Seattle Mariners: The Dipoto Dilemma – Vets vs Rookies
The problem with vets
So, why not bring in some veterans to play until the young guys are ready? There are several reasons, but the biggest is development. Besides injury, the worst thing that can happen to these young players is bringing in a veteran to eat up innings or at-bats.
Proponents of the experience plan say if the Vets play well, Dipoto can move them for more future assets. This move is counterproductive to the primary goal of developing homegrown talent. Let’s say the Mariners bring back “Big Maple” James Paxton. Putting the money aside. He’ll make at least eight starts, judging by his career numbers; he’ll have a 3.58 ERA, 1.21 WHIP while striking out at least one batter per inning.
All of his starts could go to Justin Dunn, Logan Gilbert, Ljay Newsome, or Nick Margevicius. Adding Paxton puts the younger pitchers another year behind in their development. That means it would be sometime in 2022 before the team has a good idea if the young arms would be part of the rotation or bullpen moving forward. Or if they need not be in the M’s organization altogether.
Proper evaluations
While some of the young players look like building blocks of the future, Seattle also must be cautious about basing their assumptions on less than a year of MLB experience. Call it the Dustin Ackley principle. Once Dipoto and the M’s have a better idea of what their prospects can do against top-tier talent. Then the front office can have a better idea of what areas need help.
At the end of the day, what all Seattle Mariners fans are clamoring for is a winning team. Give the young players their chance to show what they can do. The ones who succeed will stay and play. The ones who fail can be replaced with veteran players. That’s the best way to give their fans what they want.
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