While most offseason rumors have swirled around Athletics closer Andrew Bailey, Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports hears that another finisher could be available this winter. According to industry sources, the Seattle Mariners are willing to trade closer Brandon League. While nothing appears imminent, these sources have indicated that the Mariners may become more inclined to deal League as spring training approaches. Several teams have reportedly contacted the Mariners regarding League, and Morosi wonders if the Reds, Red Sox, Angels or Dodgers would be a fit for the right-hander.
League spent several seasons as a late-inning reliever for the Blue Jays before being shipped to the Mariners in 2009 for Brandon Morrow. Last season, League showed he was up to the task of the closer’s role, maintaining an ERA of 2.79 to go with his WHIP of 1.076. League compiled 37 saves while posting a SO/9 of 6.7 and a BB/9 of 1.5.
With the Mariners coming off a 67 win season, Morosi says Seattle is in a similar situation that San Diego found itself entering 2011. The Padres elected to hang on to closer Heath Bell, but with the “changing nature of draft-pick compensation” Morosi says the Mariners should be more inclined to trade League, who will become a free agent after next season.
What may hinder negotiations at the moment is Seattle’s pursuit of Prince Fielder. Though the market for Fielder is hazy, the Mariners have been tied to the hefty slugger. It would be hard to convince Fielder that the Mariners are in competition mode if they are actively shopping their All-Star closer.
For this reason sources tell Morosi that the Mariners could look to move League after the Fielder sweepstakes are determined.
Morosi notes that the Dodgers checked in on League during the Winter Meetings, and that the Red Sox, Reds and Angels have all been in search of a closer this offseason.
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