Seattle Mariners: The perfect fit for Kyle Seager
Kyle Seager, Seattle Mariners. (Photo by Dinur, via Flickr)
The Obstacles
He Can Still Play
Seager started 2020 hot. When that start is combined that with his strong finish in 2019, it appears that hiss adjustments to beat the shift are working. Seager is hitting as well now as ever has in his career. “Corey’s Brother” again exudes confidence at the plate.
In the field, he and shortstop J.P. Crawford make a formidible the left side. Seager has value both offensively and defensively and that is important because…
There isn’t Anyone Else in the Organization
In terms of true third basemen in the Mariners farm system, Joe Rizzo is the next in line. He’s at least a year away from the majors and probably two. Even if Rizzo does make it to the show, he doesn’t project to be anything like Seager.
Dylan Moore could fill in, but the hot corner isn’t close to his best position. Highly rated prospect Noelvi Marte is another consideration, if the Seattle Mariners can wait until at least 2023. This lack of depth means Seattle would have to give up solid prospects in a trade or pay good money for a new third baseman. Neither of those options shout rebuild.
So even if DiPoto was anxious to move Seager, the motivation to do so might not be there because the team incurs further costs. At the end of the day, the trade talk is all about money and…
The Contract
Major League Baseball is loaded with great third basemen. There isn’t as much of a market left as many teams are already set. Finding a trade partner willing pay the $18M owed to Seager in 2021 is going to be a near impossible task.
In order to move him the Mariners would either have to send prospects with him, retain significant portions of the remaining money on his contract, or receive a bloated contract in return.
But Wait, there’s more. Seager has a bizarre clause in his contract. A $15M team option for 2022 changes to a player option if he gets traded. Bet on it, that if a trade did happen, Seager would exercise his option. There is almost no chance any team wants to pay him $15 million in 2022.
So if Seager gets traded he goes from an $18M expense to the Seattle Mariners to a $33M expense to the trading partner. This is the poison pill. If he remains with the Mariners, they pay him a small buyout after 2021 and decline his option for 2022.
Kyle Seager still has a "poison pill" of sorts in his contract, but he realizes a trade is “a definite possibility. … Ultimately, they have to do what’s best for the Mariners.” (from @RyanDivish) https://t.co/BFqUUaxGjj
— Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) February 20, 2020