Reimagining the Reimagined: What to Do Now After the Unimaginable and Imaginable

  By Stevil, April 17th, 2019

Seattle testing child labor laws with their new youth movement led by JP Crawford. Photo from JP Crawford.

  

This was supposed to be a step-back year. This was the message indoctrinated into our minds from the start of the offseason. The team wasn't likely going to contend, they would instead focus on rebounds and development. If veterans such as Dee Gordon, Jay Bruce, Edwin Encarnación, Mike Leake (if he were to waive his no-trade clause) and Anthony Swarzak played well, they would be shopped at the deadline and we would then see younger talent given opportunities to get their feet wet and settle in.

Rebounds have been a key part of what we've seen. Santana, Bruce, Healy, Beckham, and EE brought the lumber early. Some of them may be using lumber for gloves, but at least they've had it at the plate. Power has been plentiful and Seattle has it at the top, in the middle and at the bottom. The early results astonished everyone, with exception to the players themselves. 

Now, before anyone mocks the whole re-imagining concept, it's important to remember that this team wasn't built to tank. You don't trade for Domingo Santana, Mallex Smith, and Omar Narváez, or sign Yusei Kikuchi, with the intent of losing 100+ games.  The team was expected to be competitive. The team simply wasn't expected to be in contention, and though it's still very early and they look like they're ready to fall of a cliff after losing 6 games straight, it shouldn't be hard to understand how a slight change of plans might be in order, or at least debatable. So, we'll discuss the options and issues at hand.


First, acqusitions.

Any trades, or even belated free agent signings, aren't likely going to feature players that require a significant return or compromising expense. The top talent will likely remain off-limits in trade discussions, and Jerry has now stated as much. So, waiver claims, absorbed contracts, and under-the-radar types swapped for players you've never heard of seem like the more likely targets for potential upgrades as we've already seen with the acquisition of Tom Murphy. Relief help is the most obvious need, but a closer may not be on the shopping list. Seattle will get a boost when Tuivailala and Strickland return and their performances upon their return may dictate what Jerry does with the bullpen at the deadline.

Some fans have been calling for Craig Kimbrel. Some fans have been calling for Dallas Keuchel so that Félix can be DFA'd or moved to the bullpen. Some of these fans have probably forgotten that signing either player would result in the loss of a pick and Jerry isn't going to do that in April if he wasn't willing to do that in December. That could change in June once the draft has passed, but I wouldn't hold my breath. For the record, HVH will take your bets...and your breath.


Second, subtractions.

There's an argument to leave the roster alone and ride it out. The offense was a machine up until the Houston series and the key to the early success. But with Shed Long, JP Crawford, and Braden Bishop all off to excellent starts for Tacoma, the expensive veterans are still likely going to be shopped--hard. Even some of the not-so-expensive veterans could/should be shopped.

Ryon Healy, for example, got off to a blistering start thanks in part to some much improved plate discipline. But that newfound discipline hasn't led to many walks and he's slowly starting to chase more and more outside junk, which has led to a 2018-esque OBP. The extra base hits still justify his shortcomings for now, and his defense is improving at third, but it wouldn't be shocking if he becomes a trade chip or ends up optioned. Seager's the better defender and isn't likely going anywhere with his contract, so nobody should think that Healy won't be expendable once Seager returns. For those who haven't been paying attention, Kansas City could still use a cost-controlled DH and Richard Lovelady is still an interesting LHRP who could prove to be useful moving forward. Just sayin'...

Edwin Encarnación is an expensive veteran and is still probably the most obvious trade candidate given the logjam at 1B/DH, but he won't net much in return with his salary and Seattle lacks right-handed hitters. Keeping him around might elevate (or maintain) Seattle's postseason hopes, but it would be interesting if Cleveland, for example, were desperate enough to reacquire him. They have a DH issue to address and I would argue that bringing him back would make sense for them, as salary was the primary motive for moving him to begin with. Perhaps if a little cash (or a lot) went with him, a reunion wouldn't be out of the question. They would be getting the parrot, too.

Jay Bruce has seen most of his starts at first base, though he's also the team's fourth outfielder. Moving him would mean more responsibility for Dylan Moore until Braden Bishop is ready and a spot on the active roster opens up. These are the types of problems you have when you carry two or more DH's. Jay isn't a lock to be traded, but it's easy to see teams being interested and Jerry listening. Colorado's offense is a mess and Cleveland still needs a right fielder in addition to a DH--and that's not all they need. Even the Yankees could make sense if Cashman is open to another 1B/DH type.

Dee Gordon is still a candidate himself. He might be the most moveable of the lot given his solid defense, speed, and once-again respectable batting line. Colorado, Washington, Boston, and Minnesota could all use better second base options. Then there's Cleveland...again.

The Indians just got Kipnis back and he'll get an opportunity (so far, so good), but he has suffered immensely from the shift over the last couple of years and he's in the last year of his contract. Hopes aren't likely particularly high for Jason, so yes, second base could be an area Cleveland looks to upgrade as well. They're currently trailing Minnesota somehow, but imagine how their currently 24th-ranked-offense would look with Encarnación, Bruce, and Gordon added into the fold. Even Swarzak could help them if Seattle's still willing to move him. For the record, I would keep him unless he had to be included.

A blockbuster involving 2-4 of Seattle's pricey veterans getting shipped to Cleveland would mean sending significant cash with them for any kind of a return. But if that allowed Seattle to net a solid prospect, such as Nolan Jones--who is blocked by Ramírez--and say James Karinchak (a promising reliever in AA), it's probably safe to assume that Jerry would pull the trigger. And who could blame him? They would be saving at least some money and could have a legitimate replacement for the post-Seager era along with a solid relief prospect with a knack for missing bats. Keep in mind the point here is to be using your imagination to reimagine the reimagination. What's more likely to happen isn't as exciting or imaginative.


Third, and last, how to handle internal promotions.

Getting players like Crawford, Bishop, Sheffield, Swanson, Long, and even Curletta, playing time without pressure was a key goal once expensive veterans were moved. If those veterans in question stick around longer than anticipated, for whatever reason, there obviously won't be room for those younger players.

And that would be okay. A full season of AAA wouldn't kill those guys. There's no definitive rule that requires AAA prospects to be in a Seattle uniform in 2019. I would argue that the more AAA seasoning they get, the better off they'll be in the long run.

That said, it's hard for me to envision Jerry hanging onto all of those veterans and the key AAA fielders (and Nola at catcher) are wreaking havoc at the plate (though Bishop could stand to cut his GB%), so surely the original plan hasn't been completely scrapped. That doesn't mean the team will punt 2019, it just means what's best for the long-term might not be bad for the short-term, either.

Still, a deal has to be there and a shot at the postseason absolutely should factor into the decision making. Would a simple reliever or two be enough to contend down the stretch? Do they (the veterans) give Seattle its best shot? The defense could tighten up considerably with Seager back, Crawford at short, and Beckham in a utility role--if not starting at second, or even first. Beckham has another full year of control, so he very well could factor into 2020. The outfield defense would improve as well with Bishop in a potential platoon role with Smith. That might even give the offense a boost. Those are all things to consider.


For now, it's wait-and-see. Seattle just got swept by the Astros and Indians. And, of course, there's a lot of baseball left between now and the deadline. Will Beckham and Vogelbach continue to be solid producers offensively? Will Santana continue to mash and look like an extension candidate? Can Félix continue to be a respectable number 5 starter? Is there enough pitching depth to withstand the inevitable injuries or a Leake trade? 

This piece was initially started on April 4th, but I decided to give it a little more time to see how they fared through the Cleveland series. We're still in the small sample size territory, but it's not nothing. The Mariners are still a threat in the AL for the time being, though the first round of adjustments are due for the offense.

Despite the recent losses, it has been a fun start and there have been many pleasant surprises. Maybe part of the reason for the early success had to do with the fact that they started the season without any pressure or high expectations from anyone. There seems to be more demands and attention now from some fans, but that's to be expected after a hot start followed by a cold shower. Others, who had jumped on the bandwagon early, are bailing out faster than I bailed out of Netflix. I myself look forward to seeing what happens, even if the results prove to be what was initially imagined.