My Look at Mariners Outfield

Going into spring training the plan for Mariners outfield looked to be Jarrod Dyson in left, Leonys Martin in center and Mitch Haniger in right field. It doesn’t look like things have changed there at this point.

On March 8 the Mariner brass said that the competition is still there who will be the fourth outfielder along with the utility player. In fact they say that two utility players could be on the opening roster. I am sure most would agree with me that probably wouldn’t happen even though things could change.

Although the coaching staff says thing are equal it looks to me that Guillermo Heredia has the edge to be the fourth outfielder over Ben Gamel. They say whoever may be the guy between the two it won’t depend on the right handed or left handed hitter which I am sure is true. Right now though Heredia is playing outstanding ball and deserves to be the guy. Of course that could change if Gamel starts playing outstanding ball.

At this point it looks like Dyson will lead off and start in left field in a platoon situation with Heredia playing against left handed pitchers. Also there is a possibility that Nelson Cruz could play right field on occasion and Haniger moving over to left field against lefties. Hard to say who the designated hitter would be in those situations. They could give someone like Kyle Seager or Robinson Cano a day off and be designated hitter against a tough lefty or even have Mike Zunino be in the lineup at the spot.

I don’t see Cruz playing much in right field in Safeco Field since it is a big park. I would see him playing in right field in a smaller park on the road.

I would see Gamel starting the season in Tacoma and if Heredia or someone was struggling at the plate he would be brought up along with an injury. One thing for sure the Mariners have more depth in the outfield especially defensively this season.

Danny Valencia who will play some first base will play occasionally in the outfield well as third base. Again this will depend on Vogelbach how does playing first base and giving Seager a day off once in a while.

One thing for sure the defense will be a lot better this season in the outfield and with the speed Dyson and Martin will steal some bases. Haniger will have some pop in the bat hitting some home runs and he may steal some bases too. For sure he will be able to go from first base to third on a lot of hits to right field along with some hit and runs. These guys will make things more exciting that is for sure. This will be the best outfield defensively since Franklin Gutierrez in center and Ichiro in right. Go M’s.