Kyle Seager, Seattle Mariners.
Just like the Europe song, “It’s the final countdown,” for Seattle Mariners’ third baseman Kyle Seager in an M’s jersey. His last day won’t be the MLB trade deadline. It’ll be after the 2021 season. Shocking, coming from the guy who’s been trying to trade Seager for just about anything that will benefit the M’s.
The truth is Seager rightfully earned his seven-year, $100M contract extension from the M’s just before the 2015 season. A quick recap since it’s been a minute. In 2014 Seager made the All-Star game and earned a gold glove while having the second-best season of his career.
Unlike some players who flop after signing their big deal, Seager had two more great seasons. All this did is validate his deal even more. Unfortunately, after 2016 it’s gone downhill. The Mariners most tenured played hasn’t hit at least .250 since then.
In our recent Seattle Mariners over/under article, the PNWS baseball writers were asked if Seager’s last game with Seattle would come before or after the 2021 trade deadline. Only one of five believed he would be moved. The other four thought no other team would pick up his contract, which changes the $15M option for 2022, from team to player.
There is always the possibility that 2021 isn’t Seager’s last year in the Emerald City. If he somehow manages to continue his return towards All-Star form, then the club will be forced into considering picking up his option. Especially considering there is no obvious elite glove replacement on the Mariners roster or farm system.
Even if the Mariners don’t exercise their 2022 option on Seager, he could still stay in Seattle. They could always sign him to new a contract over the winter.
Let’s discuss the elephant in the room. Ty France is on the roster. While he doesn’t have a set position, third base is where he plays the best. Both sides can argue as to how good or not good France is at the hot corner.
The other option to play third is utilityman Dylan Moore. He’s coming off his best season. Bear in mind that last “season” was only 60 games. So far, Moore has a total of 384 at-bats with a career .224 career average. The only possible remaining options are; free agency, trade, or moving Gold Glove shortstop J.P. Crawford or Noelvi Marte to third base.
Bringing this back to a possible Seager return. All Seager needs to do is produce at his normal career rates; .256 avg, 127 hits, 21 HR’s, 71 RBI’s, 5 SB with a .326 OBP, and .768 OPS.
So, with the M’s not currently having a reliant dependable Plan B to Seager at third base. It currently looks like he’ll possibly be back in the Emerald City in 2022. That is unless one of the current team members proves they can play the hot corner to at least Seager’s level.
The current leader in the clubhouse to be the M’s 2022 starting third baseman is France. As previously mentioned, he’s a natural third baseman who can also play second base. Mariners fans saw what France could do against major league pitching last year. He’s carrying that success over into this season, which gives the team another reliable hitter.
Scouts suggested that Crawford’s lack of range can be lessened by moving to third. Then again, Marte is no sure thing in the middle-infield either. Whether shortstop or third base is his major league home remains to be seen. If Crawford earns another Gold Glove, then it’ll be even harder to justify moving him away from shortstop.
There is always free agency or maybe most likely a trade scenario that Mariners can take to replace Seager. According to MLB.com, the 2022 third baseman free agent class currently includes Nolan Arenado (opt-out), Kris Bryant, Eduardo Escobar, and José Ramírez (club option).
It’s too early to even speculate on who may still be available this winter. There are just too many different scenarios that can happen between Opening Day and free agency. For example,
To throw another monkey wrench in the machinery, the entire market depends on which teams are in contention for a playoff spot the last week of July. At this point, the variables are endless.
Do you think this is Kyle Seager’s last dance in the Emerald City? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.