SEATTLE, WA -- As the trade deadline approaches, the Mariners have some tough decisions to make. Who should they trade and who should they keep? Let's take a look at our options.

Randy Winn: TRADE

The Mariners should trade Randy Winn. There are quite a few teams out there that are looking for a solid Center Fielder with speed and the ability to get on base often. The Yankees have been discussed as one location for Randy, but trade talks have cooled down lately between the M's and the Yankees. The Yankees are probably looking for a power hitting Center Fielder, but that doesn't mean they aren't still interested. Some speed could be useful in front of A-Rod, Gary Sheffield, and the rest of the Bronx Bombers. The M's don't have any room for Randy anymore because Snelling is ready, and our main need is pitching. If we can get a few pitching prospects that will be ready this year or next year, we did well.

Eddie Guardado: TRADE/KEEP

Eddie believes that next year, the Mariners should be a very good team. He has made it clear that he probably isn't going to want to leave in the off-season. The main thing is, the M's are likely to be a much better club in 2006 and 2007, and we'll need a good closer like him. I'd only trade him if (1) we get a good offer for him, like a couple of minor league SP prospects, or (2) Rafael Soriano proves that he is ready to take on the closing roll. Either him or J.J. Putz. Again, the offer would have to be mighty good.

Joel Pineiro: TRADE

I don't think Joel is ever going to be the way he used to be, but if some other team does, trade 'em. There really isn't much to say about it. I don't think anyone would actually make an offer on him anyway, but who knows? Maybe I'm crazy. It's totally possible, I just don't think it's going to happen.

Gil Meche: KEEP

Gil Meche got off to a very slow start, but heated up very quickly after 2 months. He's on pace for 20 wins this season, and has been the Mariners best pitcher down the stretch. Gil has a lot of "stuff" and a lot of potential. He's only in his 20's, and if there is anyone I want pitching on the Mariners staff, it's Gil (Felix Hernandez doesn't count).

Jamie Moyer: KEEP

Jamie is another guy I like on the staff. He's doing very well this season, and has made it clear that he wants to pitch next season. If we can get this Jamie Moyer for the rest of this year and next year, I don't see any reason to trade him. He's also a guy that the young pitchers can learn a lot from, and is a valuable presence in the clubhouse. Even if we did trade him, we wouldn't get a great prospect or player for him, so there's no point in trading him for nothing.

Raul Ibanez: KEEP

Going into the 2004 season, I didn't honestly think he would do well, but this year he is doing tremendous. He can hit for power, and is right behind Richie Sexson in most categories. Raul has been one of the stars of the team this year, and I don't think people have given him credit for that. Hey, if push came to shove, he can play Outfield too.

Aaron Sele: TRADE

Sele has had bright spots in the season, but I don't think Aaron will translate this to later success. Again, I don't think anyone will propose a trade for Aaron.

Ryan Franklin: TRADE

Ryan just isn't a good starter. He's OK coming out of the bullpen, but starting, no. Run support is not the only problem. He gives up runs too. I'm not sold on his couple of great performances. Unfortunately, he has no trade value at all, so we aren't going to get rid of him.

Ron Villone: TRADE

RV is great in the bullpen this season and could seriously help a contending team such as the Rangers, Red Sox, or Yankees. His value is high right now, and we may be able to get a good young guy out of whoever we trade him to. It's a possibility that the Mariners might package him up with someone like Randy Winn or Jeff Nelson also. Trading him isn't something that we are necessarily trying to do, or something that we have to do, but something that, if the right deal comes along, we could do. He's Hargrove's Go-To-Guy this year, and he's having a great year. On the other hand, Mateo, Sherrill, and Nageotte are ready. We have a lot of breathing space to trade.

Jeff Nelson: TRADE

You can't expect Nelly to do well for much longer being that he throws hard, and usually pitchers like him lose it around his age. The Yankees need temporary bullpen help and there is a possibility of a package of Winn and Nelly or Winn and RV.

Julio Mateo: KEEP

Mateo is one of my favorite Mariners. He isn't a strikeout pitcher, but he gets it done. I wish Mike Hargrove would pitch him more. He's young, and he is an extremely solid pitcher. If he got even a little bit more playing time, we could see what he can really do. He can go long relief, and heck, if we ever ran out of starters, he could start.