Despite generally modest expectations coming into the year, the Mariners have remained in playoff contention all season. Seattle enters play tonight with a 72-62 record, three and a half games back of the Red Sox for the American League’s final postseason spot (with the A’s also ahead of them). That’s in spite of a fairly youthful roster that many onlookers didn’t believe capable of sticking with the best teams in the AL over a 162-game campaign.
Regardless of whether the Mariners make it to the playoffs, the upcoming offseason will be pivotal. The franchise has reached the end of its recent retool, and expectations will certainly be higher entering 2022 than they were coming into 2021. It seems the time has come for the front office to more aggressively supplement the young core that has already cracked or will crack the majors in the near future.
“We will be more active in free agency than we have been in years past,” president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto confirmed to MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM this afternoon (Twitter link). Seattle’s front office leader pointed to the franchise’s ample long-term payroll space, as well as the club’s ability to target more specific areas of need now that they’ve had certain players emerge as internal building blocks.
The Mariners have almost no guaranteed money on the books for next season. Only Marco Gonzales ($5.75MM), Ken Giles ($5.25MM), Chris Flexen ($3.05MM) and Evan White ($1.4MM) are locked into the ledger at the moment. Seattle will have to decide on options for Yusei Kikuchi (whose complex contract situation MLBTR’s Steve Adams explored in July) and Kyle Seager, and players like Mitch Haniger, J.P. Crawford and Diego Castillo will be due raises via arbitration.
Even in the event they bring back both Kikuchi and Seager and their arbitration class lands solid raises, the Mariners are likely looking at commitments in the $60-65MM range upon turning their considerations to external upgrades. Before their recent rebuild, the M’s ran player payrolls at and above $150MM, in the estimation of Cot’s Baseball Contracts. Assuming ownership is willing to greenlight spending at a similar level moving forward, there should be plenty of room for the front office to make multiple notable additions.
Dipoto unsurprisingly didn’t tip his hand as to where the front office might look to upgrade, but bolstering the lineup figures to be a priority. Despite their team-wide success, Mariners’ hitters rank just 25th out of the league’s 30 clubs in park-adjusted offense (excluding pitchers). Seattle position players have a .222/.299/.380 line, with particularly weak production from each of catcher, second base, left field and center field.
That’s not to say all of those positions will be target areas. Jarred Kelenic and Cal Raleigh have started their big league careers slowly but are both highly-regarded prospects who should continue to get opportunities in left field and at catcher, respectively. Julio Rodríguez is tearing the cover off the ball in Double-A and doesn’t seem far away from getting his first call. When healthy, Kyle Lewis is a good center fielder. And trade deadline acquisition Abraham Toro could be a long-term answer at second base, particularly if Seattle brings back Seager at Toro’s more familiar third base spot.
There are internal options around the diamond, but at least one acquisition on the position player side seems likely. Adding a first baseman could push Ty France back to second. Signing a quality multi-positional player (old friend Chris Taylor is slated to hit free agency, as one example) could give manager Scott Servais added cover all around the diamond. Adding a corner outfielder like Kyle Schwarber could help solidify left while offering the flexibility to move to DH if Kelenic and/or Rodríguez seizes an everyday job in the grass.
The upcoming free agent class features plenty of high-end starting pitchers too, many of whom are young enough to project as solid contributors over the next few seasons. Kevin Gausman, Robbie Ray, Marcus Stroman, Eduardo Rodríguez and Max Scherzer should be near the top of the market, with Anthony DeSclafani, Noah Syndergaard, Justin Verlander and Alex Wood among the other options.
Starting pitching isn’t necessarily a need for Seattle, particularly if they bring back Kikuchi. Gonzales, Flexen, Logan Gilbert, Justus Sheffield and Justin Dunn all remain under team control, and prospects George Kirby and Emerson Hancock are moving closer to the big leagues. There’s always room for extra starting pitching depth, and the M’s could have the resources to add a middle or top of the rotation type in free agency and improve that group’s overall floor.
The Mariners’ combination of payroll space and flexibility to pursue upgrades at various spots on the roster has the potential to make for Seattle’s most exciting offseason in recent memory. Dipoto, who signed a multi-year extension and earned a promotion from GM to president yesterday, is in position to add to the core the organization has assembled in hopes of building the M’s first perennial contender in two decades.
WtfMate
DiPoto will certainly be busy.
Sheep8
Oh, don’t forget how busy he will be making more trades too!
Cosmo2
Spending a ton on big names would be a mistake but overall Seattle is primed to be very good, if not next year then for many years afterwards.
justacubsfan
They won’t sign any big contracts. Book it
Cosmo2
They shouldn’t.
bradthebluefish
They shouldn’t and they don’t need to. Plenty of great talent can be added at reasonable short/mid length contracts.
trussell
A player who can cover multiple positions could be a good move as long as they are good offensively. Bryant comes to mind. Toro at 3rd which is his natural position and Semien at 2nd. Back up catcher.
2id
Cubs will be irrelevant for at least a decade. Book it.
Dock_Elvis
Pizza Hut. Book It Program
Texas Outlaw
I’m not sure they should splurge on a couple bigtime stars. I think they should spread the wealth around and get several mid market upgrades.
Cosmo2
Yup. This.
PipptyPoppitygivemetheZoppity
I think they are gonna go after a top of the rotation guy. I think Gausman would pitch well at Safeco. Maybe Syndergard on a reclamation deal? As for offense they should eye JD Martinez if/when he opts out
BuddyBoy
Gausman is this years Patrick Corbin. Getting way overpaid on the open market as a FA
bravesiowafan
Facts
trussell
Gausman has been great but suspect you are correct re the overpay
Stevil
“Starting pitching isn’t necessarily a need for Seattle….”
It’s arguably one of their biggest needs. Dunn and Sheffield have been inconsistent and may be in Tacoma, rather than the bullpen next season. If Seattle’s serious about contention, they cannot lean on those two (willingly).
Kikuchi’s 4/66 is far from a lock, and Anderson is due to hit free agency.
Bringing back Anderson seems more likely than exercising Kikuchi’s option, and if they move on from Kikuchi, getting a true TOR starter would likely be a focus.
zoinksscoob
They wouldn’t completely move on from Kikuchi if they turned down the 4/66 team option; Kikuchi has a one-year, $13 MM player option if the bigger option is declined. And then, he would still be arb-eligible after the contract, so unless they non-tendered him, he would still be there. But one way or another, Kikuchi will be in the rotation for Seattle in 2022 (barring a trade.)
Stevil
That’s not how it works.. First, he would decline the player option. Seattle could hit him with the QO, but that doesn’t guarantee anything, either, and it seems unlikely. Declining the team option would suggest they intend to upgrade his spot in the rotation.
Arbitration isn’t in play here.
A-A-Ron
There’s reason to actually believe the annual “next year is the year” line this time. I like adding exactly 1 vet SP to teach the kids something. Verlander or outside shot of Scherzer or Stroman would work. Swing for Semien to play 2B with Toro at 3B France at 1B. Other qualtiy options there like Lowe and Taylor if Marcus is too much $. Bring Julio up in late April and lets do this. Dont forget about Ken Giles and hopefully Sheffield and Andres Munoz to an already deep pen. Go Ms
compassrose
Not sure why people think France will be at first. White is a GG 1st bm and will be there next year. Why get Taylor when we have France who can play about anywhere in the infield and corners in OF?
I am lost with Kikuchi he goes on a streak that picking up his option is a no brainer then reverts back. I say they pick up a front line Pitcher but on a short deal. One of the 3 kids could be the ace in a few years. Gilbert has shown possibility but a proven ace would be good for them.
I still like Seager back for one year can rotate with France at third. I also think France might be the DH but could see them signing a guy like Cruz that is DH only. There are so many ways they can go the winter meetings should be fun. I also don’t see a ton of trades Seattle has so many pieces coming up will be fun to see how JD and SS work them in.
BPG86
France will be at first because he can hit and has arguably been the best overall 1B in Baseball since White went down. White has a lot to prove between needing to learn how to hit and full recovery from a late season hip surgery.
Cosmo2
White is horrible. Could throw a stone and accidentally hit a better player.
compassrose
Yeah that Gold Glove he got last year proves your point. Why not use France at a position of need and not one of strength. They could give White ST and a couple months to see if he can hit if not send him to AAA to work on it. If he is bad in ST move France to first and White starts in Tacoma. White is the long term plan at 1st.
trussell
White needs to spend time in AAA and he was rushed to the majors. If he can find his swing and confidence then we have a good problem
trussell
I like Stroman over Verlander or Scherzer. I think France has played much better at 1st.
NativeAmerican
I admire the job Dipoto has done in Seattle. In Anaheim he was limited by ownership and an old school manager. I hope he continues to kick it and prove his LAA detractors wrong.
Dock_Elvis
It’s taken him long enough. He’s had a long leash.
DarkSide830
if they think they are ready, I see no reason not to go for a big splash, if just to show they are ready to go for it to the rest of the league.
Littleman20
I think someone like Kyle Schwarber would be a good option pitching wise maybe someone like Kevin Gausman and or Eduardo Rodríguez could be good options Chris Taylor definitely would be the ultimate utility guy but I honestly think when you look at the Mariners Kyle Lewis this upcoming season could be a very important one he is ultra Talented but if he can’t stay on the field he is no help so if he gets hurt again next year they really need to look at finding another option at centerfield
DarkSide830
2022 will be an important year to show if Lewis can be healthy enough to be a foundational piece for the team. those injures continue to haunt him, and even if his skills arent sapped by the injuries, he may be better used as a trade piece if you worry too much about the availability.
Stevil
They absolutely need someone who can handle center at least semi-regularly. They really have no choice but to be cautious with Lewis. It’s easy to see him play more in a corner and DH occasionally than play center full-time.
Kelenic might eventually cut it, but he’ll have to hit to excuse his defensive shortcomings. If they’re looking at free agency to address that need, Starling Marte would make a ton of sense. Chris Taylor does as well, but he’ll get the QO and doesn’t offer the same kind of defense in center.
Cosmo2
Gonna be a lot of suitors for Marte. Not many good CFrs out there these days. Mets are desperate for one too.
Stevil
Yeah, but most of the teams looking for CF help either have bloated payrolls or limited budgets.
MarinerJunky
Gausman, Marte and Semien and then move Mitch at the deadline if Julio is ready. This allows the Ms to play Kyle Lewis at LF and DH and keep his bat in the lineup.
steven st croix
They have a -56 run diff
Orel Saxhiser
…and are 28-16 in one-run games and 12-5 in extra innings.
BPG86
Because they lost REALLY big in 5 games. -15ish against the Padres in one series and -25 or so against the Astros a week and a half ago. I did the math after that Houston series; and aside from those 5 games and the 1 – 6 season series against Detroit, the Mariners actually had a +4 differential.
passed_balls
Cool story bro
ayrbhoy
A +4 R Diff despite playing w/0 the reigning ALROY, Kyle Lewis who is an important bat in their lineup. The team is clutch with hitting in RISP- 4th or 5th in MLB last I checked, however the C spot, LF and CF spots have given them little to no offense at all. Yet despite these offensive shortcomings they’ve been competitive in nearly every single game they’ve played this year.
It’s not difficult to see the R Diff improving dramatically next year. A healthier lineup, improvement from a couple younger players and 2-3 significant FA pickups should easily flip that R Diff
trussell
Run differential: when we get blown out we are blown out! Check our record. Run differential isn’t as important as some thinks it is.
Omarj
Chris Taylor would be a good get for these guys. CJ Cron at 1B, Nick Castellanos in the OF, trade for Byron Buxton or Cedric Mullins for CF. Add an older pitcher like Greinke, Verlander, or Scherzer. This team has a ton of options to make some calculated moves. This off-season will tell me a lot about Seattle as FA destination and obviously Dipoto.
Cosmo2
Chris Taylor would be a good get for a lot of teams
bucsfan0004
Yeah, especially to the team that has all the money and won’t be resigning their SS. Theyre not losing two key pieces, especially one as versatile as Taylor
tstats
I have a feeling he stays in LA
Littleman20
Cedric Mullins is not going to get traded he is one of the building blocks for that oriole team
BPG86
No reason whatsoever to go after a 1B; France has been the best in the league since sliding in once Evan White hit the IL.
They also don’t need to sign or trade for 2 OFs unless Haniger gets traded or Lewis is moved to permanent DH. Outfield depth is solid with Trammell and Fraley behind Haniger, Kelenic and Lewis. It just depends on if Jerry has the trust in them as they continue to develop
Taylor and Semien would be good gets, Probably much more likely than Bryant/Correa/Seager/Story ever would be. I’d love them to get an Ace and then re-sign Paxton, move Kikuchi, and have a rotation of the Ace, Gonzales, Flexen, Paxton and Gilbert with Dunn and Sheffield as the top depth pieces in front of Kirby and Hancock
And they need to move on from Murphy. His glove has been a liability lately and his bat disappeared for the first half of the season.
TL;DR? Sign a plus Middle Infielder, a multi position player with a good bat, a DH/corner OF rotation then get two starters, one great, one above average.
That’s my wishlist. Anything that exceeds that in quality is a huge bonus in my eyes.
Stevil
Highly unlikely Seattle signs more than one free agent that would cost them a draft pick.
I would have a problem with it myself, I just don’t expect it.
Stevil
*wouldn’t
SodoMojo90
It’s not unlikely at all. This isn’t the time to start worrying about losing a first round draft pick. It’s time to start signing free agents that can help and start contending…
Bil522
So you want to count on Paxton yet again? How many times does he have to prove that he is no longer capable of playing a full season?
BPG86
Paxton doesn’t need to play a full season. He needs to be a bridge to Kirby or Hancock with some help from Sheffield and Dunn.
SLL
Or a full month? Or how about a full five innings? I don’t think they’d sign Paxton again. (Taijuan Walker was the one I was hoping for last offseason.)
Stevil
Ty France is their first baseman.
Slothcliff Hokum
France is definitely the first baseman. I’d do that trade with the Padres over and over.
Getting France was a great move, Torrens and Trammell are still young, and Torrens appears to have good potential as a hitter. And if Munoz comes back healthy? Wow!
compassrose
Totally disagree White will be at first France will be the SU guy instead of overpaying for Taylor. Or if they don’t pick up Kyle Toro/France 2nd/3rd. I am not seeing a reason to go outside when we have the pieces here. I think a #1 and a DH if France is at a pos and a couple BP pieces. Then fill in a couple spots.
Cosmo2
Wait… Evan White? He’s done nothing to secure a roster spot let alone a starting job. Can’t hit.
compassrose
So is D just forgotten and hitting the only stat we use to rank players? Are runs saved forgotten in the time SABR? The GG says White has earned a spot or a fair chance to prove he can hit. France could be used in a place of a true need. White has earned the ability to prove he belongs there with his bat not just his glove.
Cosmo2
He plays the least important defensive position. His career OPS+ is 52. 52!!! Let that sink in. He’s a NEGATIVE career WAR player. At that point, yes, you disregard a somewhat arbitrary award given for half a season. You wanna take an award over every other stat? For a first baseman no less? Good luck fielding a negative WAR, below replacement level player; who will be the worst hitting first baseman perhaps in history. Where is your logic coming from?
GreenReign
He’s played ONE season. You ready to give up on a player after less than 100 games? By that logic Kelenic should be DFA’d immediately.
Cosmo2
Not saying give up. I’m saying don’t hand him a starting job. And the Kelenic comparison falls flat. White is several years older and his minor league stats aren’t that good. But by all means, bring him to spring training, stash him at AAA. But do not hand him a starting job. I never said to give up on him.
GreenReign
I’ll be happy if he can just provide JT Snow level offensive production while playing GG defense.
letsplaytwo
I love Buxton but he can’t stay on the field. No way you trade for him.
Noel1982
Don’t think they will have a chance at the very top like Bryant seager correa, mad max but are In play for anyone after that like story seimen ray gausman etc. maybe two of those guys even !
BPG86
If they have $90M to spend, they’re in an anyone they want to be in on. But just one guy at max price, everything else would have to be 2nd teir signings.
C.K.Rebel
Sign Corey Seager, pickup the option on his brother. Move Crawford to 2B.
Toro backs up the IF for one more year.
ksmurray
They are not moving an elite defensive SS to 2B.
Gk_holiday
100% Jerry himself has said they ain’t moving Craw-daddy from SS.
Stevil
Crawford’s value is in his defense. Move him to 2B and you lose that.
BPG86
Why not just move C. Seager to 2B or K. Seager to DH? Crawford’s glove is obviously superior and he’s in the running for another Gold Glove this year as far as I’m aware.
SLL
Cory Seager spends a lot of time on the IL. Also, he wants to play shortstop. I don’t think he’d sign for a team that wanted to move him to 2B, as he’s always resisted the idea of moving to third, and he never even played second in the minors. Moving to second is a tough move, too.
Kyle Seager has been better than most of his teammates over his career, but he isn’t good enough to be DH on a really good team. He’s OK for a position player because he makes a defensive contribution, but if you’re dedicating a spot to a hitting expert, I’d like to see a hitting expert there. Kyle’s OPS is .736; career .765. He has gotten over .800 only once (2016).
Nelson Cruz is .841 and .874. Three of his four years with the Mariners it was over .900. Justin Turner has been over .800 in all 8 of his seasons with the Dodgers. Chris Taylor has been over .800 in three of his five seasons with the Dodgers. Max Muncy, career .865. (Sorry so many Dodgers. It’s the other team I know well.)
Of the DH’s in the American League with at least 300 at bats, 7 out of 8 have an OPS of over .800. Two are over .900. The Rays, Yankees, Red Sox, Astros – the really good teams – have that kind of DH.
I want the Mariners to be a really good team, not just an OK one.
trussell
Don’t think we should resign Seager. France 1b, Semien 2B, JP ss, move Toro to 3rd. Add a utility player. Let Cal stay at C with a decent backup. Can’t give up on Kelenic in the OF just yet. Keep Mitch in RF until Julio etc come up. I would not keep Fraley. Lewis will come back as OF/DH.
angt222
Stroman and Semien
rickoppelt
Not a chance on semien
Stevil
Clubhouse leader, GG SS who’s playing 2B and could probably handle 3B just as easily…
Semien is definitely in the conversation.
Kyle T
James Paxton hopefully resigns and can give us quality games…another pitcher definetely would hurt someone that can be considered front of rotation is a definite need in my opinion..also I hope they pick up Seagars option and then a utility guy that has a good bat is really what we need for offense…Just 2 players then relievers but I feel we are really a player or 2 away.
whosehighpitch
Trade for Rhys Hoskins and at this point Aaron Nola too
Ronk325
Why would the Phillies trade either of those guys?
bigdaddyhacks
Arguably one of the best setup teams in the league right now. 1-2 farm, no contracts, trending upward. France should stay at 1b he’s played nearly gold glove defense there. Merryfield at 2b. Jp is the best SS in baseball (yes he is) bring back seags. Sign scherzer, stroma and bring back Nelson Cruz at DH. With as loaded as they are in the minors that team would be hard to stop.
Randy_Watson
JP Crawford, the best SS in baseball?! LMAO!!! Anyways, they’re not signing all those guys & trading for Merrifield. Lol one can dream though.
BPG86
Best defensive SS isn’t a stretch in any way.
And with the possibility of $90M or more to spend and possibly trading Haniger and Kikuchi to save even more? They can be in on whoever they want. Team has top level prospects, young guys like Lewis, France and Toro, and a bank vault full of cash.
SodoMojo90
You’re right, it’s not a stretch. Also he didn’t say the best defensive shortstop in baseball. He said THE best shortstop and baseball. Anyone with half a brain knows that’s bull.
TomahawkChop
Take a step back into reality
space1222
The argument that the Mariners shouldn’t spend is kind of meaningless because the amount of teams that have won despite not being supplemented by good players from outside the organization for millions of dollars is close to, if not zero. In general, paying good players money leads to wins (even if the money in general is spent poorly and without purpose),
Granted, they don’t have to blow it all on big guys, but if the idea is to find solid players to fill in at positions of need, that’s perfectly doable. And looking at the free agent market, imagining one of those signings being a talented player on a long-term deal (because Dipoto said himself that he’s going to be making far fewer trades this offseason than in the past) isn’t completely out of the realm of possibility.
Tony Carbone
Frontend starter.
Period.
If Dipoto does nothing else we need an Ace.
A tall righthanded power pitcher with Gonzales following.
Question,
Has there ever been a GM in the history of the game who has done nothing but has not only been rewarded with his 3rd contract in 6 years but also gotten a promotion?
Just wish that winning actually meant something in Seattle, it does with the Seahawks, its Superbowl or disgruntled fan.
We shall see what the Mariners do with the $100 million that’s available.
jim stem
@Tony
Sounds as if you expect them to really overpay for Syndergaard? If so, that mostly depends on whether or not the Mets of a QO to him.
SodoMojo90
Done nothing? You’re clearly out of your mind but I already knew that from reading any other comment you’ve ever made on here. Are you just a troll, or are you that dumb?
Slothcliff Hokum
I think they’re still 4-5 players away.
Let Kikuchi go, re-sign Tyler Anderson.
Spend a bunch of money on Max Scherzer and Chris Taylor. Use a rotation of Scherzer, Gonzalez, Flexen, Anderson and Gilbert. Get a good veteran catcher to pair with Raleigh. Let Seager go, and use an IF of Toro at 3B, Crawford at SS, Taylor at 2B and France at 1B. Or if they keep Seager, Taylor becomes the super UT guy. They have a decent bunch of outfielders already (Lewis, Haniger, Kelenic, Rodriguez, Fraley), but I think Mark Canha would be a good acquisition… could relieve some of the pressure on Rodriguez and Kelenic and/or allow Lewis to DH. The bullpen is pretty good, and it will be interesting to see how Giles and Munoz fit into next year’s mix. So…. Scherzer, Taylor, Canha, and another catcher ought to do it!
SodoMojo90
Id totally be down with re-signing Tyler Anderson. He’s been nothing but good so far
GreenReign
I’d be very weary of spending big on Scherzer. He’s old enough to have his own AARP card. He will fall off a cliff relatively soon. Perhaps he will be good for a season or so but after that, who knows.
Dadbodfromseattle
I love white at first. But my goodness France has been lights out offensively and defensivly at first. Keep white down in triple a key him earn his promotion
Release seager. Love the dude but he’s againg and isn’t worth 15mil.
Keep kukichi he has the takent and aresenal to be really good.
I saw we get shwarb and def a starting pitcher. Keep sheff in the pen. I reallllllllllllllly like Gilbert. A lot. He will suffer growing pains but he’s gonna be good.
And ugh kelonic. I hope he fixes this next year. Why is it Seattle cannot develop sure things. Ackley zunino smoak. Helllllo even Chris Taylor.
SodoMojo90
As long as White hits like he has, I don’t love him anywhere but the bench. Elite defense at first base is not enough to keep anybody on the field when you can’t hit your way out of a wet paper bag. It’s not SS or CF.
rickoppelt
Not liking the names available in the free agent market. We’re finally ready to spend with nobody great to spend it on. I say wait another year ugh
BPG86
You’re kidding, right?
C. Seager, Correa, Story, Semien, Schwarber, D.J. Martinez (possibly), Castellanos (possibly), Chris Taylor, and Cruz; and and that’s just some of the bats.
Mini Mogul
Um, so few here are acknowledging Trader Jerry will probably make several trades as well as signings!
We can sign Bryant or Semien (who I want badly), it could easily happen. I don’t see them trading for Hoskins but the guy who mentioned Nola is at least thinking outside of the box which is where Jerry lives!
If you think this team in 2022 has all of Toro, France (a personal fav), Lewis, Trammel, Kelenic (yes he could be traded though probably not) White, Sheffield, Dunn, Fraley, Kirby, Hancock…you’re not paying attention. You can’t keep all those guys, there’s no place for them all while also actually making a legit push.
If you think Julio is an important piece of getting the M’s in the playoffs in 2022, I’d ask how well Kelenic is helping us get there this year (it’s not a reasonable expectation at all even if Wander Franco can do it).
Don’t fall in love with all the prospects, they are pawns and most don’t turn out the way you think, want or hope.
I think the fun part is we have NO IDEA what Jerry can and will do.
Trade Sheffield, Kirby, and Lewis (or whatever else it takes) for an Ace (so you aren’t over paying in salary for dead years at the end of a contract like an idiot on Scherzer). Someone like Nola that no one is talking about (like Nola, not necessarily Nola), sign Semien and Bryant OR Castellanos….that would be three big chips and would be reasonably easy to accomplish and still have cash left over for your Syndergaard reclamation or whatever.
Think bigger and think wider in possibilities, Jerry is!
Noel1982
Bryant would stay with giants if the Mets or Phillies don’t crazily overpay him
jim stem
@noel. Mets are really quite deep at 3b in their system, but given that only Nimmo is a lock for a starting outfield job next year,?(Conforto FA with Smith moving to 1B and Pete to DH), I could see them signing Bryant for RF moving Nimmo to LF and going hard after a true CF. Khalil Lee is lighting up the OBP in CF at Syracuse, by the way. He was over .440 before last nights game with over 50 walks.
As far as 3b goes:
Davis, Thompson, Vientos, Baty and maybe even Mauricio could be at 3B if he shifts away from SS. I could see Villar resigning for 2 years with the Mets. Add McNeil into the 3b mix next year as well.
But signing Bryant pretty much makes them ALL expendable and solid trade chips.
Noel1982
Then I think giants can an will sign Bryant back he likes it there only reason I thought they might not sign him is if Mets or Phillies went absurd ! Phillies still might since Harper is like his BFF ! But giants can and will keep him over Mariners most likely
Tridenthope
Seattle needs an ACE and in free agency mad max is a legitimate heavy push if one isn’t available in trade. Look at his track record. Noah was a flash in the pan, was goid but pitching every 5 days isn’t something he hasn’t had a huge track record for. Let seager go, 15m is way too much and $$ can be used for simeon which is a great defender with a good bat. Another bat via trade if available and get more pitching! Pitching depth is always key for contending teams, if you think have enough get more. If extra bat isn’t available via trade cahna is a good look. But teams like Pittsburgh would be a team jerry might look at to find a cfer……we have pieces to move for impact bats from teams hovering in the rebuild stages.
Tridenthope
Plus max scherzer wouldn’t be demanding a long contract which is perfect for M’s up and coming SP’s. Noah or max….max feels like a better bet making 30 starts. Simeon is a great defender which seattle wants and fits the bill! Those 2 should be Seattle’s top choices if throwing $$ at anyone. See what it’ll take to get Reynolds from Pittsburgh and fill roster with mild spending after
SodoMojo90
I don’t think you can make any prediction of what Max Scherzer will want on the FA market. The dudes unbelievably unpredictable. He didn’t earn the nickname mad max because it sounds good lol He seems like the kind of guy that might ask for a four or five year contract and refuse to take anything less until the season starts when he realizes he’s not going to get it. Looking at his track record though, someone’s going to cough up a four year contract
rocky7
Between the Mariners and Padres who are rumored to be “in” on every free agent, and are constantly rumored to be ‘aggressive” in the offseason going after free agents…this story line is tiring already……the same Jerry DiPoto who couldn’t “ride a pony” in Anaheim but he gets it now in Seattle!…..and that Rock Star Preller who has driven up the Padres payroll to the sky with no titles to show for it…..same old story!
Good luck Padres and Mariners fans…..
Mini Mogul
rocky7, what are you talking about? Jerry has assembled the top farm in baseball and taken a crap franchise and put it in a position to be a legit contender not to mention he has a team that is contending for a wild card currently (but will fall short) with a very Billy Beane type club AND next year they can spend money that would give Beane a wet dream! DiPoto has done exactly what he was brought here to do! Enjoy the ride Mariner’s fans…
jim stem
Good for Mariners’ fans. Their gm takes a lot of heat fit his wheeling and dealing, but being 10 games over .500 in September is quite the accomplishment.
wgibson648
You do not mention the bullpen. Any chance that the Mariners will try to lure Kendall Graveman back as their closer? He has only a one-year contract and is a free agent at the end of the season.
IjustloveBaseball
Bullpen will, or at least should be a focus this offseason for the M’s. They’ve had a number of guys break out and/or perform well beyond their career averages this year. Definitely iffy to bank on that heading into next year, so it’d be wise to supplement the pen in the event some of their arms regress.
GreenReign
With Giles, and Muñoz returning next year, along with Sewald, Castillo, Swanson, and Steckenrider, along with prospects such as Arias, Mills, Fletcher, not to mention Dunn and Sheffield, BP is not as big of a concerns next year as people think. I’d actually put our projected BP next year before adding any outside names to it up against any BP in the league.
IjustloveBaseball
Good point about Giles and Muñoz — while they’re far from guarantees coming off TJ surgery, they will be intriguing arms heading into next year.
Sewald, Swanson, and Steck however, are all having “career years” this season, with their track records painting rather murky pictures. That’s not at all to say each of those pitchers are bound to bust, but it does provide enough reason to add some sort of insurance around them.
SodoMojo90
Sadler has even been decent for the most part. Really hope Yohan can find his control. His arm is electric
GreenReign
I’d love to sign Carlos Correa, insert him at SS, move Crawford to 2B, and Toro to 3B. If we pock up Seager’s option we could even use Crawford as trade bait. So many options.
Rsox
The Mariners have money to spend but nowhere to really spend it. They could certainly get in on the SS market if they think they can move Crawford for prospects. First Base but they have Evan White and Jake Bauers. Ty France could play 1B if they sign a DH. France could play 2B with Toro moving to 3B if they decline Seager’s option. The Outfield seems set with Haniger, Lewis, Kelenic, Fraley, Trammell, and Rodriguez.
A rotation upgrade and a bullpen arm or two is probably where they spend
IjustloveBaseball
In terms of a bat, it seems the Mariners’ best route would be to sign a guy to handle the primary DH role. Castellanos, Martinez, and Cruz are intriguing options — Nick C. being the most attractive of the bunch given he’s more playable in the field than the others.
Conforto could also be a nice buy-low opportunity — he’d give Seattle a player who could rotate between the corners and DH.
I do think a lot depends on the health of Lewis, however. He seems to be someone who warrants a share of DH duties in order to keep him healthy, which also begs the question as to whether or not he’s viewed as a viable option in CF moving forward.
DP@14
I don’t know why people are scared or making fun of Dipoto. You have to look at the complete mess that he took over. From getting out of large bad contracts, taking our farm system from one of the worst in the league to the second best, and getting young quality players for each position. We still need a few more pieces but he has turned this organization around. I was very nervous and scared as well for the first couple seasons but now I am excited for rest of this year and next.
You are wrong
Kyle Seager is arb eligible?
DP@14
I think Kyle is a free agent at the end of the year.
Mini Mogul
Kyle Seager is not arb eligible lol. He’s also not a free agent. He has a 1 year team option for $15 mil. So the Mariners could pick up that option (which I’ve heard debated wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to do, however I don’t like it because I think Toro will be the guy there), or the Mariners could decline it and then he’s a free agent.
DP@14
That’s right, thank you for breaking that down. I agree with you on what they should do. Plus the have great players in the farm system.
SodoMojo90
He’s been so timely and clutch this year that it seems more and more like a possibility that they could pick it up. I do agree with you though that we should just let him go and give the job to Toro.
DP@14
I 100% agree with you SodoMojo90
1 idea is to keep him and put him at DH or rotate him with Toro so they both get field time.
I think that really depends on if we sign a big bat in a free agent along also what we do with the outfield when Lewis returns.
I think it will be a exciting and stressful offseason as a fan. I’m really hopeful and excited to see what comes next.
Just pisses me off reading comments people make about the team and Dipoto. They have to realize where the team was and our farm system when he took over.
SodoMojo90
Lots of trolls and people see what the Mariners have done for the last 20 years and that has painted a narrative that might take a while to come off. It’s an exciting time to be a Mariners fan regardless of what anyone wants to say