The Mariners announced that catcher Seby Zavala has been designated for assignment. In the corresponding move, right-hander Emerson Hancock has been called back up from Triple-A to start today’s game against the Blue Jays. Zavala’s DFA also creates an opening on Seattle’s 40-man roster.
This is the second time in the last three weeks that Zavala has been designated, and his previous trip to DFA limbo saw him clear waivers and then outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma. Because Zavala had previously been outrighted in his career, he could’ve rejected that assignment and instead become a free agent, but he opted to remain with the M’s and report to Triple-A. Zavala is out of minor league options, so Seattle has been forced to designate the catcher and thus expose him to the waiver wire in order to move him to Triple-A.
Zavala could very well pursue the same path this time around, given that the Mariners selected his contract back onto the 26-man roster in pretty short order after his previous outright. That move (just earlier this week) came after Mitch Garver was dealing with a sore wrist, and thus the Mariners wanted some extra catching depth if Garver was strictly limited to DH duties or perhaps needed to visit the injured list. Since Garver appears to be okay, the M’s apparently now feel comfortable enough with the situation to again remove Zavala from their 40-man.
With Cal Raleigh handling the starting catcher duties and Garver also getting some part-time work behind the plate, Zavala has gotten into just 18 games this season, and is hitting .154/.214/.282 over 43 plate appearances. Even considering that Zavala is known as a defensive specialist, the Mariners have decided to go with the bat-first approach with their catching corps, which isn’t surprising given how Seattle has been hurting for offense all season.
As for Hancock, he is set to make his ninth start of the season after delivering a 4.79 ERA in his first 41 1/3 innings of the season. The former top prospect has gotten another look with Bryan Woo on the 15-day IL, but since Woo is expected back relatively soon, Saturday’s outing will likely be just a spot start for Hancock. It could also potentially be an unofficial audition for potential trade suitors, if the Mariners look to deal from their rotation depth to upgrade their lineup at the deadline.
Interesting move by the Mariners to designate Seby Zavala for assignment. It seems like they’re prioritizing pitching depth with Emerson Hancock coming back up to start against the Blue Jays. With Zavala’s DFA, it’ll be interesting to see who they look to as the backup catcher going forward. Also, curious to see if Zavala gets picked up by another team in need of catching depth. This move definitely shakes up Seattle’s roster a bit!
Zavala was only up due to Garver having a sore wrist (HBP). Have is the normal backup and had seen a bit more time of late. Hancock is up because Woo is inthe IL, likely spot start.
It’ll just continue to be Garver if healthy. M’s have other depth options if Zavala is claimed.
There was that brief period earlier this week when they weren’t sure how Garv’s hand would heal up after getting beaned last weekend. They clearly feel comfortable with Garv as the main backup/everyday DH, despite the risk that comes with that. I think the ideal situation would be for us to make a trade that would relegate Garv to a more utility-type part-time role which he has thrived in over the years. I’m not a fan of him being in the lineup every day, although I do see him as a valuable contributer. He’s already less than 75 ABs away from his career high.
He’s caught under 10 games for the M’s. He’s primarily been playing a DH role. He caught much more than that the 2 yrs in TEX and caught way more often in MIN.
He (Garv) didn’t catch a game for the M’s until May 29th. Seby was on the roster from opening day, up until that point. He’s been the primary backup since then
The specific reason why they made that move, was in an attempt to get his bat going. Oddly, it has worked out somewhat, he’s hitting much better.
@SODOMOJO Having him catch also seems to be the fast track to getting hurt again? I thought his injuries are why he has been relegated to that “utility-type part-time role” that you mentioned above.
My bad, I thought u were saying he needs to catch less. I agree if anything it appears he might do better while catching more often.
I have a feeling the issues probably a bit more. It would seem M’s coaching have been pushing a different approach at the plate or something. The way bats are struggling there it seems systemic.
I agree, Trevor May came up with a great analysis this week. He mentioned that our batting order, having free swingers such as Julio Garver and Cal Raleigh right next to each other in the order; creates giant holes in our lineup. And he’s right. We’ll get a guy on base, and then swing at 6 pitches in a row. We not only fail to drive in or move the runner but we give pitchers easy innings at the least opportune times
That is a good point by Trevor May. Thank you for sharing. I am hoping they will make a trade for a couple of bats that put the ball in play more. Like Isaac Parades of the Rays and/or Ryan McMahon of the Rockies and attempt to get a reliever in the deal as well. I would not mind if the the M’s tried to get both as Parades has played first base quite a bit. Need two bats not just one….
2 for his last 14. 8 strikeouts, no walks and 1 hr is hitting better? Look at his last 5 game stats. We need much better than that out of him.
Coming into June I thought that would definitely happen (acquiring a bunch of help), but we have looked horrible recently
What would we do if the astros overtake the division and we have a horrible July? Would there still be enough time to decide to do what we planned on doing or would we be bad enough to decide to not spend prospects or god forbid punt on the season
@Sodo, Thanks for sharing that May analysis. I like his thoughts on the topic.
If a player or 2 is having a down year it is one thing. But when a lineup as a whole seems to be underperforming it leads me to believe there is a bigger issue. What May said seems very plausible and would make sense with all the free swinging types in their lineup.
Thing is though, and May brought up some interesting point in his video (some less interesting), the Mariners see the most pitches per plate appearance in MLB. I do like his analysis of Ty and situational awareness, but they do work starting pitchers.
Could that be due to the strikeouts? Each batter will see at least 3 pitches.
The biggest head scratch for me is having Garver and Raleigh in the lineup at the same time with no other catching option opens you up to having to lose the DH if one gets hurt and have pitchers hit. I’d rather have a .174 hitting catcher than a .000 hitting pitcher that might wear a pitch or hurt themself on the bases.
We already have had it once when Garver got hurt and Castillo had to bat, strike out.
Hawk, that was an interesting AB as Castillo got three straight 90 plus fastballs right down the middle. Shows how amazingly good MLB pitchers really are. All three pitches were in pretty much the exact same place. Everyone knew he wasn’t swinging so here you go, one, two, three and go sit down.
That sums it up. I’m sure Luis doesn’t take batting practice so was not prepared at all
Was a crazy AB.
Woo this happened again
Speaking of happening again Emerson is back for the third time
The Mariners have had their 2nd catcher (or their first) DH a couple dozen times over the last two years. So far, only 1 AB has required a pitcher to stand in the batter’s box. It’s not a meaningful risk. The bigger issue is that neither Cal nor Garver has hit well enough to justify being the DH (nor Haniger nor Canzone nor Polanco, etc. etc.)
Might want to look at Haniger’s splits as the DH.