Grieving a Loss and Beyond Spring

With proper memorial services prohibited due to Covid, HVH staff lit a single candle in memory of the recent Mariner front office firestorm.

 

By Stevil, March 9th, 2021 

While fans will undoubtedly remain in mourning over the loss of Kevin Mather—the perfectly groomed & tailored now former president and CEO of the Mariners—for the foreseeable future, the organization should (must!) be prepared to move forward without his tutelage and transparent white charm. That means potential limitations of service time manipulation, budget restrictions being lifted, reparations in way of extensions, and non-elitist ideology being implemented and practiced at the highest levels. It's a tall order, but a necessary one. The world is changing and so is the game. So is Seattle. So is Kevin. No, I didn't write that with a straight face. 

With the loss of the 2020 minor league season, and now a notable delay to the 2021 minor league season, the developmental system has taken a blow that won't easily, nor quickly, be repaired. Unfortunately, Seattle steered clear of Bargain Boulevard (a good route) this offseason, opting for Discount Drive (not such a good route), which makes the situation even more dire. They now have an even greater uphill journey towards eventual contention. In fact, simply trying to get out of spring with a respectable roster is looking like a formidable challenge. A trade could help, and players out of options, such as Michael Tauchman and Brett Phillips, may be on Jerry's radar. But the Mariners are a team lacking seasoned veterans and any hope of contention in 2022 will require a significant investment in experience—especially if they let Seager walk. 

What happens in the 2021 season should influence the decisions in the offseason. Will Evan White and JP Crawford offer enough offensively to warrant regular roles? Will Jarred Kelenic, and possibly Taylor Trammell, progress enough upon their promotions, whenever they happen, that external outfield help won't be necessary? Can Tom Murphy hit RHP enough to remain the go-to catcher? 

The one thing that should be clear is that Seattle is going to need a second baseman. Dylan Moore's positional flexibility is a rare commodity. Forfeiting that advantage because of a hole at a position that shouldn't be hard to address would be a major mistake. Jerry is surely aware of that (thanks to HVH consultation services), and it's possible that Mitch Haniger, or even James Paxton (or both in a package) could be used to acquire help at the keystone. 

There's going to be a need for starting pitching as well. Snubbing Taijuan Walker was one of the most frustrating and maddening visuals this last offseason before Mather's meltdown. Tai would have been incredibly useful. George Kirby and Brandon Williamson haven't pitched above short-season ball. Juan Then has all of three games experience in the Sally League. Emerson Hancock has yet to make his professional debut. Then there's Justin Dunn, whose command issues may relegate him to a relief role. Internal options won't suffice for at least a year, possibly two or three, no matter how optimistic we are. 

Though the bullpen has probably been the most worrisome area of need over the last eight months outside of left field, Rafael Montero, Andrés Muñoz, and Ken Giles, along with any progress from Joey Gerber, Sam Delaplane, and Wyatt Mills, could make the relief corps the least pressing area of need moving forward. 

What happens this spring isn't going to say much. What happens in the regular season should speak volumes regarding where Seattle is and where they'll need help. What they'll do about it is anybody's guess. Some believe ownership will open up their wallets, others believe they'll follow a path more similar to Oakland or Tampa. Regardless of what you believe, it's a safe bet to assume there will be multiple needs and convincing free agents that Seattle is ready to contend won't be a walk in the park, so trades may be necessary to facilitate roster construction. 

We could go over the projected opening day roster, but you can get a more accurate list from Shannon Drayer, Ryan Divish, Corey Brock, etc. when we're closer to the end of spring. They know what they're talking about. Our goal is to entertain. Anything else is bonus. Anything short of that is, well, to be expected.