The June No-Frills Q&A

 

New HVH staff member vividly expressing interest in the monthly board meeting. 

By Stevil, 6 June, 2025

There weren't a lot of questions locally over the last few weeks, so I stopped Tommy on his way out of HVH headquarters (at gunpoint) and politely asked him to chip in a little before he pretends to care about his family and spends the weekend alone with them. 

In all seriousness, he didn't offer much, either, so I shot him. I mean, I poured him a shot and convinced him to stay a little longer, then made sure he got home safely via taxi--drunk--and turned off my phone so his not-annoying wife couldn't ask me what happened. She should know by now she's married to a baseball lush. 

Anyway, I was able to find enough content for a respectable post, hence this introduction...and post. 

Here are the questions/gripes and my responses...

Q: Why is Solano still on the team?

A: This was one of the most common questions, and though I have already addressed this several times in the comments of previous posts, I'll address it again.

Solano isn't really a problem. He rarely plays, and with everyone healthy, they could use Moore at first vs. LHPs if necessary. He's been better lately (last handful of games) and, again, I think we'll see more (better) from him as the weather warms up. 

What's strange to me is that he's still taking most of the flack while a number of pitchers struggle and the offense as a whole is 21st in wRC+ over the last 30 days (at the time I'm writing this). 

Q: What's wrong with Kirby?

A: His spring was cut short and he was rushed back from rehab. Some rust was to be expected, regardless. Seattle seemingly pushed their luck. That said, he wasn't that bad against a hot Baltimore club, so maybe he's settling in? I'm personally more worried about the bullpen.

Q: Is it still too early to talk about trades? What are the biggest needs now?

A: It isn't too early, but the needs aren't perfectly clear on the hitting side. Polanco has had an extremely low BABIP over the last four weeks or so. They're likely going to give him time to rebound and Raley should address right field or first base in the second half. 

The biggest needs, that are clear, are in the bullpen, as they have been since game one. 

I know the Passan article got people hyped about a trade with Baltimore for O'Hearn, but I don't think they'll throw in the towel anytime soon, and I'd note that Seattle doesn't give up elite prospects for rentals. O'Hearn might command a strong return given the likely demand and lack of supply--if Baltimore is even willing to sell. 

That said, I'd welcome him. Raley is almost certainly going to be needed in right field when he returns. First base is a need, but the biggest need on the hitting side at the moment is probably right field. Raley can't return soon enough. 

Q:Young is the second baseman now. When are Ford and Locklear going to debut (this year)?

A: Young is the second baseman for now. He isn't locked-in at the position yet, but as long as Moore doesn't lose PAs and there isn't a stronger option, I hope they can show patience with him. The timing of the Young promotion was a little odd to me, because roster spots are valuable with all the shuffling necessary on the pitching side, and the team is in danger of falling out of first. 

Regarding Ford and Locklear...

Ford would require a roster move and there isn't a clear role for him right now, even if there should be. They aren't likely going to DFA Polanco or Garver and eat millions of dollars just to gamble on a rookie. Not yet, anyway. This may change over the next month. 

Locklear's power has apparently evaporated. He doesn't walk, still whiffs enough to make me uncomfortable, and doesn't do anything that screams 'value' or  'promote me!'.

A deadline trade might clear room for Ford (or move him out of Seattle), but I think fans are failing to recognize the value of having him as immediate depth in case of a Raleigh or Garver injury. 

Q: Are they going to be buyers at the deadline?

A: I think they're more likely going to be acquirers. There isn't likely much financial flexibility (5m or so?), unless they're able to move Garver, Solano, or even Polanco. It's easy to see moves involving teams that have up-coming prospects with veterans in the way, or multiple options to choose from, such as Tampa or Cleveland.

Seattle's specific contention status will likely dictate the type of moves we see: the stronger, the better. I'm hopeful we don't see trades for lottery tickets rather than more proven or likely assets. The Sewald trade comes to mind as a wasted opportunity. That seems more likely if they're fringe contenders, or even non-contenders. 

Right now, I think it's safe to assume we'll see at least one bullpen addition. There's an argument for three. A first baseman or corner outfielder will likely be on the shopping list as well. Let's see how the next month or so plays out. Everything is subject to change. There's a lot of time between now and the deadline.

Q: How do you feel about the team in general? Do you see any flaws?

A: They currently aren't getting much production, to put it politely, from the bullpen, third, second, first, designated hitter, and right field. What a difference a month makes, eh?! Raley may help them tighten up (Robles isn't expected to return until September), and it wouldn't be surprising to see better months ahead for guys like Polanco and even Garver. But odds are they'll still need an external bat or three along with relievers. I don't feel good about the 40 right now. 

The injuries and reliance on inexperienced players and players coming off bad seasons is seemingly catching up to them. I expected some regression in May, I just hoped they could hang in there till everyone's healthy, then address their remaining needs in late July. But the tape is starting to peel off.  

As far as flaws go, yeah, a lot of players aren't walking. Taveras, Williamson, Solano, Tellez, and Polanco have a BB% between 3.4 and 5.4%. The bottom of the order is no longer the same and no longer helpful (offensively). I shouldn't need to say anything more about the bullpen. They've never had 7, solid reliever, yet alone 8. 

Q: What would you do differently right now?

A: Tommy knows I hate this question, which is why he asked it, but he wasn't the only one. 

Honestly, I wouldn't do much differently. I don't know what's going on or what's best for the team better than Wilson, Dipoto or Hollander, nor do I pretend to know. That said, I worry about right field, bench production and the bullpen fairly regularly now. I worry about the rotation a little less because they have Evans in reserve. 

That's enough for now.