Pre-Spring Q & A

 

Mariners' GM, Justin Hollander, scavenging the south sound in hopes of finding infielders, regardless of living status. 

By the Stevil, 24 January, 2025.

Without the help I need to select, filter, and edit, posts are going to continue to come out slowly. You can expect this to continue for another 6-8 weeks, so this might be the last post for a while.

Anyway, I tried focus on the most common questions... and the most relevant. I'll try to squeeze in more before spring in the comment section. Enjoy. 

Q: Who's the third baseman and second baseman right now?

A: I honestly don't think Seattle even knows the answer to that. I can tell you they have two solid utility players in Moore and Solano. I would imagine those two would get the lion's share of starts at those positions. It's nuts to think that they would even consider starting the season with a roster full of utility infielders. Bliss and Rivas are also utility infielders, make no mistake about that. 

I'd add DH to that question as well. For now, that would seemingly get split between Haniger, Garver, and whichever outfielder needs a day off from the field. That should be just as concerning for fans as third and second. 

That said, I still think we'll see another addition or two, though there should be another five. 

Q: Are they finished with the bullpen?

A: They're never finished with the bullpen! It's been a revolving door for years. I'd still be surprised if both Saucedo and Speier are on the opening day roster, but even with them, there's still room for one more while Brash is out. Though they may leave that spot open for one of their projects to claim, I still think there's a chance we see a starter brought in and stashed in the bullpen. But they'll improvise whatever plans they have if someone they really like becomes available. Someone asked about Garcia not long ago. I don't think they'll carry three lefties, but he could very well displace one of the current options fairly early.

Q: Who could they trade Castillo for that hasn't already been suggested or rumored?

A: Barring injury to a contender, I think that isn't likely going to happen. But if they are willing to trade him, I still think they're more likely to target a starting pitcher in/as the return. Personally, I'd have an eye on Mick Abel. He has that kind of long stride that seems to peak Seattle's interest, and if they could help him deliver more consistently, he's the kind of power-pitcher that could pitch at the top of the rotation, and if they can't, he still has potential to be a shut-down closer with a three-pitch arsenal (FB, SL,CB). Seattle would probably need more than just Abel, but he could be a significant part of a return.

Q: How could they (the Mariners) get Xavier Edwards?

A: This has been a popular name locally.

He has four more years of control and he might be their best non-pitcher. They may not be contenders, but they still have to field a semi-respectable team and he could still be apart of their long-term plans. 

An extension is probably more likely than a trade.

Q: What if Bliss and Young are both good in spring? Would both make the team?

A: A 'good' spring would mean good process; good PAs against good pitching. But they're not likely going to start the clock on Young, even he looks better than Bliss. It would be an incredible act of desperation to see both players on the roster for game one. It would arguably be an act of desperation to see just one of them on the roster for game one. 

Q: How do they (the Mariners), or any team, compete with the Dodgers now?

A: They're not competing with the Dodgers. First, LA is in the NL. They'll have to go through 14 other teams to get to the Worlds Series, and even with a star-studded roster, that won't be an easy task--especially if they can't figure out how to keep their pitchers healthy. So, I wouldn't worry about LA until, or if, the time comes. Second, and to answer the question more directly, they have to focus on winning the division. Unfortunately, they're not even favorites for a wild card. They can't half-ass third, second, and DH. 

Q: What do you think about Seattle having seven prospects land on Baseball America's Top-100 list?

A: They had eight on BA's midseason list last year. That was before the draft and none of those eight graduated, so it's fair to wonder if the developmental system has been overhyped a bit.

It isn't actually uncommon for teams with so much of their talent in the lower levels to have top prospects drop in the ranks, and that's part of the reason I just don't get excited about lists like these.

Q: Who do you think we should be watching closely in spring?

A: Infielders in other organizations. 

Seriously, Brandyn Garcia and Shintaro Fujinami. Seattle has been mocked repeatedly for their unheralded reliever acquisitions this offseason as if the bullpen isn't as important as the infield, but they've brought in power-projects that could make a world of difference if they're able to get a couple of them on track. Let me remind fans that they gave up a lot of runs in the seventh and eighth innings last year and struggled to shut down batters in extras. 

I may be missing someone, but those are the first two names that immediately came to mind. I'm not excited about any of the hitting prospects or projects. None of them should be competing for a spot on the opening day roster.  

Q: What's been the biggest surprise for you this offseason in relation to the Mariners?

A: Other than the general lack of activity, I assume. 

I guess it's that they haven't moved Haniger or Garver yet. I thought there was a good chance we'd see at least one of them moved with a prospect or salary relief (or both) for a ready-now prospect or player with a couple of years of control. I have no doubt that they've tried, but obviously nothing has materialized.

Q: Why don't the Mariners try signing players to contracts with deferred money?

A: I have wanted to talk about this for a while, so I'm glad someone asked. 

My guess is that Jerry has proposed this idea to ownership and got shot down. But it makes a ton of sense as it would allow them to make a real run while they still have this core. It might even allow them avoid or delay a rebuild if they can actually develop hitters before the deferred payments have to be made. 

I think ownership is most likely scared to have any kind of future commitment that couldn't be moved. Seattle moved Canó, Ray, Gonzales, and White in recent years despite unfavorable contracts/money owed. You can move a bad contract, but you can't move a deferred contract once the player is out of baseball. 

It's a shame, because this is a practice we're seeing with some solid organizations in baseball, including teams with tight budgets, like the Brewers and Cardinals. 

That said, it's a little late to advocate for deferred deals.