Free Agency

When it comes to free agency in baseball I am sure there is some bargains since spring training is ready to begin.

The three primary free agents from the Mariners of last season Dae-Ho Lee sent back to Korea and a few days ago Franklin Gutierrez signed a one year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. I am sure there is a buyout since baseball contracts are guaranteed. The third free agent is first baseman Adam Lind. It doesn’t look like he has signed with anyone yet though the Cleveland Indians are supposed to be interested. Daniel Vogelbach is expected to be the Mariners first baseman going into the season. Also Dan Valencia will play some there as well against right handed pitching. How much he will play will depend on Vogelbach whether he will be able to hit whether against right handers or lefties. It could turn out to be those two platooning in the same manner that Lind and Lee did last season.

Valencia on the other hand can play the outfield and at third base. Of course with Seager he won’t play much at third except to give him an occasional day off or he gets hurt for a period of time. Valencia played third base most of the time last year. He may play some in left or right field. A lot may depend on who is the fourth outfielder. Ben Gamel and Guillermo Heredia are expecting to be competing for that spot. Gamel is left handed hitter while Heredia is right handed.  If Heredia makes the opening roster he may platoon with Jarrod Dyson in left field who is left handed hitter. Dyson was the fourth outfielder for Kansas City so have to see how he does as the regular left fielder.

If Gamel makes the roster instead he may play some right field with Mitch Haniger expected to put in the primary time there. Haniger is right handed hitter so it could depend on whether he is ready to play every day or not. In any case Valencia may play some left and right field. Nelson Cruz may play a little right field depending how much he is designated hitter. I wouldn’t be surprised if Valencia is designated hitter when Cruz is in the field. This could depend how good Vogelbach is in the field as well. We could see him at dh on occasion as well. Both Seager and Robinson Cano will see a little at dh when they want to rest them in the field.

Shawn O’Malley who is expected to be the utility player like he was most of last season may see some action in the outfield field as well at shortstop. He may play a little at first base late in the games where he could pinch run for Vogelbach.

Mike Freeman and Taylor Motter will be competing for the utility role as well. However if Gamel or Heredia both struggle during spring training or early in the season either of those guys could be up on the team along with O’Malley. Last September Freeman showed some really good signs playing shortstop so he could be the utility player starting off the season if not O’Malley. A lot would depend to how Motter may play at short. I would think if O’Malley and Freeman were on the roster we would see O’Malley more in the outfield and Freeman at short and second. Both Freeman and Motter are not on the roster at season beginning they likely will be playing together in Tacoma.  It certainly will be interesting spring training in the outfield and the utility role.

The Mariners could sign another free agent or two however it will likely be in pitching to add more depth. Most likely pitchers that will start at Tacoma; the starting rotation is pretty set unless an injury occurs and the bullpen has not many spots to fill either. Go M’s.