Bonderman Signed, Others Still Available

The Mariners signed Jeremy Bonderman to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.  In other words, he will show up in Peoria with a shot to crack the Mariners starting rotation. If he doesn't, the M's aren't out anything really. Bonderman hasn't pitched anywhere competitively for two full seasons so I don't expect him to make the roster. However, this is a risk-free move, so there is nothing to complain about.

Bonderman's signing speaks to a need on the Mariners roster. The starting five looks something like this as of right now:

1. Felix Hernandez
2. Hisashi Iwakuma
3. Erasmo Ramirez
4. Blake Beavan
5. Hector Noesi/Danny Hultzen/Andrew Carraway/pray for rain

That's an interesting rotation in every sense of the word. Adding others to the mix would make the interest a little less dangerous.

Dumpster Diving for Depth

Spring training is almost here, which should make it easier to find things to write about. I've also had commitments in "real life" keeping me from the blog, but I am not sure it would have made much of a difference with all the non-activity the last few weeks from the Mariners.

Without any moves to talk about, I'm going to make some up to discuss. There are still some free agents out on the market, and the Mariners still have some places where I would like to see even more depth. When there is free depth to be had, why not add it, and see what sticks? Here are seven players that I am confident the Mariners could go out and get right now if they wanted to, plus a bigger name that could be a surprisingly good fit:

Obligatory Oswalt Trade Analysis

Roy Oswalt got traded from the Houston Astros to the Philadelphia Phillies. I debated letting this one go, because there is more than enough analysis out there already. However, it's just way too fascinating of a deal.

Here are my two cents, and then some.