After a fairly quick begin to the offseason when it comes to strikes, the Mariners have been comparatively quiet of late.
Dipoto: Mariners’ prospect primed to ‘mild folks up,’ new plan for Brash
Crew president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto hit the Seattle Sports activities 710 AM airwaves on Thursday for the primary time in 2023 and mentioned the commerce market and rather more concerning the Mariners. We break down what he stated under, and for a take a look at extra pitching-specific issues Dipoto mentioned, click on the hyperlink above this paragraph.
‘Perplexing’ how sluggish commerce market has been
One thing that’s been clear since Dipoto and his employees got here to the Mariners after the 2015 season is that they’re not afraid to make a commerce.
We’ve seen that already this offseason, with Seattle buying All-Star outfielder Teoscar Hernández from the Toronto Blue Jays and Gold Glove second baseman Kolten Wong from the Milwaukee Brewers whereas additionally buying and selling 2020 Rookie of the 12 months Kyle Lewis to Arizona for catcher/outfielder Cooper Hummel.
However trades have crept to a halt for not simply the Mariners, however for all of MLB.
A Nearer Look: The nice and dangerous of Mariners’ offseason to this point
“Perhaps probably the most perplexing a part of this offseason to me is how sluggish the commerce market has usually been,” Dipoto stated. “And that is usually a time whenever you’ll see that open up. Sometimes you’ll see a rush of trades in November and early December as you head into the Winter Conferences and it’ll choose again up after the free-agent market has has, I suppose, run its course.”
The free-agent market is essentially as Dipoto described it, with almost all the large names now off the board.
“So that is when the rest of the free-agent market usually opens up after which trades begin to occur once more,” Dipoto stated. “However whereas the rest of the free-agent market remains to be operating regular – and we’re concerned there – we actually haven’t had an entire lot of exercise on the commerce entrance, and that’s slightly stunning.”
Why is that the case?
Dipoto stated there are “quite a lot of causes,” however he thinks a giant one is that loads of groups that had been rebuilding at the moment are “shifting north” and are including impression MLB expertise quite than on the lookout for “future worth.”
“There’s extra parity in baseball proper now than there’s been in fairly a while, particularly in the midst of the pack,” he stated. “You continue to have the groups which have traditionally dominated offseason markets just like the New York golf equipment, the LA’s, and so on., however proper now you have got a bunch within the center and so they’re very aggressive golf equipment and so they’re having very energetic offseasons. And because of this, I don’t assume you’re seeing as many gamers change groups exterior of free company simply but. And I don’t know if that’s going to stay the case, however it’s definitely totally different. It’s slightly bit totally different than it has been in years previous.”
The Mariners’ DH plan
As issues at the moment stand, the Mariners are with out a clear on a regular basis possibility at designated hitter. So what’s the staff’s plan at that spot?
“When you’ve got a participant, like, let’s say a Nelson Cruz through the years the place Nellie was right here, and you’ve got a dynamic offensive participant who’s succesful versus each right- and left-handed pitching and may play day-after-day, then having a full-time DH makes loads of sense,” Dipoto stated. “We’ve, in our historical past as a company, had dynamic gamers in that function, significantly Edgar (Martinez) and Nellie. Nevertheless it’s increasingly unusual.”
As an alternative, the Mariners “choose to cycle the DH at-bats” by way of their on a regular basis gamers, Dipoto defined.
“After which attempt to create handedness or matchup benefits when it’s attainable,” he stated. “So if we do occur upon an on a regular basis participant that may deal with that function, then nice, however extra doubtless we would favor to take, let’s name it 650 or so plate appearances that will go to a delegated hitter and divvy that up amongst Teoscar Hernández and one among our younger left-handed hitters that we’ve talked about.”
Dipoto then pointed to one of many less-heralded gamers they’ve acquired this offseason: Cooper Hummell, a 28-year-old switch-hitter picked up in a commerce with Arizona who can play a number of positions, together with catcher.
“One of many benefits of buying Cooper Hummel within the Kyle Lewis commerce is the potential for having three catchers on our roster, which might then permit us to run one among our catchers right into a DH day in an advantageous approach,” he stated. “That’s the best way we’re DH.”
Dipoto hasn’t closed the door on altering course if the appropriate alternative comes alongside, although.
“I say that and if over the following few weeks we’re in a position to faucet right into a participant we predict adjustments our offense by enjoying DH frequently, then that’s one thing we’ll contemplate as effectively.”
Fann: Seven remaining free brokers the M’s might add at DH, different voids
Promising experiences on younger hitters
With spring coaching proper across the nook, gamers throughout the league are making ready for large league camp.
Dipoto stated the Mariners have a hard-working group and that he’s gotten very promising experiences about two younger outfielders.
“We’ve gotten nice suggestions on Taylor Trammell and his hitting packages by way of the offseason,” Dipoto stated. “He’s spent loads of time working – I don’t need to say revamping his swing however assessing the issues that he can do to enhance. It’s been a really optimistic offseason for him.”
Trammell, 25, is a former first-round choose who got here to the Mariners through commerce in 2020. He made his MLB debut on opening day 2021 however has largely struggled offensively on the massive league stage. In 94 MLB video games during the last two seasons, Trammell has slashed .174/.267/.402 with 12 residence runs.
The opposite younger bat? One other former first-round choose and high prospect: Jarred Kelenic.
“We’ve gotten incredible suggestions on Jarred Kelenic, who’s been working with a hitting group down in southern California this winter, and it’s gone very effectively for him,” Dipoto stated.
Kelenic, 23, was additionally traded to the Mariners whereas within the minor leagues and made his MLB debut in 2021. Like Trammell, Kelenic has struggled mightily on the MLB stage, slashing .168/.251/.338 with 21 residence runs in 147 video games.
Hearken to the complete Jerry Dipoto Present, which airs stay at 8:30 a.m. on Thursdays throughout Seattle Sports activities’ Brock and Salk, at this hyperlink or within the participant under.
Speaking Mariners Podcast: Making sense of offseason, 2023 outlook
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