New Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto touches on a variety of topics in a wide-ranging interview with Larry Stone of the Seattle Times. Here are some of the highlights.
- Dipoto says he is not planning a full-scale rebuild, and therefore is not looking to trade core players like Kyle Seager, Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz or Felix Hernandez. “The greater likelihood is, we’ll focus on those four guys, and Taijuan Walker, as the core we’re trying to build around,” says Dipoto. “And we’ll have to be more creative in finding ways to augment that group, rather than using that group to build a new program.”
- Dipoto hasn’t yet seen rookie shortstop Ketel Marte play live much, but he sounds open to the possibility that Marte could play the position full-time.
- The GM reiterates that re-signing Hisashi Iwakuma will be a priority, as was previously reported this week.
- Dipoto says he would be happy with Tom Wilhelmsen as the Mariners’ closer next year, but adds that another possibility is that he could also acquire another reliever to close and use Wilhelmsen as a setup man.
- Dipoto praises hitting coach Edgar Martinez but has not yet committed to Martinez remaining in that position 2016.
- The GM is aware that the Mariners could get a protected top-ten pick in next year’s draft if they do poorly this weekend, but he says he hasn’t discussed that topic with manager Lloyd McClendon. “It’s something that as a team-planner, an organization builder, I’m aware of the value that’s associated with that,” Dipoto says. “But as a former player, and understanding how it works out there, I try to turn the volume down in my head. Because these guys have to go out and compete.”
I’ll be interested to see what he does with the OF next year. They’ve got Cruz and Smith as apparent outfielders, but after that, they potentially have Guitierrez (if they re-sign him), Brad Miller (if Marte sticks at short), or even Marte himself (if they prefer Miller at short instead). And that doesn’t even account for their strange willingness to play Trumbo in the OF instead of at DH.
I hope they’re not planning on using Cruz and Trumbo as much in he outfield as they did last year. Cruz should probably DH most of the time, and Trumbo could play first base if they keep him. It’ll be interesting to see what they end up doing
Keeping Marte and play him in CF would be smart. Trade Miller because he’s horrible at SS and has some trade value, get a bullpen piece for him. Can see going for Ian Desmond. Keep Trumbo at 1B, Cruz at DH and either go after Cepedes or Upton to go with Smith and Marte. Sign Iwakuma and another second tier pitcher. Kazmir? and fix the bullpen. Seattle can easily fix this team and is willing to spend more money to do it.
Skip Desmond and Kazmire and go after Price instead, then trade miller for bullpen help and sign Cespides, the only problem is that they don’t have enough money
Mariners will lose more Games than they win next Year and Then Dipoto will trade these over priced Veterans.