Analysis: Without Further Acquisitions, Seattle Mariners Admit Defeat

The Mariners’ outfield is a large number and can solely worsen. They at the moment have two authentic, on a regular basis outfielders on their 26-man roster. And when Jesse Winker serves his suspension subsequent week, they are going to face two of probably the most proficient golf equipment in baseball with Julio Rodríguez and a bundle of minor leaguers flanking him within the outfield. 

This is not adequate.

Neither is it sufficient to “watch for Mitch Haniger and Kyle Lewis.” Haniger is, not less than, three weeks away and the chances that Lewis can present any protection for Seattle in 2022 are primarily zero at this level. To not point out the apparent danger related to trusting two gamers with injury-filled histories to probably come again, keep wholesome and repair your points. And if Winker or Rodriguez get injured—effectively, you get the concept.

The Mariners badly want an outfielder. They do not want a star, not less than not but. It could not even make sense for basic supervisor Jerry Dipoto to spend massive on a star primarily based on the crew’s present file. But when the plan is to proceed to make use of Sam Haggerty, Dylan Moore, Justin Upton and Marcus Wilson for the subsequent three to 4 weeks, the Mariners are telling their fanbase this easy reality: 2022 isn’t their 12 months.

Seattle can not anticipate to have an inexpensive likelihood at making the playoffs this season by constantly working out a lineup with as many as 5 subpar MLB bats in it. And it should not waste its time attempting to inform its playoff-starved followers that Moore and Haggerty will lead its crew to the promised land.

Once more: the crew would not want a star. It wants an MLB-quality participant. Leases must be on the desk, platoon gamers must be thought-about and any prospect outdoors of the consensus top-10 must be obtainable in talks for such gamers. 

The acquisition of any such participant wouldn’t stop the crew from including extra items sooner or later. The Mariners needn’t purchase a yacht. But when they do not begin to plug the holes on their roster with gamers like Tommy Pham, Michael A. Taylor or Tyler Naquin, their 2022 season will likely be sunk lengthy earlier than Haniger and Lewis may also help.