The Mariners have just $51.5MM committed to 11 players for the upcoming season and are just shy of $14MM in guaranteed contracts on the books come 2022. (They also owe the D-backs $5MM this year as part of the Mike Leake trade.) Despite their wide-open payroll outlook, however, they haven’t been major players in free agency. That, reports Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times, is due in part to ownership placing unexpected limitations on the team’s spending this winter. Divish cites multiple sources in indicating that the current limitations are being put into place with an eye toward spending next winter, when the free-agent class is deeper and when the club has even fewer commitments on the books.
There’s still an argument to be made that the Mariners should still jump the market, given the remaining slate of appealing free agents and the seemingly limited market for some of the leading names. General manager Jerry Dipoto reiterated to reporters this week, after all, that competing for a playoff berth is something the club hopes to be possible. Adding even some mid-tier free agents could go a long way toward making that a reality, given the context of the AL West, but it doesn’t sound as though any major expenditures are in the offing at this time.
A few notes from Divish, 710 ESPN’s Shannon Drayer, and The Athletic’s Corey Brock after Dipoto’s media availability this week…
- Newly signed right-hander Chris Flexen will be penciled into the Mariners’ rotation to begin the season, Dipoto revealed this week. Far from a household name, the 26-year-old Flexen was an up-and-down member of the Mets from 2017-19 before posting a dominant season with the Korea Baseball Organization’s Doosan Bears in 2020. The righty tossed 116 2/3 innings of 3.01 ERA ball, striking out 28 percent of his opponents against just a 6.4 percent walk rate. Flexen’s 21-start workload figures to be extra vital to the Mariners, given that most MLB pitchers were limited to around half that many starts. Seattle again plans to use a six-man rotation in 2021, per Dipoto. Drayer notes that the GM is “open” to adding another starter, with only four spots locked in right now (Flexen, Marco Gonzales, Justus Sheffield and Yusei Kikuchi).
- Brock notes that right-hander Rafael Montero, acquired earlier this month in a trade with the Rangers, is the current favorite to open the season as the Mariners’ closer. Like Flexen, Montero is a former Mets prospect — a far more well-regarded one, having ranked among the game’s top 100 at one point — who didn’t find his footing in New York but has found success elsewhere. After missing a season due to Tommy John surgery, Montero landed in Texas on a minor league pact and returned to the big leagues to toss 46 2/3 innings of 3.09 ERA (3.34 SIERA) ball from 2019-20. Averaging a career-best 95.6 mph on his heater as a Ranger, Montero posted a 28.6 percent strikeout rate and a 5.9 percent walk rate. He’s controlled another two years and will give the Mariners a power option to lock things down.
- “We continue to be connected to free agents we think can make us better, and specifically we would like to add a little bit more depth to that bullpen, if that’s possible,” Dipoto said (via Divish). There’s no clear indication of the number at which ownership has capped payroll, so the extent of the Mariners’ free-agent targets is a bit tough to gauge. MLB.com’s Jon Morosi reported earlier this week that the M’s are interested in veteran Joakim Soria, although he’s presumably just one of many potential targets.
- In some good news on the injury front, the Mariners expect right fielder Mitch Haniger to be ready to take the field when camp opens. Dipoto noted that a healthy Haniger is the team’s “best player,” adding that he looks “terrific physically.” It’s been a brutal road of freak injuries for Haniger, whose health woes began in 2019 when he sustained a ruptured testicle due to a terribly placed foul ball. Haniger required surgery to address that injury, and while he began a rehab assignment two months later, he was quickly shut down due to back discomfort. As it turned out, Haniger tore an adductor muscle off the bone during that rehab stint, leading to subsequent core muscle and microdiscectomy surgeries. If he is indeed able to suit up to begin the year, it’ll mark a nearly two-year road back to the Mariners’ big league roster. The now-30-year-old Haniger appeared on the cusp of stardom for the Mariners as recently as 2018, when he made the All-Star team and slashed .285/.366/.493 with 26 home runs, 38 doubles, four triples, eight steals (in ten tries) and 10 Defensive Runs Saved in right field.
Mariners with money to spend and really nowhere to spend it. Maybe they could go for Realmuto if they think he could move them forward. Marcel Ozuna could give them some power as a DH
Seattle could use a little of everyone. Rotation, Bullpen, C, bats… Everything could use 200M of touch up work. I’m convinced they could sign Edgar or A-Rod now to DH and they’d be no worse.
Catcher is one of the positions where they don’t need to add. Need to see what they have in Murphy and Torrens, and they believe Raleigh is nearly major league ready.
Why? None of those guys are as close to as good as Realmuto. Raleigh’s best case outcome is like league average, which is a pretty dismal thing to hope for.
If you have to ask why then I don’t think you’re paying enough attention. Go Cougs!
Kid I was just starting to like you but then you went and Couged it.
Is that word in the new dictionary because it should be. The way of life in the Palouse.
Haha maybe you just need to embrace that way of life and you’ll get it.
Lol
What do you mean? They’re Flexen their financial muscle.
Why would Realmuto want to commit to 4+ years in Seattle? I would think his priority would be a contender for the first time in his career.
His commitment is to the $$$$$$$$$..he will play in the north pole if he gets enough money
They have 3 catchers they like a lot in Murphy, Torrens, and Raleigh (Raleigh a potential September call-up). Realmuto isn’t likely someone they feel they need.
They still need a LHH, preferably one that can handle 1B, so Ozuna probably isn’t a real target either, though they are going to need veterans bats moving forward.
Agree 100%
I feel bad for M’s fans. Even when they can spend & compete, they come up with excuses not to.
Meh, no reason to spend just to spend as long as they truly will next offseason. Lots of young potential on the roster and I’d hate for them to block a budding prospect just for the sake of making a splash. In 2 years the offense could feature Kelenic, Julio Rodriguez, Lewis, White, Raleigh, Moore, Crawford, and France. They have to be particular about who they add.
Well said. I totally agree
His plan since he sold everyone off was to spend in 2022 soooooo I’m not mad unless they try and find an excuse next year not to spend
Mariners is one proper landing spot for Realmuto. If the Mariners are willing to carry 3 Catchers they can DH Realmuto once in a while and get him in 150 games.
No to Realmuto: way to expensive enventho they have $ to spend.
Money to spend and losses to pile up.
Still no. We need to have an eye on 2022. Overpaying for free agents who will inevitably be on the downturn when the time comes to compete is pointless.
Where does Cal Raleigh fit in with the future of the organization? I would love for the Tigs to make a trade for him or Torrens
The M’s really like Raleigh, but I think they’re too hyped.
Raleigh is a 60 grade defender with plus power. Give him time.
An SBNation analyysis of Cal Raleigh vs. other prospect catchers:
lookoutlanding.com/2021/1/21/22215838/cal-raleigh-…
They likely see Raleigh as half of their catching tandem and probably believe he’ll get the lion’s share of starts. But it’s simply too early to know who they’ll run with in 2022 and beyond. Injury has a funny way of making decisions easy, so there’s that as well.
I’m with you on that one. Cal Raleigh doesn’t seem like anything special. I don’t understand why he has the hype he does.
A switch-hitting catcher with power from both sides and solid defense? They like the way he calls games and handles the staffs he has worked with as well.
I don’t think he’s over-hyped. I would even argue he kind of gets lost in the shadows of the more recognizable prospects, such as Kelenic, Rodriguez, Gilbert, Marte, Hancock, etc.
Sodo you listen to comments the pitchers he has caught for? Pitchers love him. Like Stevil said good from both sides of the plate and pitchers believe they can throw anything and he will stop it.
Part of the reason a bunch of these guys were in AA a couple years ago so they could play together. Get to know each other and bond. Some are best friends now. That could be derailed by injuries lets hope not.
No more suggestions of Ozuna, Realmuto, or… We did that with Cano- don’t go down that path again.
Now if they got Sonny Gray and Sofia, the pitch staff would be much improved and add a veteran.. Add a Carl edwards on a minor deal for depth. You have to look at Haniger and Murphy back in 21′ as “adding 2 offensive players” without trading or signing a FA.
Position players: I think they have alot of options and will need to let guys share positions.
Moore, Lewis, haniger-OF
Seagar, JP,, Long, White
Murphy, Torrens-C
France-DH
How is Carl Edwards depth when he can’t ever stay healthy
Cheap minor league deal. IF he’s healthy…..
I do say Carl Edwards jr Bc he was pretty good when he was with the Ms tbh
The more I think about it the more I believe the M’s should go big for Realmuto
He can really help the young arms that are coming up and be a solid middle of the order bat
The rest of their core are all going to be young & inexpensive for the next few years & although next years free agent market may be better I don’t see a better fit for what they are trying to build
Murphy has a good rep behind the plate, works well with pitchers, and is much cheaper than JT.
So? He’s also much worse than JTR and has been a good hitter one year. Tom Murphy, at best, is a JAG+ (the paid app version of Just A Guy).
Look at the recent WS winners and you’ll notice- you don’t have to field the best Catcher in the game to win it all. Recent playoff teams have won despite their Catchers! My point is you can get a lot of production from that spot without buying the best Catcher in the game.
Instead of spending nearly $150M on one Catcher the M’s could theoretically extend any top prospects (like Kelenic or Lewis) that succeed at the MLB level, fill the 2B position AND buy a couple of really good RP’s. Spunking $150M on Realmuto would be bad business imo.
Murphy, Torrens (and Raleigh) have a realistic chance (if healthy) to be the best catching tandem in the AL West. I’d put money on that group being in the top 50% for offensive production across MLB. Have you seen the dross that teams put up with at that position?
The M’s will spend big money on a FA next year- that FA class is stacked with INF’ers.
As a Padres fan, I can tell you that any catching group that includes Luis Torrens is not going to be a good catching group. Torrens needs to be moved to first or DH immediately. He is one of the worst defensive players I have ever seen. I don’t think the M’s are in the right place to spend big money on Realmuto, but they will need to upgrade at catcher if they want to compete.
From FanGraphs after the trade on August 31, 2020: Luis “Torrens’ defensive abilities are well regarded, too, and they’ve reportedly improved since his major league debut three years ago.”
blogs.fangraphs.com/padres-and-mariners-swap-backs…
Based upon what I have seen of his major league play, Torrens is one of the worst defenders I have ever seen. I usually love FanGraphs, but this is one take that I definitely disagree with them on.
Amen. Someone who knows the Mariners roster and knows what their talking about.
I saw Torrens with my own eyes as well. He definitely did not look as bad as you say. I thought he played pretty well behind the dish. Sure it was only a handful of games, but he definitely passed my eye test.
@Benjamin560 – I don’t know what you value behind the plate, but Torrens is a horrible pitch framer. He can hit pretty well for a catcher, but I don’t think that will matter when he is actively hurting your pitching staff with his framing. He profiles better as a 1b/dh.
Pitch framing is going bye bye real soon with robot umps just around the corner, so I find that irrelevant. I used to put a value on it, and I could see that possibly being a relevant argument, but its becoming less and less of a need for catcher’s to be decent pitch framer’s.
I haven’t seen anything from him that has harmed this staff, thus far. We actually wound up with a winning record down the stretch and he was used quite a bit behind the plate.
Again, it was only a handful of games, you know him better than I do, I just don’t see his awfulness as you say.
If you are correct in your opinion that robot umpires will happen, then Torrens will be a really good starting catcher. However, if robot umpires do not come, I think he will need to find a new position. From what I saw when he was in San Diego and Seattle(I watched the second series Seattle played against us), he cost pitchers a lot of strikes.
For the record, I am a big believer in pitch framing being the single most important trait in a catcher, but I can understand why other people don’t value it as much.
Torrens is definitely a down grade in framing from Nola… but Murphy is very good at framing – better than most… so the staff will get better with him catching
Torrens was a Rule-5 selection that was kept up prematurely because he was coveted. He didn’t play in 2018, barely played (MLB) in 2019, and barely played in 2020 before getting traded to Seattle.
We don’t know what his defense (or bat) will look like for the long-term. But they scouting reports were glowing for a reason and we’ll see if he’s able to reach, or come close to, his ceiling.
I understand your point re: Torrens, hopefully the 24yr old improves but he will not be the primary Catcher in Seattle. Tom Murphy will be that guy. Torrens is just a stop-gap. If (when) switch hitting Cal Raleigh is promoted later this year he will have a chance to take over the Torrens spot.
I wouldn’t call Torrens a stop-gap. I think Seattle likely wants to get a hard look at all three, then make a decision.
Worth noting that Raleigh’s the only one who will have options (once his contract is purchased).
Probably should go with the scouts, over your eye test.
Yeah, and how about those scouts? Did you happen to read what they’ve said about him?
Spoiler: They raved about him.
Depoto and Service have praised Torrens work.
Good enough for me.
The reason Seattle was never likely going to spend big this offseason is because of the ongoing assessment at a number of positions. Catcher, first base, second base, shortstop, and left field are all occupied by players deserving of a look, or a harder look at some point this season. Seattle lacks depth, so they could add stop-gaps and role players (and they should), but they need to know what they really have before investing heavily in any particular place.
The rotation and bullpen are similar, but a little further behind, as most of their top prospects are likely more than just a year out, so adding arms on 2 or 3-year deals would make sense. Contracts with options serve the same purpose.
That said, they can’t wait forever and they can’t rely on a team full of rookies and second-year players to get them into the postseason next year. At some point, some of the prospects need to viewed as depth, or future depth.
There should be enough money for a starter like Walker, infield insurance such as Jake Lamb, and a reliever that can tighten things up in the middle or late innings. But next offseason, with Seager off the books and Kikuchi’s player option at 13m being the largest contract, they should be able to splurge. Conforto, Syndergaard, Lindor or Story, Rizzo, etc. are all potential answers where Seattle may have holes.
The odds of landing 4-5 star free agents may not seem realistic (and it may not be necessary), but the dough is there and Seattle should be far more attractive with elite prospects graduating and having created a culture that is respected and appreciated by major-leaguers and prospects alike.
Yes, I’ll take Murphy and the catching unit over Realmuto. Catcher is probably the one place Seattle doesn’t really need to add depth too. JT is a nice player, but salary towards this roster can be better used elsewhere, like augmenting the pitching rotation, or going out to acquire a franchise SS and move Crawford over to second base.
Kyle Seager’s contract is up at the end of the year as well, so either Ty France takes over there, or they could acquire some third base help via free agency.
I like Ty France a lot, but you cannot rely on him to play third. He is better suited for a 1b/dh role. The Mariners are better off spending money on one of the top-level infielders that will be available in free agency next year.
If you’re going all in a World Series then sure, but the Mariners are not and need to give France an extended opportunity which is not something any team has done yet.
That’s why they want to get Coach Perry Hill to work his magic on France, just like he did with Crawford by turning him into a Gold glover. Now I’m not saying France is going to a gold glove third baseman, but he might just be able to play a serviceable average hot corner.
Perry Hill will try to work his magic, and if it isn’t enough, they’ll have Noelvi Marte knockin’ on the door.
If they spend on an infielder (and I think that is a real possibility), it’s probably more likely to be a middle-infielder or a first baseman.
Keyword: ‘If’. They’ll see if Crawford can do more with the bat, they’ll see how Moore handles 2B full-time, and they’ll give White every chance to reach his ceiling, even if it means more time in the minors first.
It would be nice if you could turn France into a good defender. However, the problem with France isn’t coaching, it is that he doesn’t have the agility to stick at the position. That is not something you can coach into a guy. I do believe that France is a good enough hitter to be valuable at first or DH though, so I don’t think it will matter too much if he can’t play third.
Do you think they would be better off taking your word for France being a lost cause defensively or going with the coaching and development they believe in?
I think they are better off trying to see if they can fix him. However, his problem is more related to his athleticism, and I don’t think it is possible to coach him to be more agile. With that being said, I do think he can be a good first baseman or dh.
I thought he played a pretty good 2B actually last year.
Players move off of SS because of a lack of agility. He doesn’t have to be as mobile as Seager, he just has to be able to make the routine plays.
And really, you should take a hard look at what Long and Crawford accomplished last year in the field, Both will tell you that Hill made all the difference.
France is going to get his opportunity. It won’t be this year, but Dipoto’s already suggested that they expect him to be at third moving forward.
Agreed, Noelvi is the third baseman of the future, or Austin Shenton.
Obviously you’ve seen Ty France in action more than Mariners fans like myself. You’d have seen him in the Minors so maybe you can answer this- I read Ty France was never really given a chance to play in the INF in AAA and the MLB level because he was blocked mostly by Machado, and Hosmer.
He played fine at 2nd base. But Dan is the all knowing being of former Padres, or at least thinks he is
This will be the 20th year of the rebuild! Have they given you ANY indication how much longer it’s going to take? “We ask that you please bear with us.” Ahahaha
(?)
They’ve prematurely tried to break out of the rebuild a few times… 2009, 2011 (when a 17 game losing streak derailed them), and 2018 (missed post season by 1 game). So it hasn’t all been hopeless, though 2012-2017 was a particularly disastrous stretch.
Oddly the M’s have spent a ton of these down years investing to make Safeco field a great place to watch a game, which has made some of this suck bearable.
I visited SafeCo several years back when Ichiro was still there, loved that ballpark. Great view from many places.
It would be nice if Seattle was good enough to be a threat in the West.
They’re entering the third year of their rebuild. The problem was they tried to half-@ss things with the previous ownership group and front offices; sneak into the postseason, rather than try to build a perennial contender.
That is changing.
Thatta boy, keeping drinking the kool aid. Ahahaha!
(?)
Right, because I suggested they were a well-run organization for years?
Brilliant.
As a mariners fan, I really don’t want to watch utility infielders DH very often. I’d love to see them bring Cruz back or go get Ozuna.
Or an even bolder move would be to steal JT Realmuto from Philly.
Seattle desperately needs some bats and DH, C, or LF seem like the best spots to add too. I know they are stacked with outfield prospects and even have a catching prospect they like, but there’s no way the Mariners shouldn’t be spending some significant cash on ONE player this offseason to jumpstart the work they need to do next year.
I’d prefer Joc Pederson tbh cause they need a LH power bat or bat in general
There absolutely is an argument for Joc Pederson. Though Kelenic should bring some power to the table, that may take a year or two to really show and Seager will likely be gone after this season.
And as of now, Seattle has just two LHHs slotted for regular duties: Kyle Seager and JP Crawford. Fraley is most likely going to start the season in Tacoma and Marmolejos is a DFA candidate.
Trammell isn’t ready for the majors in my opinion. Kelenic will be looking to prove he belongs in the majors right out of the gates. I’m not opposed to a left handed power bat in Pederson or Rosario, just make sure they aren’t blocking any prospects like Fraley, Bishop, Marmolejos, or Long. The M’s really need to see what they have in these prospects at the major league level. The only way to find out is through at bats.
I also would prefer to not see Shed Long playing much left field this season, but I fear that’s what we’ll get until June.
Right if that happens then we be f***ed
Hopefully Kelenic will be up by then.
Right hopefully
Seager for Grichuk and McGuire.
Doesn’t make sense for the Mariners at all. Opens up third base but blocks Raleigh and all of the outfield prospects.
Not really. Haniger to DH, Grichuk RF. Or Haniger IL. It would mean Ty France plays 3B.
Where would Kelenic, Lewis and Trammell play?
Trammell plays in AAA where he belongs.
Lewis CF. Fraley LF, Kelenic plays if Haniger isn’t healthy. If not he stays in AAA and trade Haniger is June if he’s hitting. Then Kelenic replaces him.
Seems like a lot of unnecessary maneuvering and holding back prospects(Trammell as well as J-Rod in 2022) to accommodate trading a player in Seager they have no reason to trade.
Haniger looks great. He’s an All Star right fielder when he’s right, with great range, a big arm, and good reads.
Trammell is a prospect in name only. Fading numbers in the minors as he progresses should be a problem for M’s fans. I laid out your plan; hope Haniger is healthy and deal him for a need either on the INF or pitching, allowing Kelenic to announce his presence. I don’t know where Fraley fits in, or if he does. Lewis stands firm in CF.
It’s not even about blocking prospects, Seattle simply isn’t going to trade away their lone seasoned veteran and one of just two LHHs they have for a RHH that’s owed 30+ million over the next 3 years, doesn’t get on base and strikes out a lot. And adding a catcher makes little sense as well since already they have 3 that they like.
Seattle needs to trade one of their outfielders. In the next few years, they will have five potentially above average outfielders in Haniger, Lewis, Rodriguez, Kelenic, and Trammel. They can’t find room for all of them, so it is better for them to trade at least one fo those guys for a position of need.
What does catcher have to do with this? More ramblings…
Haniger leaves in free agency and the four remaining rotate between outfield and DH. Not much of problem there.
I think they hold onto Haniger. Hes exactly the type of player you try to acquire when he’s right. Plus he only costs you $3M. I still want to see what Lewis can do over a full season of baseball. The odds of Kelenic, Trammell, and Julio ALL panning out are quite low, so better to hit on one or two just to make sure you can fill all 3 positions.
My money is on Kelenic and Julio sticking. I don’t think Trammell lives up to the hype.
As far as catching goes, we are set for years with Murphy, Torrens, and Raleigh. No need to add a $150M catcher behind the dish unless he can play gold glove defense at SS too.
I’m not sure why everyone’s so quick to give up on Trammell given how well this front office has been at player development. Give the guy a year with this coaching and then make a decision.
That’s nothing to sweat right now, and as 24 noted, Haniger’s due to hit free agency after ’22.
Let’s comp outfielders Kyle Lewis and Taylor Trammell, fellow Georgians taken in the first round of the 2016 draft, Lewis out of college and Trammell out of high school.
Neither has played an inning at the Triple A level, but here are their career minor league numbers:
KL DOB 7-13-95 287 G, 1,228 PA, .260/.334/.417/.751
TT DOB 9-13-97 426 G, 1,799 PA, .270/.363/.406/.769
Baseball Reference lists the righthand-hitting Lewis at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds and the lefthand-hitting Trammell at 6-foot-2, 213 pounds.
Lewis lost his prospect sheen before breaking out in his 2020 Rookie of the Year season. Trammell has seen his prospect status drop but remains a Top 100 prospect at Baseball Prospectus. Their prospect rankings (BA/MLB/BP):
KL: 2017 17/34/29; 2018: 67/70/NR
TT: 2018 48/43/59; 2019: 33/16/11; 2020: 73/57/69; 2021: NR/51/72
The Mariners would welcome a Lewis-like breakout from Trammell.
The fact that he’s in his third organization in four years is why people are starting to give up on him. As is his numbers project to being a 4th Outfielder. Lewis, Kelenic, and Rodriguez look like a solid OF.
24- I really don’t get it. I assume a lot of fans think the M’s are “stacked at the OF position.” Or that he’s been traded twice so he must be damaged goods! We wouldn’t have traded away A Nola if the FO didn’t see something in him (+Ty France, Torrens and Munoz.) Let him develop in Tacoma, so he can earn a roster spot. You never know what will happen in a season. You can never have too many good cost controlled young and talented players.
Montero will do very well in Seattle. Be happy M’s fans, you have a good closer again.
This M’s FA is very happy indeed! I love that pickup- Montero was a great waiver wire pickup for my fantasy team too! Middleton has closing experience, I could see Graveman in that roll also, he had some filthy stuff late last yr
Any story that contains the phrase “ruptured testicle” should have a graphic content warning.
A’s and Astros are weaker so far and the Angels haven’t done much yet and Texas is behind in their rebuild… seems like a good opportunity to try for the division.
Exactly!!
Cant forget we have a crop of minor leaguers expected to break the roster in the next year also.
I’d like to see them spend 15 or so total on 1 year maybe + an option year guys 1 each in the pen, RH starter, and stopgap LF. Maybe Taijuan Walker or Richards, Soria, and inert name here LF. No reason to muddle up the payroll or block any other prospects. Still one more look and see year for 5-10 young players. Then i hope they let the spending flow to where they think they’re weak next year. Have to get one of the 5 SSs in the loaded class next year. Move JP to 2B or maybe Baez to 2B if he’s the lucky guy. I think they’re fine for now at catcher with Murphy + Torrens + Raleigh hopefully debuting in the summer
Mariners have become the Detroit Lions of MLB!
Sleep on the Mariners. #3 farm, no big commitments. This is where the Cubs and Asterisks where in 2014. Cheating aside, Houston built a monster that if they hadn’t got greedy would be the ALs dodgers now. The Ms simply don’t need that much. From an outside perspective it’s hard to see. But this team will be a contender for a long time. 95-03 era all over.
From this FA class, the only pieces that fit are rotation and bullpen. They have addressed the bullpen a bit already but adding a guy like Clippard or Soria makes some sense. For the rotation, adding a reunion-guy like Walker or Paxton on a 2 year deal fits fine. Odorizzi on a 2 year deal would be a fine alternative. Adding a C or OF would block their future core.
Joc Pederson and Tanaka make the most sense to me as free agents, however I would be shocked if either happen. Cruz would make sense if they can move Seager as France can move to third full time, but they also shouldn’t be in any rush to move Seager as he still provides value unless they get an offer that is too good to pass up.
^ bingo my bro
The OF will be Lewis, Fraley, Haniger with Marmolejos, and Bishop as alternatives. Kelenic and Trammell could make an appearance at some point in 2021. Mariners have to be careful about blocking the young guys with a signing like Pederson or Ozuna.
I didn’t recommend that they sign Ozuna, and Pederson won’t be blocking anyone as he’s not going to play everyday and won’t be getting a long term deal. If the goal is to compete for a playoff spot, Fraley, Marmo and Bishop shouldn’t be getting many at bats combined with the Mariners righty heavy lineup is why Pederson fits.
Also, Pederson can move to DH and rotate with Haniger once Kelenic shows he is ready to take over in the outfield.
I know you didnt recommend Ozuna. I have seen that mentioned by other people so I thought I would add him in to my explanation. I would rather see the Mariners allocate most of their money to 2022 and beyond. I dont believe that this group (without Kelenic, Rodriguez, Hancock, Kirby, Gilbert) have the ability to make a deep post season run. I view 2021 as an opportunity to increase the exposure of the young guys and give them one last chance to make their case for being key pieces moving forward. I do however believe that adding Paxton or Walker to the rotation on a 2 year deal would be fine. Also, a bullpen piece like Soria or Clippard would be ok.
The Mariners have essentially nothing on the books for 2022 as of now, they could sign all of the current top free agents and there is no good reason for it to hinder their spending next offseason.
And when you consider how much Tanaka and Pederson would cost on short term deals, there is no reason to not at least make an attempt(which they have not yet done).
Bishop is 27. Though I’d rather see him in Tacoma, he’s nearly a lock to make the opening day roster. Fraley will get an opportunity in spring, but he’s likely destined for Tacoma, and Marmolejos is out of options, so he’s likely going to get DFAd at some point.
They could add Joc Pederson and use him in LF until Kelenic debuts, then slide him into a DH role. France may be needed at 1B if White needs more minor-league seasoning.
That said, I think they’re more likely to add a corner infielder like Jake Lamb. He’d cost less, serve as insurance for White, and would give the bench a decent veteran.
Seager WILL NOT be traded! If he is, a player option kicks in for over $15 million. No team will touch that.
Yes you’re correct about the player option, but Seager still has a lot of offensive value and would definitely net a fair return from a wide array of teams.
In 166 games since the start of the 2019 season Kyle Seager has posted 4.4 fWAR, valued at $35.5 million. The Mariners may well exercise the 2022 team option.
I think they’ll exercise it too.
Given the state of the AL West, I think Seattle should add w/ eyes on competitive baseball being played this coming season.
Some of their younger pieces took positive steps in ’20, and others could follow suit this year.
Adding supplemental pieces to a roster that, imo, is respectable, would go a long way in expediting the “rebuild”.
Hope Haniger returns to earlier form like before all the injuries.
For everyone saying why don’t they spend money rn, well like what it says in the article the Mariners are most likely going to spend the big bucks next year with a deeper FA class but I do agree they should sign a Left handed LF/DH like Joc Pederson or even kolton Wong myself to tbh I think he’d fit perfectly in the INF full of Gold glovers then sign Keone Kela and Alex Colome to the back end of the pen or even Doolittle is too
I agree with you and the article, but the problem that has arisen is that ownership is unwilling to spend the money to sign even the guys you mentioned.
Right n that pisses me off like go sign some proven players especially in the Bullpen
I just don’t see much of a reason to sign any major free agents this year.
The AL West is weaker than normal, and with the expanded playoff spots… why not wait until the All-Star break to see who is performing both in Seattle and Tacoma, and then make adjustments…. just like many other teams do it.
Yes, minor signings or even just minor league contracts to vets to round out the squad are probably needed, but why not just let things play out…. what’s another 2 or 3 years of waiting?
Sign Taijuan Walker.to 2 or 3 years
See if James Paxton willing to come back and re-establish the Maple Grove (eh!) on 1-year make-good contract
Rotation then – Paxton-Walker-Gonzales-Flexen-Sheffield-Kikuchi
Kikuchi either starts looking like an MLB starter or goes to BP when Gilbert ready
Sign Anthony Bass for BP, not Soria
Use Dylan Moore in LF until Kelenic ready
Use Shed Long at 2nd and see if he can hold it down without a bum leg until Kelenic ready
When Kelenic up, Moore to 2nd or to UT as Long’s performance requires
Let Jake Fraley get reps in LF also (until Kelenic) and keep as 4th OF until Trammell ready
The guys currently on the roster and the next 10 or so coming are high character, high baseball IQ. Keep running them out and good things will happen as they settle in..
Really looking forward to watching the growth of these guys. Go M’s!!!
I love all this but I still think Justin Dunn will be a stud tho just give him time he’ll go off like Justus Sheffield
Yikes, I think Justin Dunn is trash… his stuff looks like its Double-A caliber at best, he has no bite on the breaking ball, and no command of the fastball or change up. To me he just doesn’t pass the eye test. I hope you’re right though.
People thought the same bout Sheffield n look at him now?? Dunn will have a breakout year imo plus I thought he was improving towards the end of the year too his still will improve I just seen I video of him throwing rn and it’s looking pretty goodEveryone just doubting him for no reason imo y’all going to love him as much as y’all love Sheffield this year watch
I can easily agree with you on the position players… but why not do something similar with the SP?
Let Marge, Dunn, Newsome, Flexen, Gilbert and possibly even Kirby later in the year fight it out for the 4th- 6th spots after Gonzo, Kikuchi, and Sheff. … the M;’s would still have Swanson, Yohan, Murfee,, Dugger and Elias to spot start if needed..
Again… this team does not need to try to win 90 games…. stay around .500 and make a couple adds if the team performs.
If they don’t perform, the n sign players next year. for the holes that were created this year.
Good Lord why would they start Chris Flexen? Why not Dunn? Rafael Montero closing? That Montero? Has Dipoto seen these guys pitch? He must have his eyes on another good draft before he goes for it. I hope Kelenic plays he’s going to be really good.
I’m not sure you’ve seen any of those guys pitch either. I would bet a lot that Flexen is much better than Dunn even if he’s not very good. They’re also very close in age.
They also have Munoz recovering from TJ. Will be ready early June. He will be the closer at 23 years old. No reason to sign a long term closer for huge money.
2021 MAAAriners
Mariners need to look to the Padres of an example of spending on one or two key free agents to usher in the youth movement. They should’ve gone all in on Springer. With their up and coming pitching they would really benefit from an experienced ace, like Bauer on a front loaded 2 year opt out.
I agreed until you brought up Springer. Not really sure how that would make any sense at all for quite of few reasons.
There isn’t a Machado in this year’s free agent class and you can bet SD regrets signing Hosmer.
31-year-old outfielders that command 150m dollars aren’t likely going to be on the shopping list now, or in the foreseeable future and paying a starter like Bauer 30+ million a year with the ability to walk away before or as Seattle reaches contention makes just as little sense.
Exactly, Harper, Hosmer and Machado were all young compared to the typical free agent.
Wasn’t it reported years ago that Baltimore was going to trade Britton to the Mets, the Mets offered degrom but Baltimore wanted montero? What a mistake.
I’m not sure if that happened, but it would be right up there with the offers the Tigers turned down for Fulmer.
DiPotto is not a good GM
But Jerry Dipoto is!
Calm down he literally came into a Organization that was one of the oldest rosters in mlb and in the 20s ranked farm system then traded a horrible contract and aging player in cano but had to tag along Diaz with him but he hasn’t been him 50-60 saves self since for the Organization’s top prospect in kelenic and a good pitcher in Dunn then in the process of the past 2-3 offseason put us in a bright future as they have a top 5 farm system and one of the youngest teams in MLB the future is bright in Seattle and us Seattle fans have to THANK Dipoto for the situation he put us in
They need a veteran starter to help teach the kids. I’d like to see a starter with more experience than Walker. Garrett Richards? They can sign several bullpen vets on minor league contracts.
Fraley/Trammel/Hagerty, Lewis, Haniger-OF
Seagar, JP, Moore, White-INF
Murphy, Torrens-C
France-DH
SP: Gonzales, Richards, Sheffield, Kikuchi, Flexen, Dunn/Margevicius.
Anybody that fleeces the Mets for Jarred Kelenic and gets out from under that Robinson Canó contract is A-ok in my book. That was a genius stroke!
honestly would rather get a couple guys on budget friendly 1-2 year deals and then go big on a guy like story/arenado/baez next year
Sad state of affairs when a 260/270 hitter is considered the best at his position( realmuto) when did this guy turn into bench,piazza,berra fisk??,,
For 20 years I’ve been waiting for the Mariners to pony up and spend $$$. They finally did with Cano/Cruz/Segeira/Seager but just didn’t have enough to go all the way.
But honestly now? We have one of the top Farm Systems, and they moved all those contracts and started a 2018 rebuild. Who would have thought COVID would have impacted MLB the way it has. NOONE! Under the circumstances I feel cash is KING! We all have no clue what is going to happen in 2021. “If” attendance is anything like 2020 teams are really suffering! I say hold the money and let our young top prospects play and figure out where any weaknesses may popup in 2021 and address and spend money next offseason.
I also feel MLB teams this year that are not in contention will panic and attempt to move all their BIG contract players, and may even lower their expected prospect return…because moving money in this COVID environment with less team revenue will be crucial for some teams. Just saying. We could go aggressively after an all-star caliber player via trade. I say keep the cash in reserves for now!
I see both points of going after a free agent or 2 like JT or Ozuna i also see the point of not wanting to block your “future” stars but at the end of the day both ways are potential gambles and neither are guaranteed to work saving for the infield class next year seems like a good idea cause I don’t consider Crawford an elite bat
2022 M’s Off Season:
Trade: Dunn, Trammel, Swanson for Sonny Gray
Trade: Crawford, France, Newsome for Taylor Rogers
Sign Franky Lindor 10 years $300 million
Sign Kris Bryant 7 years $200 million
Sign Jorge Soler 3 years $40 million
Sign Roberto Osuna 2 years $10 million following his TJ surgery 2021 season
1. Dylan Moore 2B
2. Franky Lindor SS
3. Kyle Lewis CF
4. Kris Bryant 3B
5. Mitch Haniger RF
6. Jorge Soler DH
7. Tom Murphy C
8. Evan White 1B
9. Jarred Kelenic LF
Bench: Luis Torrens C, Jake Fraley UOF, Shed Long UIF
1. Marco Gonzales
2. Sonny Gray
3. Justus Sheffield
4. Logan Gilbert
5. George Kirby
Roberto Osuna, Taylor Rogers, Andres Munoz, Yohan Ramirez, Joey Gerber, Wyatt Mills, Sam Deleplane, Aaron Fletcher, Domingo Tapia, Nick Marg.
Hell no lol! You lost me at trade Crawford and France. The rest is just asinine.
JP Crawford couldn’t hit himself out of a wet paper bag. He’s a low .700’s OPS hitter at best… I don’t care how good he is defensively, the M’s can’t roll w/ a weakling at SS when the 2022 f/a class is the best SS class of all time and they have like $100 million to spend to build a contender.
This rebuild is quite similar to what the Padres did… they kept their absolute best prospects in Tatis (Kelenic), Grisham (Lewis), Lamet (Gilbert), Paddock (Kirby). Gore (Hancock), kept a promising, productive, but unheralded position player in Cronenworth (Moore)…
Signed Machado (Lindor) to a 10-year $300,000,000 deal, signed Hosmer (Bryant) to a 8-year $144,000,000 deal,
They then traded all the remaining, filler prospects for pitching and vets:
Cal Quantril (former top 3 prospect in their org), Austin Hedges (former top-30 prospect in all of baseball), Gabriel Arias (2020 top-100 prospect) Joey Cantillo (top-15 prospect in their org), Josh Naylor, Owen Miller for Indians Star P Mike Clevinger and OF Greg Allen.
Luis Patino (no. 3 prospect in their organization), Francisco Mejia, Blake Hunt, Cole Wilcox for Rays Star P Blake Snell.
Zach Davies, Regi Preciado (age 17), Yeison Santana (age 19), Owen Cassie (age 19 2020 R2 pick), Ismael Mena (age 18) for Cubs Star P Yu Darvish and C Victor Caratini
Taylor Trammel (former top 30 prospect in baseball), Ty France, Andres Munoz (throws 102 mph), Luis Torrens for Mariners C Austin Nola, RP Austin Adams, RP Dan Altavilla
So they trade 15 prospects, at least 6 of which are former if not current top-100 prospects in all of baseball, some acquired in the last year who are under the age of 20… and you’re going to tell me you’re hung up over the M’s potentially dealing a has been prospect in Crawford and Ty France?
Have some imagination… you’re delusional if you think the M’s are going to ride their entire farm system to a contender.
I bet if you were a Padres fan and were told in 2018 the Padres would make all these moves… you’d probably call it “asinine” too.
Seattle isn’t San Diego. SD took more than 3 years to rebuild, couldn’t develop fielders apart from Tatis (who was originally a White Sox product), which arguably forced them to spend early and rely on trades.
But apart from that, Seattle isn’t going to mess with a woman-beater. They’ve made that mistake before with Josh Lueke and were immediately hit with backlash. And I think that was before the Refuse to Abuse campaign.
Then there’s your lineup with just one LHH and and a switch, trades involving France & Trammell, who were just acquired and were targeted players, and your 12-man lineup & bench (need 13) followed by a 15-man pitching staff force total of 27.
You blew it.
Alright genius, so who are the Mariners then?
With like $20 million on the books in 2022… you really see them rolling w. JP Crawford if he posts another .680 OPS year when the F/A class for SS is the best ever? You really see Trammel w. a spot when JRod, Lewis and Kelenic are the clear future of the OF? Please.
If the M’s plan on contending soon, you’d better hope that they’ve selected a handful of their prospects that they’re going to contend with and get rid of the rest. It’s delusional to think that they’re going to go w. an A’s or Rays type strategy and just roll w. each and every prospect while staying at a sub-$60 million payroll.
Fans are going to be livid if they don’t start spending cash soon and in a big way… and they’ll respond by not showing up. This city is more than fed up.
I’m no genius, but this shouldn’t be hard to understand.
First, Seattle is still assessing what they have. They don’t know where the weaknesses are yet. JP Crawford took a step forward last year. He’ll get a chance to take another step forward this coming season. So will Dylan Moore at 2B. Then there’s Evan White, who was extended, but struggled immensely last season.
Second, targeted players are players that a team sees as part of their future. That doesn’t mean they’re destined for regular duty, it means they anticipate a role they can play somewhere on the active roster. Dipoto already stated that he believes Ty France will be their third baseman at some point, presumably next year once Seager’s gone. Taylor Trammell is probably a year (or more) out, but his role could very well be as the fourth or fifth outfielder–and not necessarily in 2022. He has options. Worth noting, he doesn’t likely have much trade value right now, anyway. He didn’t perform well in AA, and though he finished the last week of 2019 on a positive note and the reports out of the player pool were glowing, he has a lot to prove still.. He could end up as insurance, we simply don’t know at this point, but he was indeed a targeted player. Jerry himself noted that he was high on their draft board, but Cincinnati took him before they had a shot. None of this means he’s guaranteed of anything with Seattle, but it’s probably a safe bet he’ll get an opportunity.
Third, your suggestion to acquire Gray isn’t realistic, but a player with 3 years of control isn’t an ideal target, anyway, as there are comparable free agents available both this offseason, and next. Your proposal to acquire Taylor Rodgers is an even bigger stretch, as the return would be an extreme overpay. The same principle applies, though.
Last, Seattle will spend once they know where their weaknesses are, and possibly where they can make a significant upgrade. Depth is part of the equation as well. Trades could come even sooner, but it’s doubtful that we’ll see any top prospects or current, younger players traded before Seattle’s in contention.
I don’t make predictions, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Seattle does take a shot at Lindor next offseason (if he reaches free agency), as Crawford could be more valuable in a utility role if (keyword: if) his offensive peak proves limited. They could (and should) be interested in a LHH like Michael Conforto and a front-line starter such as Noah Syndergaard. I noted all of this somewhere above.
Now simply isn’t the time to spend excessively or make significant trades. Seatle’s only seen a few top prospects graduate, and of those few, only one had a fairly complete 2020 (Sheffield). The elite of the elite have yet to debut and this team isn’t likely going to contend before elements of the projected future core are in place.
If you’re wondering when, what, and where they might add, all you have to do is study the roster and look at the projected debuts of prospects. Seattle is probably going to need LHHs. They’re probably going to need starting pitching, as several of the top pitching prospects a little further behind the fielders and catchers. But a lot can change over the course of a year and external options with limited control aren’t likely on Jerry’s shopping list.
Right now Seattle should be adding role players via free agency. So far we’ve seen low-risk gambles and little else, but the offseason isn’t over, and 2021 is going to be about development, as it should be. I agree that they can’t take the Oakland or Tampa path to contention, but they can’t force themselves on the scene prematurely, either. Philadelphia and Cincinnati serve as examples of what can go wrong.
Did you completely miss the part where this is a 2022 off season prediction? I never once have said “now” is the time to spend. So why are you talking to me about “now?” I understand “now” is about assessment… I never made a claim otherwise.
I’m making a fun prediction about what I envision their future holes to be. I think that Crawford is going to continue to suck w. the bat and they’ll use the strong SS class to fix the error… not an iron clad assessment that it’s exactly what they’re going to do. Take a look at the 2022 free agent class… the strengths are SS and 1B/DH + maybe 3B. I’m making a prediction that w. what I envision are the massive holes at 3B and SS that they’re going to do what they can to sign those kinds of players considering the F/A class is strong there.
The M’s are absolutely loaded w. controlled talent… especially pitching w. 2 front-line starters set to debut in 2022 and a bevy of bullpen arms who are currently on the AA/AAA line. Acquiring Sonny Gray is simply a strategy to fill the void while our top arms develop. I’d rather have someone on a short-term deal initially than pick up someone who is going to block Kirby or Hancock for 2022 and 2023 respectively.. And I don’t view the talent we’d be giving up in the trades I’m proposing as anything special… I view it as the M’s getting rid of prospects who are going nowhere w. the organization for serious players to make a real run at it (you know, like the Padres just did w. Trammel?). The Padres just traded half their farm for a bunch of pitchers that are extremely limited on years of control… I’m adopting the same strategy.
JP Crawford is just not even a passable offensive player. You can’t finish last at your position among qualified players in slugging and have a starting spot in this league. Unless he learns to hit the ball out of the ballpark or develop solid gap-to-gap power, his defense doesn’t save the black hole that is his bat. They would be fools to not go after one of the stud shortstops and roll w. Crawford if this continues. I also think he has more value as a trade chip than a utility infielder.
There is not a snowballs chance in hell that Ty France is a MLB-level 3B. He’s not quick or athletic enough to play the position… he’d be worse than Healy. He’s got what seems to be a solid bat and he’ll get his chance to show his worth as a DH who can occasionally spell guys in the field… but I’m not convinced.
Also, why on earth would the M’s sign Conforto w. Kelenic already up, Lewis the reigning rookie of the year, Haniger still cheap and controlled, and either Trammel or Julio 1 or 2 years away? It’s literally our strongest position group… we have 2 of the top 3 prospects in all of baseball set to take the outfield and people think we’re gonna block them by offering someone like Conforto a mega deal?
I’m convinced that Lewis, Kelenic, White, Moore, JRod, Sheffield, Gilbert, Kirby, Hancock will be what remains of the team prospect wise when it’s time to contend. I’m convinced all others will be gone.
You say we need to add another lefty bat… well it’s gonna have to happen via trade or f/a signing and it won’t be an outfielder… which means cya France.
“But it’s doubtful that we’ll see any top prospects or current, younger players traded before Seattle’s in contention.” We’re supposed to be ready for contention next off season… and according to Divish that’s when he’s heard they’ll spend. What does that mean? Signing players and saying see you to prospects who don’t fit the vision.
And when you say something like “look at what Cinci or Philli did…” you’re letting the M’s front office off the hook in a major way. You’re now looking at a 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 where a front office that can afford to house a top-10 payroll in the league didn’t spend… and kept their pockets tight while the M’s approach 21-22 years w.o a playoff drought. They need to spend, this city is going to go berserk and give the FO a huge middle finger by not showing up if they don’t.
Yeah, I completely missed it. I just assumed players due to hit free agency in 2022 were available now.
Seriously, I assumed you were suggesting making the trades now, hence me pointing out that you don’t have to make trades to acquire those types of players when you could sign them via free agency (this offseason, or next). But I’ll add that you’re undervaluing Trammell (whose value relies with Seattle) and even if you weren’t, you can’t pile up all your rejects and cash them in for gold. Your proposals made no sense for any of the clubs involved. What’s the point of acquiring Soler for a single year when they are highly unlikely to contend? And why would KC do that, when they’re making an effort to play better ball this year?
Regarding Crawford and France, you’re writing them off before Seattle will. You’re also undermining Perry Hill, who will work with France exclusively. You also seem to be forgetting that 1B is a bigger question mark. France could end up at 1B for all we know, but this all comes back to my point, which is that Seattle can, should, and will, take another year to assess what they have before making any significant moves for replacements.
Regarding Conforto, a middle-order LHH who can play an OF corner doesn’t mean you trade or stash Rodriguez, Kelenic, or Lewis. I shouldn’t even have to explain this, but you have him DH and rotate into RF. That has nothing to do with France (whom Jerry anticipates being the third baseman moving forward), and again, you’re trying to make the most of a 26-man roster, not just a 9-batter lineup.
Regarding the Padres, again, Seattle is not SD. Seattle has a number of fielders to break in. SD relied on trades because they couldn’t produce position players, and the one bat that was promising, other than Tatis, was blocked because they signed Machado before that player, Ty France, had any real AAA experience. This isn’t the case with Seattle. Eventually we will see bigger trades, but….wait for it….only after Seattle knows where the holes are. You can assume all you want, but Crawford & France, as well as White, Moore, etc., are all going to get opportunities this year. They may be/remain regulars, they may end up in bench roles. They may even be traded, but that isn’t happening now.
You seem to have missed the point about Cincinnati and Philly as well. Both teams cut their rebuilds short and tried to dive in, cashing in prospects in an attempt to win now (well, then). They didn’t wait to see what they had. They were obviously rebuilding longer, but trading prospects before you’re actually ready–and especially for limited control–is a good way to botch everything.
Another thing you seem to be missing…. I’m not suggesting Seattle shouldn’t, or won’t, spend. I think they will–after they know where they need to spend.
I’m not going to continue this any further. You get it, or you don’t.
Have a nice day.
You can choose to continue it any way that you want. You keep making these comments like “you blew it” “you either get it or you don’t” like you’re the arbiter of the final solution. My vision for this thing is every bit as valid as yours… you serve no authority in this, so quit pretending that you do.
Moore has the tools to get it done at 2B… to me there’s no question marks there. He’s a 5-tooler with the mental ability of a guy that’s going to succeed… you don’t hit near a .900 OPS for that long of a stint w.o some serious belief/ability that shows you can do it. The M’s already have a contract invested in White and they’ll ride or die with him… but I see him having way more tools w. the bat than Crawford… he’s proven that he can hit at different levels and Crawford has always been light at best. Crawford simply cannot hit, he shown no ability to change that… he’s got a long swing with a giant hole in hit and is incredibly pull happy despite having no power. His approach to hitting is a recipe for disaster and he’s shown no willingness to change it.
DH’s are easy to come across… All you gotta do is find aging power hitters who are moving on from the field. You don’t see many DH’s who are France’s age for a reason, which is why I don’t see him sticking around for the rebuild unless his bat is too good to pass up. France will never be the 1B lol… like I said, they’ve invested to much in White for that to happen… he’s their guy. Perry Hill might be a defensive whiz… but you have to have the athleticism beforehand for it to work… do you know how hard 3B is to play? I’m curious if you’ve played it at a high level… I’m guessing no because you can’t just slot a guy there and hope it works. You need to have cat-like reflexes + the ability to dive/extend in an instant in either direction, the athleticism to make running throws on bunts, and the strongest arm in the infield… those are all things you can’t teach and France doesn’t have them.
Oh give me a break… even you can’t believe what you’re saying about Conforto… I could see them signing a vet for depth, but Conforto is going to demand a contract north of $200 million… they aren’t going to sign a guy to that kind of money if they’re wishy washy about his role… especially when they have 5 stud OF’s either there in 2022 or knocking on the doorstep.
Seattle doesn’t have time to break in fielders… you talk about the M’s like they’ve got until 2025 to field a winner and go for it. What part of 20+ years w.o a playoff birth and the pressure to build a winner/spend do you not get? Again, the report is the M’s will spend lavishly in the 2022 off season… that does not correlate with your plan to stick with each and every prospect in the organization to see what they’ve got. The M’s are not in the luxury position to give all these players an extended shot past 2021. Many of the players they’ve acquired will be traded away when the M’s go all in… if it’s later than 2023 they’re gonna have a lot of explaining to do to a pissed off fan base base who isn’t taking this stuff any longer.
And holy crap… here you go with “now” again… nobody is saying the M’s are going to do anything now with the players I’ve mentioned. So stop it, it’s weird that you keep referring to now when nothing I’ve talked about refers to the M’s trading Crawford or getting rid of France/Trammel now. I’m predicting they will in the future.
The Mariners are not going to add over a half a billion dollars in payroll anytime soon.
Really, so this isn’t true?: “Divish cites multiple sources in indicating that the current limitations are being put into place with an eye toward spending next winter, when the free-agent class is deeper and when the club has even fewer commitments on the books.”
If they commit to a half a billion, they’re adding $58 million a year roughly to future payrolls that have $0 cash committed. They’re rolling into 2022 w. like $20 million committed on the books. They have the most flexibility in the league to spend considering they’re in a solid market and are looking to build a contender.
Again, I’m sure Padres fans didn’t think they’d be adding $440 million in payroll in Hosmer + Machado in 2018.
The 22 free agent list only looks good if Lindor and probably Story don’t sign extensions obviously story Signing back on with Colorado would be the surprise
Excluding Lindor and Story… Baez, Seager, Bryant, Freeman, Rizzo, Conforto, Syndergaard, Blackmon, Dickerson + older pitching vets in Kershaw, Verlander, Scherzer doesn’t look good to you?
Welp… Ok.
Got a point but im sure some will sign extensions or have options so not all are guaranteed to be free agents as far as Bryant goes they could trade for him and Hendricks (signed till or through 24) give Bryant an extension split 3b dh with Seager this year and find time in the outfield Lindor probably signs with Mets Freeman probably stays in Atlanta Story probably leave and Maybe Arenado if he does good and can get a better or similar deal obviously not gonna go through the whole entire list now
I’d like to see if haniger can stay health(reports he is looking-stud muffin in rehab). Extend him into 2 years of his FA years.
OF:Haniger, lewis, kelnic, rodregiuz. Rotate 1 to DH, everyone gets alot of AB’s.
Make a play for Arenado(GGlove), not Bryant.
Infield: Arenado, JP, ?, White. 3 gold gloves!!!
Make a play for and Ace SP: trade or FA.
Marco, Ace, sheff ??
I don’t think kukuchi’s got it.
Kikuchi has a 4 year 66 million club option extension that would kick in next year if Seattle signs off on it if not 22 becomes a 13 or 14 million player option if he signs that