The Mariners shuffled their roster on Friday, respectively swapping outfielder Seth Smith and right-hander Nate Karns in separate trades for right-hander Yovani Gallardo and outfielder Jarrod Dyson. Even after making those moves, however, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes that Seattle would still like to add another bullpen arm. He also notes that the Mariners plan to use a “revolving door” approach to the fifth spot in their rotation and are open to adding some inexpensive depth to accompany current candidates Ariel Miranda, Rob Whalen and Chris Heston.
As GM Jerry Dipoto explained last Friday (via Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune), the organization effectively looked at their pair of trades as a four-player swap that did not significantly impact the 2017 payroll. “We still have the capacity to be creative in looking to add,” Dipoto said at the time.
The April ownership shuffle in Seattle came with talk of a potential payroll increase, and that’s already transpired to some extent. The $151MM mark at which they’re currently projected would surpass last season’s Opening Day payroll by about $9MM. Further additions could still materialize, though it sounds like they’d be made on the free-agent market rather than via trades. In speaking to Rosenthal, Dipoto stated: “At this point, we won’t move anything off our major-league club.” The gels with Dipoto’s comment in the above-linked Dutton column, in which the GM noted that the team is “always looking for ways to get deeper and a little more versatile.”
Dipoto also spoke to Rosenthal about his Friday swaps, explaining that since taking over as the Seattle GM in Aug. 2015, he’s worked to develop a more athletic mix of players. “Granted, last year (Safeco Field) was favorable to the home-run ball, but we play in a ballpark that really lends itself to running it and catching it in the outfield and creating activity on the bases…” Dipoto explained. Rosenthal notes that Dipoto believes he has five outfielders — Dyson, Leonys Martin, Mitch Haniger, Ben Gamel and Guillermo Heredia — that are capable of playing center field. That represents a significant departure from the 2015 Mariners that saw both Nelson Cruz and the now-departed Smith log significant innings in the outfield. (Cruz, of course, is still in the fold but figures to be heavily limited to DH duties in 2017.)
Regarding the Smith trade, Rosenthal writes that the flood of corner bats on the market made it difficult to trade him for any form of prospect. Seattle no longer wanted Smith’s glove in the outfield, he explains, but the presence of players like Brandon Moss and Michael Saunders in free agency made it tough to deal Smith and his $7MM salary even for a marginal prospect. Rather than dump Smith’s salary and reallocate those dollars to a bounceback candidate in free agency, then, Seattle simply dealt Smith for a pitcher it feels has a chance of returning to form (Gallardo).
If the Mariners do want to add a veteran arm that can work either in relief or out of the fifth spot in the rotation, there’s no shortage of arms available. Travis Wood, Yusmeiro Petit, Bud Norris, Scott Feldman, Jorge De La Rosa and Vance Worley are among the names on the market that have recent MLB experience in both roles.
Trade Mitch Haniger for Sean Doolittle!
Lol that would NEVER happen. Dipoto is IN LOVE with haniger.
Well then we are stuck with only Ben Gamel and Heredia
Sign Bautista and go with: Dyson-Martin-Bautista
I was thinking something like that but Dipoto is really high on Haniger.
Bautista is terrible these days defensively and wants significant money. I truthfully would rather see what we have in Haniger and make a move in July if the need is there. Older name guy doesn’t always mean better fit.
I like Heredia a good bit.
That would be a terrible trade for the Mariners. They just need to go sign a guy like Jerry Blevins and call it good.
No thank you very much. Hanniger is going to be solid in RF for the M’s for a long time. I feel that DiPoto has traded away all the MLB position players that he didn’t value highly. Prospects for Doolittle? Sure.
First off, that would be a decently significant trade for two teams in the same division so that wouldn’t happen
Yeah its not like the A’s and Mariners haven’t already traded this offseason or anything, for “first off” you are wrong from the start.
He didn’t say it was unlikely. Just that the proposed deal would be significant which it seems like it would be. Valencia was basically going to be released.
Danny Valencia says otherwise
After Dipoto’s intelligent maneuvering last Friday, I have a good deal of faith in him as well as his moves going forward. Relievers are going for a premium this offseason due to the major impact they provided in this year’s postseason. Andrew Miller, Travis Wood, Carl Edwards Jr, Chapman, and Cody Allen all pushed their teams to through the playoffs, so it’s not a surprise that the current market is inflating the value of relievers as teams try to replicate what the Cubs and Indians did with their bullpen last year. Personally, I think the M’s could really use a strong lefty in the middle of their bullpen, such as Travis Wood, who can provide middle-inning relief and set up the saves for Diaz and Cishek. Their payroll has been increased–so why not go out and get one?
Sean Doolittle’s a lefty 🙂
He is, but I don’t think Dipoto is looking to make any more trades as he was quoted saying that in the article above. Plus I’m not so sure the A’s would consider moving him to their division rival, or moving him at all.
They literally just traded Valencia there, I’m pretty sure they’d flip one of their elite-ceiling relievers for an OF no matter what team it is — with the lone exception of the Giants. Because that’s the only team Beane has historically not done too many deals with.
When was the last significant player move within the bay area? Darren Lewis? Ray Durham. Mlbtr should do a piece on intracity trades.
Not saying that Oakland won’t trade Doolittle, but Danny Valencia isn’t exactly equal to an elite ceiling reliever.
Agreed!
twood wants to start, apparently
I’m hoping Dipoto works out something with the Pirates for McCutchen. Pits would like to get MLB ready players, so considering we have all these CFers I can see Gamel or Heredia ++ going over to the Pirates. Don’t like the thought of sending Martin in the deal and Pirates may require that, and would rather keep Martin in CF with McCutchen manning one of the corners with Haniger/Dyson platooning the other corner. That would make for the most elite OF in MLB especially defensively.
I have always like Gallardo and his FanGraph WAR value has been incredible except for 2016 due to minor injuries. Gallardo if he just gives us back 2 WAR in 2017 I’ll be happy, but has more upside than that, especially with our improved OF/IF defense.
We can never have enough SP, but we are lacking 1 more elite corner OF player away from serious contention. But if Dipoto somehow lands McCutchen and that move at this point now would at this point in the offseason push the Mariners to an elite status in my book. Bautista would be my 2nd choice for one of the corners, where Bautista would be replaced in the 7th for better late inning defense (i.e.: Bautista gets on base Dyson would come in to run on bases and take over the corner for rest of the game. .
A McCutchen or Bautista move would increase our payroll to an estimated $151-$152m, which sounds like where they are planning to be this year.
The Pirates are not trading McCutchen, and if they were they would not be interested in Gamel or Heredia. Pirates are looking for major league ready starting pitching, not outfielders.
Paxton?
We definitely cannot afford to give up Paxton now that we already traded Walker. I would be questioning the health of Felix and Kuma already, so we need Paxton.
I would have loved Cutch too and would have much rather seen DiPoto trade Walker as part of a package for him instead of Segura, but it is what it is. I don’t think we have what it takes to get him now, especially if they were asking for Giolito and Robles from the Nats, who were two top 10 prospects in baseball.
They asked for Paxton, Diaz, O’Neil and more prospects.
No way, just Paxton and Diaz would be insane
Paxton isn’t going anywhere, but when I mentioned ++ I know O’Neil was mentioned in any trade discussions.
I’ve been against giving top prospects up for rent-a-players, except for players with at least several years of club control like guys like Chris Sale, McCutchen, etc So I would totally expect O’Neil to go in the package deal for McCutchen. Despite his mediocre 2016, McCutchen is still a franchise type player this is only 30 years old and one you’d trade top prospects for.
Cutch only has 2 years of control.
Yes I know he’s got 2 years left of control. Thats still enough to give up prospects for especially for a franchise type player that you could potentially resign longterm.
hahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahha Gamel or Heredia for McCutchen hahahahahaha…. or maybe Martin? ,,, excuse me hhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha I can’t stop laughing
Yikes
I don’t see where McCutcheon is drawing any more substantial offers at this stage of his career, so I’m not sure why you’re laughing.
Vance Worley an option for them? He could start or come out of the bullpen for them. Just an idea.
What about Vance Worley? He could start or come out of the bullpen for them. Just an idea.
Come on, say it one more time…
Worley doesn’t get rave reviews as a starter or coming out of the bullpen.
This is getting old, but when it fits (like here) it’s still funny.
Lol
He’s definitely an interesting option. A guy who can eat up a lot of innings and has improved his stats over the last year or so. And he’s clearly one of the more affordable options compared to guys like Travis Wood. I like the idea. Wood is most preferable, but comes at a higher price so if they want to save money and get a valuable righty, then Worley is the guy.
I like Jason Hammel in Seattle.
I watched him a lot during his time in Philly as a rookie. Didn’t live up to his 2nd round draft slot, but he’s a reliable workhorse out of the bullpen nonetheless.
We already had Nuño.
Yeah guys what about Vance Worley as an option for them? He could start or come out of the bullpen.
Not sure if anyone has suggested this yet, but perhaps Vance Worley as an option? He could come out of the bullpen or start,.
Actually a lot of people have already suggested that in this comment section.
Pretty sure he’s joking haha
Haha
One word: Vance Worley.
Two words: no.
Choice response…lol
Perhaps the Mariners should go after Vance Worley.
Honestly, why the Mariners aren’t going after Jason Hammel is beyond me. He’d do well in Safeco Park.
with the seeming lack of interest for him, I imagine his demands are nuts or his medicals are questionable
I saw him pitch in Baltimore and he didn’t get rave reviews starting or coming out of the bullpen.
The player that makes the most sense is Wood. It looks like Miranda has the best chance at the 5th spot in the rotation (Felix, Kuma, Paxton, Gallardo, Miranda). This would leave the M’s with 1 lefty in the pen and nobody who has the ability to extend outings beyond an inning. Wood fixes both.
Does anyone know if Vance Worley’s reviews are more rave as a starter or out of the bullpen?
How about Brandon Maurer back? He can slide into the back of the bullpen & would cost a ton. Maybe Drew Jackson & Ryan Yarbrough?
If he costs a ton I don’t want him.
No one has mentioned it yet but Vance Worely would be a great option
Were you thinking starter or bullpen?
Kind of shocking at the lack of support for Lance Worley as a viable option. Doesn’t anybody read the articles or comments anymore?
Lance Worley would be even less expensive, but without the draft pedigree or reliable MLB track record that Vance Worley has.
Fantastic analysis
What about Vance Worley? He could start or come out of the bullpen for them. Just and idea.
Jose Abreu from Chi Sox would look great at 1B.
Vogelbach Plus 2 prospects ?
He would really help that order
Quintana and Abreu for Vogelbach, O’Neil, Moore, Peterson, Jackson, Lewis, Neidert. Honestly I don’t think Seattle even has enough to get Quintana by himself.
Probably not Quintana but they could land Alex Cobb who would be fantastic at Safeco. Question though would you trade O’Neil for him.
I love the photos mlbtr uses. This one looks like DiPoto is telling Servais…”…and then I said..Hot N Ready my rear! I been waiting 10 minutes on a pepperoni”
Has anyone thought about Vance Worley? He could be the reliever they are looking for, and a starter.
Maybe even start him and then bring him back in to relieve himself
I’m not at ease with this “revolving door” 5th rotation spot talk. The M’s pitching staff doesn’t look deep enough, each of the first four are distinct attrition/decline risks. I’d like it if they added another quality arm (Alex Cobb, Drew Smyly, Tyson Ross, Jason Hammel, Ervin Santana). Miranda, Whalen, Heston, Povse, Martin, Moore, Unsworth is a nice group of minor league depth, if they’re deserving they’ll work in eventually but I think guaranteeing 32 starts from the onset is a risky matter for a team who’s supposedly trying to be a winner.
As for relief pitching I think they’ll bring back Wilhelmsen.
I’m not really seeing the bullpen need right now. Diaz Cishek scrabble Scribner Zych Altavilla all have shown as recently as a couple months ago that theyre capable 7th inning ++ talents (late2015 more accurate for Zych and Cishek). A real #5 / swingman option would be nice. Gee or Wood perhaps
Zych and Cishek are recovering from surgery. With Caminero’s vacancy they’ve got an MLB slot I believe must be filled, even if it’s just Tom Wilhelmsen.
I’m not a big fan of signing a low upside swingman like those, seems like a role that’s already covered in the depth chart. Alex Cobb is my guy.
Kansas City would have never traded Dyson to Detroit. How about Dyson for Justin Wilson?
Why would a rebuilding Detroit give up several cheap years of a good pitcher for one year of Dyson?
Justin Wilson, who posted 1.0 fWAR last season, comes with only two years of team control.
Jarrod Dyson, who posted 3.1 fWAR last season, comes with one year of team control.
My bad, thought Wilson was fresher into MLB. fWAR undervalues leverage quality relief work, this is reflected in how it’s valued in the market compared with starting pitching and position players.
I don’t think Dyson alone would be enough and don’t think the Tigers are playing the market like buyers this year anyhow, though they haven’t made any of the sellers moves Avila stated he was open to this winter.
Mariners need a FA 5th Starter, we have the depth after that (Miranda,Heston)
I was thinking Vance Worley