Seattle Mariners: Opinions vary on Dipoto’s latest pickup Adam Frazier

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Nov 27, 2021
Seattle Mariners
Adam Frazier, Seattle Mariners.

The Pacific Northwest Sports staff debates the trade that brought second baseman, Adam Frazier to the Seattle Mariners on Saturday.

Saturday, Seattle Mariners General Manager Jerry Dipoto made his first trade of the offseason. He acquired 2021 All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier from San Diego for minor leaguers Ray Kerr (LHP) and Corey Rosier (OF).

Pacific Northwest Sports baseball writers Andrew Elderbaum and Joe Swenson debate the deal and Frazier’s impact on the M’s.

AE: I see Mariners just got Frazier. I know he led the NL in hits, but is he really an upgrade for them anywhere? Frazier had a hot start in Pittsburgh, but other than that has been a .270 hitter with barely double-digit power. He’s turning 30 next month and has one year and $7.5M on his deal. Not saying he’s useless or terrible but is he moving the needle if he plays to his career norms?

JS: He’s the perfect #2 hitter, and it cost us nothing. He doesn’t strike out at all, is a high contact guy, and has great command of the strike zone. Maybe Dipoto is going to flip him as he did with Carlos Santana.

AE: It would make more sense. As I said, he’s not a bad player; I don’t know how big of an upgrade he is unless they are getting Marcus Semien and moving Crawford. An infield of Frazier, J.P. Crawford, Abraham Toro, and Ty France isn’t making me quiver with excitement.

A bargain?

AE: I don’t think $7.5 million (Frazier’s salary) and a cheap hard-throwing left-handed reliever for one year of Frazier is a bargain. He’s never hit .280 over an entire season any year prior. And he hit .267 after his trade to San Diego.

JS: He’s an upgrade in average and OBP for sure. Even if he regresses, he’s still an offensive upgrade over a lot of what we had to offer last season.

AE: I think Frazier is an adequate hitter, and position matters. I’d say he’s average as a second baseman and sub-par for a corner outfielder.

JS: Adam Frazier finished 2021 in seventh for WAR among those who primarily played second base.

The last word

JS: He’s not the missing piece. He’s also not in the way of a Semien deal. In fact, if the M’s make a deal with Semien, it gives more credence to the flip philosophy. We all agreed that he’s an upgrade; the definition of how big of an upgrade he is so minor. It does open the door to moving Toro or Frazier for a starting pitcher or something else the Seattle Mariners need.

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What do you think about the Seattle Mariners’ trade for Adam Frazier? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.

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