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Infield Options For The Mariners

By Steve Adams | January 23, 2024 at 10:16am CDT

To say the current offseason hasn’t panned out the way fans hoped would be putting things mildly. Fresh off a heartbreaking 2022 postseason exit and a narrow 2023 postseason miss, Seattle fans hoped to see significant investment in the team that would help put the on-field product over the top. Instead, ownership has opted to place some rather clear payroll restrictions on the front office in light of ongoing uncertainty regarding the team’s television rights.

The M’s are hardly alone in that regard, but that’s of little consolation to a fan base that has seen Eugenio Suarez, Teoscar Hernandez and Jarred Kelenic all depart. Incoming bats like Mitch Garver, Luke Raley, Luis Urias and the reacquired Mitch Haniger all have upside, but with the exception of Garver they lack the recent track records of Suarez and Hernandez. President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said early in the offseason that much of the turnover would be in service of improving the team’s contact skills, but each of Garver, Haniger and especially Raley have strikeout concerns of their own. That’s not true to the same extent as Suarez, Hernandez and Kelenic, but the M’s haven’t exactly stockpiled plus bat-to-ball skills and overhauled their offensive identity, either.

The offseason isn’t over, but a good bit of the Mariners’ heavy lifting has been completed. Dipoto said recently that he still envisions potential additions both in the infield and the bullpen. However, that doesn’t mean there’s a blank check or that there aren’t caveats to consider. He indicated earlier in the offseason that the payroll would likely increase but perhaps not by a significant level. The Mariners are currently about $10-11MM shy of last year’s mark. There’s some spending room, but they’ll also likely want to leave some room for in-season acquisitions. On the trade front, Dipoto acknowledged that he’s received interest in young starters like Logan Gilbert, Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo but also all but stated he has little appetite to deal from his coveted stock of youthful arms.

What options could the Mariners take to fit those bullpen and infield goals, then? Focusing on the former seems like a fool’s errand; there are any number of relievers who could be acquired, and the Mariners under the current front office regime have often focused on lesser-known names whom they believe they can take to a new level. That’s been the case with a number of success stories, including Paul Sewald, Justin Topa, Andres Munoz, Drew Steckenrider, Tayler Saucedo, Gabe Speier and others.

It’s possible there’s a similar preference for an unexpected acquisition in the infield, but the supply of names is both more finite and easier to pinpoint. Let’s run through some options who could be acquired without seismically increasing payroll.

Free Agents

  • Whit Merrifield: Merrifield might be the most straightforward answer. He’s a high-contact second baseman with modest pop who’s spent the bulk of his career in a pitcher-friendly setting (Kauffman Stadium) not entirely dissimilar from the Mariners’ own pitcher-friendly venue, T-Mobile Park. Merrifield fits the previously stated goal of reducing the team’s strikeout rate better than any of their offseason acquisitions to date. He could play second base regularly, pushing Josh Rojas and Urias into a platoon at third base. And, in the event of injuries in the outfield, Merrifield is an experienced contingency option who could slide into the outfield, with Rojas moving back over to second base. Merrifield hit .272/.318/.382 last year with Toronto, though he struggled in the season’s final six weeks. His end-of-season numbers are more or less in line with his slash dating back to the 2021 season. Merrifield will soon turn 35, so he’s likely limited to a two-year deal.
  • Gio Urshela: Urshela boasts plenty of contact with less speed than Merrifield but a bit more pop and solid defense at third base. His 2023 season came to an end after just 228 plate appearances due to a pelvic fracture. He hit .299/.329/.374 before landing on the injured list, and since 2021 he’s a .281/.323/.425 hitter. Assuming he’s healthy, Urshela would give the Mariners plenty of contact, good defense at third and 10 to 15 home runs. Given his injury-shortened 2023 season, he’s probably capped at two years and could settle for a one-year pact.
  • Tim Anderson: Anderson has already said he’s willing to move to second base, which is where the Mariners would play him in deference to J.P. Crawford. He hasn’t rated as a strong defensive shortstop for the past few years anyhow, and last year his bat experienced a precipitous decline; in 524 trips to the plate, he batted just .245/.286/.296. Awful as that output was, Anderson isn’t far removed from being one of the best-hitting infielders in the game. From 2019-22, he led the Majors with a .318 average. His .318/.347/.473 line during that time helped him make two All-Star teams and win a Silver Slugger Award. Given last year’s disastrous season, a one-year deal worth less than the $14MM option the White Sox declined seems likely.
  • Justin Turner: He’s 39 years old, but you wouldn’t know it looking at Turner’s .276/.345/.455 batting line in 2023 or his overall .277/.352/.455 slash dating back to 2021. Turner might not be a good defensive option at the hot corner anymore, but he doesn’t necessarily need to be a full-time infielder with both Urias and Rojas on the roster. The Mariners could play Turner at the hot corner occasionally, giving either Rojas or Urias the nod at second on those days, depending on the matchup. Turner has never whiffed in more than 18% of his plate appearances in a season, and while he ought to command a nice price on a one-year deal, even a $16MM guarantee would only put the Mariners about $5MM north of where they finished the 2023 season.

Trade Candidates

  • Jorge Polanco, Twins: Polanco has been locked into the Twins’ infield since 2017, and over his past 2695 plate appearances he’s batted .270/.338/.455 with 95 homers. The veteran switch-hitter is earning $10.5MM this season and has a $12MM option for 2025. On paper, there’s a strong matchup between a Twins club looking to add some MLB-ready pitching and a Mariners club looking for a clear infield upgrade but unwilling to part with any of its young arms in order to acquire a pure 2024 rental. Young pitchers like Bryce Miller likely have more trade value than Polanco on his own, but the Twins typically have little issue balancing the scales with minor leaguers or back-end 40-man pieces (as they did in last year’s Pablo Lopez/Luis Arraez swap and the year prior in the Chris Paddack/Taylor Rogers trade).
  • Kyle Farmer, Twins: Farmer is a one-year rental who has less of a track record of production than Polanco. He’s a lefty masher that can handle any infield position and even has ample experience behind the plate (albeit primarily as a minor leaguer). At $6.05MM for the coming season, he’s well within the Mariners’ budget. Farmer hit .256/.317/.408 last year — numbers right in line with his .258/.316/.402 slash in nearly 1500 plate appearances since 2021. He wouldn’t be a slam-dunk upgrade to the infield mix but could deepen it and provide some insurance in the event that Urias and/or Rojas continue to struggle in 2024.
  • Isaac Paredes, Rays: The Mariners showed interest in Paredes in early December. Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander downplayed the possibility of moving his breakout third baseman but acknowledged he’d listened to interest, as he does on most players. Paredes ripped 31 homers while hitting .250/.352/.488 for Tampa Bay this past season. He’ll play next season at just 25. It’d be hard for the Rays to part with him, but he’s already into arbitration as a Super Two player and the team does have more third base depth than rotation depth after major injuries to Shane McClanahan, Drew Rasmussen and Jeffrey Springs. If the Rays were to move Paredes, they have top prospects Curtis Mead and Junior Caminero right behind him. With four years of club control and the type of production he showed in 2023, Paredes is the type of player who could command four, five or even six years of a plug-and-play big league rotation piece.
  • Christopher Morel, Cubs: Trade talk on Morel has cooled down. President of baseball ops Jed Hoyer and GM Carter Hawkins downplayed the chances of a deal coming together at last week’s Cubs Convention. Still, Hoyer himself acknowledged early in the winter that Morel lacked a path to playing time at second base, his best position, thanks to the presence of Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson in the middle infield. A Morel trade isn’t likely, and his prodigious strikeout totals run counter to the idea of bolstering the Mariners’ contact profile anyhow. But he’d add punch in the middle of the lineup — 42 homers in 854 MLB plate appearances — and the Cubs could perhaps use some more solidity at the back of the rotation. They have a growing number of young arms themselves but lack a clear fifth starter and could see Kyle Hendricks become a free agent next winter.
  • Ha-Seong Kim, Padres: Trade talk surrounding Kim has died down a bit since the Padres trimmed their payroll in other ways, but Kim is entering the final season of his contract before free agency. (His contract has a 2025 mutual option, but he’ll turn that down in favor of free agency.) After a tough first season in the Majors, Kim has come around with a .256/.338/.391 batting line over the past two seasons and emerged as an elite defender with above-average speed and contact skills. He swiped 38 bags and won his first Gold Glove at second base in 2023. He’s also adept at both shortstop and third base. He’s owed just $8MM for the 2024 season. The Athletic’s Dennis Lin wrote last week that the Padres have continued discussing the possibility internally.
  • Jake Cronenworth, Padres: Taking on the entirety of the seven-year, $80MM deal still owed to Cronenworth isn’t something the Mariners or even a team without current payroll constraints would be willing to do. But Cronenworth hit .256/.338/.431 from 2020-22, including a 21-homer, .266/.340/.460 showing in 2021. If the Padres are willing to cover some of Cronenworth’s deal — which only pays him $7MM this coming season — or take on some money of their own (e.g. Mitch Haniger), Cronenworth could be acquired relatively cheaply.

Teams with Various Young, Controllable Infielders

  • Cardinals: It’s an oversimplification at this point to note that the Cardinals are deep in young infielders and the Mariners are deep in young starters. The two teams have discussed their respective “surpluses,” and no trade has come together. Much as some fans may see merit in swapping Nolan Gorman for Logan Gilbert, or Brendan Donovan for Bryan Woo or whatever other iterations of an infielder-for-starter swap you care to dream up, Dipoto and St. Louis counterpart John Mozeliak have yet to agree. Between Gorman (five years of control), Donovan (four years), Tommy Edman (signed through 2025), Jordan Walker (six years) and top prospect Masyn Winn (six-plus years), there are more players than at-bats to go around. The Cards will see Paul Goldschmidt become a free agent at season’s end, however, possibly opening up first base for one of their young infielders. Walker has already moved to the outfield. Donovan and Edman can play anywhere. All of these players can still be optioned, too. There’s no grave urgency for the Cards to deal from their wealth of talent, but conceptually, the fit makes sense.
  • Reds: Different NL Central team, similar story. Cincinnati was already deep in infielders before adding Jeimer Candelario on top of Spencer Steer, Noelvi Marte, Elly De La Cruz, Matt McLain, Jonathan India and Christian Encarnacion-Strand. The Candelario signing prompted many — myself included — to expect an infield-for-pitching trade that has yet to materialize. But if the Reds indeed plan to play Steer in left field full-time, there’s a lack of urgency to get a deal done here as well. None of Marte, De La Cruz, McLain or Encarnacion-Strand has a full season in the Majors. McLain is the closest, and while he was excellent as a rookie, he might also be needed at shortstop if De La Cruz requires more Triple-A time. Marte was terrific but only saw 123 plate appearances. India won NL Rookie of the Year honors in 2021, but his bat has declined considerably since then. He’s no longer the clear infield fixture he once looked to be, and a below-average defender at second base with a roughly average .246/.333/.394 slash line (98 wRC+) over the past two seasons isn’t going to fetch a meaningful rotation upgrade on his own.
  • Orioles: Baltimore fans are still wondering when the organization’s move to upgrade the rotation is coming. Much of the focus has been on White Sox righty Dylan Cease, but the Mariners have a bevy of controllable arms to match the Orioles’ impressive stock of infielders. Gunnar Henderson is the long-term third baseman. Shortstop is earmarked for current No. 1 overall prospect Jackson Holliday. First base currently belongs to a pair of Ryans: O’Hearn and Mountcastle. That’d be a strong group of infielders as it is, but it’s only scratching the surface. The O’s have top prospects Jordan Westburg and Joey Ortiz already on the 40-man roster. Both debuted in 2023. Fellow top prospect Connor Norby isn’t far off, nor is slugging third baseman Coby Mayo, who could also muscle his way into the first base or corner outfield mix. Veterans Jorge Mateo and Ramon Urias give the Orioles some insurance if the kids don’t hit right away, but they also provide critical depth that makes it easier for the O’s to move someone like Westburg, Norby, Ortiz or Mayo to get a controllable pitcher.

The Chapman Effect

Unless Matt Chapman determines the long-term deal he wants isn’t attainable this winter and opts for some type of pillow arrangement, he’s not going to sign in Seattle — not without a serious pivot from ownership in terms of willingness to spend. Even on a one-year deal, he’d probably cost more than the Mariners prefer to spend. But Chapman still could impact Seattle’s infield pursuit. For instance, if he signs with the Giants — his top rumored fit — that could make San Francisco more willing to trade J.D. Davis. If Chapman goes back to Toronto, it becomes more feasible that the Jays would consider dealing young Davis Schneider. Wherever Chapman lands, he could prompt a domino effect that adds a new entrant or two to the trade market.

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MLBTR Originals Seattle Mariners Josh Rojas Luis Urias

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View Comments (135)
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135 Comments

  1. Rishi

    1 year ago

    I know it’s irrelevant but take a look at Whit Merrifields baseball reference page. There is a lot of BOLD there. I was surprised and impressed.

    6
    Reply
    • riley s

      1 year ago

      Career .288 hitter in T-Mobile Park also. I haven’t been a fan of adding him cuz I’d rather get someone more like polanco, but I would not be mad if we added Whit.

      4
      Reply
    • Ignorant Son-of-a-b

      1 year ago

      My opinion is that Whit is in steady decline phase. The last couple months of 2023 were absolutely atrocious for him. Mariners should not take the bait.

      6
      Reply
      • Rishi

        1 year ago

        Seems like he’s in decline certainly.

        2
        Reply
        • ronc52

          1 year ago

          Don’t need another Kolten Wong situation

          2
          Reply
        • Unclemike1525

          1 year ago

          Hey it looks like Morel is losing another position on the Cubs as I just read the Cubs are putting Caissie at 1B like I suggested month ago. Hey somebody is reading. LOL

          Reply
  2. Guarded Indian

    1 year ago

    I think Ahmed Rosario would fit the bill as well. Cleveland also has a lot of young controllable middle infielders they could afford to trade as well.

    3
    Reply
    • bloomquist4hof

      1 year ago

      Someone with Rosario’s skillset makes sense to me. Someone who can actually play shortstop in case they need it, would be better defensively than their entire 2B pile. No matter what they do in the infield I think they should try and add another capable shortstop to the mix.

      3
      Reply
    • CKinSTL

      1 year ago

      I wonder what Cleveland is asking for on Tyler Freeman. If a team could acquire Freeman for a reasonable price, he seems like a guy worth rolling the dice on.. especially for teams working on tight budgets.

      Reply
      • Guarded Indian

        1 year ago

        I don’t get a say so but as a Cleveland fan I would be fine with a reasonable trade. It’s not that he is good or bad it’s just that we have 9 of him ready to go so losing any of the SS guys we have just wouldn’t hurt. No reason they couldn’t help each other, especially since Dipoto used to pitch in Cleveland.

        1
        Reply
      • solaris602

        1 year ago

        A young right-handed corner OF run producer. Doesn’t even need to have major league experience. That has been their primary need for several years, and there’s a never ending litany of excuses why they haven’t gone out and gotten one.

        Reply
    • D-Nice

      1 year ago

      Rosario is a FA, I think

      3
      Reply
      • JCL10

        1 year ago

        He’s a righty though. Mariners would do well to add a lefty bad to their lineup that currently leans right.

        Mariners fans will hate me for saying this, but IMO they should sign Kolten Wong. Dude figured it out with the Dodgers down the stretch in 2023 and will be a good player if he retains that form.

        1
        Reply
        • bloomquist4hof

          1 year ago

          Wong would be fun just to see the heads explode online. He’s probably fine and likely as good as the guys they have now if not better. Non zero he goes right back to being a solid regular.

          2
          Reply
        • Ignorant Son-of-a-b

          1 year ago

          @JCL10 I think I hate you for saying that. Please no Wong. We have moved on.

          4
          Reply
  3. bob9988 2

    1 year ago

    The biggest hurdle for any trade at this point, (besides the normal trying to leverage a higher grade player for less) is that all teams see the Mariners as having pitching and the Mariners do not want to trade it. And the M’s do not have much in their minor league system beyond A-ball. Almost no one will trade ML players for A-ball hitter 2-3 yrs away. Its FA or bust most likely.

    2
    Reply
    • Big whiffa

      1 year ago

      Or internal. There’s not too many players mentioned above that are currently better than Ryan Bliss, just more proven.

      2
      Reply
      • Braves_saints_celts

        1 year ago

        The Cardinals should get Wong to continue their reunion tour

        Reply
    • Ignorant Son-of-a-b

      1 year ago

      Mariners farm just ranked #9 on Bleacher Report !!!! I am cool with that.

      5
      Reply
      • Big whiffa

        1 year ago

        Mariners are one of the best teams in the league at identifying and acquiring young talent. They traded all those dudes to the reds and they are already stacked again. Marte and Julio were both ranked 10th in their international classes too.

        Here’s my list of top talent evaluating franchises
        SD
        Hou
        Atl
        Sea
        Cubs
        Brewers

        4
        Reply
        • SODOMOJO

          1 year ago

          The proof is in the pudding.

          1
          Reply
        • Ignorant Son-of-a-b

          1 year ago

          Nice to see some team spirit on this thread huh SODO? Hardly any negativity or whining and whinging about the payroll, or proclamations to sell the team or fire Dipoto for the 800th time…breath of fresh air!! And what a concept!!! Ahhh, I think I smell Spring already !!!

          1
          Reply
        • SODOMOJO

          1 year ago

          I’m ready for opening day! Despite the lame offseason so far I’m still full of hope. I do think the moves they’ve made have improved the team. And I believe in this core and pitching staff.

          1
          Reply
  4. SODOMOJO

    1 year ago

    I’ll take any of the above, thank you.

    I personally would like to see us give Tim Anderson a shot with a one year prove it deal. I’m not convinced that he’s done after a bad year. He swiped 13/15 bases which at least signifies that he’s not French toast athletically. I think he could be a rebound guy. Only on a one year deal for sure, but I’d be excited to see if can get back to top form with us. And you’d hope that he could fit better at 2b than he did SS. He and JP could be a nice 1-2 in the lineup.

    12
    Reply
    • brushbackmlb

      1 year ago

      Much agreed! Whoever signs Tim Anderson is going to get a steal. Expectations can’t be lower and the entire White Sox team (other than Luis Robert) was unable to elevate a pitch. A good hitting coach that can work on his launch angle should be able to return him to form. He’s still quick and athletic. A move to second base, I think, should also help his defense.

      4
      Reply
      • drfelix

        1 year ago

        Yeah like our hitting coach can ‘correct’ anyone’s swing lol

        1
        Reply
    • Moonlight Graham

      1 year ago

      He had all of one bad season, during a perfect storm of injuries and off-field issues. (Off-field stuff was of his own doing, but still a distraction that he’ll likely move past.)

      It’s not at all uncommon for a player to bounce back to his prior form. Heck, we just saw it with Bellinger.

      3
      Reply
      • SODOMOJO

        1 year ago

        Top form JP and top form TA batting 1-2 would make pitchers absolutely nuts. Think of all the foul balls. And they’ll have to get pitches to hit with Julio coming up 3rd. I know this is all best case scenario wishful thinking but it’s fun to imagine that lineup.

        3
        Reply
    • jhomeslice

      1 year ago

      @sodo
      I am from Chicago, and can tell you that when Tim is right, he is an incredible hitter. Won a batting title and hit over .300 every year the past 4 before 2023. Fantastic hitting to the opposite field, a supreme talent. He has had major personal (and injury) problems and is a headcase, but I think/hope a change of scenery will do wonders for him. He CANNOT play defense, at least SS, however. He is bad in the field way too often. Impossible to have a good defense with somebody that awful at short. Maybe he can go to 2b and not be awful, otherwise he can probably be an adequate LF since he is pretty athletic. I think he would adapt well enough to be tolerable in LF, there is no way he would be worse then somebody like Schwarber.

      As long as the plan is not to have him start at SS, he is a good buy low guy. Even if he can’t field well enough to handle 2b, he may hit well enough to justify a spot for him somewhere, LF or DH. I wish him well, nobody wants to play for the Sox.

      4
      Reply
  5. brocnessmonster

    1 year ago

    The ‘Rojas’ mentioned under Whit’s blurb is Josh Rojas, right?

    3
    Reply
    • Steve Adams

      1 year ago

      It is! Thanks for pointing that out. I unknowingly removed the first mention of him and link to his name when making a couple edits before publishing. It’s in there with the link now. Appreciate you pointing it out, and sorry for any confusion.

      7
      Reply
      • Ignorant Son-of-a-b

        1 year ago

        Great article Steve!

        Reply
  6. cpdpoet

    1 year ago

    Wait what?
    No mention of Scotty Jetpax Kingery….. c’mon now!

    Reply
  7. GeronimoSon

    1 year ago

    The Mariners and Guardians do match up well..and don’t necessarily need to be middle infielder for pitcher.. it can be middle infielder for minor leaguers, as well.. The M’s need to hold onto their ML pitchers.. There is far too much chance of injury.. and depth wins the race..

    1
    Reply
    • Guarded Indian

      1 year ago

      I agree. Cleveland is willing to take guys that will need a few years to develop because they develop them well generally speaking.

      1
      Reply
    • ayrbhoy

      1 year ago

      Agreed on holding onto their young controllable Starters. There is a pretty steep drop off on tradeable young SP’s in the Farm System after the 3 headed monster : MillerWooCock. I am curious about the return value of a healthy Taylor Dollard…?

      Reply
  8. oriole

    1 year ago

    Let’s get the Urias brothers together.

    3
    Reply
  9. fljay73

    1 year ago

    The right offer of a young catcher & or young starting pitching will always get Neander’s attention.

    Reply
  10. Fred Park

    1 year ago

    Naw, I still don’t think they’re going to actually add a big bat.
    And, I know I am taking an unpopular stance, but I am comfortable with that.
    I think the Mariners are just fine with what they’ve already got.
    Individual player maturity and coaching will fill the bill.
    All this talk is just a lot of noise.
    Go Mariners!

    2
    Reply
    • bloomquist4hof

      1 year ago

      I think Garver, Haniger and Raley checked the box for better bats based on their budget limitations. The pen needs help and they still have questions about who gets used where in both the outfield and infield, and could almost certainly use better options for 2B/3B and corner outfield, but if they started as is today i think could be easily an 85-90 win team despite all their flaws. The starting rotation is good enough to carry the team.

      5
      Reply
    • lee cousins

      1 year ago

      Is that you Fred? I’m with you, I don’t think there going to do anything just yet anyways, although did I say that? Certainly plenty of scenarios are present I just don’t think their going to act on them. This team is about discoveries yet to be discovered trades are more likely to happen in spring training when the dust has a chance to settle some.

      2
      Reply
  11. riley s

    1 year ago

    M’s definitely need a 2b or 3b. Preferably left handed like polanco, McMahon, etc.

    I think Gio Urshela would be an awesome add on a 1-year deal

    2
    Reply
  12. rightwingrick

    1 year ago

    You’ve underestimated the improvement in the M’s strikeout rate. Suarez, Hernandez, and Kelenic ALL were in the top five in strikeout percentage in the American League.

    Yes, the “replacements” strike out at slightly above average rate, but the difference between a 33% K rate and a 26% K rate, multiplied by three, is a dramatic improvement. And together, they likely make up the two games the M’s needed to get into the playoffs in 2023.

    The BB rate is also improved, the BA is improved, and the OBP is improved with the additions, as well, so, by those measures alone, the M’s most certainly HAVE overhauled their offensive identity.

    “Move’em over, get’em in” last year depended almost solely on the swing-and-miss guys. That won’t be the case in 2024. But the question is, will manager Scott Servais quit waiting for “the big hit” and get more aggressive with other offensive tactics.

    I can’t see Dipoto trading ANY of his starters for anyone on the list. They are too valuable, and the return is nowhere near enough.

    10
    Reply
    • Wagner>Cobb

      1 year ago

      But two of their three acquisitions come with spotty health records. That’s why they need to boost their infield options as well. If Haniger and Garver spend time on the IL (as should be expected) then the pressure on Rojas and Urias becomes even greater. But, with any two of the three of Polanco, Whit, Urshela, TA, Farmer, Paredes, Rosario, Cronenworth the lineup still maintains some depth when injuries inevitably occur. I’m not saying any of those guys are stars (although Polanco, TA, and Paredes certainly have plenty of upside) but they certainly bring more to the table than either of Rojas or Urias do.

      Reply
      • hockeyjohn

        1 year ago

        No one is going to trade for Cronenworth’s contract.

        1
        Reply
        • Wagner>Cobb

          1 year ago

          I agree. My list was focused on guys who *are attainable* that would be upgrades, not necessarily based on the likelihood of a deal happening.

          1
          Reply
  13. muskie73

    1 year ago

    Seattle acquired low on projected starting infielders Luis Urias and Josh Rojas coming off a disappointing season (or partial season).

    However, over the previous 2021 and 2022 seasons, Urias posted 4.4 fWAR in 269 games and Rojas posted 4.5 fWAR in 264 games. Rojas posted 1.2 fWAR in only 46 games with Seattle after his deadline trade last July.

    The 26-year-old Urias and the 29-year-old Rojas are projected to hit eighth and ninth in the Seattle lineup:

    fangraphs.com/roster-resource/depth-charts/mariner…

    Urias and Rojas may not be All Stars but they’re solid big leaguers.

    12
    Reply
  14. lloyd_christmas

    1 year ago

    Ryan Bliss, anyone?

    4
    Reply
    • SODOMOJO

      1 year ago

      Oh you mean Pedroia 2.0? Kid has a chance to be a frickin stud

      3
      Reply
    • rightwingrick

      1 year ago

      By July if Rojas or Urias stumble. But both are solid major league players.

      1
      Reply
    • bloomquist4hof

      1 year ago

      Bliss is definitely a candidate and someone I expect to see this year.

      3
      Reply
      • bloomquist4hof

        1 year ago

        He does alot of things decently and has good speed. I could see them deploying him similar to Moore at some point, especially if they find better options at 2B, giving him time at LF, 3B and 1B.

        2
        Reply
  15. Zissou

    1 year ago

    Tim Anderson… would love that signing.

    GET. IT DONE.

    3
    Reply
    • rightwingrick

      1 year ago

      Clubhouse issues in his past.

      Reply
    • JCL10

      1 year ago

      Nah. Anderson’s a problem for any team he’s on. Plus was literally the worst player in MLB last season.

      Reply
      • Zissou

        1 year ago

        And one of the better the 3-4 years previous.

        2
        Reply
      • dshires4

        1 year ago

        He’s not getting anything more than a few million. Just platoon him at 2B. Hes not going to be given a chance to be a problem.

        1
        Reply
        • Zissou

          1 year ago

          Perfect bounce back candidate and contract.

          1
          Reply
  16. hoof hearted

    1 year ago

    What amount of offense can be generated IF you replace a 200k player with a 130-150k player? Now you do that 3 times. So JD has(on paper) added 150-200 AB’s that will NOT be K’s. those 150 AB could generate: sac fly, ground out advancing runner, hit, walk, HBP… which can prolong the innning or produce a run. Won’t see as many HR’s but “live by the HR, dye by the HR”.

    3
    Reply
    • rightwingrick

      1 year ago

      Actually, how’s this:
      Let’s take a look at the 2024 Seattle Mariners and where they stand relative to 2023 power (after jettisoning Kelenic, Suarez, and T. Hernandez). All three had strikeout percentages above 32%. With them the M’s starters hit about 175 home runs, with 35 coming in addition from various reserves (210 total).
      IF the M’s stay healthy, based on past results, here’s what might be anticipated in terms of power:
      C Raleigh 25 HR (23 and 20 last two years)
      1B France 20 HR (18 and 20 last two years)
      2B Rojas 10 HR (11 in less than 500 AB in the past)
      3B Urias 20 HR (has hit 23 and 16 in less than 500 AB)
      SS Crawford 20 HR (19 last year)
      RF Haniger 30 HR (has hit 26 and 39 with M’s before)
      CF Rodriguez 35 HR
      LF Raley/Canzone 25 HR (Raley with 19 in 350 AB in past)
      DH Garver 25 HR (31 in 311 AB and 19 in 296 AB in past)
      ————————————————
      Total: 210 “starter” HR in 2024 (175 in 2023)
      Add 25 by reserves in 2024 (35 last year)
      ——————————————–
      235 HR in 2024 (Compared to 210 in 2023)
      Lower K% rate team average in 2024 very likely
      Higher OBP team average very likely
      YES, NOT EVERYONE WILL PERFORM TO STANDARD; BUT EVEN IF A COUPLE DON’T, IT APPEARS THE MARINER OFFENSE IS IN A FAR

      3
      Reply
    • C Yards Jeff

      1 year ago

      Liked “…150-200 AB’s that will not be K’s”. Sounds like an Adam Frazier vibe. He gets his hacks in and doesn’t strike out much. Would you bring him back on a one yr 4 mil? One caveat: defense has tailed off.

      Reply
  17. tonyhoag

    1 year ago

    Just nitpicking here but Polanco has been a regular at 2B since 2021 when they moved him from SS to sign andrelton Simmons. He was our SS from 2017.

    Reply
  18. muskie73

    1 year ago

    FWIW FanGraphs projects Eugenio Suarez with 2024 WAR and wRC+ of 1.7 and 99 in 146 games while projecting his expected Seattle replacement, Luis Urias, with 2024 WAR and wRC+ of 2.0 and 104 in 110 games:

    fangraphs.com/players/eugenio-suarez/12552/stats?p…

    fangraphs.com/players/luis-urias/16622/stats?posit…

    3
    Reply
  19. Ronk325

    1 year ago

    I’d have to think the Mariners regret not making a harder push to sign Marcus Semien two years ago. They could have greatly improved their own lineup and kept him from going to the Rangers

    3
    Reply
    • hoof hearted

      1 year ago

      Semien had no interest in seattle. They wouldnt even return phone calls to Seattle. that was the story.

      2
      Reply
      • Ronk325

        1 year ago

        Gotcha, I wasn’t aware of that. Semien obviously made the right choice in hindsight but I wonder what made him make that decision?

        Reply
        • Ignorant Son-of-a-b

          1 year ago

          Probably either the increased travel and/or the ballpark conditions favoring pitching with the marine layer.

          1
          Reply
  20. TennVol

    1 year ago

    That was an amazingly long article for a position analysis for…the Mariners. I know they haven’t done much, and you need to cover every team, but I ran out of steam, or caring, halfway through it. 😉

    1
    Reply
    • rightwingrick

      1 year ago

      Let’s take a look at the 2024 Seattle Mariners and where they stand relative to 2023 power (after jettisoning Kelenic, Suarez, and T. Hernandez). All three had strikeout percentages above 32%. With them the M’s starters hit about 175 home runs, with 35 coming in addition from various reserves (210 total).
      IF the M’s stay healthy, based on past results, here’s what might be anticipated in terms of power:
      C Raleigh 25 HR (23 and 20 last two years)
      1B France 20 HR (18 and 20 last two years)
      2B Rojas 10 HR (11 in less than 500 AB in the past)
      3B Urias 20 HR (has hit 23 and 16 in less than 500 AB)
      SS Crawford 20 HR (19 last year)
      RF Haniger 30 HR (has hit 26 and 39 with M’s before)
      CF Rodriguez 35 HR
      LF Raley/Canzone 25 HR (Raley with 19 in 350 AB in past)
      DH Garver 25 HR (31 in 311 AB and 19 in 296 AB in past)
      ————————————————
      Total: 210 “starter” HR in 2024 (175 in 2023)
      Add 25 by reserves in 2024 (35 last year)
      ——————————————–
      235 HR in 2024 (Compared to 210 in 2023)
      Lower K% rate team average in 2024 very likely
      Higher OBP team average very likely
      YES, NOT EVERYONE WILL PERFORM TO STANDARD; BUT EVEN IF A COUPLE DON’T, IT APPEARS THE MARINER OFFENSE IS IN A FAR

      2
      Reply
      • yeasties

        1 year ago

        You’re making TennVol’s point for them. Mariners fans love their team but it is clapping with one hand, No one outside of the Mariners fans cares one jot about them.

        1
        Reply
        • wayneroo

          1 year ago

          Just like us Mariners fans don’t care much at all about any other team. Those that don’t want to read an article is free not to.

          5
          Reply
        • Ignorant Son-of-a-b

          1 year ago

          @yeasties that wasn’t very friendly now, was it? What do you have against the Mariners anyway? It’s not like M’s fan come over to your favorite team’s boards and befoul the air with unsportsmanlike conduct. (UHH, unless your fave team is the Astros, then I guess we’re even.)

          3
          Reply
  21. jvent

    1 year ago

    Jeff McNeil and a minor leaguer for Gilbert or Kirby, than the Mets can use Acuna or Jett Williams at 2b.

    Reply
    • BigRedMachine

      1 year ago

      Nope and No Way. Gilbert and Kirby have so much more value than McNeil and his 10 homeruns and .270 average. Young, taleneted, difference making, and contract controllable Pitching is so valuable right now

      5
      Reply
    • hoof hearted

      1 year ago

      Jvent needs to get off the pipe

      7
      Reply
      • jvent

        1 year ago

        How about Woo than lol

        Reply
    • Hawktattoo

      1 year ago

      Please share what you are smoking. Must be good stuff!

      1
      Reply
      • Ignorant Son-of-a-b

        1 year ago

        Puff Puff Pass

        1
        Reply
    • FisherSux

      1 year ago

      Why don’t you have the M’s throw in Julio and Castillo in that deal?

      Silly.

      Reply
    • riley s

      1 year ago

      That minor leaguer better be Jackson Holliday somehow

      Reply
  22. braves95 2

    1 year ago

    Is France just unplayable at 2B and 3B?

    1
    Reply
    • Wagner>Cobb

      1 year ago

      I was under the impression that he’s a borderline gold glove quality defender at 1B while being average to below average everywhere else.

      2
      Reply
    • wayneroo

      1 year ago

      Yep.

      2
      Reply
    • riley s

      1 year ago

      Yep he’s good not great at 1B and that’s it

      1
      Reply
  23. Old York

    1 year ago

    Honestly, the infield for the M’s not not terrible. I’d be wanting to upgrade the LF & RF Even with the addition of Mitch Haniger & Luke Raley, they’re only getting a projected 2 WAR out of those two positions. Ty France is expected to give them 2 WAR himself.

    Reply
  24. phenomenalajs

    1 year ago

    Not related to the infielder discussion, but what would excite the Ms’ fanbase would be bringing home Snell if he were willing to take a hometown discount or defer a lot of money.

    4
    Reply
  25. 17dizzy

    1 year ago

    Don’t expect the Cardinals president of baseball operations, John Mozeliak, to do anything smart or logical to benefit the Cardinals!!
    The Cardinals need Logan Gilbert. The Cardinals don’t need Nolan Gorman in a strong package deal for Gilbert.

    That is a “Duh” conclusion that any body with baseball sense can figure out except John Mozeliak. He’d rather waste money on signing Matt Carpenter than signing Gilbert.

    Trading Gorman —- placing rookie Scott II in center and Gold Glover Edman back at second base will solidify both the infield and outfield with gold glove players in their natural positions.

    Hopefully Mr. Bloom can see that and over ride Mozeliak. Mozeliak has burned and traded away more Cardinals talent by protecting Gorman and Libertore than you can imagine. Time for them to go to Seattle for Gilbert.

    Reply
    • Blackpink in the area

      1 year ago

      Gorman is a legit middle of the order lefty bat. That’s definitely a need for the Cardinals.

      Reply
    • FisherSux

      1 year ago

      If I’m Seattle it’s going to take a lot more than Gorman to pry Gilbert in a trade. After dealing Ray I’d be surprised if they move Gilbert or Kirby unless someone absolutely blows them away. Gorman’s massive K rate is exactly what they’ve been trying to get away from this offseason. Gilbert had the 7th best WHIP in baseball last season.

      STL does have other pieces that could get a deal done, but the M’s strength is Castillo/Kirby/Gilbert. Doubt they go anywhere.

      2
      Reply
      • Blackpink in the area

        1 year ago

        Yeah I agree a trade doesn’t make sense at this point and for either side. Gorman is always going to strike out a lot that’s not going to change but he does have legit 40 homer power he might lead the league for a year or 2 in homers. The power is elite.

        Donovan for Miller could have been interesting but again I think that time has passed. Perhaps next offseason.

        Reply
      • drfelix

        1 year ago

        Cease last week was pulled off the trade block. All MLB teams realize trading for a really decent SP is gonna cost them a fortune. With Cease off them market with nobody willing to meat the white Sox asking price you can bet Dipoto has fielded even more calls. Even to get someone like Woo with 5-6 years of club control is gonna cost a TON. Everyone knows it and everyone is short SPs except for Seattle!

        Reply
    • riley s

      1 year ago

      I 100% thought we were gunna trade Logan or Bryce to St Louis or Baltimore. He’s a legit #2 starter.

      Gorman coming back would be awesome, but we’d need more coming back than Gorman. Not a whoooole lot, but something

      1
      Reply
  26. Wagner>Cobb

    1 year ago

    Honestly, they need two dudes. Urias and Rojas should be backups.

    1
    Reply
  27. calibucsfan

    1 year ago

    Kind of odd to leave the Pirates off this list. Need an arm and Ms have a bunch. Pirates have logjam at MI with Peguero, Gonzalez, Bae, Triolo, Cruz, Williams, Termarr J.

    Reply
    • BigRedMachine

      1 year ago

      Bae would be interesting for the Mariners. A 2b-OF who steals a lot of bases and puts the ball in play.

      1
      Reply
  28. Reynaldo

    1 year ago

    Mariners’ offseason is done. They will break camp with France/Raley/Rojas/Urias/Crawford/Moore/Haggerty, and rely Locklear/Bliss/Chavis as minor league IF depth. They’re not spending another dollar and want to have the budget room for midseason acquisitions.

    2
    Reply
    • bloomquist4hof

      1 year ago

      I think they’ll still be looking to add to the bullpen at a minimum but suspect you are mostly right even if they should still be looking to add.

      1
      Reply
      • Reynaldo

        1 year ago

        After signing Voth last week, I think they’re done there as well. Will have Prelander Berroa waiting in the wings.

        1
        Reply
  29. shortstop09

    1 year ago

    Bliss will need another year in AAA and wait to see. We need to acquire a 2B/3B to lengthen the lineup. Kim or Anderson would really help this lineup , both could leadoff with JP between Julio. There are a lot of runs to be had there. Wouldn’t mind Merrifield somewhere near the top also.

    Reply
    • BigRedMachine

      1 year ago

      Merrifield was so solid last year until the last month and a half and like Tim Anderson is so up and down from year to year and his age at 35 is a concern for me. I really hope they can get Polanco from the Twins and maybe even Kepler as well in a trade without having to give up Woo or Miller and just take on the payroll without giving up one of our five current starters. Maybe Emerson Hancock in that deal with the Twins?

      1
      Reply
      • drfelix

        1 year ago

        I think Hancock is the SP that will get moved if any are moved. He has 6 years club contol

        Reply
        • Stevil

          1 year ago

          That’s exactly why Seattle won’t likely trade him.

          He was their number 6 pick in the 2020 draft, his stock is down, primarily because of injury.

          Seattle doesn’t need to sell low on him. They need the depth and he has nowhere to go but up.

          If Seattle moves a SP, it’s almost certainly going to be DeSclafani.

          2
          Reply
  30. shortstop09

    1 year ago

    Adding Polanco would add 10 mil and Kepler even more. Both would be great additions but I don’t think they will add that much payrol- Kim is a great defender and baserunner- they could probably trade something like Harry Ford and Dylan Moore for Kim.

    1
    Reply
  31. Stevil

    1 year ago

    A few important things to note are getting missed here…

    1. If they bring someone in, someone else goes away. Haggerty has an option, but good luck arguing that any of the available free agents are more worthy than Haggerty for a roster spot and Urías in a regular role.

    2. Seattle isn’t going to trade pre-arb MLB talent or top prospects for the expensive arbitration years of a player like Paredes. Salary is one thing, but significant raises AND cheap talent? Highly unlikely.

    3. They’re almost certainly trying to move DeSclafani and he could make sense in a swap for Polanco, perhaps with a lesser prospect or even some cash.

    Seattle needs starter depth, but it’s a safe bet to assume they’d rather not pay 12m for one with a recent injury history to be stashed in the bullpen.

    3
    Reply
    • BigRedMachine

      1 year ago

      I would love to see a DeSclafani for Polanco trade but I think the Twins are trying to cut payroll so that would be adding money and that is why I mentioned trying to get Kepler as well and maybe give them someone like Dylan Moore back who can play 2b and OF…I think we can handle the $5 million we would take on(Kepler and Polanco $20 mil total) (DeSclafani and Moore $15 mil) heck take on $5 million more by the M’s and take in $10 million.to make it happen.That is totally doable on the M’s part.

      Reply
      • Stevil

        1 year ago

        There salaries are almost a wash, but I think the difference in value (however perceived) could easily be addressed.

        I don’t think Kepler is likely. Minnesota appears to be in a good place with their payroll right now.

        But they need starting pitching. I’d guess they’d like to add two. Big reason why I could see somewhat of a lateral move.

        Reply
        • Stevil

          1 year ago

          *Their salaries.

          What a day this is proving to be

          Reply
  32. 88 Brooklyn Dodgers

    1 year ago

    Arguably the most underrated stadium in all of baseball.

    3
    Reply
    • Ignorant Son-of-a-b

      1 year ago

      Except for the #$%^ Marine Layer which keeps our flyballs destined for HRs in other parks left to die a miserable death on the Warning Track in our park.

      2
      Reply
  33. LambchoP

    1 year ago

    Twins need to swing a trade for some starting pitching. Give them Polanco and Vazquez for one of their high upside young SP…A trade looks like the only way my cheap ass twins are going to get the pitching that they really need:(

    Reply
  34. Blackpink in the area

    1 year ago

    It seems that what the Mariners really need is what Caballero provided them. They need help at 2b and 3b and a little insurance at short.

    Reply
    • riley s

      1 year ago

      We do need all of that, but packaged with someone who can actually hit the baseball, unlike cabby

      Reply
    • Stevil

      1 year ago

      A soft-hitting right-handed middle-infielder with an injury history throughout his minor-league career that is best used in a platoon facing LHPs?

      What Seattle needs in a regular who can offer solid 3B defense.

      They don’t need help at 2B with Rojas, Urías, Moore, Haggerty, and eventually Bliss.

      Reply
      • Blackpink in the area

        1 year ago

        That soft hitting oft injured player you speak of was playing at a 6 win pace in 2023.

        Reply
        • Stevil

          1 year ago

          He was used selectively and he absolutely helped Seattle. But he was never going to get 500-600 PAs because they didn’t want him to face many RHPs. He struggled in September as well.

          He’s likely going to play a lot of SS for Tampa until Walls returns (May?). Then, most likely facing LHPs at 2B.

          But nothing in his profile suggests he could be a regular third baseman and that’s the point. Why do you think he was the one traded when Seattle had 3 other RHHs for a utility infield spot?

          Reply
        • Blackpink in the area

          1 year ago

          He had more at bats vs right handed pitching than he did left handed pitching.

          I think he was the one traded because Tampa is a well run organization and that’s who they wanted.

          Reply
        • Stevil

          1 year ago

          He stepped in to replace Kolten Wong, so initially he did face a lot of RHPs, and once there was a report on him, he struggled. When they acquired Rojas, he faced LHPs almost exclusively. He battled .186 with a .588 OPS against RHPs on the year.

          He was the odd man out all along. If there’s a surprise in that trade, it’s that Seattle got Raley from them.

          Reply
        • Blackpink in the area

          1 year ago

          Somehow with that 588 OPS against righties he still managed to play at a 6 win pace.

          I am not a Rays or Mariners fan. I am looking at things with open eyes.

          Reply
        • Stevil

          1 year ago

          No, it didn’t. It was the small sample size of success early against RHPs and his success against LHPs–and defense at 2B–that gave him the fWAR he had, which wasn’t sustainable because of the aforementioned facts.

          Have a nice evening.

          Reply
        • Blackpink in the area

          1 year ago

          So the league adjusted to him but he can’t adjust to them? I don’t think that’s how it works.

          Reply
  35. GarryHarris

    1 year ago

    Any Javier Baez action?

    Reply
    • BigRedMachine

      1 year ago

      Don’t you think that his huge contract and lack of production keep suitors away?

      1
      Reply
      • GarryHarris

        1 year ago

        The way people on this forum think that the more an owner spends, the better the team will be. Perhaps there’s an owner with the mindset that since Baez is highly paid, he must be exceptionally good

        Reply
    • riley s

      1 year ago

      I wouldn’t let Baez pay us to play for us

      Reply
  36. shortstop09

    1 year ago

    With Kim or Anderson lineup looks much better:

    2B Kim/ or Anderson
    SS Crawford
    CF Julio
    DH Garver
    C Raliegh
    1B France
    LF Raley
    RF Canzone/Haniger
    3B Rojas/Urias

    Caballero was a good bench player but not a good hitter. We have plenty of those.

    Reply
  37. RedFraggle

    1 year ago

    Not the point of the article, but from everything I’ve read and seen, 2B is earmarked for Holliday. SS is Hendersonville and 3B I’d for Westy. Urias should be traded IMHO.

    Reply
    • riley s

      1 year ago

      Coby Mayo is trade bait then? Send him over to Seattle…

      Reply
  38. dano62

    1 year ago

    If DiPoto can get Urshela for $3-4m on a 1-year deal, he can work on getting Donovan later…

    2
    Reply
  39. muskie73

    1 year ago

    2024 FanGraphs projections of WAR and wRC+:

    Whit Merrifield: 0.7, 85 in 121 games

    Luis Urias: 2.0, 104 in 110 games
    Josh Rojas: 1.1, 92 in 104 games
    Dylan Moore: 0.6, 90 in 62 games
    Sam Haggerty: 0.4, 94 in 37 games
    Ryan Bliss: 0.4, 83 in 62 games

    Reply
  40. KamKid

    1 year ago

    It’s not sexy but if they really are leaning into the contact identity, the IKF signing in Toronto pushes someone out of playing time or even roster spots. Santiago Espinal is a contact hitter. He had a down season both offensively and defensively but was an all star the year before and has been a very good defender around the infield including SS in the past. I think he’s making a shade over $2m. Or if you really want to lean into the contact identity, Ernie Clement is an even more extreme version of Merrifield. He doesn’t fit Seattle’s “dominate the zone” identity but it sounds like they are shifting away from that anyway? Ernie Clement is a caricature of the aggressive put the ball in play type. He swings at everything, hits everything (softly). Never walks, never strikes out. Found a line drive stroke this year that leads to high BABIPS that might play in that park. I don’t know if the high line drive rates are sustainable when he’s not at all discerning about what he swings at, but if you are going to entertain a 2 year deal?! for Merrifield who is of a similar profile, I’d take the free guy who does the same thing but is younger (and we know the ability to make contact outside the zone ages poorly), and a much better defender who can cover the whole infield.
    Jays also have a really deep bullpen and in my opinion too rigid a bullpen with the only guys with options being guys who are the high leverage guys. If you want raw materials, the Jays have some relievers who are probably blocked from the opening day roster unless injuries occur. Nate Pearson is a post hype guy with high velo. Zach Pop is a power sinker ground ball pitcher. If you want more established arms: Trevor Richards is an elite swing and miss guy with one of the best changeups in baseball. His fastball can get hit hard but he could probably survive that in that ballpark. Yimi Garcia is a good sturdy reliever but the Yariel Rodriguez signing makes the roles on the pitching staff a bit murky. Garcia might be available.
    All of the above players are affordable salary wise and trade acquisition wise which is why I suggest them. It seems that’s a consideration for Seattle this year. I’m not making stupid middle class player for Kirby and Gilbert suggestions.

    1
    Reply
  41. Randall Charles

    1 year ago

    How about a 3B who has a career average .270/.340who is good for about 20hr and 30 doubles and can pick it with a nice arm but has little range

    Your new 3B infielder is Ty France!

    Move Raley to 1B
    Sign RF Soler impact bat 14m > whit merrifield 12m
    Bring up Cole young to play 2B

    Shed payroll by trading Dylan Moore, Urias, discalifini

    Reply
    • BigRedMachine

      1 year ago

      I wish he was, but Cole Young is not ready for the Big leagues as of yet. He played single A Ball in Everett last season and did pretty well.

      Reply
      • Randall Charles

        1 year ago

        Wow I didn’t realize that’s where he played last year. Your right, way to early.

        Reply
  42. Randall Charles

    1 year ago

    SS Jp
    CF Julio
    RF Soler
    DH Garver
    C Raliegh
    LF Haniger
    3B France
    2B Cole Young
    1B Raley

    Reply
  43. MLBTR needs to hire editors

    1 year ago

    There should NEVER be a comma before “too.” This isn’t the sixties anymore. Learn your commas, Adams. You’re a hack.

    Reply

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