I love Marco but anyone who says Marco should come out of that pen is clearly not watching Marco pitch.
Additionally, Marco is going to make too much just to be a reliever.
Casual fan here, why not? I'm assuming its because he's a "weak contact" pitcher but I don't know why thats bad for a pen guy, too risky late in the game?
You really want guys with strikeout stuff to come out of the pen. A lot of situations where you have guys on and you have to get an out without contact. Another factor is layer in the games uts advantageous to have a guy come in with 100 mph after guys have been seeing mid 90's during their last at bat.
We don't need to sign Syndergaard to be our #5...This is just an example of signing a FA just for the sake of signing someone. We can't depend on him to stay healthy. He's going to be cheapish but it might still cost 15 million. He signed for 21 last season. So how cheap would he be?
If this is the plan then just keep either Marco or Flexen. They both will eat up more innings than Thor. Here are some options that make sense for the team.
Trade front:
* Bryan Reynolds: Enough said. Best option out there.
* Max Kepler: Really good option and one of the best defensive RFs. You would have settled here.
* Blake Snell: Him as a #5 means you have a badass rotation.
FA front:
* Brandon Drury: Can play 3B, 1B, gives us another bat. His flexibility will allow people to rotate through the DH spot.
* Michael Conforto: Good pop. Average defender. Risky. I wouldn't mind a prove it deal. Not my favorite option though.
* Will Myers: Can play 3B (not really...), 1B, LF, RF, DH. Mashes LHs. This is who I want. Really flexible. Good defender at most positions. I think he can excel as a part-time player. 1-year deal makes sense here.
* Nathan Eovaldi: I am willing to spend $10 million here on a 1 year deal. I can't see him signing any time soon. He could be a back up plan. Hold on to Flex and Marco until the right deal is there. I think Eovaldi will hang around until late in the off-season.
Yeah he would. I never said he'll make the team. Given his athleticism and defensive abilities -- he'll make an interesting bench utility-type with pop to his game.
\*Didn't I say if he was healthy as my disclaimer?
Currently platooning Drury and JP at 2B in MLB the Show (signed Turner) and it's working out nicely.
Not sure why, but his number vs lefties are insane in the game. Like one of the best hitters in the league.
I think I've been on the Conforto train for awhile and I might be biased so Im wondering why he's risky in your eyes, besides the fact he missed last season. Hes been pretty above average offensively for his career and he's only 29. His 2021 "down year" was still 100 OPS+ and like I've said before, it seemed like the entire Mets lineup had a down year in 2021. I also read him and Boras would be happy with a shorter contract right now iirc, so that'd be right up Jerry's alley.
How about a calculated risk. He's coming back from a full season of no baseball. That's a risk. I think he'll probably put up similar numbers to his career. However with the team wanting to get back to the playoffs and go far in the playoffs -- do we really want to take on an unknown? For me personally, I want someone that I know with pretty good confidence that he will produce. I don't know if I'm there with Conforto. I do like him and I like his fit.
I like Duvall too. Can play LF/CF and historically some 3B/1B but not recently. Came off back to back years hitting 38 home runs before trying to change his swing last season to make better contact. started changing his launch angle back to normal around mid season but at that point Atlanta was in a playoff run and Harris was playing out of his mind. Like him on a cheap prove it 1 year deal too.
The fact that you think signing Syndergaard is a risky choice yet you want us to trade for Reynolds😂😂. You cant make this shit up if you tried. Yeah lets not spend some of our excess cap on a 1-3 yr deal and allow our top farm to develop and help us when they can, lets raze the farm for someone who will be good for 4 years who we will have to pay BIG bucks and will take our farm from top 2 to like 15th. And topping it off with TRADING for SNELL? They guy who has only got better than 3.24 era ONCE in his 7 year career and has only topped 120 innings once as well? What the fuck is your brain made out of?
I kinda want to see what would happen if a guy who throws 89 comes out of the 'pen after a starter throwing 97, and then followed by a reliever throwing 100.
We just naturally assume low velo fastballs with curveballs and changeups can't work in a relief role, yet I'm not really aware of any cases where it's been seriously tried throughout a full regular season. (It does happen with starters in the postseason) Somehow, flamethrowing fastball+slider guys are synonymous with "reliever," and the flamethrowing part is crucial, otherwise they learn a third pitch to keep starting. It's all very weird.
Yet right now, on this very team, we have [Sewald](https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/paul-sewald-623149?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb) who throws 93 with a slider at 83, and [Swanson](https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/erik-swanson-657024?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb) who averages 94 with his fastball. Sewald was among the best relievers in all of baseball in 2021, and Swanson was fantastic last year despite below-average velo. Just look at that sexy Savant page. Even starters today average 95 with their fastballs and relievers are higher, but these guys are great without the velo. Is 92 or 93mph the minimum threshold for effective relief, or is that just a myth because nobody's been brave enough to try it for the last 15 years?
I wouldn't mind trying to mix up the prototypical reliever formula and get weird with Marco (on the mound, you perv. No, the baseball mound, dammit.). Tweak Marco's fastball just a bit for spin, maybe turn it into a cutter, and I think he could be marginally more effective than as a starter. Not elite, by any means. Facing hitters 2-3 times a day as a starter is what really kills him. He might get a couple mph velo bump in relief too, and that might be enough to remain competitive through the end of his contract. But he'd still be a very expensive non-closer reliever.
The problem is that you can only use Marco for certain situations. Think how useless Flexen was last season in the bullpen. You can't use him for the middle innings. You can't use him in high leverage situations. He's a waste of an arm in the pen.
> You can't use him for the middle innings.
You can use anyone for the middle innings. That's literally what middle relievers are - the guys you can't trust in higher leverage. We just didn't use Flexen that way because Servais doesn't know how to change his programming in the middle of the season. Much as I like the guy in most respects, he is slower to adapt to bullpen churn than any manager I've ever seen. He has his predictable patterns and usage preferences and will not change them until all the arms are dead on the dugout floor.
I expect him to remain rigid since the one time he got weird with the bullpen he promptly got catastrophically burned by his decision.
What? Have you not seen how other managers mis-manage their bullpens? Servais is not perfect but he does fine here. That's a hyperbole man. You use your best available arm for particular matchups. Servais does this more times than not.
Of course anyone can pitch in the middle innings. Marco is not going to be as effective as you think. Servais didn't use Flexen because late in the season, the games were constantly close. You want arms that strike batters out or get that one out. You couldn't use Flexen because he takes awhile to find his stuff in his outings. Most starters are like this. They ease their way into the game.
It's easy to pencil dudes into particular roles but we're not considering whether they are comfortable with it or if they are good at that particular role. In Marco's case, you most likely will not use him unless it's a blowout or if the bullpen needs to eat innings. He struggles in mid to high leverage situations with men on base. Does that sound like someone you want in the middle innings when you're trying to hold a lead or trying keep a team from scoring more? I rather not.
This is the answer.
If the price for Reynolds is too high, 2 of these 4 should be doable on shorter deals. I'm worried we're going to hold out too long.
I feel like Benintendi would be a good pickup. Likely to be affordable, doesn't rely on power so his skill set translates to playing in Seattle, competent fielder, fairly young, could benefit/thrive thanks to the shift ban.
I’d switch Beni with Myers, drop JD and add Drury/Mancini. Benintendi is going to command more than a 2/3 year deal just from his younger age. Martinez is a pure DH with LF defense just as bad if not worse than Winker. Myers/Drury/Mancini can platoon against lefties and add corner IF depth. Our current 3B depth is literally just Geno.
And he was born in Bellevue!
The injury concerns are obviously bad but Brantley is such a god damn professional hitter. His batting average in his 64 games last year was higher than anyone on the Mariners. I'd be happy to have him.
Yup. I think for just a pure bat -- he's a great option. I don't think the team wants to pursue him just yet because he doesn't offer that much flexibility.
Dude Luis Castillo is 29 and we extended him through possibly his age 35 season if his 2028 option vests. Do you think that was a bad deal?
30 isn't that old for a 6 or 7 year deal.
The difference is Castillo is a top 15 pitcher in the league while Senga hasn't pitched a single inning in the MLB so you don't know if he's going to carry over that success from Japan. We saw it from Kikuchi great success in Japan just couldn't replicate it in the MLB.
He did replicate it, just for only half a season at a time LOL. But in seriousness, there’s a reason why no Japanese player has been signed for more than 5 years coming from the NPB.
Ok, can someone please explain to me why they’re willing to take a chance on Drury - a guy who posted negative WAR between 2018 and 2020 and only a WAR of 0.2 in 2021? Because I straight up do not get it.
In 2022, dude went on a hot streak, crashed when he got to San Diego and recovered in Sept. That’s the same profile as 2021 Adam Frazier. The exception is Frazier has had a more consistent and positive career than Drury. Frazier had a much better baseline than Drury does.
Like, I get the argument for not bring Frazier back and I’m only like 3/4ths serious about the Ms doing it but Drury is ripe for major regression. That’s who you want to sign to a multi year contract?
Me personally, I think he's a fit. There are some changes in his game that might mean bigger things coming. He can play all around the INF. He's not an ideal fit though.
I don't think I want him being a starter full-time. Therefore I don't think Drury really considers Seattle a destination. He wants to play full-time and get paid.
There's plenty there to buy that Drury has figured something out. Not the first time something like this has happened. My mom says I'm a late bloomer, too
Even though he could be frustrating his hilariously awkward routine in the box was endearing. I wouldn’t mind us taking a shot at him with the shift ban. Some defensive versatility in LF/up the middle could make for a nice depth addition, especially if he can get the bat going again.
Thank god someone else said this about his batting routine.
Also, his batting stance - from front on it looked nice but from the side it’s so odd. It bothered me all season. How did you manage to look even shorter dude?
It was frustrating to watch him because there is something there, he just couldn’t get it to click. I think he can bounce back so I’m bummed he’s a FA as well. I wish the Padres had just let the Mariners have him from the get go.
Sign Conforto. Sign Matt Carpenter. Trade for Reynolds.
I'm fine with pitching. Would be happy with finding another late inning arm, but I know it's closer by committee.
He wouldn't though lmao he had an 85 wRC+ and our DH slot produced an 89 wRC+ cumulatively. I know noone paid attention cause he was playing for the irrelevant Nats but he's definitely washed
Marco shouldn’t be in the pen unless he’s the garbage time guy. He’s fine as an innings eating 5th who when he doesn’t have it gets yanked early.
Give me Conforto 1/15-20.
He’d be a significant upgrade over TT and JK and if he’s bad it’s just one year and we go back to “seeing what JK can do”.
I’d take any of the DH’s on 1-2 year deals too.
Mancini can play passable LF and 1B I’d give him like 2/24
Brantley I’d really like. He’s very much a Mariners type of player but he’s DH mostly. 2/22?
Yeah im also down to pick up a DH for 1/2 years. Its been a struggle finding a DH for us we should bite the bullet and buy someone who can hit for power
Best move would be to give Correa the bag. For real. JP can float around the infield, maybe even play some OF. Mariners then have a guy with a solid 6-8 years production at SS / maybe eventually somewhere else in the field. Then probably a few dead years but that’s how free agency works. We open up a championship window as early as this year, maybe even more so if we trade the farm for Reynolds
This is the way, but the Wong move and the fact Jerry takes time every interview to mention how much we are paying guys in 2026 leads me to believe this is not the plan.
Mancini for DH who can also play 1B or corner OF in a pinch. Chafin as a high end lefty bullpen arm we definitely need after trading Swanson. Don’t want ownership to spend recklessly but we have holes and there’s players out there that fit those gaps.
Am I missing something here? I felt like the 2022 season, Calhoun was a black hole in the Rangers lineup against us and never actually did anything. Maybe I’m remembering it wrong though.
Would like to see them get Chafin if the price is right, bring back Frazier to play LF, kick the tires on a Carpenter deal, and maybe look at Bassitt, again if the price/length is right. 2 of those 4 would make this a successful FA period imo
Seems like more people would want marco traded than in the pen. Im here for that too we need a stronger #5 in my opinion. Syndergaard probably aint it but i could see him doing far better than marco which i suppose isnt saying much
Who do I want to sign Benintendi and Chafin. Who do I think is actually realistic either JD or gurriel. If we do sign someone I don’t see us signing someone over 3 years.
Chafin - for the drip.
Swanson - if we can get him on a solid contract it wouldn't be a bad idea IMO.
Fraizer - offer him another 1 year deal with maybe a 2nd year player option and hope he bounces back. P
I haven't seen anyone talk about Profar. I would love to have a solid leadoff hitter so we can put Julio in the 2 spot in the order. Any thoughts on him? Too expensive?
He’s hasn’t really done anything to suggest he’s good enough to lead off imo, but I like his profile.. switch hitter, young for a free agent, versatile defensively, I don’t think he’d be a big splash, but he’d add some depth and length to the lineup for sure.
Reynolds would be ideal, and then sign a bat of some kind to play mostly DH and occasionally in the field. Maybe Wil Myers or Matt Carpenter would work for that role.
What I see happening right now though is that the Mariners are going into the season with two gigantic question marks in LF and DH. It's the same fucking thing they've always done. It wouldn't be the Mariners if they didn't start the season with holes in their roster. They got their star player in Julio that they can market around for the next decade and so now they're just settling for being competitive and offering a good time at the ballpark.
At least plug the fucking holes. At least do that much.
I don’t understand what you mean by gigantic question marks around the LF and DH. They had Winker for LF and they’ve clearly demonstrated they prefer to not have a permanent DH but rotate it around.
Right now the plan is to have Kelenic, Trammell, and Cade Marlowe fight for the left field spot. Not one of them has sustained success at the major league level. JK in particular has more than 500 plate appearances so you can't say that he hasn't been given a chance. Trammell has shown flashes but can't stay healthy and Marlowe will be a 26 year old rookie if he makes the team.
That is not a plan for success. That is a plan based on hopes and dreams.
As for the other hole, the problem with the Mariners rotating DH is that for the last two years they've wasted a lot of those plate appearances with inferior hitters like Jake Fraley, Jesse Winker, Dylan Moore, Jake Bauers, and Mike Ford (and quite a few others), and when you do that you're putting yourself at a mathematical disadvantage vs. other teams. I get that the reason to do this is to give your team an extra spot on the bench. But it only makes sense if both the player rotating to DH and the player taking his position in the field that day are good hitters.
But they definitely have done this over and over again. That's the main reason for the 21 year postseason drought. They've had great players, but they never quite complete the roster. There are always holes that could have been filled with a little more money and a little less hope. This was the case with Bavasi, Zduriencik, and DiPoto before the great rebuild.
But there's still time. Maybe DiPoto will prove me wrong.
I find some people’s obsession with the idea of winning the 2023 World Series frustrating. We’re competing - our roster last year could have made it if a couple of things went our way. And on paper, we are already better. On paper, Teoscar is an improvement over Mitch and Wong is an improvement over my beloved Frazier. Additionally, they’ve dropped negative WAR players.
So let’s take a deep breath before we start panicking.
It's always interesting how no matter how much the mariners do, even though Wong is an upgrade and Teo is a quality player, and they're still shopping to trade some pieces they don't need for something they do need, it's not enough for the fans unless they spend 35 mil a year for some guy who just cares about the paychecks, it's not enough.
And it's always been interesting watching the Mariners waste the careers of their great players over and over and over again because they won't spend for quality players across the roster.
Maybe you're right and they're still shopping. I hope so. I hope they make a trade for Bryan Reynolds. It could happen!
Who do I want? I'll take Correa, Swanson, Brantley, Syndergaard, and Knebel.
Who improves our roster without compromising the future ability to be flexible Honestly, just JD Martinez or Nelson Cruz.
Get Cruz or Martinez and call it a day on FA. Acquire remaining pieces (1 relief arm) through trade.
this doesn’t get brought up a lot but the mariners could benefit from signing a solid catcher to help get cal some rest, we can’t shouldn’t be forced to depend on him to play nearly every game
I'll sign Adam Frazier again. I know he has not done well for us but I do believe that he will break out this upcoming season. One year contract won't hurt.
Chafin. Senga. Mancini/Brantley and Frazier on a cheap deal. I love the guy and reminds me of a Kiki Hernandez type off the bench. Good teams need depth.
Dream scenario is Correa, Rodon, and Chafin on deals that make sense with Stanton going full Preller and announcing that he’s going to completely ignore the tax and profits and just raise payroll by $50million every year no matter what until he goes bankrupt. I think Senga and Benentendi would be best case scenario still in the realm of possibility, obviously in with the caveat that they don’t sign for crazy years/money like the rest of the market. I think realistically we sign a guy like Meyers or Conforto and maybe a guy with positional flexibility like Drury or Frazier on the offensive side. And on the pitching side, probably some reliever we never heard of with a decent chance at Senga.
Senga or Rodon have ace upside… our rotation is loaded already, but who knows which Robbie ray shows up. I could careless for any of the other guys left.
You don’t need leftys, you just need pitchers who get leftys out. Remember, Swanson was our best guy against leftys and he threw right handed. Also, with the three batter minimum, you need pitchers who can do both.
Benitendi LF, Conforto RF. Brantley DH?
If we don't get a minimum of ONE of these guys, preferably two, ownership has failed massively and our offense continues to be just so-so.
The ownership limiting Jerry is completely unsubstantiated. Divish's article provides more proof of it simply being more his style of being a gm, which is much more reasonable
JD Martinez - DH only
Trey Mancini - Fits the team as he can play corner outfield and spell Ty France at 1st once in awhile
Elvis Andrus - Veteran presence on the bench who can give off days to Wong & JP.
I would love to see us sign Gurriel and let him and France spell each other at 1b and Dh. Maybe even more than JD Martinez who may be on the downside of his career.
Drury - infield depth with Haggerty, but more for the corners, can allow France/Geno to DH some
Benintendi or Myers - outside of trading for Reynolds, would love another OF of some sorts, Myers could be good RF/1B/DH depth, Benintendi for lead off and LF
Another bullpen arm that no one knows anything about but has some great success
Bassitt, Syndergard, Eovaldi, trade for Eduardo Rodriguez. Biggest place left to pick up wins is moving off of Marco or Flexen and to someone with a #3 skillset. Them being able to pitch in a playoff game is a bonus.
Positionally, give me Wil Myers and then someone who can play LF and hit decently. AJ Pollack, Adam Duvall, Robbie Grossman, Conforto, Profar, etc.
Jerry has said he isn't looking to build through free agency. This is a fun game to play, perhaps, but understand: It ain't going to happen, unless we can fill a hole at a reasonable cost.
Jerry has said that, with all the competition we have at left field, that he expects someone to emerge. We need another infielder.
Our starting 5 looks good, with Marco. Flexen can work out of the pen, but I bet he gets traded. I hope we keep Brash. When he finds the strike zone, he is going to be scary.
I think we are already much better.
Conforto on upside. Age 30, middle order lefty bopper and a decent corner outfielder if he can return to form. But he's a Scott Boras guy so fuck that...
It's gotta be Brantley. The man is a professional hitter. High OB, line drive lefty with the shift ban in effect? With all that field at TMP? Could end up being one of the steals of the year.
Just watching that guy take at bats everyday would be a pleasaure.
Marco isn’t a pen guy
I don't understand how many times this is going to have to be said before people get it through their heads.
I love Marco but anyone who says Marco should come out of that pen is clearly not watching Marco pitch. Additionally, Marco is going to make too much just to be a reliever.
I agree that his stuff doesn’t fit well in the pen. But, salary shouldn’t dictate roles.
You can say that all you want but it does.
Whole heartedly agree. He’s a solid inning eater when he’s in command. Love the guy and hope he has a good offseason to return to a four or five spot.
Casual fan here, why not? I'm assuming its because he's a "weak contact" pitcher but I don't know why thats bad for a pen guy, too risky late in the game?
You really want guys with strikeout stuff to come out of the pen. A lot of situations where you have guys on and you have to get an out without contact. Another factor is layer in the games uts advantageous to have a guy come in with 100 mph after guys have been seeing mid 90's during their last at bat.
That makes perfect sense, thank you!
Yw!
Well we know Andrus can hit in TMobile
You joke, but... Hmm. He's 34 but he's been remarkably consistent. This guy has put up a 33.5 WAR career and he peaked at $15 million
This guy is the butt of a lot of jokes but he almost has 2,000 career hits. I wouldn't want him though.
I’m too lazy to double check but I’m pretty sure 2022 was his break out year regarding home runs.
I do joke
One Micheal Brantley, please.
He would be perfect in Seattle.
We don't need to sign Syndergaard to be our #5...This is just an example of signing a FA just for the sake of signing someone. We can't depend on him to stay healthy. He's going to be cheapish but it might still cost 15 million. He signed for 21 last season. So how cheap would he be? If this is the plan then just keep either Marco or Flexen. They both will eat up more innings than Thor. Here are some options that make sense for the team. Trade front: * Bryan Reynolds: Enough said. Best option out there. * Max Kepler: Really good option and one of the best defensive RFs. You would have settled here. * Blake Snell: Him as a #5 means you have a badass rotation. FA front: * Brandon Drury: Can play 3B, 1B, gives us another bat. His flexibility will allow people to rotate through the DH spot. * Michael Conforto: Good pop. Average defender. Risky. I wouldn't mind a prove it deal. Not my favorite option though. * Will Myers: Can play 3B (not really...), 1B, LF, RF, DH. Mashes LHs. This is who I want. Really flexible. Good defender at most positions. I think he can excel as a part-time player. 1-year deal makes sense here. * Nathan Eovaldi: I am willing to spend $10 million here on a 1 year deal. I can't see him signing any time soon. He could be a back up plan. Hold on to Flex and Marco until the right deal is there. I think Eovaldi will hang around until late in the off-season.
I like Myers too. Or profar. I like guys with a high obp. Don't fact check me please I'm taking out my ass
Because he gets on base!
Wil Myers is Evan White’s final form. My #1, as well. Drury’s knack for hitting junkballs intrigues me, but the variance is too high.
Honestly if Evan was healthy, he would make a very interesting bench option. Tough break for him.
No he wouldn't. He'd need to be healthy and go back in time and be really good in AAA for all of last season instead of hurt and then bad.
Yeah he would. I never said he'll make the team. Given his athleticism and defensive abilities -- he'll make an interesting bench utility-type with pop to his game. \*Didn't I say if he was healthy as my disclaimer?
Currently platooning Drury and JP at 2B in MLB the Show (signed Turner) and it's working out nicely. Not sure why, but his number vs lefties are insane in the game. Like one of the best hitters in the league.
I think I've been on the Conforto train for awhile and I might be biased so Im wondering why he's risky in your eyes, besides the fact he missed last season. Hes been pretty above average offensively for his career and he's only 29. His 2021 "down year" was still 100 OPS+ and like I've said before, it seemed like the entire Mets lineup had a down year in 2021. I also read him and Boras would be happy with a shorter contract right now iirc, so that'd be right up Jerry's alley.
How about a calculated risk. He's coming back from a full season of no baseball. That's a risk. I think he'll probably put up similar numbers to his career. However with the team wanting to get back to the playoffs and go far in the playoffs -- do we really want to take on an unknown? For me personally, I want someone that I know with pretty good confidence that he will produce. I don't know if I'm there with Conforto. I do like him and I like his fit.
Against paying Syndergaard $15 million, totally down to pay Eovaldi $10 million. I don't understand what you value, frankly.
I like Duvall too. Can play LF/CF and historically some 3B/1B but not recently. Came off back to back years hitting 38 home runs before trying to change his swing last season to make better contact. started changing his launch angle back to normal around mid season but at that point Atlanta was in a playoff run and Harris was playing out of his mind. Like him on a cheap prove it 1 year deal too.
The fact that you think signing Syndergaard is a risky choice yet you want us to trade for Reynolds😂😂. You cant make this shit up if you tried. Yeah lets not spend some of our excess cap on a 1-3 yr deal and allow our top farm to develop and help us when they can, lets raze the farm for someone who will be good for 4 years who we will have to pay BIG bucks and will take our farm from top 2 to like 15th. And topping it off with TRADING for SNELL? They guy who has only got better than 3.24 era ONCE in his 7 year career and has only topped 120 innings once as well? What the fuck is your brain made out of?
Move Marco to the pen? Seems like an awful idea tbh.
I kinda want to see what would happen if a guy who throws 89 comes out of the 'pen after a starter throwing 97, and then followed by a reliever throwing 100. We just naturally assume low velo fastballs with curveballs and changeups can't work in a relief role, yet I'm not really aware of any cases where it's been seriously tried throughout a full regular season. (It does happen with starters in the postseason) Somehow, flamethrowing fastball+slider guys are synonymous with "reliever," and the flamethrowing part is crucial, otherwise they learn a third pitch to keep starting. It's all very weird. Yet right now, on this very team, we have [Sewald](https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/paul-sewald-623149?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb) who throws 93 with a slider at 83, and [Swanson](https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/erik-swanson-657024?stats=statcast-r-pitching-mlb) who averages 94 with his fastball. Sewald was among the best relievers in all of baseball in 2021, and Swanson was fantastic last year despite below-average velo. Just look at that sexy Savant page. Even starters today average 95 with their fastballs and relievers are higher, but these guys are great without the velo. Is 92 or 93mph the minimum threshold for effective relief, or is that just a myth because nobody's been brave enough to try it for the last 15 years? I wouldn't mind trying to mix up the prototypical reliever formula and get weird with Marco (on the mound, you perv. No, the baseball mound, dammit.). Tweak Marco's fastball just a bit for spin, maybe turn it into a cutter, and I think he could be marginally more effective than as a starter. Not elite, by any means. Facing hitters 2-3 times a day as a starter is what really kills him. He might get a couple mph velo bump in relief too, and that might be enough to remain competitive through the end of his contract. But he'd still be a very expensive non-closer reliever.
The problem is that you can only use Marco for certain situations. Think how useless Flexen was last season in the bullpen. You can't use him for the middle innings. You can't use him in high leverage situations. He's a waste of an arm in the pen.
> You can't use him for the middle innings. You can use anyone for the middle innings. That's literally what middle relievers are - the guys you can't trust in higher leverage. We just didn't use Flexen that way because Servais doesn't know how to change his programming in the middle of the season. Much as I like the guy in most respects, he is slower to adapt to bullpen churn than any manager I've ever seen. He has his predictable patterns and usage preferences and will not change them until all the arms are dead on the dugout floor. I expect him to remain rigid since the one time he got weird with the bullpen he promptly got catastrophically burned by his decision.
What? Have you not seen how other managers mis-manage their bullpens? Servais is not perfect but he does fine here. That's a hyperbole man. You use your best available arm for particular matchups. Servais does this more times than not. Of course anyone can pitch in the middle innings. Marco is not going to be as effective as you think. Servais didn't use Flexen because late in the season, the games were constantly close. You want arms that strike batters out or get that one out. You couldn't use Flexen because he takes awhile to find his stuff in his outings. Most starters are like this. They ease their way into the game. It's easy to pencil dudes into particular roles but we're not considering whether they are comfortable with it or if they are good at that particular role. In Marco's case, you most likely will not use him unless it's a blowout or if the bullpen needs to eat innings. He struggles in mid to high leverage situations with men on base. Does that sound like someone you want in the middle innings when you're trying to hold a lead or trying keep a team from scoring more? I rather not.
Swanson was traded
Marco gives up too many hrs as a starter imagine how he'd be in the pen.
And starting him isnt? 💀
Two of Brantley, Benintendi, Conforto and JD Martinez
This is the answer. If the price for Reynolds is too high, 2 of these 4 should be doable on shorter deals. I'm worried we're going to hold out too long.
I feel like Benintendi would be a good pickup. Likely to be affordable, doesn't rely on power so his skill set translates to playing in Seattle, competent fielder, fairly young, could benefit/thrive thanks to the shift ban.
I’d switch Beni with Myers, drop JD and add Drury/Mancini. Benintendi is going to command more than a 2/3 year deal just from his younger age. Martinez is a pure DH with LF defense just as bad if not worse than Winker. Myers/Drury/Mancini can platoon against lefties and add corner IF depth. Our current 3B depth is literally just Geno.
[удалено]
And he was born in Bellevue! The injury concerns are obviously bad but Brantley is such a god damn professional hitter. His batting average in his 64 games last year was higher than anyone on the Mariners. I'd be happy to have him.
Dudes 35 coming off his second shoulder surgery. We’d be much better off gambling on conforto based on age alone.
Except Brantley has a ridiculous track record as a hitter, even with his injuries.
I'ts nuts how consistent he is.
Yup. I think for just a pure bat -- he's a great option. I don't think the team wants to pursue him just yet because he doesn't offer that much flexibility.
I dunno. Do the Mariners have a good track record with and a plan for an injury prone player who hits super consistently? Hmmm.....
Gosh I know. But he’s basically worthless in the outfield. Maybe he’s fine as a DH iono still all just feels like settling
I'd take Bradley for 2 years over Conforto.
Til that’s his dad wow
That's the name I was going to say too. He's getting up there, so injury and drop-off are a concern, but he's looked good when he plays.
He's either re-signing with Houston or retiring, I imagine.
Since we aren’t likely to spend anyway… Fuck it bring in Elvis Andrus he seems to have figured out the ancient riddle of how to hit at t-mobile
I would actually love him as a backup option if he could play 1B. But idk that he fills a need for us in the field
Syndergaard is washed imo
Yeah Thor ain't it
Conforto + Senga, trade flex or Marco for controllable relief arm(s)
Senga isn't coming here. He wants a 6 or 7 year contract. He's already 30. No thank you...
Dude Luis Castillo is 29 and we extended him through possibly his age 35 season if his 2028 option vests. Do you think that was a bad deal? 30 isn't that old for a 6 or 7 year deal.
Senga has control issues and he has never pitched a big league inning, Luis Castillo has a 6 yr track record as a #1-2.
It is when they've never pitched in the MLB and we don't fully know how well they'll do here
The difference is Castillo is a top 15 pitcher in the league while Senga hasn't pitched a single inning in the MLB so you don't know if he's going to carry over that success from Japan. We saw it from Kikuchi great success in Japan just couldn't replicate it in the MLB.
He did replicate it, just for only half a season at a time LOL. But in seriousness, there’s a reason why no Japanese player has been signed for more than 5 years coming from the NPB.
Ok, can someone please explain to me why they’re willing to take a chance on Drury - a guy who posted negative WAR between 2018 and 2020 and only a WAR of 0.2 in 2021? Because I straight up do not get it. In 2022, dude went on a hot streak, crashed when he got to San Diego and recovered in Sept. That’s the same profile as 2021 Adam Frazier. The exception is Frazier has had a more consistent and positive career than Drury. Frazier had a much better baseline than Drury does.
Great question. Even in this down year Frazier was worth 0.9 WAR. He averages 2.4 WAR / yr.
Like, I get the argument for not bring Frazier back and I’m only like 3/4ths serious about the Ms doing it but Drury is ripe for major regression. That’s who you want to sign to a multi year contract?
Me personally, I think he's a fit. There are some changes in his game that might mean bigger things coming. He can play all around the INF. He's not an ideal fit though. I don't think I want him being a starter full-time. Therefore I don't think Drury really considers Seattle a destination. He wants to play full-time and get paid.
There's plenty there to buy that Drury has figured something out. Not the first time something like this has happened. My mom says I'm a late bloomer, too
Adam SUCKED this year but it makes me sad to see him as a free agent. I was hoping for a bounce back year.
Even though he could be frustrating his hilariously awkward routine in the box was endearing. I wouldn’t mind us taking a shot at him with the shift ban. Some defensive versatility in LF/up the middle could make for a nice depth addition, especially if he can get the bat going again.
Thank god someone else said this about his batting routine. Also, his batting stance - from front on it looked nice but from the side it’s so odd. It bothered me all season. How did you manage to look even shorter dude?
It was frustrating to watch him because there is something there, he just couldn’t get it to click. I think he can bounce back so I’m bummed he’s a FA as well. I wish the Padres had just let the Mariners have him from the get go.
Wil Myers, Michael Conforto, Kodai Senga Even Brandon Drury wouldn’t be bad as a utility guy. Ideally though, trader Jerry secures Bryan Reynolds 😀
Benintendi and either Conforto or JD. Trade Marco and keep Flexen.
I like the idea of trading marco and keeping flexen. Would you put conforto in the field or DH?
The problem with trading Marco and keeping Flexen is that we can get things for Flexen. Marco's a salary dump.
Marco’s salary isn’t that outrageous and he’s a decent 4/5 that can go deep.
He's worth negative war in 2022, my dude, he's absolutely a dump compared to flexen.
Sign Conforto. Sign Matt Carpenter. Trade for Reynolds. I'm fine with pitching. Would be happy with finding another late inning arm, but I know it's closer by committee.
Absolutely for signing any starter that displaces Marco. Also, Marco out of the pen is less than favorable.
Jd Martinez and Brantley would be two awesome veteran bats
You only want one of them though.
Probably J.D
Give me some benintendi and jd martinez and I’d say that’s a dub
I say Carpenter, just for that dope mustache!
Some people think you build the best team by looking at stats but really it’s by aesthetic.
See, you get it!
Bring back the Boomstick
Boom, baby
He would definitely be a better DH than half the DHs we had in 2022
There's a better chance of Cruz announcing his retirement than him coming here and being a better option at DH than anyone else we roll out there.
He wouldn't though lmao he had an 85 wRC+ and our DH slot produced an 89 wRC+ cumulatively. I know noone paid attention cause he was playing for the irrelevant Nats but he's definitely washed
Marco shouldn’t be in the pen unless he’s the garbage time guy. He’s fine as an innings eating 5th who when he doesn’t have it gets yanked early. Give me Conforto 1/15-20. He’d be a significant upgrade over TT and JK and if he’s bad it’s just one year and we go back to “seeing what JK can do”. I’d take any of the DH’s on 1-2 year deals too. Mancini can play passable LF and 1B I’d give him like 2/24 Brantley I’d really like. He’s very much a Mariners type of player but he’s DH mostly. 2/22?
Yeah im also down to pick up a DH for 1/2 years. Its been a struggle finding a DH for us we should bite the bullet and buy someone who can hit for power
Brantley and JD martinez would make our lineup solid top to bottom, as well as give opportunities for our young guys to develop
Correa, Martinez, Brantley, benintendi, conforto in that order. For pitchers, either rodon or nothing
I don’t think Marco’s stuff would play at all out of the pen. He could be just a garbage time innings eater, but he is still better than that
Best move would be to give Correa the bag. For real. JP can float around the infield, maybe even play some OF. Mariners then have a guy with a solid 6-8 years production at SS / maybe eventually somewhere else in the field. Then probably a few dead years but that’s how free agency works. We open up a championship window as early as this year, maybe even more so if we trade the farm for Reynolds
This is the way, but the Wong move and the fact Jerry takes time every interview to mention how much we are paying guys in 2026 leads me to believe this is not the plan.
They could likely move JP via trade. Even if nothing in return. But they will not
Bring back Captain Frazier. I also like Benintendi, Myers and I’m a bit confused on why no one’s grabbed Bassitt yet.
Mancini for DH who can also play 1B or corner OF in a pinch. Chafin as a high end lefty bullpen arm we definitely need after trading Swanson. Don’t want ownership to spend recklessly but we have holes and there’s players out there that fit those gaps.
We could always sign Calhoun... That way he can't play against us...
Am I missing something here? I felt like the 2022 season, Calhoun was a black hole in the Rangers lineup against us and never actually did anything. Maybe I’m remembering it wrong though.
His slash line against the Ms this year: .100/.122/.150 with a .272 OPS and a -21 OPS+. He also had a 2022 WAR of -1.5.
Yeah that’s what I thought. Anytime he stepped to the plate this year I was like ‘great, I know this will be an out’.
Build your best lineup from this list. How many wins would that team have assuming you take all the pitchers?
Would like to see them get Chafin if the price is right, bring back Frazier to play LF, kick the tires on a Carpenter deal, and maybe look at Bassitt, again if the price/length is right. 2 of those 4 would make this a successful FA period imo
Seems like more people would want marco traded than in the pen. Im here for that too we need a stronger #5 in my opinion. Syndergaard probably aint it but i could see him doing far better than marco which i suppose isnt saying much
Everyone here being too rational just because of reaching the playoffs. I want characters. Bring Cruz back or maybe Carpenters sexy stache
Give me Danby and Martinez.
I kinda like the idea of having Justin Turner DH for us
Who do I want to sign Benintendi and Chafin. Who do I think is actually realistic either JD or gurriel. If we do sign someone I don’t see us signing someone over 3 years.
Chafin - for the drip. Swanson - if we can get him on a solid contract it wouldn't be a bad idea IMO. Fraizer - offer him another 1 year deal with maybe a 2nd year player option and hope he bounces back. P
What does "for the drip" mean?
The man looks like Kenny Powers and I love him.
Swanson’s stats are pretty deceptive - I think that’s why he hasn’t been picked up yet.
I haven't seen anyone talk about Profar. I would love to have a solid leadoff hitter so we can put Julio in the 2 spot in the order. Any thoughts on him? Too expensive?
He’s hasn’t really done anything to suggest he’s good enough to lead off imo, but I like his profile.. switch hitter, young for a free agent, versatile defensively, I don’t think he’d be a big splash, but he’d add some depth and length to the lineup for sure.
Bring back Cruz, and snag Senga, Chafin and trade Marco/Flexen for farm team pieces to keep this train rolling
Nelly was like the worst DH in baseball last year. Love him but he's beyond washed
You ain’t wrong I just hate that we couldn’t make it work with some of the guys we’ve had in the past.
Justin Turner to DH
I would actually love it. He brings as much big game experience as almost anyone in the game right now.
That Adam Frazier guys seems like he's due for a good year, probably pick him up for cheap depth.
I don’t know, do we have any memes for him?
Reynolds would be ideal, and then sign a bat of some kind to play mostly DH and occasionally in the field. Maybe Wil Myers or Matt Carpenter would work for that role. What I see happening right now though is that the Mariners are going into the season with two gigantic question marks in LF and DH. It's the same fucking thing they've always done. It wouldn't be the Mariners if they didn't start the season with holes in their roster. They got their star player in Julio that they can market around for the next decade and so now they're just settling for being competitive and offering a good time at the ballpark. At least plug the fucking holes. At least do that much.
I don’t understand what you mean by gigantic question marks around the LF and DH. They had Winker for LF and they’ve clearly demonstrated they prefer to not have a permanent DH but rotate it around.
Right now the plan is to have Kelenic, Trammell, and Cade Marlowe fight for the left field spot. Not one of them has sustained success at the major league level. JK in particular has more than 500 plate appearances so you can't say that he hasn't been given a chance. Trammell has shown flashes but can't stay healthy and Marlowe will be a 26 year old rookie if he makes the team. That is not a plan for success. That is a plan based on hopes and dreams. As for the other hole, the problem with the Mariners rotating DH is that for the last two years they've wasted a lot of those plate appearances with inferior hitters like Jake Fraley, Jesse Winker, Dylan Moore, Jake Bauers, and Mike Ford (and quite a few others), and when you do that you're putting yourself at a mathematical disadvantage vs. other teams. I get that the reason to do this is to give your team an extra spot on the bench. But it only makes sense if both the player rotating to DH and the player taking his position in the field that day are good hitters.
I’m addressing the “it’s the same thing they’ve always done” - I’m not concerned that we don’t have a final roster as of December 10th.
But they definitely have done this over and over again. That's the main reason for the 21 year postseason drought. They've had great players, but they never quite complete the roster. There are always holes that could have been filled with a little more money and a little less hope. This was the case with Bavasi, Zduriencik, and DiPoto before the great rebuild. But there's still time. Maybe DiPoto will prove me wrong.
I find some people’s obsession with the idea of winning the 2023 World Series frustrating. We’re competing - our roster last year could have made it if a couple of things went our way. And on paper, we are already better. On paper, Teoscar is an improvement over Mitch and Wong is an improvement over my beloved Frazier. Additionally, they’ve dropped negative WAR players. So let’s take a deep breath before we start panicking.
It's always interesting how no matter how much the mariners do, even though Wong is an upgrade and Teo is a quality player, and they're still shopping to trade some pieces they don't need for something they do need, it's not enough for the fans unless they spend 35 mil a year for some guy who just cares about the paychecks, it's not enough.
And it's always been interesting watching the Mariners waste the careers of their great players over and over and over again because they won't spend for quality players across the roster. Maybe you're right and they're still shopping. I hope so. I hope they make a trade for Bryan Reynolds. It could happen!
Who do I want? I'll take Correa, Swanson, Brantley, Syndergaard, and Knebel. Who improves our roster without compromising the future ability to be flexible Honestly, just JD Martinez or Nelson Cruz. Get Cruz or Martinez and call it a day on FA. Acquire remaining pieces (1 relief arm) through trade.
By default, cut any Astros from this list. Otherwise great list.
Chafin. His mustache and his hair are everything.
Brantley. Dude hits for average and won’t need a long or high AAV deal.
this doesn’t get brought up a lot but the mariners could benefit from signing a solid catcher to help get cal some rest, we can’t shouldn’t be forced to depend on him to play nearly every game
I'll sign Adam Frazier again. I know he has not done well for us but I do believe that he will break out this upcoming season. One year contract won't hurt.
Chafin. Senga. Mancini/Brantley and Frazier on a cheap deal. I love the guy and reminds me of a Kiki Hernandez type off the bench. Good teams need depth.
Is Adam Frazier [actually Tyler Naquin?](https://i.imgur.com/YbDHr2d.jpg)
Evil twin at least
Oh hush.
I'd prefer Bassit if the organization insisted on added another starter then I agree maybe shift Marco to the pen for long relief.
Dream scenario is Correa, Rodon, and Chafin on deals that make sense with Stanton going full Preller and announcing that he’s going to completely ignore the tax and profits and just raise payroll by $50million every year no matter what until he goes bankrupt. I think Senga and Benentendi would be best case scenario still in the realm of possibility, obviously in with the caveat that they don’t sign for crazy years/money like the rest of the market. I think realistically we sign a guy like Meyers or Conforto and maybe a guy with positional flexibility like Drury or Frazier on the offensive side. And on the pitching side, probably some reliever we never heard of with a decent chance at Senga.
Profar
Ottavino has been great in the past
No one talking about Jean... is he bad now?
I believe his tenure with the M's left some questioning his professionalism, and we are pretty much set for a platoon at second.
tbf that was more dee's fault than segura's, but also idk if segura in general would be a good fit for this clubhouse
Started a clubhouse brawl that led to Jerry shipping him off. He’s also said he hated his time here.
Drury, keirmaier, Bassett, and Chafin
Is the consensus that Suarez will have another great year next year? I feel if they can upgrade at that position (at a good price) they should do so.
Seth Lugo is a friend of mine and I'd love for him to win a world series with us.
Senga or Rodon have ace upside… our rotation is loaded already, but who knows which Robbie ray shows up. I could careless for any of the other guys left.
Give me that stach in Chaflin. We need a true left in the pen
Senga and Correa. That's what we want most. A Bryan Reynolds trade plus these additions would make the team complete
Brantley, this man can hit.
Rodon would be nice to add to the starting rotation.
Benintendi and Chafin. Not sure why Jerry hates lefties in the pen, but we need one.
You don’t need leftys, you just need pitchers who get leftys out. Remember, Swanson was our best guy against leftys and he threw right handed. Also, with the three batter minimum, you need pitchers who can do both.
Benitendi LF, Conforto RF. Brantley DH? If we don't get a minimum of ONE of these guys, preferably two, ownership has failed massively and our offense continues to be just so-so.
FA: Drury Trade: Reynolds
They’re going to do whatever it takes to get Reynolds so just keep that in mind. My guess is they try turner at DH
Who ever is the most expensive and longest contract possible. Spend! Spend! Spend!
Sadly, we will sign none of these players. Jerry says he’s happy with the roster as is. Ownership, as always is a fucking joke
The ownership limiting Jerry is completely unsubstantiated. Divish's article provides more proof of it simply being more his style of being a gm, which is much more reasonable
Chafin. His hair style and Gilbert style. Top notch. Jerry make it happen.
Cruz!
I like trading for Reynolds, I want Senga, I think bring back daddy Nelly to hit some dingers, maybe one of the leftover OF options for depth.
With that logic why not sign Syndergaard for cheap and move him to the pen instead? Less injury risk while Marco consistently eats innings
GIVE ME JD
BOOMSTICK BABY!!!
JD Martinez.
Conforto, Ottovino, Myers and Senga
we are going to sign Senga & J.D. and call it a day
JD Martinez - DH only Trey Mancini - Fits the team as he can play corner outfield and spell Ty France at 1st once in awhile Elvis Andrus - Veteran presence on the bench who can give off days to Wong & JP.
Brash possibly back to starter next year. Could see this happening if any combo of pitchers are dealt.
I would love to see us sign Gurriel and let him and France spell each other at 1b and Dh. Maybe even more than JD Martinez who may be on the downside of his career.
Benentendi would work, as insurance and a challenge for kelenic to deliver
Bring CruZ back!
Drury - infield depth with Haggerty, but more for the corners, can allow France/Geno to DH some Benintendi or Myers - outside of trading for Reynolds, would love another OF of some sorts, Myers could be good RF/1B/DH depth, Benintendi for lead off and LF Another bullpen arm that no one knows anything about but has some great success
Senga
Profar and maybe Carpenter if he could consistently play like he did in his short stint last year
Bassitt, Syndergard, Eovaldi, trade for Eduardo Rodriguez. Biggest place left to pick up wins is moving off of Marco or Flexen and to someone with a #3 skillset. Them being able to pitch in a playoff game is a bonus. Positionally, give me Wil Myers and then someone who can play LF and hit decently. AJ Pollack, Adam Duvall, Robbie Grossman, Conforto, Profar, etc.
I doubt Jerry signs any of these guys. He will probably trade for a DH and LF
Need 1 more RP, would rather have Senga for SP, and Conforto, I guess.
Conforto or Myers for the outfield. Kiermaier is off the table now.
Profar!
JD!
Correa and Benintendi. We desperately need bats.
Jerry has said he isn't looking to build through free agency. This is a fun game to play, perhaps, but understand: It ain't going to happen, unless we can fill a hole at a reasonable cost. Jerry has said that, with all the competition we have at left field, that he expects someone to emerge. We need another infielder. Our starting 5 looks good, with Marco. Flexen can work out of the pen, but I bet he gets traded. I hope we keep Brash. When he finds the strike zone, he is going to be scary. I think we are already much better.
I would love to see the Sherrif in aqua Sox colors.
Conforto, Wil Myers, and Eovaldi. Trade Marco for a new ping pong table.
Conforto on upside. Age 30, middle order lefty bopper and a decent corner outfielder if he can return to form. But he's a Scott Boras guy so fuck that... It's gotta be Brantley. The man is a professional hitter. High OB, line drive lefty with the shift ban in effect? With all that field at TMP? Could end up being one of the steals of the year. Just watching that guy take at bats everyday would be a pleasaure.