Seattle Mariners: 3 mistakes Jerry DiPoto made with M’s player pool
Dee Gordon, Seattle Mariners. (Photo by Keith Allison via Wikimedia)
Ahead of the start to their summer training camp, the Seattle Mariners submitted the 60 names for their player pool. Unfortunately, they made a few mistakes.
Baseball is almost back. Seattle Mariners fans can look forward to the “pop” of a hard fastball hitting the catchers glove or the “crack” of the bat echoing throughout empty Major League stadiums very soon.
The Mariners will begin their “summer camp” on Friday at T-Mobile Park. On June 23 or 24, the shortened 60 game season begins. As required by MLB, Seattle sent in their list of 60 players who are eligible to be part of the main roster and reserve team to the league. They made three significant missteps when assembling the team.
Before getting started, it’s important to note that outfield Mitch Haniger is still a long way from playing. Seattle placed him on the 45-day injured list. He is exempt and not included in the player pool. The good news is a roster spot isn’t being taken up by someone whose availability this season is in doubt. The bad news is Haniger can’t rehab with the main team until he’s added.
Filled roster spots too fast
No one will argue that preparation is a key factor to success. By getting the squad together quickly, the Mariners can plan for how they want to utilize best the talent invited to camp. While most teams left a few empty sports off their initial lists, Seattle filled all 60 of theirs.
The Seattle Mariners have very little flexibility with those 60 men. If they add a new player, someone else has to go. Healthy players who get released are highly unlikely to clear waivers and will get claimed by another organization. Other teams are still signing free agents, and there have been a few notable releases the last few days as non-roster veterans look for better situations. It would have been prudent to leave a few slots empty until, at the very least, the camp opened up.
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