It appears that the Seattle Mariners have once again paid too much money for a veteran free agent starting pitcher. They have given Carlos Silva a 4-year, $48 million dollar contract. The 28-year old right hander started 33 games last season for the Twins and he was 13-14 with a 4.19 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. He has now pitched in 259 games (125 starts) in his major league career and he is 55-46 with 2 saves, a 4.31 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Basically the Mariners are paying the going rate for a durable, barely over .500 pitcher and it could turn out ugly down the road.

The Mariners have traded 1B Ben Broussard to the Rangers for infielder Tim Hulett. Hulett is a 24-year old lefty swinging infielder who should have a decent shot of making the Mariners as a reserve next season. Hulett played in 132 games in AA+AAA ball last season and he was 142 for 517 (.275 avg, .765 OPS) with 95 runs socred, 11 homers, 67 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. This was a good move to get something for Broussard who they were likely to non-tender.

John Parrish was not tendered a contract for the 2008 season because he pitched pretty poorly last season. In 53 games for the Mariners and Orioles Parrish was 2-2 with a 5.71 ERA and a 1.92 WHIP. Parrish has now pitched in 161 games in his major league career and he is 12-12 with 1 save, a 4.63 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP. Parrish should have no problem finding a new job because he’s left handed but he doesn’t have a ton of talent.