Injuries have quickly changed the complexion of the Mariners’ infield. Second baseman Ryan Bliss will miss four to five months after suffering a tear in his left biceps and undergoing surgery. First baseman Luke Raley has shifted to the outfield in the wake of a fracture in Victor Robles’ shoulder, which will sideline him for around 12 weeks. Jorge Polanco is currently relegated to DH work and won’t play the infield for another week or two, per Adam Jude of the Seattle Times. He underwent knee surgery back in October and is dealing with some discomfort in his side as well.
With those early changes to the infield composition, the Mariners are poking around the market for potential external additions, Jude further reports. A major trade this time of year is rare but not unheard of. The Brewers just picked up young right-hander Quinn Priester in a trade with the Red Sox earlier this week, helping to shore up an injury-ravaged rotation in Milwaukee. Last year’s trade of Luis Arraez from Miami to San Diego occurred in early May. Of course, the Mariners spent the bulk of the offseason pursuing trades to bolster their infield and ultimately wound up making a series of small free agent signings instead — clearly not finding a match to their liking.
It’s unlikely that there are any teams that have strongly rethought their status as postseason hopefuls just a few weeks into the season. As such, it’s unlikely that there are any players available on the trade market at present whose teams weren’t willing to discuss them over the winter. If the Mariners couldn’t find an offseason trade of note to bolster their infield, it’s hard to envision them suddenly doing so now.
That said, Jude notes that Seattle’s front office is “combing” other rosters and looking at veteran players who are on minor league deals elsewhere. Many veterans will have opt-out dates and upward mobility clauses in April. Article XX(b) free agents (i.e. six-plus years of MLB service, finished the preceding season on a major league roster/injured list) who signed minor league contracts have a uniform opt-out opportunity on May 1. MLBTR took a look at 36 such players late in camp, though the majority this year happened to be pitchers.
This type of acquisition wouldn’t necessarily be a sexy one, but the Mariners have gotten no production to date out of Rowdy Tellez or Donovan Solano, and they’re hitting .200/.303/.333 as a team as of this writing. The bar for improvement is fairly low. Tellez and Solano will surely get some runway to turn things around, but it’s sensible to looking at other, similar veteran options who could potentially be had on the cheap. Among the veteran infielders on minor league deals and hitting well in Triple-A with other clubs are Christian Arroyo (Phillies), Scott Kingery (Angels), Harold Castro (Royals), Nick Gordon (Royals) and Jake Lamb (Giants).
Help could always come from the farm system as well. Jude writes that the organization is prioritizing top prospect Cole Young’s development at the moment and doesn’t want to rush him to the big leagues but could consider an accelerated path for third baseman Ben Williamson. Young is hitting .178/.302/.267 in Triple-A at the moment anyhow, making it tough to consider him an upgrade. Williamson is a plus defender at third base who’s gotten some reps in the middle infield, too. He’s light on power but has plus contact skills and is out to a .286/.314/.347 start in Tacoma. He batted .283/.375/.394 in 541 plate appearances between High-A and Double-A last year. First baseman Tyler Locklear didn’t hit in his big league debut last year but is slashing .286/.359/.457 through his first nine games in Triple-A this season.
If Seattle’s offensive doldrums continue much longer and there’s no help to be found outside the organization, it stands to reason that Williamson and/or Locklear could get early looks to help right the ship.
Oswald Cabrera for Emerson Hancock 🤷🏼♂️
Mariners are a circus show. Went and signed an injury plagued Polanco after knee surgery… and then played him at a new position. Bravo… idiots.
Polanco is our MVP through 30 plate appearances but I’m just waiting for him to hit .200 again
If he was our DH, then that’s fine. But these morons wanted him at 3rd
I highly doubt him playing 3rd has caused the knee to act up. More likely he thought he was ready but wasn’t. He is also a good enough athlete playing 3rd should be an easy adjustment.
Tommy LaStella is probably available.
Think we can get AJ Pollock back too?
At this point with this dumpster fire of an organization, they should just hold open tryouts to the public to fill the infield.
Chone Figgins on line 3.
Evan White is holding his phone.
Update: Evan White broke his arm reaching for the phone, will miss 6 months
Jorge Polanco tweaked his knee and rolled his ankle running to help Evan in distress…will continue to be unreliable.
Hearing Gleyber Torres is available because of his refusal to play 3rd base.
Dee Strange-Gordon could be fit enough. He played against the Savannah Bananas not long ago.
Tommy LaStella? Why bother? I have Hank Conger’s number, let me see if I can tempt him to leave his Coaching duties.
Big Hank grew up in Federal Way, I know he loves his golf – if we threw a season pass for the Jackson Par 3 Course he’s in like a Bobbie Pin
Baty should be offered. kid needs a different environment. id say McNeil too, but until Mauricio comes back, McNeil is more a safer bet than baty for sure. and acuna is worth the backup title.
Mets need to pick Baty or Acuna to play second until McNeil gets back. Let Baty go and get something back.
Baty is struggling at the plate. I’m not sure Seattle is a good environment to switch to.
WTF has Eric Chavez done?
Send Baty and Acuna to Seattle when Jeff comes back.
They can have Marte back
Can we get Chris Taylor back too?
I’m sure Brett Baty is available now.
Agree. He needs a new start somewhere else.
Ildemaro Vargas? Had a great spring, and is hitting over .300 at Reno.
We already have the older triple A infielder in Leo Rivas so no need for Vargas
Their current situation really amplifies the horrific winter they had, and it’s all self-inflicted. They are looking for diamonds in the rough willing to work for food and delivering elite results. They need to cut the crap and get ready to sell at the deadline. Nobody they find in the dumpsters are gonna make enough difference to change their current trajectory.
Victor Robles has entered the chat…. But you are right… they need to open up that wallet
Gabriel Arias, a single lock of Jose Ramirez’s hair, and a Paninis sandwich for Hancock
They should be looking for guys with upwards mobility clauses in their minor league deals. It’s hard to swing trades at this point in the season now and a lot of early injuries aren’t helping
Id take Noelvi Marte off your hands. I cant see the Reds trading him with their offensive woes.
Mariners open to dealing their youmg starters now that they both are off to slow starts?
I wonder what kind of trade proposals they were getting in the off season? Priester had a nice outing in his first start of the season, he brought back a A ball prospect and a first round pick and most on here were saying it was an over pay. I disagree, Brewers got a good trade, Priester had a nice start yesterday, 5IP, 4H 1ER, 4K / 2BB – doesnt have a full season under his belt like Woo or Miller, but could have similar numbers come the end of this season.
What would you trade trade now for Woo or Miller knowing the market set by Priester and given their slow starts?
If the Mariners had any real sense they’d trade Kirby or Gilbert for one or two MLB ready bats. Maybe they could get Rafael Devers.
If the Mets are looking to move Jeff McNeil (starting rehab this week) then he would be a good fit. He can start at 2b and fill in as OFer. Likely 2 weeks away from IL return. Bring up Ben Williamson to play 3b and move Jorge Polanco to 1b (not a godd defensive 2b and no arm for 3b).
Jeff is the Mets 2b man. Go check the offensive stats for the Mets at 2b.
they brought up Williansom; after you made this post-way to go Nostrodamas
That ESPN prediction at us finishing last in the AL West looks legitimate right now
I feel like this type of article saying that the mariners are looking for any new additions has happened so many times now but nothing notable ever comes from it (the last time it lead to something was Arozarena)
It’s predictable based on the lack of moves made in the offseason. Not even marginal ones while every other team in the AL West made improvements. You can argue that the Astros didn’t as well but they added pieces with the Tucker trade for their future.
The Angels improvements were more aimed at the pre-Covid era
When the best player available is Scott Kingery because he’s tearing up AAA in a ballpark at 4300 feet, you’re in deep doo-doo. Might as well play the kids come May if Tellez, Garver, and Solano continue to struggle to hit .150.
Tigers have tons of 2B
That’s why it never made sense to sign a FA 2B.
Several thousand pounds of second basemen. And none are prime cuts
Once Thairo Estrada gets off the IL, the Rockies would probably make one of Kyle Farmer, Tyler Freeman, or Estrada available. Most likely Farmer, although I would prefer they trade Freeman. Probably could get one of them for a 16-30 team prospect.
ah, NO to the 16-30 prospect. More like cash or PNL. A Farmer or Freeman DO NOT have that much value to get that high of a prospect. sheesh
Amounts to the same thing for the Mariners, who have one of the best top 10’s in the game but one of the worst 10-30.
How much value do you put on a 16-30 prospect anyway? Those are not likely future superstars. They are likely not to be much better than bench players or bullpen guys anyway.. There are only 26 men on a big league roster.
A Farmer or Freeman DO NOT have that much value to get that high of a prospect.
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I don’t think they even improve Seattle.
Why in the world would they trade Freeman after they completely gave up on Jones for him? Oh I forgot. It’s the Rockies. They’re almost guaranteed to do what they shouldn’t, so who knows.
It’s called cutting your losses. I didn’t agree with acquiring him in the first place, so getting rid of him is no problem for me.
Besides, Jones is hitting.161 with a 65 OPS+ in Cleveland. It’s not like they traded a great hitter. They just recognized that his 2023 season was a fluke before you did.
Ok so give up on Freeman right away? Mariners won’t be trading for him regardless
I would…they won’t. Besides it is not giving up when you trade someone. It is giving up when you DFA them and lose them for nothing.
Wouldn’t call the Brewers on Monso or Dunn, that or call Kansas City about Devaney
what a bunch of whiny little mitches. Go root for the Rox, or chisox or hey the Braves are lighten it up; could start watching Marlin games. Be thankful the M’s have the good pitching they do, and Julio/Cal and some other good player; not withstanding their warts(offense or defensive issues)
Underrated comment
Long time M’s fan here. Getting tired of living the “Groundhog Day” with them. Bring in retreads hoping for a little more in the tank. Sign players on the cheap because they’re coming off injuries. Can’t hit at home. (Funny how visiting teams somehow miss the memo that it’s a bad ballpark to hit in) We were 1-19 with RISP the other day. Getting tired. So tired.
“cant hit at home’, that somewhay hyperbole. Last year Haniger hit .240 with OPS of .726. For all the Haniger bashers. Robles, Turner, Raley, Arorozarena hit good at home in ’24. So its a matter of finding hitters whose hitting style work at T-moble.
Funny how fans of every team have an infielder for the Mariners.
Well they do, because the current players available to the M’s aren’t major league level.
Yes, but fans of other teams want to get rid of the guys who are not performing well for their team and want real value in exchange.
At this point the Ms should just promote whomever is doing well in AA/AAA. So what if they lose one of these guys they’ve been trotting out for nothing
There has has slways seemed to be a match with the Orioles. Id take a couple lottery ticket prospects for Mountcastle/Ohearn, Urias, and Mateo.
No thanks. They’re not trading their prospects for players like that that don’t move the needle.
Would you not like to see the Ms and Os made into 1 team. Their hitting/fielding our pitching. Would be a fun team to watch. Cal and Adley would be a huge what do you do with one of them. Neither will accept DH duties with part time catching duties. Julio would have to play also. Not sure what they have for OF help. I have thought this would be fun but know of course it would never happen.
Luckily we have pieces to fill the major holes we have coming up. Will suck to suck for a year or two but hopefully the kids come up and do great.
All you guys bashing on Rowdy he hit a double and 9/10ths today. Got tagged out in front.of 3rd. He also isn’t that fat. He is svelte compared to Fat Danny. Forget his last name. Played here for a few years then in lots of places Mets seem to be another.
I’m sure the Angels FO and Owner still have a great relationship with Dipoto. Jerry is not the type of person to burn bridges professionally or alienate a team’s fanbase.
He can use that personal charm to package some top hitters from a top rated farm system to overpay for 2B Kyren Parks. I’ll be sure to refresh my Twitter feed so I don’t miss that Mariners Angels trade
M’s should consider Max Muncy or Chris Taylor or both
The Dodgers won’t trade Muncy, nor should they. He will be fine.
We have Tork…..nevermind
Maybe they’ll go back to the Red Sox for Casas now that he’s hitting .170.
Willing to offer Luis F Castillo. Do you know how good Luis Castillo, All-Star is? Yeah, so make that trade for Luis F Castillo
I wonder what Smoak and Ackley are up to these days…
Would M’s have interest in Josh Smith from Rangers?
I’m not sure the Red Sox are quite ready to move Story with Mayer off to a lukewarm start in his first taste of AAA, but Story is likely going to be available at some point this season if he stays healthy. Might be worth it for the M’s to check in on him at least?
M’s don’t have that kind of cash. Or think they don’t. Sox would have to cover a lot.
I think at some point they are going to have to eat some of his contract to move him and make room for Mayer, or swap him for another less than desirable contract, so as long as the M’s offer something to justify it I don’t think they would be opposed to eating money in the deal.
The Mariners have the cash
They were #5 in profit last year
By focusing too much on veterans and not accelerating the growth of their internal talent pool, they risk falling into a cycle of inconsistent player development, which could prevent them from building a sustainable, competitive core. The real solution is not in minor league veterans with opt-outs, but in fostering internal flexibility and taking calculated risks with players like Ben Williamson, who could provide not just a temporary boost, but long-term depth, for the Mariners. The Mariners’ window for success is being narrowed by short-term solutions, and a shift toward internal development would be a more logically sound, forward-thinking approach.
At this point they may need to at Williamson. Huge concerns about his bat but if he’s the plus plus defender some think could be good with a meh bat. I suspect him and possibly Locklear get early looks this season based on what is happening with their roster.
David Bote should at least get a call. He’s a fringe AAAA player that might still have a little upside with more consistent playing time.
What makes them think they could get anything better than a minor league? Just promoted from within.
Fermin from Cards. Rh bat with speed that played good defense at infield and left field. Had a good Spring but no spot on Cards infield. Maybe Cards take a flyer on McGraw
Orioles need pitching M’s need hitting seems like a logical fit. Mountcastle/ Mateo plus Pham for a starter makes to much sense
They’re not worth any of the starters in the M’s rotation except whoever they’ll be putting at the five right now until Kirby is back. Literally none of them.
I said it all off-season, that Brendan Rodgers was their best fit. They let him go to the Astros on a minor league deal, and of course he made the roster out of spring, and Seattle is left with nothing but a pickle.
Ranger could send Duran for a pitcher.
Ask us about IKF for Locklear
May we interest you in one lightly used Davis Schneider?
Mariners should be in the market for a better owner and better GM.
Tellez and Solano are walking on a tightrope now unless they get some hits. None of the veteran infielders mentioned are worth exploring, so hopefully, the farm products develop a little sooner.
There shouldn’t be a comma before “too.” This is an archaic rule. Learn this already, Adams.