4 reasons to believe in the 2023 Mariners
SEATTLE — Patience is the phrase of the hour because the Mariners put together for what may very well be a vacation hibernation. It’s maybe not what followers need to hear, particularly with the free agent frenzy just lately, however Seattle’s entrance workplace acknowledges its wants, and its transparency in outlining them sometimes results in transactions.
“We would like to add more offense if we could,” Mariners normal supervisor Justin Hollander stated. “We’d like to create more advantage either by platoons or just depth as we get deeper into the offseason. And then if something else presents itself that makes our team better, we are open to that.”
Recognizing voids, it’s value noting that the Mariners are positioned to construct upon their 2022 American League Division Series look. And within the vacation spirit, listed below are 4 the explanation why they need to really feel optimistic heading into the brand new 12 months:
Julio is just going to get higher
What stood out most in Julio Rodríguez’s AL Rookie of the Year Award-winning season was that he lived as much as his billing as MLB Pipeline’s No. 3 general prospect and emerged as one of many sport’s greatest gamers.
Health will likely be paramount to Rodríguez’s sustainability, particularly on condition that he empties the tank each evening. He missed 30 video games final 12 months, together with two stints on the IL, however he nonetheless managed 28 homers and 5.3 wins above alternative, per FanGraphs, numbers on tempo for 34 and 6.5, respectively, over 162 video games.
For a participant who’s thrived within the face of each problem, it’s arduous to examine Rodríguez taking a step again in his age-22 season.
“Everyone says he’s going to get older, he’s going to slow down, the body gets thicker,” Mariners supervisor Scott Servais stated. “I know, for where he’s at right now, it’s big for him. He still wants to go out and steal 25, 30 bases, or maybe more with the rule changes. It may open up more things for him as well. Speed is a big part of where he’s at and his focus this offseason.”
Raleigh, Kirby and Gilbert ought to enhance too
Other fruits of Seattle’s farm system ought to advance as effectively, contemplating the manufacturing that the Mariners acquired from Cal Raleigh, George Kirby and Logan Gilbert of their first full seasons. The latter two confirmed front-line-rotation stuff at instances, particularly within the postseason. Raleigh emerged as MLB’s high home-run-hitting catcher, with 27, whereas enjoying by a torn UCL in his left thumb over the ultimate month.
“Cal, with all the issues he had with his thumb, really gutted it out,” Servais stated. “He can play not at 100 percent and still produce, and he learned a lot going through that.”
Monitoring Kirby and Gilbert after they navigated career-high innings totals of 130 and 185 2/3, respectively, will likely be value watching. But in the event that they’re wholesome, the Mariners can have among the many strongest rotations within the AL West.
Second base needs to be upgraded
Seattle acquired 0.4 WAR on the place final 12 months, third worst in MLB, as Adam Frazier by no means discovered his footing. The Mariners are doubtless going to platoon Kolten Wong and Dylan Moore, however possibly that’s not the worst avenue given the huge asking costs on free brokers Carlos Correa ($315 million), Xander Bogaerts ($280 million) and Trea Turner ($300 million).
The lefty-hitting Wong, who will earn $10 million subsequent 12 months, slashed .277/.357/.489 (.845 OPS) towards righties, whereas the righty-hitting Moore slashed .247/.393/.402 (.796 OPS) towards lefties. Seattle’s second basemen mixed to slash .218/.278/.316 (.594 OPS) final 12 months.
“I know Adam Frazier certainly had some really big moments for us, but just the consistency isn’t typically what Adam Frazier does,” Servais stated. “So hopefully Kolten Wong brings some more consistency there.”
They have three excessive Draft picks
This received’t impression the 2023 roster, however it can also’t be missed. Seattle’s resurgence has centered on cultivating homegrown expertise, and the Mariners can have three of the highest 30 picks subsequent 12 months.
No. 22 comes by way of their regular-season standing, No. 29 by way of Rodríguez successful AL ROY after being on the Opening Day roster (a clause of the brand new CBA) and No. 30 by way of Competitive Balance Round A, designated to groups which have both one of many 10 smallest markets or the ten smallest income swimming pools.
“We think that that combination of events is going to allow us to replenish [our farm system] a lot sooner than later,” president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto stated. “A year from now, we may have a different opinion of what our system looks like.”
