According to FoxSports.com, major-league sources said that the Seattle Mariners are exploring a trade with the San Diego Padres for power hitting first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.  However, some in the industry do not believe the 1st year GM Jed Hoyer will want this to be his first move as general manager.

Gonzalez ripped 40 home runs in 2009 at pitcher’s friendly Petco Park in San Diego.  He could do as much damage at pitcher friendly Safeco Field.  He’s signed through 2011 and he’ll be making $4.75 million in 2010 and $5.5 million in 2011.  He’s a steal at those numbers, and you can read his contract info here.  Gonzalez could easily be making $18-20 million per season, so given his current contract value the Mariners will have to give up big name prospects such as Dustin Ackley, Alex Liddi, Tyson Gillies or Michael Saunders in order to trigger a trade with the Padres.