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Mariners acquire Broussard

A few hours ago we were very happy with Mariners GM Bill Bavasi. He ridded the team of one of its most sour spots, and brought up a kid who, despite wicked injury troubles, we can't help but want to love.

Now comes a move that garners a mixed reaction: Bavasi just traded minor league centerfielder Shin-Soo Choo and a player to be named later to the Cleveland Indians for 1B/DH Ben Broussard, completing the acquisition of the entire Indian first base platoon.

From the press release,

We think that Ben is a great fit for our ballclub. We've been looking for a proven left-handed bat that can provide average and production and Ben has certainly done that this season. We feel like we're still a team in transition, but a team that has a chance to win this year. Ben not only helps us in 2006, we will control his contract for 2007 and 2008, so he will help us future seasons as well."

On the one hand, Broussard provides a proven left-handed bat that's pounding righties: in 2006, he's batting .362/.395/.587 with 12 homeruns through 218 at-bats. He will slot nicely alongside Eduardo Perez in the DH role, and can fill in at first as well, which is good considering we're getting .228/.300/.441 out of that position, and paying $13 million for the privilege. There are no rumors as of yet concerning trading that particular overpaid Mariner employee, but it would be a great move.

On the other hand, Shin-Soo Choo was a star prospect of our farm system: in 2006, he's hitting .323/.397/.508 with 13 home runs and 26 stolen bases. He was a Triple-A All-Star before being called up. Granted, he had a miserable appearance filling in for the injured Jeremy Reed - hitting .091 in 11 at-bats and making some embarrassing plays in the field - but he had promise. Where he will fit in at Cleveland is a question mark, as the young Grady Sizemore has become entrenched in centerfield.

The move likely will send Chris Snelling back down to Tacoma as he will have nowhere to play. This makes us sad.

All in all, we can at least acknowledge that Ben Broussard is not Carl Everett and for that, Mr. Bavasi, we applaud you.

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By Wells Oliver in on July 26, 2006 3:44 PM

Comments [rss]

  • Choo at best is a subpar defensive rightfielder, who will post an average around .300, hit with little power, take a few walks, and is completly useless against left handed pitching. His minor league numbers suggest he's inferior to Jeremy Reed. Plus with Snelling, Ichiro, Reed, Jones, and Ibanez; Choo was never going to get to play.

    This is a good move. It also allows us to try to trade Sexson for pitching in the offseason. We can move the Perez/Broussard platoon to first and let Raul DH. Snelling plays left with Reed giving him days off against right handed pitching.

    This move makes us much better now, and actually is a good one for the next couple years as well.

  • Yeah, Snelling gets a bit screwed, but don't shed any tears over Choo. His ceiling is as a fourth-OF type, and Jones, Reed and Snelling have all passed him. Choo can't play center, isn't that great in right, and can't hit lefties to save his life.

  • Jason

    "All in all, we can at least acknowledge that Ben Broussard is not Carl Everett and for that, Mr. Bavasi, we applaud you." Are you kidding me? Carl Everett was the best part of the Mariners. I'll bet this Ben Broussard fellow even believes in dinosaurs.

  • I like the trade. Mostly because Seattle was not big on Choo. He would have never been more than a 4th outfielder for the team. Thats a position easy to find.

    Snelling will get his play. But for getting to the playoffs this year this was the right deal.

  • x-new yorker

    Broussard's got great power from the left side and if he gets regular playing time with that short right field porch in safeco, he'll put up some very good power numbers.

  • drrew

    Cleveland has already announced that Choo is their new starting RF against right handed pitching.

    I'd put a drink on the line that Broussard's numbers with Seattle will not be appreciably better than Choo does in Cleveland.

    And don't get me started on the Snelling getting screwed aspect of it.

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