The Mariners have outrighted infielder Zach Vincej to Triple-A, per a club announcement. He had only recently been claimed off waivers from the Reds.
Clearly, Seattle hoped all along to grab and stash the 26-year-old infielder. He has seen brief action at the game’s highest level and could be a depth option in 2018. Perhaps the M’s also like his chances to build upon his first run at Triple-A, when he posted a .270/.325/.370 slash.
After moving Marte, Taylor, and Jackson (Drew), and losing Smith off waivers, the Mariners needed AAA depth desperately. Romine, Motter, and Vincej help with that, but they’ll still need a more formidable utility infielder for the active roster–preferably one that can hit as well as defend.
Hopefully motter can be that guy. Totally raked in April
I think they’re looking to move on from Motter. They’ll keep him in AAA as an emergency fallback option.
A “UT” that can hit and field? I believe that’s called a starting player. Utility/ backup infielders are usually so explicitly because they can’t do both.
I think M’s need to move D Vogelbach and try and pick up the best talent you can for him. He’s not comfortable at hitting ML level. Trade him to a rebuilding team and get what you can…including cash…go after Santana or Hosmer…you have a couple of other 1 baggers that are looking good coming through the farm system
I don’t see them going after Hosmer or Santana, as either player would cost them a pick. Santana may need to DH in a couple of years, which would complicate things with Cano phasing out of the field and White climbing the ladder.
I’d prefer to see them take a chance with a younger player, such as Christian Walker. Most of the free agents apart from Hosmer and Santana will likely land with non-contending teams and would likely be available once again–cheap–at the deadline. That would be a decent fallback plan.
Regarding Vogelbach, I’ve wondered if the A’s might bite. But they may prefer to move Davis to DH. I don’t know who else would be interested. Maybe the Rays if they’re desperate to cut salary and move Dickerson.