Seattle Mariners 2020 Review/2021 Preview – Middle Infield
Dee Strange-Gordon, Seattle Mariners. (Photo by Keith Allison, via Wikimedia)
Blew his shot
Shed Long Jr. began the season as the M’s second baseman. Before spring training, Seattle Mariners General Manager Jerry Dipoto said he expected Long to be a cornerstone of his team’s rebuilding process. As expected on opening day he was Seattle’s second baseman and leadoff hitter.
Long had big problems at the plate. In mid-August, he was moved out of the leadoff spot. By September, he was hitting a sub-Mendoza Line .171 and lost his starting job. Finally, the M’s placed Long on the injured list on September 11 with a stress fracture in his left shin.
The Birmingham, AL native doesn’t look one of the faces of Seattle’s rebuild any longer. In fact, he will have to work very hard to have any chance of making the team next year. If he does head to Seattle after spring training, it will be as a utility player.
On the way out
Dee Strange-Gordon was supposed to be the Seattle Mariners super-utility man, playing some second base along with shortstop and the outfield. He struggled mightily early on, batting just .118. The veteran rallied during the second half, batting .303 after August 18.
I’m sure Dipoto wanted to trade Strange-Gordon to a contender at the deadline but couldn’t find a taker. Dee is still popular with both his teammates and the Seattle fans. Off the field, he is this year’s Mariners candidate to win MLB’s Roberto Clemente Award for community service.
The Mariners likely won’t pick up Strange-Gordon’s option for next year anyway. But this is a sad way to go out for a good guy.