What remaining free agents are the best fit for Seattle?
The Mariners have been quiet on the free agent front, but Jerry Dipoto all but guaranteed a free agent signing at some point this offseason. Which remaining players are the best fit for Seattle?
Fans continue to be upset about the Mariners’ lack of free agent spending, but much time still remains with Opening Day about a hundred days away. There are no huge names left on the market, and even if there were, Seattle wouldn’t likely pull the trigger.
Jerry Dipoto said earlier this offseason that he would be “shocked” if the Mariners did not sign a free agent this offseason. This doesn’t mean that the front office is going to hand out a big money, multi-year deal. It remains much more likely that Seattle signs a short-term free agent.
Of the remaining players on the market, several have fits for Seattle. However, I believe if Seattle adds any impact players to this current roster it will be through trade while possibly adding a supplementary player or two through free agency.
7. Nathan Eovaldi
There is a chance Seattle could be in the market for a free agent pitcher and Eovaldi is the best one left. We know they had meetings with Kodai Senga and Seattle still could move on from Marco Gonzales, Chris Flexen, or both.
If they are able to get some value for one or both of these players it will free up money that Seattle could re-allocate to an impact arm. Eovaldi will probably covet at least a 2 year deal but has a lengthy injury history.
He is the only free agent starting pitcher worth paying at this point, because of his high upside. If the front office fails to get an impact bat through trade they may turn to run prevention, making the 33 year old a great option.
6. Brian Anderson
Look, signing Anderson isn’t a sexy move but the fit is undeniable. After being non-tendered by the Marlins, the 29 year old will hit the open market.
Anderson is mostly a fit because of the positions that he can play combined with his handedness. He is a right-handed hitter who has some pop and can play both corner infield spots as well as the corner outfield spots.
I don’t like the player much, especially the hitter. He has struggled at the plate both of the last two seasons, putting up below-average WRC+ numbers. Anderson is a positional fit but he doesn’t hit lefties well. Don’t count him out here, but the bat doesn’t fit well.
5. Brandon Drury
The 30-year-old put up a career year in Cincinnati and was traded at the deadline to the Padres where he continued to hit. Now giving a big contract to a 30-year-old coming off a career year is likely not in the cards for Seattle, but depending on what he is looking for the two sides could get a deal done.
We haven’t heard much about Drury’s market, but on paper, the fit exists. The right-handed power and ability to play corner infield spots and second base could make Dylan Moore the left-field option with Jarred Kelenic.
If you believe in the swing changes then Drury is a fit. I believe some off his offensive output is due to playing in Great American Ballpark, but if his market does not develop then Seattle could be interested. I don’t believe enough in the swing or the output to rank him any higher than 5 on my list.
4. AJ Pollock
It was reported earlier this offseason that Seattle had an interest in Pollock, and the fit is undeniable. Still, an above-average runner, the 35 year old could easily slide into a platoon with Jarred Kelenic in left field.
Pollock is just one year removed from a 3-win season in 2021 with Los Angeles but will be 35 years old this season. He would likely be looking at a one-year deal this offseason to try to raise his value once again.
He has hit lefties well his entire career with a 129 WRC+ over his 11-year MLB career. he also has a 161 WRC+ in the last two seasons against left-handed pitching. The AL West would be a great division for Pollock to land, as it is filled with left-handed starters.
3. Wil Myers
Wil Myers is a player that has seemed to fit in Seattle for a long time, so now could be the time to strike. Myers is a right-handed hitter and can play the corner outfield spots as well as first base, making him almost the exact player Jerry Dipoto described the team as looking for.
He is 32 years old but owns a career 110 WRC+ and a 119 WRC+ against lefties. he fits on this roster because of his ability to play first base and also his ability to platoon with Kelenic in left field.
Myers won’t command a huge contract on the open market, making him a fit both contractually and positionally on this roster.
2. Adam Duvall
Adam Duvall is a player that hasn’t been connected to the Mariners at all this offseason, but may just be the perfect fit if they do not trade Jarred Kelenic. Duvall is coming off a down season where he battled a wrist injury but provides much more upside than some of the other names on this list.
He owns a career WRC+ of 129 against left-handed pitching and was used in that role on the 2021 Atlanta Braves World Series team. Duvall is a right-handed bat with some pop, and can easily platoon with Kelenic in this lineup.
Duvall also is an excellent defender and could add value on the bases. At 34 years old he ranked in the 67th percentile of sprint speed and the 88th percentile of Outs Above Average. This means he can still run and defend as well as having a high upside against lefties.
Duvall also carries the ability to handle center field, a desperate need for the Mariners. Outside of Julio Rodríguez Seattle has no other good option that can handle center. Duvall is a nice fit on this roster and would be very cheap.
1. Michael Conforto
Upside, upside, and more upside. Michael Conforto has the highest upside of any bat left on the market and could be an excellent fit in Seattle. While Seattle prefers a left-handed hitter, adding a player like Wil Myers and Conforto could be an ideal move to create impact and protect Kelenic.
Conforto is an Oregon State grad and a Seattle native, and also lives near the Mariners’ spring training home. While he missed last season, Conforto carries the upside to be a well-above-average hitter. He owns a career 124 WRC+.
I still believe Conforto has the highest upside of any player the Mariners could acquire, and his desire for a short-term contract fits Seattle’s preferences.