The Mariners’ plan to load up on prospects continued to fall into place this morning when Raul Ibanez signed with the Philadelphia Phillies.
How does that relate to the M’s?
Because they lost the free agent left fielder to the World Series champion Phillies (Ibanez signed for three years, $30 million), the Mariners will get Philadelphia’s first-round draft pick (28th overall) next June, plus another compensation pick between the first and second rounds.
Combine that with their own second overall pick, plus the second pick in the second round, and the Mariners will have four players in hand through the first 55 picks in the draft. And, if they don’t sign this year’s first-round pick, Josh Fields, the Mariners will get another first-round selection at 28th overall.
While it seems certain the Mariners will be swimming in high draft picks, there’s also dark side to it. First and second-round draft picks will command first and second-round signing bonuses, and they could have another Josh Fields situation on their hands at this time next year.
However, unless agent Scott Boras represents them all, the Mariners stand to come out of the draft with some solid talent.
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