TMobile Park, Seattle Mariners (photo by Ian D'Andrea, via Flickr).
Everyone seems to have opinions about the Seattle Mariners‘ needs once the lockout ends. The M’s are rumored to be in the mix for signing free agents Kris Bryant and Seiya Suzuki, as well as making trades for starting pitcher Luis Castillo and others.
Bryant would look amazing with Mariners. With the Mariners’ roster flexibility, adding someone as versatile as him would really enhance what Scott Servais can do. Adding Kris Bryant puts the onus of making the playoffs on Servais and GM Jerry Dipoto. At least if they lose out on Bryant, they have the built-in excuse of “we did everything we could.”
The advantage of signing Bryant is that it shores up a spot on the roster that makes a prospect or two expendable. Noelvi Marte is going to be a star but potentially a star without a position to migrate towards in the big leagues. Reinventing someone with his level of talent seems to be a mistake as well. While no one wants to see him outside of the organization and excelling if he brings back a controllable position of need. Well, then that’s a domino the Mariners have to be willing to push over.
For all of the narratives out there about why KB would sign with the Seattle Mariners, the bottom line is that no one really knows. The chances of him actually signing with Seattle are slim. That is based on basic math. Bryant is entering his age 30 season, and locking him up for the foreseeable future means that he’ll occupy money that could go to any of the rising Mariners stars.
Suzuki, similar to Bryant, has almost no chance of signing with the Seattle Mariners based on some of the dumbest narratives ever. One of the reasons Bryant will sign is that it’s a quick flight down to his family in Vegas. Suzuki will not sign anywhere based on the Asian population of the city or region, specifically Japanese.
Suzuki started his baseball career playing third base but hasn’t played an infield position since 2014 when he was 19 years old. He’s an outfielder with tremendous power, exceptional zone awareness, and a little bit of speed.
There are two problems with the Seattle Mariners potentially signing the Japanese star. 1) He bats right-handed, and while he should still be a 20+ home run hitter, he’ll lose some of his power in T-Mobile. 2) He’s an outfielder and without knowing the status of Kyle Lewis. Also, the Mariners are likely to play some hocus pocus “Julio Rodriguez isn’t ready magic” to gain more years. The Mariners have a very stacked outfield.
Sign Suzuki and the M’s make room for trades. Specifically K-Lew, Jarred Kelenic, or Mitch Haniger. As well as most of Seattle’s prospects waiting in the wings behind J-Rod. Should I have gone with M-Han? Suzuki could be a big bust too, highly unlikely with that plate discipline, but he could be.
There are other names available in free agency: Carlos Correa (no real spot for him, plus he’s a cheater and will command $300m plus and 10 years, no thanks), Freddie Freeman (Everyone and your brother believe he’s going to stay with the Braves, love to have him in Seattle, but not happening and no, I’m not your brother), Trevor Story (Unless he takes a contract based on his pathetic away from Coors statistics, definitely not), Nick Castellanos (Yes please), Michael Conforto (maybe?), Kyle Schwarber (Maybe?), Anthony Rizzo (Possibly? Especially if it brings in Bryant), Nelson Cruz (No, love him, but no), Eddie Rosario (Maybe, if the M’s don’t get Bryant than absolutely), Tommy Pham (Sorry, I laughed when I saw him as a top available).
If the Mariners sign both Bryant and Suzuki? Well, I’m not saying to plan the ticker-tape parade yet, but start cutting up the confetti. Why? Because JD is a wheeler and dealer, fans can believe he’s going to start moving some prospects for pitchers.
Even if neither is signed, Dipoto still has all of this prospect capital to play with, and he can move it to get known quantities. The Seattle rotation, as we speak is Robbie Ray (please work out), Marco Gonzales (Ignore his first 10 starts of 2021), Chris Flexen (Some Muscle), Logan Gilbert (Grape, not Godfrey), and a starter to be named later. Justin Dunn, Justus Sheffield, a retread, some rando off the street? I don’t know.
Before you, Dunn sympathizers step in to ruin this moment. He’s terrible. His numbers are terrible. This right-handed pitcher with good velocity can’t find a strike zone to save his life. Thankfully his life isn’t on the line. Yes, he has a sub-four ERA. Yes, he has almost a strikeout per inning. However, you need your head checked.
He doesn’t pass the eye test. In 102.2 innings, he has walked 69 and hit six. His six walks per nine would easily lead the league if he could get out of the fourth inning. Rant over. You don’t really want him to be a starting pitcher on a Seattle team that needs to contend.
Gilbert would look great as the Seattle Mariners’ fifth starter. George Kirby could be a good answer as well (at least he won’t walk anyone). Do you know why they would look good as the Seattle Mariners’ fifth starting pitcher? I’m glad you asked because the M’s will acquire Luis Castillo in a trade. He’s perfect too. His value shot through the basement, and Cincinnati will be looking for compensation based on his blended effort, not his late-season efforts.
Castillo will cost the Mariners Emerson Hancock and another fireballer (Matt Brash maybe, Brandon Williamson), plus someone from the B list of prospects (hopefully not Jonatan Clase, look him up). Castillo’s June through October was incredible. He went 7-8 without any run support, and in 135.1 innings, he had a 2.73 ERA with 144 Ks and only 52 walks. Okay, the walks were a little high. If the Mariners acquire Bryant and/or Suzuki, then this is the pitcher they should go after.
I’m not a GM, I don’t even play one on TV (not yet anyway), but if I were Jerry Dipoto, I’d sign Bryant and Suzuki, then trade some of the farm for Castillo. I’d hold on to Marte, J-Rod, Kirby, Williamson, and Clase (He’s a future megastar in the making) with everything I can. But don’t be surprised if none of this happens. Dipoto has an incredible farm system and patience, although tough at the Major League level, is a virtue. Those stars might be a year or two away from bringing Seattle to the promised land, or the playoffs, whichever occurs first.
Joe Swenson isn’t really this funny, but people bring it out of him. He’s an award-winning playwright, screenplay writer, novelist and owns the production company Broken Arts Entertainment. Peace! I’m out!