Seattle Mariners: These Huge Names Could Replace Kyle Seager
Ed Stein
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External Free Agents
The big two
Two free agents stand tall above anyone else in this article Nick Castellanos and Kris Bryant. To be clear, both these guys will sign huge contracts when the business of baseball resumes. Each is represented by Scott Boros, so there will be no sweetheart deals.
Castellanos might be the best hitter available in free agency (no disrespect to Freddie Freeman). He’s everything the Seattle Mariners need, wrapped up in one package. Pardon the pun, but last season Castellanos knocked it out of the park. He hit .309 (fourth in the National League) with 38 doubles (fourth), 34 home runs (seventh), 100 RBI (sixth) and a .939 OPS (fourth).
The former Detroit Tigers first-round pick (2010) played more leftfield than third base in recent years. However, that shouldn’t be a problem. He isn’t great with the glove, but what Castellanos does at the plate more than outweighs any defensive deficiencies.
Nick Castellanos is that guy, trust us, he is that guy. pic.twitter.com/vCOYWNpm4V
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 29, 2021
At long last, Bryant’s long personal nightmare is over; he’s a free agent. It seems like the slugger made more headlines in the last few years by accusing the Chicago Cubs of service time manipulation than he did on the field.
The Seattle Mariners need to look past his bluster. Bryant is a former NL Rookie of the Year, MVP, and four-time all-star. Maybe more important, he won a World Series in 2016. A young team on the rise could use that kind of valuable experience.
Bryant won’t be confused with Brooks Robinson defensively as a third baseman, but he isn’t a big liability either. Bryant’s job is to hit, which he does very well. Last year, the seven-year MLB vet slashed .265/.343/.481/.835 with 25 homers and 73 runs driven in