The Mariners started their offseason with a bang, quickly striking a deal to acquire slugger Teoscar Hernandez from the Blue Jays in exchange for quietly excellent setup man Erik Swanson and pitching prospect Adam Macko. Seattle’s activity on the trade market continued when they landed Kolten Wong as their new starting second baseman in a cash-neutral swap that sent Jesse Winker and Abraham Toro to Milwaukee.
It’s been quiet otherwise, however. Seattle signed righty reliever Trevor Gott to a Major League deal, but that’s the lone guaranteed addition via the free-agent market. The lack of activity in free agency has proven a source of consternation for M’s fans that wanted to see more on the heels of last year’s drought-breaking playoff appearance. Seattle’s projected payroll — about $135MM, per Roster Resource — is a noted increase from 2022 but still not close to the franchise-record $158MM set back in 2018.
President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto has rightly pointed to the fact that the Mariners have indeed spent over the past calendar year and done so fairly aggressively. Julio Rodriguez inked an extension worth more than $200MM. Robbie Ray was signed to a five-year, $115MM deal on the heels of a Cy Young season. Deadline acquisition Luis Castillo signed a five-year, $108MM extension. Andres Munoz, arguably the second-best reliever in MLB last season, signed a bargain four-year extension. Shortstop J.P. Crawford inked a five-year, $51MM extension. The Mariners took on the remainder of Eugenio Suarez’s contract in order to acquire Winker from Cincinnati — though it was Suarez, not Winker, who wound up being the true difference-maker in that swap. That rash of spending notwithstanding, it’s understandable if Mariners fans feel a little disappointed at the lack of free-agent activity when payroll is more than $20MM shy of its high-water mark.
As Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times writes, the Mariners are still focused on adding to the roster, so it’s fair to withhold judgment for the time being. The primary focus, Divish reminds, is a right-handed bat — as laid out by Dipoto a month ago at the Winter Meetings. The goal of said addition, beyond merely strengthening the lineup from top to bottom, is to “take some of that pressure off” young outfielders like Jarred Kelenic and Taylor Trammell and to give the Mariners “the ability to rotate at designated hitter” — as Dipoto himself put it in early December.
Since Dipoto made those comments, a number of players who’d otherwise have met that criteria have signed or been traded elsewhere. That said, there are still plenty of options who could align with his stated goals. We can’t know precisely when, but it feels like a foregone conclusion that the M’s will add at least one more bat. As things stand, they’re set at first base (Ty France), second base (Wong), shortstop (Crawford), third base (Suarez), catcher (Cal Raleigh), center field (Rodriguez) and right field (Hernandez).
In left field and at designated hitter, candidates for playing time include Kelenic, Trammell, Dylan Moore, Sam Haggerty, Cooper Hummel and yet-to-debut outfield prospect Cade Marlowe. Perhaps there’s a productive arrangement that could be borne out of that collection, but it’s only logical that the Mariners are focused on further additions, given the manner in which Kelenic and Trammell have yet to live up to their considerable prospect hype.
Let’s look around the free-agent and trade markets for some potential fits.
Free Agents
Obviously, we could run through every possible right-handed-hitting bat in free agency and lay out why they are or aren’t a good fit. To narrow the focus a bit, however, it’s worth keying in on some likely desirable traits. Dipoto specifically mentioned helping to take the pressure off young left field options like Kelenic and Trammell, so some aptitude in the outfield is likely a must. The Mariners have also tended to prefer players with defensive versatility in recent seasons; Moore, Adam Frazier, Toro and Haggerty all come to mind. It’s true that at times they’ve been willing to plug in a more defensively limited player (e.g. Carlos Santana), but like so many modern front offices, the Mariners have gravitated toward positional flexibility and fluidity when possible.
- Trey Mancini, 1B/OF: Mancini’s market doesn’t appear to have gained much steam, which is perhaps to be expected on the heels of a down year that featured a particularly slow finish with the Astros. Still, Mancini has a lengthy track record as an above-average bat, and even in a pair of “down” years in 2021-22, he’s been a few percentage points better than average by measure of wRC+. Mancini’s 35-homer campaign in 2019 looks largely like an aberration that can be chalked up to the juiced ball, but he’s a clear 20- to 25-homer bat with a solid glove at first base. He’s miscast as an outfielder but could at least play there on occasion while also taking regular reps at DH and playing some first base when Ty France needs a breather. It’s also worth noting that France has experience at second and third base, so he could be moved around a bit if the M’s wanted to stack as many righty bats in a lineup as possible against a tough lefty. The Mariners have preferred to use the DH as more of a carousel position in recent years, and Mancini would gum that up a bit, but he’d also give them a clearly above-average hitter who’s been just as effective against righties as lefties throughout his big league career.
- Brian Anderson, 3B/OF: Suarez is locked into third base, but Anderson has ample experience in the outfield corners and could provide a platoon partner for Kelenic, a decent option at designated hitter and a safety net at third base in the event of a Suarez injury. A trio of shoulder injuries have helped to tank Anderson’s production over the past couple seasons, leading to a non-tender by the Marlins. However, as MLBTR’s Darragh McDonald explored this week, Anderson was one of Miami’s best players from 2018-20 and quietly ranked among the league’s 50 or so best position players by measure of wins above replacement in that time. At his best, Anderson is an above-average hitter with gap power and a respectable glove at multiple positions. He’s a buy-low candidate, to be sure, but he’d give Seattle some versatility and a quality track record at the plate (at least, prior to his recent injury troubles).
If the Mariners opt for a more contact-oriented, defensively versatile approach, it’s easy enough to see how veteran infielder/outfielder Josh Harrison could fit. He wouldn’t be the “big” bat for which many fans (and likely many within the organization) are hoping, but he’s bounced back from an ugly 2018-19 showing with a .270/.332/.390 showing over the past three seasons. He rarely strikes out, has above-average speed and offers an option at second base, third base and in the outfield corners. If the preference is to go for a strict outfield platoon partner for Kelenic/Trammell, veterans like AJ Pollock and Andrew McCutchen are affordable buy-low options. Both had poor overall showings in 2022, but both have a long track record of punishing left-handed pitching. Nelson Cruz would win some nostalgia points with Mariners fans, but Cruz would have to wholly occupy the DH slot rather than give Seattle “the ability to rotate” at DH, as Dipoto suggested, so he seems an unlikely fit.
Trade Possibilities
As with the free agents, this won’t be an exhaustive list of every possible option. Rather, the focus will be on players known or rumored to be available and able to either complement or entirely supplant the Mariners’ young incumbents in left field.
- Bryan Reynolds, OF, Pirates: The most obvious name for any team seeking an impact outfielder, Reynolds is a switch-hitting, 27-year-old All-Star (28 later this month) who requested a trade after the Pirates’ ideas regarding an extension came a reported $50MM or so shy of what Reynolds and his camp sought. Reynolds has been in trade rumblings for years, given the Pirates’ status as a rebuilding club. At three years from free agency, he’s just now getting to the stage where teams tend to earnestly begin considering a deal. Pittsburgh GM Ben Cherington has stressed that the trade request won’t necessarily be honored, however. The asking price on Reynolds has been sky-high in recent years, and that’s said to be the case again this offseason. Seattle’s farm has been depleted by graduations of stars like Rodriguez and trades of talents such as Noelvi Marte and Edwin Arroyo (sent to Cincinnati in the Castillo swap). Between young big league talent and the team’s remaining top-end prospects, there’s still likely a path to a Reynolds deal that can be carved out, but Dipoto & Co. may not want to further deplete the farm to the levels necessary to pry Reynolds loose from Pittsburgh.
- Anthony Santander, OF, Orioles: A switch-hitting corner outfielder with two years of club control remaining, Santander’s name has been bandied about the rumor circuit for a couple seasons. He’s a better hitter from the right side, evidenced both by a .293/.365/.548 split in 2022 (159 wRC+) and a career .262/.314/.468 slash as a right-handed batter (112 wRC+). The 28-year-old swatted a career-high 33 home runs in 2022. He drew curiously poor marks for his glovework in left field (-8 DRS, -5 OAA in just 299 innings), but that looks anomalous, given his track record of solid defense in right field. Santander doesn’t walk much and thus regularly posts poor on-base percentages, but there’s little doubting his power. The O’s are moving out of the rebuild, but Santander is two years from free agency and Baltimore has younger outfielders who’ll soon need a look (e.g. Kyle Stowers, Colton Cowser). Swapping Santander for a big-league arm and a near-MLB prospect — similar to the Mariners’ acquisition of Hernandez — could work for both parties.
- Randy Arozarena, OF, Rays: I’ll start this with the caveat that Arozarena is likely only available in a “the Rays will listen on anyone” capacity. Still, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times suggested early in the offseason that the Rays might at least listen to offers on Arozarena, who’s arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter and projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz to earn $4MM in 2023. That’s a palatable price point for Tampa Bay, but Arozarena will be eligible thrice more as a Super Two player. The suggestion of exploring an Arozarena deal, to be clear, is not an indication that the two parties have discussed a trade nor that Arozarena is particularly likely to be moved. That said, the Rays are known to be looking for another left-handed bat, the Mariners want a right-handed bat. These two teams are frequent trade partners. There are some potentially aligned needs here, at least enough that it bears a speculative mention. Similarly, Seattle could hold interest in out-of-options, right-handed Rays bats like Harold Ramirez and Isaac Paredes.
There are surely other names who could be had, though not all of them are necessarily exciting. Colorado’s Randal Grichuk can play multiple outfield spots and tattooed left-handed pitching last year. He’s been strong against southpaws throughout his career. The Cardinals’ outfielders frequently seem to come up in trade speculation, and buying low on old friend Tyler O’Neill after a down season could have merit. The Giants have some platoon bats who hit lefties well and offer a bit of defensive versatility (Austin Slater, J.D. Davis).
There’s no real shortage of options for the Mariners to explore. As ever, it’s a fool’s errand to try to nail down exactly which path Dipoto, one of the game’s most active and creative executives on the trade market, might take. But it’s notable that the Mariners are still seeking a right-handed bat and still expect to add to the mix over the next several weeks. Signing Mancini might be the most straightforward option, but the obvious roads are rarely the ones taken by this Seattle front office.
deweybelongsinthehall
Would Mancini really hit 20 to 25 bombs playing 50% of his games in Seattle? Love the guy, just not sure if the park is a good fit for him
Wagner>Cobb
I’d like to see him DH in Cincinnati.
CaptainJudge99
Yes, and the right handed bat is: Carlos Correa. Maybe if he flunks his physical again?
Poster formerly known as . . .
He’d have an easier time of it in T-Mobile Park than in Baltimore, where the Great Wall of Baltimore looms in left field.
thecoffinnail
Did I miss Luke Voit signing somewhere? If Mancini would be an option for them then surely Voit would be as well. Probably a bit cheaper too and controllable years remaining.
Fred Park
This is all just speculation.
I still believe they don’t really need any more hitters.
It’ll all be just pot-boilers and guys they want to give a try, from now on.
You can bank on it.
Selah Rick 2
Could be just speculation. JD said just yesterday he is involved in the remaining free agent market and also he hopes the trade market picks up. Didn’t sound like a guy that wants to stop adding to improve the team by any means.
myaccount2
It feels like we’re kind of at a weird phase in which the M’s obviously are competitive but there are so many young guys we just don’t know about yet.
I think you’re right here. I see one smallish addition on offense– maybe someone to compete with Kelenic for the starting LF job.
Selah Rick 2
What you said and a lefty rp. I think currently there are no lefties in the pen. Unless JD already has that taken care of in the minors. He has said there are multiple rp’s ready for a call-up. And Bryce Miller is a guy to keep an eye out for the #5 spot in the rotation.
lee cousins
Hi, Fred you could be right but i’m going to take the position that by adding on a known player, hitter, you can take away more questions then answers. Which might also bring on more versatility which is not a bad thing. Another words always aiming at bettering yourself. this being an elusive .ambition.
Now after this declaration i’m headed for the Donald tavern for a tall draft. are you going to watch the baseball games there this year?
lee cousins
They could think some on Cruz if he wasn’t going to holdout for a king ransom. I know there are limitations that come with it but this could become a positive reunion for a popular Mariner player or has that bridge already been crossed?
martevious
They don’t need more hitters. Their offense was not too good last year
martevious
Moore can’t hit
martevious
Aargh!! Everyone talking as if Moore and Kelenic are just the ticket when neither can hit!
Rsox
The question is are the Mariners looking for a DH or an Outfielder? If strictly a DH a Nelson Cruz reunion makes sense for both sides. If they want an Outfielder than Mancini, Pollock, or McCutchen. If I’m the Mariners i would sign Mancini as he could play LF and backup Ty France at 1B when he’s not DHing
Fred Park
We need to keep in mind that Dipoto is called Trader Jerry, not Big Spender Jerry.
Rsox
True
myaccount2
My fear for Mancini is he wouldn’t be very effective at T-Mobile Park given his offensive profile. I wouldn’t mind rolling the dice on Duvall. His power could play and even if he performs horribly on offense, he is a very strong defensive option.
lee cousins
Last year they had at times two catchers in the lineup. Raleigh, and Murphy could at times go back an forth with DH. and catching if need be. although a player who could either DH. or play in the field would be better.
Jung Like My Daddy
Sam Haggerty should get the nod, plus he’s a switch hitter.
Mekias0
Unfortunately he’s a switch hitter who can’t hit right-handers at all. 55 wRC+ vs righties, 162 wRC+ vs lefties.
Jung Like My Daddy
Wouldn’t that meet their need for a RH bat? I mean 162 vs lefties is elite rh production.
Mekias0
I agree with that. Dillon Moore and Tom Murphy also hit lefties well. I’m not sure why they need a right-handed bat.
marinersblue96
Not sure if Murphy can be a reliable back up or bench player. Hummel is an interesting depth piece.
Stevil
I don’t think they want Haggerty committed to a platoon role. I think they want to use him situationally for his speed off the bench.
bloomquist4hof
Agreed. If they’re going to be digging around in the dumpster for said bat, then they’re probably better off to start with Haggerty and keep Trammell in the wings. They have some options in the high minors too if they’re just looking for a platoon bat or utility sub. Maybe if they can find a clear upgrade then go with that, but they have options if they’re just looking at 1 WAR bench players and platoon bats.
southern lion
IS Jurickson Profar still available?
zoinksscoob91 2
I’m a little confused as to why the M’s are insisting on a right-handed bat. Their current lineup would be:
C: Cal Raleigh (S)
1B: Ty France (R)
2B: Kolten Wong (L)
SS: J.P. Crawford (L)
3B: Eugenio Suarez (R)
LF: Jarred Kelenic (L)/Dylan Moore (R)
CF: Julio Rodriguez (R)
RF: Teoscar Hernandez (R)
DH: TBD
Raleigh is a quality bat as a lefty, but none of Wong, Crawford, and Kelenic would be considered a truly strong bat at this point. In addition, the ball has traditionally traveled better to right and right center field at T-Mobile Park, so the addition of a real lefty/switchy masher to complement Raleigh and the righty power bat seems to make more sense. Both Reynolds and Santander are switch-hitters, and would probably be better fits than the likes of Mancini, Anderson, etc. It would also allow the M’s to give Kelenic more time to develop rather than continuing to put him out there and letting him flail.
The M’s have an opportunity to set themselves up as a serious and perennial playoff contender with one more bat, and I think they’re missing the boat on how to set their lineup up to do so. That’s my $0.02…
C_Rob
Dylan Moore is going to platoon with Wong at 2B. They are looking for a righty to platoon with Kelenic
User 2079935927
Angels lineup when healthy is better.
marinersblue96
IDK about that. Has Rendon been healthy since he signed with the Angels? I mean Trout and Ohtahni are elite, M’s line up is much more balanced with higher upside all the way around. I would take M’s 3B, Catcher, RF, and 1B over what Anaheim will be trotting out. 2B, SS, and LF are a wash.
User 2079935927
MarinerBlue- I respect your opinion. Should be a fun season.
Mekias0
I don’t understand it either. It’s not like Kelenic or Trammell have proven anything so far. I realize that they almost have to give Kelenic another shot but you absolutely can’t rely on him. If he falls apart again, the lineup would be heavily right-handed.
DonOsbourne
I have mentioned this before on other teams’ threads, but Matt Carpenter might be a good fit for them. He would offer professional at bats, defensive flexibility(kinda), and he would likely be easy to move on from if Kelenic out plays him. Very little risk.
SAM’s
He plays for San Diego. So, no luck there.
DonOsbourne
My bad. I missed that one.
Ben10
I think they need depth on the corners for the infield. Yes Dylan Moore can cover every position on the diamond, but to do so is a massive haul of playing time. Anderson, Profar, or Mancini all could be logical fits, though not initially ideal.
bmcferren
Kinby, Hancock and Robert Perez Jr for Reynolds gets it donr
Selah Rick 2
It gets a dial tone!
xcfan
Kirby alone has a lot more value than Reynolds. Pirates would be the team adding players.
Ben10
Kirby has twice as much value ALONE than Reynolds. Pitt’s asking price is said to be “unrealistic.” Best time for them to move him is at the Trade Deadline. Would be when they could maximize their highest return.
James Midway
Heard Correa might be available if you are able to overlook some leg injuries.
thickiedon
He does bat right-handed!
Ben10
If the Mets and Giants are balking, there’s no way Jerry gets that done.
User 2079935927
Pennys is having a sale.
Astrosfn1979
I like what Seattle is building and look forward for more to come.
I still think they are 2nd best team in AL West for at least 2 more years but 2025 could be interesting.
marinersblue96
Would love the M’s to reunite with Tyler O’Neill, platoon LF and play RF when Teoscar DH’s(which he should be primarily playing anyways). If Kelenic busts out this year then that would be a future OF of JK, J-Rod, and O’Neill, that is a very good defensive OF.
batman2825
I’d be really happy with O’Neill or Santander. They’d both be a great fit.
lloyd_christmas
its gonna be Voit – i got an old fashion feeling about this one.
bjhaas1977
Darren Ruff
marinersblue96
If the M’s do go the FA route I could see them looking into Adam Duvall for a platoon and OF depth. He plays all 3 spots and M’s need a viable CF back up for J-Rod to get days off.
bloomquist4hof
I feel they could still use another SP. I don’t understand relying on Gonzales or Flexen for the last spot. If the pitching staff is even normal in terms of injury days, they could end up relying on those two way more than they should.
Selah Rick 2
JD went out his way to say Bryce Miller is going to light the baseball world on fire. Either its smoke screens to get him included in a trade or Marco or Flexen is on the trading block.
Stevil
Selah, I don’t think he’s blowing smoke about Miller. They’ve been high on him for a while and scouts are equally as impressed. He’s getting more sweep on his slider. That might help with the deception of his changeup as well.
But I really felt like he was talking up Kelenic and Trammell.
I think it’s still likely we see at least one of Flexen/Gonzales moved this offseason, and I wouldn’t be surprised if one of Kelenic/Trammell gets moved as well.
I would be surprised if MIller was moved, unless it was in a package for a star.
bloomquist4hof
I like Miller, Hancock, and Brash and expect them to play a role and likely one or more of them will be a solid SP long term, but I feel to start the year they could use a another SP. If they end up with too much starting pitching they could use one or more of that pool for other mid season upgrades. Someone will be desperate for pitching come July.
Stevil
They have 7 solid RHRPs already, plus Brash, who apparently won’t be stretched out for possible starts.
I don’t think they’re keeping both Gonzales and Flexen, but if they were to add a starter (and I agree, I think they should), then they really need to move both.
tacomarain
The M’s will not be signing anyone to more than one year, and it will be under $4M… so most of those free agents won’t happen.
Further, Reynolds or another pricey player will be traded for. That’s not in the budget.
Hollander / Dipoto / M’s FO know that they have good players worthy of being on many teams as starters / platoon players, but not great ones to offer…. but at the same time those same players could still be utilized by the M’s if need be.
The M’s FO I am sure have talked to everyone multiple times, and have made it clear who those players are, and the M’s FO has put out ballpark offers to many teams. Those teams are just holding out for whatever reason – hoping for better offers, they enjoy the game of chicken, seeing players at Spring Training, or just having other priorities right now.
our problem is that the M’s are only going to make a move on their terms. Period.
Go ahead and pray for Kapler or O’Neill, but expect Santander, or worse.
Stevil
There are no guarantees in baseball. There’s a reason you almost never see me say “They will….” We can make educated guesses, but in the end, that’s all we’re doing.
That said, I think you’re right about ‘their terms’, I just think that applies more to the limits with free agents (which is likely more than 4m, but well short of, say, 300m).
We saw them splurge to acquire Castillo. I’ve asked myself many times if they might be willing to do so again, given the extra draft picks they have this year.
But really, if they’re serious about sustaining a contender, especially a WS contender, they need to retain their best prospects, replenish the system, and do a lot better in their pursuit of stars via free agency and trade.
The dialog between teams is ever-changing. As players are brought in and shipped out, needs & focus change. What may not have been possible a month ago may be realistic now.
Reynolds, for example, was likely staying put before he demanded a trade. They may still keep him, but surely his availability is more of a possibility than it was at the beginning of the offseason. Seattle really doesn’t seem to have the chips, though. And even if they did, could they afford to give up the high asking price? I would argue “no”, unless a third team was involved and a (bad) contract was absorbed.
Seattle needs a couple of stars, but the cost almost has to be monetary. (via trade or otherwise). The strongest teams right now are all spending, and that includes Atlanta. Free agents, extensions, trade….banking on diamonds in the rough is a good way to fail. You have to pay for talent, one way or another.
tacomarain
Thank you for the sage advice.
I don’t know for sure what the M’s will do, nor that $4M is the most that they will spend… and I pray I am proved wrong.
That said, I still believe the biggest name to become a Mariner later this year comes via trade.
On top of that, I highly doubt that any trade the M’s make this off season has more than 4 total players involved… So, unfortunately, I doubt that Yelich or Black will be M’s. I would love to be wrong here too!!!
Further I doubt that White and Kelenic (or Trammel) get dealt in the same deal, or really more than one of them gets dealt at all. Jerry loves 1st round picks, and rarely gives up on them without exhausting most avenues, even if he did not draft them
Stevil
Well, Jerry has pulled off multiple trades involving multiple players. Those kinds of trades are less common, of course, but trying to identify even a single, under-the-radar player a team might target is usually the equivalent of finding a needle in a haystack.
I don’t believe for a minute that Seattle would be interested in Yelich because of his salary and health concerns. But that’s the only player I can think of with a large contract that is good and likely available.
A deal like this is likely the only way Seattle can potentially add a star without exhausting the farm.
marinersblue96
I thought they were transitioning Brash back to a SP and Hancock will be available at some point in the season.
xcfan
Dipoto was on the radio this week saying Brash would stay in relief. Also, I’ve heard Brash will play for Team Canada, which probably affects how he is used this spring. I hope he gets an opportunity to start again in the future.
Mekias0
Dipoto said yesterday that Brash will be a relief pitcher this year and they won’t be stretching him out.
The Human Toilet
Do the Mariners know they extended the wrong Luis Castillo?
Stevil
I wanted to ignore this, but I can’t.
It makes zero sense for Seattle to trade for no-glove hitters. They traded Lewis away because his defense would be limited moving forward. They traded Winker at least partially because his defense will likely be non-existent moving forward.
Scratch off the no-glove players–especially 1B/DH-only types–and take a look at those who barrel the ball well without striking out a ton. Teams don’t always get what they want, and Seattle is now shopping among mostly leftovers, but there are still a number of players that should have their attention.
Ben10
Who do u like that’s left? And I agree with these no glove types, but that’s just about all that’s left on the market.
Stevil
In free agency? David Peralta and AJ Pollock. Maybe McCutchen. None of them are great defenders, but in small doses, they would suffice.
I’m more interested in trade targets at this point.
Tridenthope
Maybe they should look at Luke Voit, DH, and backup 1st base with pop. Be a good pinch hitter with that kind of pop
Stevil
Voit really doesn’t make sense for Seattle. They don’t need a 1B/DH type. They need outfielders. If they get someone who can play the outfield and a corner infield spot, sure, but that’s not Voit, and he doesn’t even profile as a great platoon option as he doesn’t hit LHPs or RHPs well. Strikes out a lot and doesn’t get on base.
Tridenthope
Well he’d be a left handed bat that can platoon with France based on them wanting to give France more days not playing the field. As he slid into a negative player down the last half of the year. Voit wouldn’t require everyday at bats or cost much to sign. If he flops he just gets removed and designated. These are the kind of players you should expect the Mariners to SIGN. Trading for Royce Lewis would give them a second baseman of the future
Stevil
Luke Voit is a RHH and France isn’t someone who needs to be platooned. In fact, he was better vs. RHPs last season than he was facing lefties.
Voit is the kind of player a team that isn’t in serious contention takes a flier on.
None of Kelenic/Trammell/Hummel, or even White, are proven. THere’s risk in those guys, Why take more risk with a bad infielder?
Makes no sense.
Tridenthope
Plus JD has said he wants opportunities for their young players to get playing time. Well the prospects they have they are talking about are outfielders and SPs. I don’t see them blocking the outfield with a signing and if they trade for one the returning player would have to be a significant acquisition to blocking the prospects. Yes Hernandez will get days as DH giving others outfield hopefuls at bats but if you look at all the outfielders Seattle has Jrod, kelnic, Hernandez, Marlow, trammel, Moore, Haggerty, do you think they need another semi contributor? If they add to the outfield it should be a significant acquisition and if they don’t. They’ll be getting guys like Voit that cost pennies hoping they fill the DH 1st to help keep guys like France fresh since France is more important fresh.
Tridenthope
Oh hummel is also a outfielder and evan white has been taking reps in the outfield as well
Stevil
Evan White has played zero innings of outfield in the minors. Far more likely they turn to him for a bench spot or DH PAs before adding someone like Voit.
The bottom line is that they don’t have even one proven outfielder to play LF, assuming Teoscar is in RF. If they do give the gig to Kelenic, it would make a lot more sense to have an experienced fallback option to lean on than unproven internal options that rank below Kelenic.
The infield is set. They have two solid reserves in Moore & Haggerty. Far more likely they add another outfielder or two.
Tridenthope
If not Voit someone in that nature maybe Brian Anderson. If there isn’t a significant trade for a high quality player they’ll be looking at fringe player like Voit, or Anderson. Sure I think they’ll add an outfielder but I think that outfielder will be of little significance on a prove it deal.
Stevil
You keep using the word ‘will’.
We can only guess what the Mariners intend to do, but it helps when you take a step back and look at things from a distance.
I don’t see what you’re seeing. I’m looking at what each team in the AL West has, and what the other AL contenders have done and/or how they project. Seattle isn’t guaranteed a postseason appearance. They’ll have stiff competition.
I just don’t see Seattle filling in the holes with non-IL players coming off poor performances. As frustrating as this offseason has been, I still want to believe the bar is higher than that.
Tridenthope
If Correa lands with the twins I’d explore a trade for Royce Lewis as well
Dogham
Unfortunately new GM Justin Hollander won’t scratch his own balls unless Jerry tells him to.
bravesfan
I really want Mancini on the Braves. I’ve wanted him for years and at this point, it’s more a “I just want it to happen” than it’s a true need…. But I still think he can provide more value in left than any current option
Stevil
If I were Justin or Jerry, I would be on the phone with Matt Arnold, asking for a package of Yelich (to serve as the fourth outfielder/DH), Sal Frelick, Eric Lauer, and Tyler Black for a return of Jarred Kelenic, Evan White, Marco Gonzales or Chris Flexen (or both), and Cole Young.
Milwaukee would probably have to kick in at least some cash, but this would still free up a ton of dough for Milwaukee to extend Adames, give them an equal prospect to Black in Cole Young, who is a year or so behind Black (Black should debut in 2024), an innings-eater in place of Lauer, and a couple of lottery tickets in Kelenic & White.
Seattle would get a near-ready leadoff option in Frelick, who has shown excellent plate discipline and has had no trouble with FBs nor breaking pitches, a slight upgrade in the back-end of their rotation, a veteran who could return to star-form if they could help him avoid further back & neck issues (DHing and playing LF sparingly could do wonders), and their second baseman as early as next year. If Seattle could get Hoby Milner as well, even better.
*Cue someone telling me BTV suggests this is lopsided in favor of the Brewers.
Slothcliff Hokum
Not having to give up any of Hancock, Miller, or Dollard in such a deal would be golden.
Stevil
That’s exactly the point. Those three represent Seattle’s starting pitching depth, along with Milone. They could probably afford to part with one of them, but really, they shouldn’t be trading prospects like them. if they can help it.
Young-for-Black is different, because they’re both middle-infielders with semi-similar profiles. Seattle’s a little more pressed for an answer at the keystone, whereas Milwaukee might prefer some SS insurance in case Adames eventually splits.
Ben10
You can throw Prelander Berroa’s name on that pile too.
Stevil
Campbell and Kuhn should serve as relief depth as well.
I really wonder if Brash will eventually get another crack at the rotation.
Ben10
I know that Dipoto scratched that idea due to the WBC. He said he didn’t want Brash going from reliever, to starter, back to a reliever again. But yeah, I would love to see him get another crack at the starting rotation.
Jacksson13
Not only are they in need of a right handed bat,
the Maintenance Department needs a left handed monkey wrench !!
Stevil
Right now, the LHHs are Wong, Crawford, the switch-hitting Raleigh, and one of Kelenic/Trammell.
Nobody should be surprised if they bring in a LHH.
Ben10
Don’t forget LH prospect Cade Marlowe. Set to make his debut at some point this season.
Stevil
Marlowe is behind Kelenic and Trammell. He may very well debut this year if there are significant injuries, but I don’t think Seattle intends to lean on him until the strikeouts are less of a concern.
Ben10
Indeed, he would need to take a significant jump for that to happen. Stranger things have happened though.
Stevil
Seattle’s at the point where they can’t really give prospects extensive time to work things out at the MLB level. If they’re at least holding their weight, sure, but Kelenic-type of struggling could be all the difference between Texas and/or LA making the postseason and Seattle left watching.
I think Marlowe is a fun prospect. I hope he gets another full year of development and cut down on the Ks.
Seamaholic
Rockies trying to trade Cron to free up playing time for some kids. Can’t play OF, but he’ll definitely hit.
RedFraggle
Probably more likely the Orioles would trade Hays than Santander.
toycannon
Who would they need to package with Chris Flexen to get Tyler O’Neill back?
hllywdjff
Santander for Flexen and Trammell
stubby66
I think that Seattle should just make a trade for Tyrone Taylor for a prospect
Sa'ed Faoul
I’m sure Arozarena is available but suspect he would cost the Mariners too much. I see him as a better fit for a team with prospects to spare and a more obvious need like LAD. Could see MIA, NYM, SDP, MIL, MIN, and LAA as options too,
Bat571
I’d like to see a trade with Baltimore, who wants pitching, with Chris Flexen, maybe Tyler Locklear or DeLoach, and a good pitching prospect or two (Brian Woo? Isaiah Campbell?) for Santander and Connor Norby, a 2B in a system loaded with MIF. Norby may need some time to settle in at Tacoma, and Perry Hill would need to work with him, but he has gaudy hitting numbers both college and minors.
Wong is on a 1 year deal, so lining up Norby as a platoon partner now might be a smart move keeping the prospect train moving. Norby’s numbers and general demeanor are very similar to Ty France, so bringing him in would add some OBP for Julio and Teoscar (and Santander) to drive in. And his dirt-dog attitude would fit right in.
As others have noted, Teoscar is on a one-year deal also, so Santander also would have a future on the Ms. And the price is likely more reasonable than Reynold’s.
live42day
Take Paul DeJong please. He is right handed and all we need are some baseballs for batting practice in St Louis because Mo is too cheap to buy more.