Three options for Seattle following the AJ Pollock signing
Three options for Seattle following the AJ Pollock signing
There are a few directions Seattle could take this offseason after signing veteran outfielder AJ Pollock last weekend. Some are more inspiring than others, but what will the Mariners choose to do?
AJ Pollock signing with the Mariners was one of the most predictable moves of the offseason, something we typically don’t see from Jerry Dipoto. Dipoto and this front office are very transparent in terms of what they are looking for but typically tend to be creative with the solutions they find.
Earlier this offseason the front office members said they wanted four outfielders to rotate through the DH position, while also getting someone who can play the corner infield positions. While they do have four outfielders on the roster, Pollock and Kelenic should be considered one player as they will platoon.
Pollock was signed to platoon with Kelenic, he should not be used as an everyday player. This roster is incomplete as it currently stands, so let’s take a look at a few different ways they could round it out.
1. Add another outfielder to the mix
To avoid overexposing one or both of AJ Pollock and Jarred Kelenic, the Mariners should add another player who could protect them. By adding another outfielder they would essentially create the four-player outfield that they desired, with the platoon of Pollock and Kelenic staying intact.
While Bryan Reynolds is likely going to be very expensive and unattainable for Seattle, I highly doubt the Mariners are out on him. Signing Pollock is valuable regardless of the other players around him because of the way he can handle lefties.
I still think the Mariners will be in on outfield options, and nothing they have done so far should preclude them from doing so. Reynolds, Kepler, and other corner outfield types could be nice additions still for the Mariners. Anthony Santander and Tyler O’Neill are two other names to watch.
An outfield with Teoscar Hernández, Julio Rodríguez, Pollock/Kelenic, and an impact player to help rotate through DH would give Seattle an electric and impactful outfield.
2. Add a corner infielder
Seattle has expressed a desire to add a corner infielder to this roster to help protect players like Ty France and Eugenio Suárez. Many believe Suárez is due for some regression next season, and France has really struggled to stay healthy over the last few seasons.
Without an addition at one of these spots, Evan White could be thrust into a role he isn’t ready for. Seattle has expressed interest in adding a corner infield bat, and I think it is in their best interest to do so if they do not add another outfielder.
Whether the player is a third base/utility type or a first base/outfielder, adding someone with this versatility could be crucial and would allow Seattle to play matchups with their designated hitter spot to protect some of their more vulnerable players.
I have named several players that would fit this bill this offseason already. Yandy Diaz is a name I still really like, but I doubt he will be available. Brandon Lowe and Jonathan Aranda are two players who would fit this as well and would give Seattle a ton of club control. Joey Wendle in Miami would be a versatile and solid option for this role.
In Free Agency the options are less appealing and more limited. Brian Anderson and Trey Mancini are two guys who fit this description, although neither one of them makes this team a ton better.
3. Keep the roster as is
The third and least appealing option would be to keep the roster the way it is. Seattle runs into questionable depth every year instead of getting “the extra player” they opt to roll with in-house guys at times. This is a problem because some of their current players like Sam Haggerty and Dylan Moore can get overexposed and struggle at times with more playing time than they should receive.
They could keep the position players on this roster relatively static while adding to the pitching staff. Another way to look at this is that Seattle may add players through minor league free agency and see which players impress in Spring Training.
Seattle has already added a player on a minor league deal that would address this need, by signing Collin Moran to a MILB deal. While it would appear Seattle didn’t address the need with a major league deal, a few minor league deals could help the Mariners fill a need in an inexpensive way.
