The Morse Trade

Mike Morse is the biggest name in the recent three-way trade that sends him to Seattle, catcher John Jaso to Oakland and prospects to Washington. However, when you consider all of the angles he's probably not the best player in the deal as that would be John Jaso.

I won't talk too much about John Jaso because Dave Cameron already has and it's safe to say I won't top his analysis. Although Jaso isn't a full time player (struggles mightily against lefties) you should be aware that last year in 361 plate appearances Jaso hit .276/.394/.456 with 10 home runs and 50 RBI. As Cameron noted, Jaso's never displayed that type of power before, but he's always had terrific plate discipline.  For his career Jaso has 140 walks with only 128 strikeouts, that's pretty special and should continue regardless if Jaso is hitting more balls in the gap or over the fence. Anyway you want to slice it, a catcher with a career .359 OBP and 116 OPS+ has a lot of value, even if he doesn't play every day. The A's know that and traded three prospects for his services. It doesn't need to be said, but it's a typical Billy Beane trade. 

Meanwhile, in return for John Jaso (a popular breakout pick!) the Mariners receive ex-Mariners and ex-Nationals slugger Mike Morse. Morse spent five years in and out of the majors before playing well at the end of the 2010 season for the Nationals finally breaking out in 2011 hitting .303/.360/.550 with 31 home runs. Last year Morse started the season on the DL with a strained back, only playing in 106 games while hitting .291/.321/.470. Morse has above average power and can really rake it to the opposite field which should help in Saefco. But, and it's a pretty substantial but, John Jaso is cheap and under team control for the next three seasons while Morse is being paid over $6 million in 2013 and can be a free agent next year. 

The Mariners have likely pointed to Jaso's career splits and their youngin' Jesus Montero and called Jaso a part-time player for them, and they would probably right. However, Morse has had 500 plate appearances just once in his career -- relying on him to be an every day player in comparison to Jaso isn't necessarily a responsible conclusion to make. 

I like this deal for the A's, trading pitching prospects on a team with plenty of young, pitching depth for a catcher who might lead the team in OBP has to be considered a smart move. I also like this trade for the Nationals as Morse didn't have a spot on the team once the Nationals signed Adam LaRoche.  But as far as the Mariners are concerned, I'm not a huge fan of the deal. The Mariners have lacked punch in the lineup for several years, something that Morse can help with but they also acquired Jason Bay, Raul Ibanez and Kendrys Morales this offseason and Justin Smoak may yet become something and Jesus Montero might not stay at catcher. I suppose this trade illustrates confidence they have in Montero which is certainly a good thing and I hope he works out for the Mariners. However, I just can't get it out of my head that since 2010 Morse has a 5.7% BB% and a 22.1% K% --that's not the type of plate discipline that you like to see out of players entering their 30s with a spotty injury history to boot.

The chances of this deal really backfiring on the Mariners in any truly meaningful way might be slim but still, color me skeptical on this deal for the M's, a win for the A's and a win for the N's.