The Mariners announced that they have signed infielder Tommy La Stella to a one-year deal. To create room on the 40-man roster, left-hander Justus Sheffield was designated for assignment.
La Stella, who turns 34 later this month, has some strong seasons on his track record but is coming off a rough patch. From 2016 to 2020, he walked in 9.6% of his trips to the plate and struck out in just 10.6% of them. He only hit 29 home runs over those five years but produced a batting line of .282/.358/.435. That production amounted to a wRC+ of 114, indicating he was 14% better than league average.
He parlayed that strong run of play into a three-year, $18.75MM contract with the Giants going into 2021. Unfortunately, things started going poorly for La Stella as soon as the ink dried on that deal. He only got into 76 games in 2021 due to various ailments and hit just .250/.308/.405 for a wRC+ of 93. He underwent achilles surgery in October, which was originally reported as occurring on his left achilles but was reported almost a year later to have been on both of them, per Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic.
Things got even worse in 2022, as injuries limited him to just 60 games on the season and he spent most of those as a designated hitter. He only took the field for 76 innings all year, getting brief amounts of time at first, second and third base. He hit just .239/.282/.350 for a wRC+ of 78. Though there was still one year left on his contract, the Giants cut bait and released him.
That makes this essentially a no-risk move for the Mariners, since the Giants are on the hook for the $11.5MM that’s still owed to La Stella. The M’s will pay him the prorated league minimum for any time he’s on the roster, with that amount being subtracted from San Francisco’s tab.
Though La Stella hardly took the field last year, he’s played more second base than anywhere else in his career. The Mariners were looking bolster their middle infield this offseason and already did so by trading for Kolten Wong. If the club views La Stella as a viable defender, he potentially gives them some extra cover there while adding a left-handed bat into their position player mix. Some of the clubs most obvious designated hitter candidates are right-handed, such as Teoscar Hernández and AJ Pollock. La Stella hits from the left side and has traditional platoon splits, having produced a 105 wRC+ against righties but just an 87 against lefties.
Though there’s no real financial cost for the M’s, they are paying the price of potentially losing Sheffield, who turns 27 in May. He was a first round selection of Cleveland in 2014 but was twice traded in headline-grabbing deals. He went to the Yankees in 2016 as part of the Andrew Miller trade and then went to Seattle in the 2018 James Paxton deal, frequently appearing on top prospect lists in that time as well.
Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to live up to that pedigree thus far. He’s pitched 186 innings over the past five seasons but has just a 5.47 ERA to show for it. He’s gotten grounders at a healthy 49.5% clip but his 18.2% strikeout rate and 10.6% walk rate are both worse than league average. He hasn’t been faring much better in the minors either. He made 24 starts for Triple-A Tacoma last year and posted a 6.99 ERA in that time. The Rainiers play in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League but his rate stats were all fairly similar to his big league work and advanced metrics were only slightly kinder, such as a 6.27 FIP and 5.64 xFIP.
It seems those poor results have been enough to push him off Seattle’s roster. They will now have one week to trade him or pass him through waivers. He still has one option year remaining and just over two years of service, which could make him appealing to a club that thinks he can recapture the form that made him such a touted prospect.
That 2020 BB-K ratio has to be one of the best in recent memory for a hitter (small sample size or not).
Yandy Diaz walked 14% and struck out just 10% this past year
That’s not quite as high, but still very impressive.
That’s 10.8, not 10. 1.3 vs 1.4
Not a single ‘Streetcar Named Desire’ reference, wtf?
This is a baseball site. I doubt most people understand the references you make. I read the book and have no idea what you mean.
No problem. Reading comprehension isn’t your thing. It’s all good.
?
In the movie, Marlon Brando as Stanley shouts “Stella!” It’s kind of an iconic thing. Brando impersonators do it all the time.
Doubtful anyone in Seattle is Frantically screaming “(La) Stella!!” Over this signing
Oh yeah. That guy rips of his shirt.
Everyone has seen the Simpsons. STELLLLA!!!
I don’t see the fit. Good guy not a good baseball player anymore unfortunately. But like stated above league minimum thanks to the bad contract the giants gave him.
What about Wong?
La Stella backs up 1B/2B/3B and can serve as DH platoon with Pollock & Teoscar.
They’re not platooning Teoscar lol
This caught me by surprise.
I wonder what they are up to to use him?
I thought Wong had their infield needs covered.
Just a one-year contract. Hmm . .
The Giants are still paying him for this year. M’s only have to pay the minimum.
Can play 1B/3B and while also getting DH AB’s. La Stella has little impact on Wong
La Stella backs up 1B/2B/3B and can serve as DH platoon with Pollock & Teoscar.
Thanks. Never read that anywhere before.
He just wanted to make sure you knew!
You really don’t want LaStella taking at bats from someone who can actually hit at DH, and you definitely don’t want him playing defense.
So you’re saying he’s a two way player?
Hey Fred, more likely a backup for Wong or at third if injury’s occur.. Less likely a trade package scenario but it does lend to possibilities something like a yard sale, you never know what might sale,. like an old baseball mitt an so on.
Hey Lee. That’s me, an old mitt.
Good to see you.
Why am I seeing all these same post of mine?
Justus Shieffield: Known forever as the guy who caused fans of 29 teams wonder if Yankee prospects might just be a bit over-hyped.
Sheffield was hyped in Cleveland. Just a bust.
True. He was the big piece when Andrew Miller went to Cleveland. Him and Clint Frazier. Guess the Yanks just re-gifted him.
I wish we re-grifted Gleyber. Also did it with McKinney and Drury.
Justus Sheffield was quite the prospect.
He’s still only 26. If not Cleveland, another pitching-factory team should acquire him and try reworking him – probably will take at least a year. Appears he hasn’t suffered a major injury.
Seam was right first time around. Sheffield got the huge media bump prospects get when they end up playing for yanks or dodgers
Not a bad pick up especially being a league minimum deal.
Man are Cubs fans here In Chicago IL P O on this news. Most fans were think this was last piece to a NL Championship season
Look like Seattle just got the player that will help them In defeating The Houston Astros.
I guess I don’t understand…how many below average bats do we need to add to this team? We need to trade either flexen or marco before the season starts. Why not use on of them in a deal to get a better version of la Stella?
He’s not a below average bat when he’s been healthy.
Haniger was an above average bat when he was healthy and potentially helps the M’s way more than LaStella. Shouldn’t have let him leave.
Meh, I really like Haniger, but he only had one truly healthy season. You can’t depend on him and there is not reason to pay him as if you expect him to play 130 games a year.
@dumper We need to keep Flexen & Gonzales for starting rotation depth. We’re likely not to be so lucky as last season when nobody got injured.
Keep the pitching depth until we know if Miller or Dollard are for real. To be honest, if Dipoto determines they aren’t ready and one of our top 4 goes down, I’d rather see innings from Marco and Flexen than Millone and Sheffield (assuming he clears waivers).
This makes us more versatile and costs nothing.
Not a chance he clears waivers!!
They probably have tried to get something out of Flexen or Gonzo, and it’s still likely that one (or both) get moved. There are always injuries in spring, and this year we’ll have the WBC, so Seattle may be holding out for a better return as desperation appears from clubs in need.
That goes both ways, of course, and Seattle may want to see how their big 4 starters hold up, but as of know, they are overstuffed with RHPs, so i wouldn’t be surprised if we do see arms swapped for bats.
But would it be an MLB player, or a prospect?
It’s been mentioned that Flexen and Marco were shopped in hopes they could return a bat but when that didn’t come to fruition and all the free agent SPs came off the board, they were likely to keep both into the season. It just doesn’t make sense to flip one until we know what we have in Miller and Dollard.
Jerry suggested they felt good about heading into the season with 6 starters on board, but that sounded like posturing. They’re limited to 13 pitchers. Keeping both would mean 7 true relievers and they currently have 8-9 that are deserving of an active roster spot.
Without a lineup that can make opponents’ pitching work, and that is a real concern with the team leaning heavily on Kelenic & a respectable bat to DH, they may very well go to the bullpen earlier than they would normally care to.
Point is, they need that extra BP arm.
*Without a respectable bat to DH…
If Stella didn’t have health concerns and had been productive coming off these various injuries, he would make plenty of sense for Seattle (and a number of teams).
But that’s not the case.
I hear you, but a few of those 8-9 have options, so I don’t see why Flexen can’t start the season in the pen, unless he’s adamant about starting and asks for a trade.
He was lights out as a reliever (1.62 ERA, .179/.258/.268 triple slash against) and loking through our 40-man, I’d rather see him than Festa, Topa, Bernardino, Clarke, McGee, Bukauskas, Speier, and Gott. I really only see 5 relievers I prefer over him: Munoz, Sewald, Brash, Murfee, and Castillo.
Castillo is hard to watch
If they use Flexen as a reliever, he’ll lose value. His trade value is that he’s a starter. A reliever that doesn’t strike out a lot of batters at 8m isn’t going to net much of a return.
Seattle actually has 14 or 15 RHRPs on the roster, plus Sadler. But of the names you cited (apart from the locks), Festa and Gott are the only two I believe are likely to make the opening day roster. Clarke may get returned.
Sewald, Muñoz, Murfee, Castillo, Festa, Sadler, and Gott. I’m guessing they’ll handle Brash really carefully after he pitches in the WBC and I still anticipate a LHRP.
I’m not crazy about Marco, I may even prefer Flexen over Marco especially if he has more of these bad starts which is something that has happened more than once. If there’s a reason for it I’m unaware of it. another thats comes to mind is Robbie Ray what was up with that? Other then fatigue issues.. I actually think he throws to many fastballs..
But who cares about him losing trade value as a reliever if we plan to keep him? I know there’s been debate about his contract, but NY Post published his contact details and he has a right to become a free agent after this season. So he either needs to be traded before the season or not at all because he makes no sense as a deadline candidate unless we end up being sellers, which I don’t envision.
Anyway, I’d bet he’s on the opening day roster.
Flexen contract details:
https://nypost.com/2020/12/09/ex-met-chris-flexen-signs-with-mariners-after-success-in-korea/amp/
He’s hard to watch but he’s still above average statistically.
They probably don’t plan to keep him. That’s the point. They prefer the high-velo strike-out arms for the bullpen, at least with the RHRPs, and they have more than they can fit on the active roster as-is.
So, if they did keep him to start the season, they could have trouble moving him at the deadline. I think we’re on the same page there. I just don’t see them keeping him season-long. He wasn’t even on the postseason roster as a reliever. They went with Brash instead.
This all comes back to my belief that they will trade him before the season starts. But, it’s entirely possible another reliever or two gets traded, or Marco, and all of this becomes moot!
I’
Justus Sheffield was the main get in the James Paxton trade. Mariners got fleeced on that one. (Okay I guess Erik Swanson turned into Teoscar Hernandez, so we’ll see how that goes.) Paxton was sharp for the Yankees until his arm broke down. I remember Boonie liked him.
Paxton has been sharp for every team he has played on until his inevitable injury shelves him, season after season. Too bad ‘cuz the Big Maple can bring it when healthy.
Fleeced? How many games did he even manage to start for the Yankees? Not to mention Seattle had him back on the team just the other year lol
Justus seemed to have better MLB stats than minor recently. Seems both Jordan and Justus do not have enough to remain on MLB rosters throughout a season.
Good for Tommy. I liked him as an Angel
Not a bad discount signing if he can stay on the field. Like it. M’s should take a step forward.
This is a guy Chaim Bloom should have wanted. As long as his two surgically repaired heels can withstand the pressure, maybe he’ll be allright. No downside here, except taking up a roster spot. (Bye Justus, sorry it didn’t work out, man you got pounded at AAA Tacoma son, never seen someone get so pounded, wowzers. Gopher balls up the Yazoo) I’m liking this no risk flyer for the M’s. If his feet are solid, he can backup the entire infield.
It’s higher risk, higher reward for sure than guys like Tapia, and, fits an area of actual need. Seems like the towel is being thrown in early on ’23 though.
WSox should take a chance on southpaw Sheffield with 3 starters becoming FA’s after 2023. Rodon turned things around and Cease has developed nicely under Katz. Not much to lose, and they could use a lefty.
Still young and no injury history. Betcha some GM will get him … and in exchange for cash only.
Just fine with giving him a chance. I doubt he’ll make the team, but if he can find some of his old swing, he’ll absolutely get an opportunity to play at some point.
It’s a MLB-deal, so barring another injury, or a disaster of a spring (good time for a reminder that spring is about process, not results), he’ll likely make the team.
Since Robinson Cano, Jerry Dipoto has sent out Shed Long, Dylan Moore, Dee Gordon, Abraham Toro, Adam Frazier now Kolton Wong and Tommy LA Stella at 2b. He definitely has a type, and it’s mediocre.
He fell into that launch Angle trap,hitting a bomb once in a while with low average. Hopefully Tommy goes back to what got him to big leagues,just being a good hitter that doesn’t strike out! Two Achilles Ouch! Good Luck!
Dfa by the all star break
Giants should have kept La Stella through spring training to see if he had anything. If he doesn’t look good then you DFA him or eat a big chunk of the contract in a trade or put him on the 60 day IL like SF should have at the beginning of the 2022 season.
Tommy didn’t ask for double Achilles surgery (which wasn’t reported for almost 1 year) and the signing was well received in 2021. DFA’ing him without at least seeing him in spring training was the mistake. If he gives the Mariners any positive return this makes Farhan look like an idiot.
SF needed a roster spot and decided LaStella was the least valuable use of a 40-man spot at present. Seattle has decided he provides more value than at least one player on its current roster, at least for the time being. Different circumstances for each team; could be the right move for both.
Good luck, 3 AM.
How is the thought of LaStella playing 1b or dh a high % good thing? Or even 50/50.
Isn’t that something that half mlb hitters can also do with some time?
He was what he was hitting in most peoples minds compared to other 2b.
The chance imo of him hitting what he needs to, while playing dh or 1b is very very low. Are there not other curre t roster better hitters that can do this, even in the minor system. David eckstein can also play 1b and dh. Yeah that’s a strawman I know. That’s unfair. But just because someone can, doesn’t mean they should.
It’s not. If anything I would want him to backup 2B, SS, and 3B and that’s if he can still play ball. Would like to keep him out of DH/1B rotation altogether.
Some Mariner fans actually like this!?
Seriously, this is ridiculous. One injury after another, never offered decent defense, and hasn’t hit in two years…
Seattle has to be one of the biggest losers of this offseason. Though they may have tightened up their bullpen, they needed bats desperately.
They half-assed it beyond what I could have imagined.
P.S. Any rude responses to this will result in an immediate mute, if the commenter hasn’t been muted already.
Jerry only signs guys he thinks look good in teal.
This isn’t 100% on Jerry or Justin. This signing screams budget limitations, but surely they could have found someone more promising.
J.D. Martinez, Dominic Smith, Nelson Cruz, Trey Mancini (2/14 million), Eric Hosmer, Brandon Belt, Justin Turner, Brandon Drury (2/17 million) all under 10 million a year would have been better options, and wouldn’t have broken the bank.
Justin Turner signed with the Red Sox for two years, 22 million, with an opt-out after the first season. He would not have signed with the Mariners for under 10 million, if at all.
Nelson Cruz showed his age last season. There’s a reason the Nationals declined his option. The Padres expect him to platoon at DH. That’s a very limited job.
JD Martinez signed with the Dodgers for 10 million, but the Dodgers also have his friend Mookie Betts, and even more important, they have the hitting coach that made JD into a great hitter to begin with (Robert Van Scoyoc). He signs a one-year deal there, gets to work with Van Scoyoc, and hopefully gets a better contract next year.
I don’t know about the others, but I was disappointed that they weren’t more active in signing one of the good free agents.
Nimmo at 23m AAV wouldn’t have broken the bank. Brantley, if interested in Seattle, wouldn’t have broken the bank on a 2/40 deal.
They didn’t have to bank on rebound projects.
Nimmo is not worth $23 AAV for whatever how many years when he has only had one season with over 500 AB. Talk about albatross contract.
Whatever, dude.
@Larry rally the only person your list I would of been remotely interested in is Drury. Martinez wanted to play in LA and he offers zero position flexibility.
They tightened up their BP how? Casey Sadler ?? Looks like they’re going with the exact same crew. (And there is nothing wrong with that, except maybe they could use a left-hander.)
“He parlayed that strong run of play into a three-year, $18.75MM contract with the Giants going into 2021. Unfortunately, things started going poorly for La Stella as soon as the ink dried on that deal.” Maybe the Giants need to use wetter pens.
Funniest comment in a long time
Totally forgot about Sheffield
They brought in 5 new RHPs, added 2 more to the 40, brought Sadler back after missing 2022, and added a lefty with an option left.
Most will serve as depth, and Clarke will likely be returned. But yes, that’s tightening up, and yes, they still need a LHRP.
So this is Jerry using a vacuum cleaner picking up anything of value. That doesn’t mean he will make the team still maybe he does, he could become an injury fill in or have some limited trade value to some team. So will have to wait, and see how this shakes out
This concern over a needed bat in the lineup is not a worrisome problem. They have both amble time and resources to come up with one. So no need to become anxious. So put the cork back in the bottle.
Everyone who’s excited has no idea that when the wind blows the wrong way, LaStella blows a hamstring or an achilles…he’ll be on the field for less that 30 games, guaranteed…
I have a wrench with a crack in it. I know that it will eventually break and need to be replaced but it’s not the only wrench I have so I don’t have to use it that often. Tommy LaStella is like that wrench. He won’t be needed to often, isn’t expected to last long, and are you’re happy he’s there when you need him because he’s still a useful tool.
Sheffield was given EVERY opportunity in Seattle, but if you can’t strike people out and constantly allow 10 hits per nine innings…..that’s a bust