3 seasons.  The pitching staff will be fine and with one more big bat, I think the M’s are much closer to contending with Anaheim. 

I know this may look like giving up on this season already, but in reality I don’t think that this season’s ‘best case scenario’ is anything more than what we have seen so far.  More competitive than we thought, but still not elite.  The M’s should pull the trigger on a trade now while Bedard is healthy and he brings value to a contender. 

The other thing the M’s should do is go back in time and resign Raul Ibanez.  That would be very helpful.