The Seattle Mariners will sign Corey Hart to a one year deal, according to Jon Heyman.
corey hart is headed for #mariners, according to sources. 1 year deal. will likely bat behind cano.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 11, 2013
That takes one first base option and one team looking for a first baseman off the market. Milwaukee was waiting on Hart before deciding what to do with their first base position. Earlier today it was reported that they would probably renew their interest in Logan Morrison if Hart signed elsewhere.
Buster Olney reports that the Brewers have also been talking to James Loney.
The Brewers have been talking with James Loney,so with Hart going off the board to SEA,Loney could be focus for Milwaukee at first base now.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 11, 2013
Right now the three teams in biggest need of a first baseman are Milwaukee, Tampa Bay, and Pittsburgh. All three are looking at Loney and Morrison. The free agent market also has Kendrys Morales, who would cost a draft pick and who has almost no rumors attached to him. The trade market includes Mitch Moreland and Ike Davis.
Bob Nightengale says that Milwaukee would have given $8 M and incentives to Hart, and that they will turn to Loney.
The #Brewers, who would have given base salary and incentives worth about $8 million to Hart, now turning focus to James Loney
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 11, 2013
UPDATE 3:00 PM: Seattle also traded for Logan Morrison, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.
Source: #Marlins trading Logan Morrison to Seattle for RHP Carter Capps
— clarkspencer (@clarkspencer) December 11, 2013
So that changes things a bit. I’d imagine they added Morrison to be an outfielder. That leaves Loney, Moreland, and Davis for the three teams in need of a first baseman. And of course there is Morales if anyone wants to give up a draft pick for him. It’s also likely that Justin Smoak could now be available in Seattle with the addition of Morrison, who could take over at first in 2015 after Hart leaves.
