Editor's note: this interview took place on Thursday, July 13th, the last day of Major League Baseball's All-Star break. So if anything significant with regards to the Seattle Mariners or baseball in general has happened since then - like the Mariners trading for Shohei Ohtani or going on a big winning or losing streak - it will not be reflected here.
B: I'd like to welcome back to the blog our in-house baseball experts and die-hard Seattle Mariners fans April Hayashi and Lydia Sanchez. Welcome, ladies.
L: Hey.
A: Hello.
B: First of all, I'd like to apologize for not having you on back in March for our usual season preview.
A: No worries.
L: Eh, whatever.
B: Anyway, how was the All-Star break for you two? Having the game and the draft and everything in Seattle must have been great.
A: Oh, it was amazing.
L: It was cool, except downtown was soooo crowded.
B: Were you able to attend the game?
A: Unfortunately, no.
L: We watched it on our couch.
B: Oh, well. What did you think of the crowd chanting "Come to Seattle" to Ohtani?
L: That was awesome.
A: And the fact that he said some nice things about the city and that he actually lived here for a while was good to hear.
B: Do you think he might actually sign with the M's?
A: As much as I would love that, no.
L: Hey, what happened to hope?
A: Well, I'm not completely giving up on the idea, but the Dodgers just make too much sense as a fit.
B: How so?
A: They're consistently in contention, and he's said that winning is the most important consideration. Then if you add to that the fact that they can afford to outbid just about everyone else, and that he would be able to stay in L.A., it just makes the most sense.
B: I guess also not to mention that he would avoid the awkwardness of going to a division rival, as well as having the opportunity to be only the second player ever to win league MVP in both the AL and NL.
L: And maybe the first to win multiple MVPs, depending on what happens this year.
B: Ah, true.
A: Yeah, so I'll say 80% he signs with the Dodgers, 10% he resigns with the Angels, and 3.33% each for the Giants, Mariners, and Padres.
L: I'm gonna think positive and say he comes here. I mean, can you imagine having him, Castillo, Kirby, Logan Gilbert, and Ray in the same rotation? With Marco, Miller and Woo as depth?
B: That brings me to my next question. What do you think the M's are going to do before the trade deadline? I've heard lots of discussion about them trading from their pitching depth to shore up the offense.
A: I'm actually not so sure about that.
B: Really? Why?
A: I don't think the pitching is as deep as it seems. Robbie Ray will be out until probably the middle of next year. They'll have to shut down Woo early at some point. And who knows when Marco is coming back. So the team might find themselves come late August with just four starters. If anything, I think they'll actually try to trade for a rental starter, someone who can eat up some innings with at least an average level of performance.
L: All the more reason they should sell out for Ohtani in the offseason. Come on, Stanton, do it!
A: I don't think the pitching is as deep as it seems. Robbie Ray will be out until probably the middle of next year. They'll have to shut down Woo early at some point. And who knows when Marco is coming back. So the team might find themselves come late August with just four starters. If anything, I think they'll actually try to trade for a rental starter, someone who can eat up some innings with at least an average level of performance.
L: All the more reason they should sell out for Ohtani in the offseason. Come on, Stanton, do it!
B: Don't they need more offense, though?
A: The next couple of weeks should determine that. We'll see if Mike Ford can keep up what he's doing at DH.
L: And I mean, besides, if they bring in a new position player, someone will have to go to the bench or get cut. And if Ford is still holding his own - the dude has the highest OPS of anyone on the team - who else would you displace? The Caballero/Wong platoon? Maybe, but good luck finding a big bat second baseman on the trade market.
B: Fair enough. On another subject, what did you folks think about the M's draft?
A: I liked it.
L: Me too. Some high-upside young hitters backed up by a bunch of college pitchers that the development people should be able to turn into serviceable arms.
B: I guess that about covers it. Thanks for coming in. Any early Word Series predictions at this point?
A: To say Tampa versus Atlanta might be too obvious at this point, so I'll go... Baltimore versus Cincinnati.
B: Hmm, interesting. Lydia?
L: Mariners over whoever, baby! Wooo! Go M's!
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