The Mariners announced that they have designated infielder/outfielder Tim Lopes for assignment to make room for the signing of right-hander Chris Flexen, who’s officially part of the team.
Lopes was a sixth-round pick of the Mariners in 2012, though he spent time with the Blue Jays a few years back before returning to the M’s on a minor league contract. He made his major league debut in 2019 and slashed a respectable .270/.359/.360 in 128 plate appearances, but the 26-year-old wasn’t able to offer that type of production over a slightly larger sample sample size last season. Lopes concluded with a .238/.278/.364 line in 151 trips to the plate.
Despite his struggles last season, Lopes could draw interest as someone who has played a handful of positions in the majors (second base, third and both corner outfield spots). He also has three minor league options remaining.
NOOOOO!!!!!! No no no no no. This sucks……
Lopes isn’t the next Barry Bonds but I really like him. I hope we don’t lose him but pretty sure we will. Epically for a guy like Flexen. Dipoto and gang must see something in him I don’t. Guess that’s why they get paid to do this and I’m just a fan. Long suffering M’s fan but we are on the rise so….IN JERRY WE TRUST!!
He has options left …they will not lose him. He is still on their 40 man.
They just designed him for assignment. Which means he is removed from their 40 man. And may potentially get claimed.
The M’s had to remove Lopes so they could add Montero to the 40 man.
EDIT: add Flexen.
They most likely will lose him. Lopes isn’t going to be a world beater but he’s definitely a useful versatile guy and as you mentioned he’s got options remaining.
We are talking about Lopes..relax. Additionally, I much prefer starting pitching over extra utility guys.
This move is maybe a little surprising given Lopes plays all over the field including on the mound!! The kid was scorching hot during his Spring Training battle v Dylan Moore for the Utility Role then like many players cooled off when the season resumed.
He’s a player you like to root for- an underdog if you will, but if I’m honest the Mariners probably won’t be in a chase for the playoffs if we are missing Tim Lopes bat in the lineup. If no-one picks him up he’ll have another chance to win the Swiss Army knife role.
Sdctitans- C Flexen has a higher ceiling and the potential to have more impact on the team than Tim Lopes. I suppose when you commit yourself to a 6 man rotation a position player loses his place on the 40!
Yeah I get it. It’s not a bad move. I just hate to lose flexibility with Dylan Moore most likely headed to full time 2B. It’s not a tragedy to the lineup, but over a full season I think he adds value.
Flexen doesn’t really interest me, but I agree probably slot more upside and we need to bridge pitching this year.
He’s fungible. He provides positional flexibility, but has little power and no real stand-out skill. Some team with a little more 40-man roster space might pick him up, but also not impossible he clears and the Mariners assign him to AAA. Players like Lopes have some value but they’re also replaceable.
This was surprising, but he wasn’t likely going to be around beyond 2021. Though he offers a little positional flexibility, he isn’t a great defender. He was likely fourth in the pecking order for 2B.
This tells us that they value Sam Haggerty more (so do I), and apparently Jose Marmolejos (whom I don’t) as well. Worth noting Haggerty is a switch-hitter; Marmolejos is a lefty.
If it were my call, Marmolejos would have gone first. He can’t hit breaking balls. Seattle should be prioritizing LHHs, but I’d prefer a veteran like Jake Lamb or Joc Pederson. Or both.
I’m really surprised Marmalejos is still on the 40. He doesn’t bring much positional flexibility. I also have no idea what the Mariners see in Robert Dugger.
Domingo Tapia also surprises me a little- he’s 29 and owns 4 1/3 innings of MLB experience. Must be his big athletic frame and avg FB velo of 99 mph! Jerry’s a sucker for a big FB!
Scary you trust Jerry!
Swing— You must be an Angels fan. You do realize Sciosca wouldn’t allow Jerry to give LAA hitters detailed info on opposing pitcher tendencies. Same for Angels pitchers- Sciosca denied Dipoto from giving his Pitchers info on opposing hitters tendencies. When you think of all the video analysis, statcast, heat maps etc avail for the players today it’s mind boggling that Dipoto was not allowed to provide this type of info to Angels players. For what it’s worth Dipoto had 1 year’s GM experience before he came to LAA. What was he, 40 when he came to LAA?
I think he is unfairly judged by Angels fans, but you can’t change some people. Dipoto could win a WS in Seattle by 2025 and some LA fans will still think he’s a clown. Just saying!
Speaking of clowns, If you’re a Seattle fan compare the two GM’s in Seattle prior to Dipoto and where we are today- there is no comparison. Dipoto isn’t perfect, sure he’s swung and missed on some deals but every GM does.
Think about the decision to convert Diaz from SP to Closer. Brilliant move, a lot of people assume that move was a no-brainer but half of the M’s FO (when it was discussed in the 2016 season Winter meetings) wanted him to remain a SP.
Keep in mind, at that time in 2016 Diaz was the M’s 2nd best prospect as a SP. Diaz was barely in AA in his 5th year in Dipoto’s 1st season. Diaz was converted to a RP in AA and after just 10 outings as a RP he was on his way to SEA. He obliterated the Mariners saves record before he was sent to the Mets in that famous trade which was the foundation of what has become the 2nd or 3rd best farm system (depending on your sources) in MLB. Yea, we shouldn’t trust a GM who makes that move!
Oh No!!! What are the M’s going to do without this .250 hitter with no pop. Call the presses!
Hopefully they can re-sign him to a minor league contract.
Lopes was once traded for Mr. Switch-Pitcher himself, Pat Venditte.
The Brewers need to pick this guy up. He definitely could help them at third base. Then if they sign Franco ( which they should) he could become there super utility player.
Let’s go Baltimore. We need depth and this would be a great pickup
agreed, sneaky pickup for Bmore if they get him
Lopes still has options, the Ms will most likely send him down for depth.
Then they would have optioned him instead of DFAing him….
You option someone off the 25, you dfa them to get them off the 40.
He has 3 minor league options left- I’d be surprised if he makes it through waivers. I suppose that means Shed Long, Donnie Walton and Sam Haggerty are duking it out for the Utility role
Rays
No way are the Rays using a 40 man spot on Lopes. They can’t even protect all their quality prospects. Come on now.
Plays multiple positions, gets on base a lot.
He has Farhan Zaidi’s name written all over him….
dont see the appeal to be honest
They should have dfa’d someone else.
He was a solid versatile guy, I hope he clears waivers and optioned to the miinors.
I wish him the best in case he finds a new team.
Man this sucks! I am a huge Lopes fan. Everytime he was in the lineup or came into pinch hit I always had a good feeling. Plays multiple positions very well.
He’s worth a flier in DET.
Seems like fans of a lot of teams like Lopes. It is a matter of room in a 40 man for him. The Mets have Jeff McNeil. He is McNeil with a lighter bat. The fact that some Seattle fans will miss him means he myst play with heart, like McNeil. He’ll
find a 40 man spot somewhere, especially with options. Good luck to him.
I obviously can’t speak for all Mariners fans but I was rooting for Tim Lopes because he was a good underdog story. He was such a long shot to make the team because he was surrounded by quite a few prospects who all had more to offer.
Lopes gives you replacement level D at 2nd, 3rd and LF but really struggled at SS. That’s not a quality you want in a Utility type.
I have a really hard time seeing a Jeff McNeil comparison but you did say you liked McNeil because he plays with heart. Lopes definitely has that but that’s where the comparison ends! I’d say he’s more like the 2020 version of Amed Rosario with less power!! I’d say there’s a 65% chance he’s back with the Mariners because hitter like Tim Lopes seem to be easy to find.
This move was a mistake. There are several players that should have lost their spot before Lopes. Jerry apologists are going to have to work overtime explaining this one.
I just dont see how Dipoto has earned anything, but healthy skepticism.
Is it that hard to understand that a RHH with bad defense on a RHH-heavy team might not be a perfect fit?
Sure, other players could have gone first. But who cares when those other players will all go soon enough anyway?
Cutting him loose early gives him a better shot at getting picked up as well. And if he clears waivers, well, then there really wouldn’t be anything to complain about, would there?
You’re right, on a Jerry Dipoto team, everyone will go soon enough. It’s just a matter of time.
I’ve just watched him construct poor teams for too many years. He tries to outsmart the world instead of just amassing talent. There’s no way Lopes is the 41st least valuable player on this roster. Just because the move doesn’t involve an All-Star doesn’t mean it doesn’t ultimately affect a franchise. Dipoto tries guys out for short periods of time before moving on to the next shiny object. That has to weigh on his players. You can like Dipoto all you want, but I find him lacking.
Tim Lopes is a doubles machine. Loves hitting doubles. Guess we like haggerty and marmelejos more