Three reasons why Seattle could still make an addition before Opening Day
Three reasons why Seattle could still make an addition before Opening Day
Last year Jerry Dipoto pulled the trigger on a big move during Spring Training. Could Seattle still add another player?
While many believe the current roster is set in stone, I believe that could change. Jerry Dipoto and his group leave no stone unturned in trying to improve this roster, and improvements are certainly still possible.
Last offseason the work stoppage led to a slight delay at the start of the season. The player acquisition cycle was also delayed, and Seattle swung the trade for Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suárez during Spring Training.
While it certainly isn’t likely, a significant addition is still possible for the Mariners. Here are three reasons/scenarios where this could happen.
On the mend
Seattle is already experiencing some injury and recovery troubles from some very important players on this roster. Dylan Moore (core surgery) and Sam Haggerty (adductor surgery) are both questionable for Opening Day.
Both of these surgeries can cause issues with other areas of the body, something Mitch Haniger experienced for several years. Both Haggerty and Moore are used as chess pieces all over the diamond.
Moore was expected to platoon with Kolten Wong at second base this season, but be able to fill in all over. The other issue with these two players’ health questions is the fact that they are the only two realistic backup shortstop options on the roster.
Seattle is going to need someone who can play shortstop to give JP Crawford some rest. Having a backup shortstop is imperative, and the only current option in the organization is Mason McCoy.
Seattle could look to find a player at this position on an NRI or through trade. While the team has Tommy La Stella he cannot play shortstop and isn’t a guarantee to make this roster.
If concerns continue over the health of these two players we could see Seattle make a move via trade or free agency before or during camp.
Outfield question marks
The injury news of Taylor Trammell is a crushing blow to the Mariners’ outfield depth. A broken hamate bone will sideline the 25 year old outfielder for a minimum of seven weeks, creating a much smaller margin for error in left field.
Jarred Kelenic’s spot on the roster is all but guaranteed at this point, but the depth behind him is questionable.
Cade Marlowe is a player who has been praised by this front office but is almost 26 years old and has some real strikeout issues. While Marlowe could break out, Seattle could really use a veteran outfielder on an NRI at the very least.
The only other outfielder with experience is Leonys Martin who is a complete wild card coming into camp. I believe Seattle could attempt to add a player either on a camp invite or via trade.
Bryan Reynolds and Ian Happ are two big fish trade candidates who I believe the Mariners will continue to have interest in. If the Pirates or the Cubs feel they wouldn’t get an extension done they could look to trade the asset sooner rather than later.
Happ is entering the final year of his deal, and Reynolds will be a free agent in 2026.
There are still plenty of NRI options out there, including old friend Ben Gamel who remains unsigned. Robbie Grossman is another available name. I believe we could see Seattle acquire some outfield depth before the season starts, but what caliber of player is unknown.
Flexen?
Every year teams lose starting pitchers to injuries in Spring Training. Seattle could fall victim to this as well, but their depth at the position is tremendous.
Chris Flexen enters 2023 with no real role on this current roster. He will likely be pitching out of the bullpen in a long relief role to start the season, barring an injury to their top 5 starters.
Before the offseason, Ryan Divish and JP Morosi reported Seattle’s interest in trading Flexen. Divish reported that he believed they could package him in a deal that would net them a position player.
I believe this is still an option, especially for a team in need of an innings eater. Any team with high hopes for 2023 could suffer an injury early in the Spring and look to acquire Flexen to fill the hole.
A deal with him is certainly still possible, so keep an eye out for this in the coming weeks.
