Seattle Mariners: 5 lessons learned from an unexpectedly good 2020 season
Shed Long Jr., Seattle Mariners.
Second base is a priority
So far, I haven’t been impressed with Shed Long Jr. There is some potential there. Potential doesn’t win ball games, production does. This summer, Long was given plenty of opportunities to succeed before he went on the injured list in early September. By then, however, he had fallen out of favor with manager Scott Servais.
Dylan Moore can fill the position very well. After a season where he was second on the Seattle Mariners with a .855 OPS and led the team with 12 stolen bases, Moore earned his chance to be an everyday player. Additionally, Seattle struggled with getting the leadoff batter on base this year. Moore’s .358 On Base Percentage is a big step in the right direction.
In the field, Moore’s advanced metrics in Zone Runs Saved were better than Long’s this year. He can do the job. Considering the outfield, where Moore spent most of his time, could get crowded with the arrival of Kelenic as well as Haniger’s expected return, second base is the best option to keep his productive bat in the lineup every day.
Even if the Seattle Mariners brass doesn’t believe Moore is the best option at second, there is also France. As the season wound down, Service used the deadline acquisition more and more at second. It isn’t France’s best position, but his production at the plate justifies using him there.
What are some of your takeaways from the Seattle Mariners 2020 season? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.