Ty France, Seattle Mariners.
The Seattle Mariners have a group of players who can play multiple positions well. However, none of them play one position great. So, what does Scott Servais and possibly Jerry Dipoto need to do with these guys? Whenever anyone is talking about players and Dipoto, in the same sentence, trading always comes up in conversation.
The players in question are Dylan Moore, Shed Long Jr., Jake Fraley, Jake Bauers, Taylor Trammell, Ty France, and Jarred Kelenic. Of this group, only the true outfielders, Fraley, Trammell, and Kelenic, play one position. The rest play both infield and outfield, while only Moore plays multiple infield positions. Right now, all these guys are getting some run. But what happens when Fraley returns?
Regarding Evan White‘s return, he’s done for the year. The hope is he can be ready for spring training. However, Kelenic was hitting well in Tacoma, and earned himself a return visit to Seattle. Unfortunately, Fraley got COVID and isn’t eligible to return until July 26th. Trammell was optioned to the minors on July 11th.
Looking over last week’s outfield production, we see that Mitch Haniger hit .227 average, two home runs, five RBI, with three walks to six strikeouts. After AL Player of the week honors, Haniger is scuffling a bit. Have to wonder if the foul ball to his knee is still bothering him. However he is playing good defense, overall. So, are Fraley and Trammell.
However, Trammell looks more like a 4A or defensive replacement type of player. It’s not good that he’s losing playing to an infielder. He’s still young, so there is still time to develop. So, nobody can definitively say he’s a bench guy or a starter. He appears to have a positive attitude throughout everything this year, which can only help him in the long run. Until his latest COVID stint Fraley was showing promise. Getting him back will be a boost. What does his return do to the lineup?
So, let’s look at this group closer. Right now, the starting outfield is Kelenic, Mitch Haniger, and Long. This is probably the best outfield construction with a blend of good defense and offense currently. Moore and Bauers are adequate corner outfielders, but they are more helpful with dirt under them than grass.
Speaking of the infield, two spots have been highly talked about, first and second base. White is a gold glover but currently leaves a lot to be desired with his bat. France and Bauers are both good at first, with France currently being a little more complete (helpful both offensively and defensively). Bauers had a hot month. However, he’s cooled since. So, the question is, “Just a hot stretch or something more legit?”
If the Seattle Mariners have “unlocked” Bauers at the plate, then Seattle has its first baseman of the future (yes, you read that correctly). White will really need to step up his hitting approach to unseat Bauers. If it’s the former, well then, the team is back to square one but has many more quality options. Touching on France briefly. He’s doing very well at 1B. Maybe if he’s the everyday starter, he can be a good first baseman. Of this trio, he clearly hits the best. He just needs to work on his glovework.
How about the keystone position? Long, Moore and France have all taken turns. No surprise here that, again, France needs better glovework to be the starter. Both Moore and Long are the better defenders. However, currently, they are not the better hitters. Although, Long has the advantage over Moore. Last week Long hit .091 with one stolen base’s.
Long did have K:BB of 7:3, in comparison to Moore’s 5:0 and France’s 2:1. Moore is not replicating last year’s performance. On the year, he’s hitting .190, which is a career-worst. Currently, he’s just having some bad luck with hits. So, second base is even less settled than first base.
Shed Long Jr., Seattle Mariners.
So, we’ve discussed the players as a whole, but where is their best position to play? Ideally, Kelenic starts hitting major league pitching. Thus, allowing Servais to use Moore, Long, and Bauers in the outfield to give Haniger, Fraley, and Kelenic a breather.
Not saying Servais is without fault, but he’s making the right call with his lineups. It’s probably time for the club to make Long the current starter at 2B with France at 1B and Torrens at DH. Leaving Moore the utility guy who can fill in all over the place.
As previously mentioned, we can’t talk about these guys and include some trade talk. Last year, Dipoto was able to fleece the Padres in the Austin Nola trade. Dipoto was able to get two MLB-ready players, France and Luis Torrens, and two prospects/projects in Andres Munoz and Trammell.
The likelihood of a deal like that happening again is small. That’s not to say it can’t happen. The prevalent thought on the M’s come trade deadline is that they’ll be sellers. With Haniger being the main guy moving out. However, not sure that happens as the M’s are in a playoff race and might be buyers. Maybe Fraley, Long, or Moore is the guy or guys who get dealt at the trade deadline. Unfortunately, none of these guys play catcher like Nola does, so they won’t be as in demand.
Subsequently, Fraley’s ability to play all over the outfield and get on base plays well for lots of teams. He’s kind of lesser-known Robbie Grossman. Moore’s ability to play everywhere makes for a nice chess piece on a playoff team. Long is showing that he’s recovered from his injury and can help a major league ball club.
Currently, this Seattle Mariners team has a lot of good pieces. A lot of moveable pieces don’t greatly impact the overall team negatively. Which is good, considering the number of injuries the ball club is dealing with. Servais and Dipoto have some tough decisions in store for them when the team gets healthy.
This team is exciting and interesting. Perhaps manager Scott Servais starts his hot players, which will only add to the competition to be a starter and help the Seattle Mariners as a whole. Subsequently, even brighter, more exciting days are in its future.
Seattle Mariners fan Garrett Mirsky.