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News out of Seattle today is that Mariners GM Bill Bavasi has been fired.  Manager John MacLaren can’t be that far behind him.  What this means to fantasy owners (aside from the M’s fans among us having a good reason to crack a beer and celebrate) is that it should mean the beginning of a youth movement in Seattle, now that Bavasi isn’t throwing every young player under the bus in an attempt to save his job.

Assuming the M’s ownership brings in a GM who is ready to build for the future (something the team hasn’t been willing to consider in the last ten years) this could mean a few interesting developments for fantasy owners:

• Jeff Clement should see time in the majors, immediately. He’s killing AAA, and could be a big surprise in the second half for fantasy owners with his Catcher eligibility. Look for him to DH primarily and get a couple starts a week behind the plate.
  Big Loser: Jose Vidro

• It’s a little up in the air what will happen until JJ Putz gets back, but Brandon Morrow is easily more valuable to the M’s as a starter than a reliever. I would expect him to get sent down to AAA to get stretched out, and then be back up in the second half to join the rotation.
  Big Winners: The M’s have liked Mark Lowe in the closer spot before, and Ryan Rowland-Smith has to be an option as well. If Morrow closes until Putz returns, look for one of these guys to take up the reigns as Putz’ backup until draft pick Josh Fields is ready.
• It wouldn’t be a surprise if Jarrod Washburn were to lose his job, whether that means a move to the bullpen or an outright release.  The M’s don’t have a lot of major-league-ready starting pitching talent in the organization (which makes giving away Cha-Seung Baekfor nothing and keeping Morrow in the ‘pen even more indefensible) but trying just about any young arm in the rotation would be better for the team in the long-run, and might even net better short-term gains than sending Washburn out there every five games.
  Big Winner:  Ryan Feierabend?

• With the team’s focus undoubtedly changing, underperforming soon-to-be free agent Richie Sexson could find himself benched or even released.  The smart move would be to move Raul Ibanez to first base full time (as his awful defense negates any offensive contributions he makes), which would open up left field for a full-time player.
  Big Winners:  Jeremy Reed (your full-time left fielder), Wlad Balentien (Right Field).  Balentien has bigger offensive upside than any young player the Mariners have in the upper minors, aside from Clement.  Giving him the rest of this season to adjust to the majors could pay huge dividends.  He’s somebody to target for ‘09 in deep keeper leagues if this happens.