Seattle Mariners: 9 non-roster vets who could make the team
Chip Clark
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The Seattle Mariners invited several players to spring training who have a chance to break camp with the team.
It happens every season to almost every team. Players who aren’t expected to make the roster surprise everyone with great showings in camp. This year the Seattle Mariners invited several veteran players to spring training who could fit that bill.
The M’s have an interesting bunch of non-roster invitees to spring training.
The Familiar
Right off the top, two relievers the Seattle Mariners brought into camp could land on the opening-day roster. Both of them pitched for the team previously with good results.
Casey Sadler‘s promising 2021 season ended in late July when the M’s relief pitcher underwent shoulder surgery. At the time, he had a 0.67 ERA and 0.72 WHIP in 40.1 innings over 42 appearances.
He returned to the Mariners in 2022 but re-injured his shoulder in spring training. A free agent over the winter, the best Sadler could do was a minor league contract with an invite to camp.
The M’s record holder for consecutive scoreless appearances has great stuff when he’s healthy.
During the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Taylor Williams began the season as Seattle’s closer. The Camas, Washington High School product had 6 saves before going to San Diego in the Austin Nola trade.
Since leaving his home state, Williams struggled to stay in the Majors. Last year the Mariners signed him to a minor league contract after San Francisco released him mid-season, and he finished the year in Tacoma.
Chris Flexen is on many “most likely to be traded” lists. Should the Seattle Mariners move him in the spring, that’s another open roster one of these relievers can fill.
Never Say Goodbye
There is an old saying in baseball, “being a left-handed pitcher means never having to say goodbye.” With unreliable options such as Brennan Bernadino, Tayler Saucedo, and Gabe Speier on the 40-man roster, there is opportunity for a non-roster invitee.
Nick Margevicius pitched for the M’s in 2020 and 2021. In the latter season, he struggled to an 8.25 ERA before thoracic outlet syndrome ended it in May.
Seattle was the latest stop for Tommy Milone in the journeyman’s 9-team, 12-year MLB career. He failed to impress last season, posting a 5.40 ERA in 16.2 innings.
This spring might be the last chance for Justus Sheffield with the Seattle Mariners. He’s been a great disappointment since coming over from the Yankees in 2018.
Backstops
It’s funny how things work out sometimes. Cal Raleigh was a huge part of Seattle’s playoff run last year. He might not have even been on the team if Opening Day catcher Tom Murphy hadn’t dislocated his shoulder in May.
Murphy’s recovery didn’t go as hoped, and his season ended on June 23 when he opted for surgery. It’s a tough injury for a catcher to come back from; who’s to say he has?
If Murphy isn’t ready to start the season, the M’s have two catchers at spring training who have been with the team previously. Both Jacob Nottingham and Brian O’Keefe are fringe Major Leaguers who could backup Raleigh until Murphy is ready.
Bats
An alternative in that scenario is making recently acquired Cooper Hummel, the backup catcher, and adding another player.
Prior to 2022, Colin Moran had a career .267 batting average and .747 OPS. He bottomed out last year in Cincinnati and is looking for another chance with a new team.
Mike Ford‘s story is well known to the Seattle Maripril. He can be a dangerous power hitter when on his game.