Roster Changes

 

The Mariners had to make a roster change on Sunday to activate Erasmo Ramirez to start the game in which he lasted four and two/thirds innings giving up five runs. Like most Mariner pitchers especially starters he gave up two home runs in the third inning that allowed three runs total. I guess we have to question whether Ramirez was ready to go or not.

Anyway the Mariners made a roster move that was not very popular with a lot of Mariner fans including myself when they optioned Guillermo Heredia to Tacoma to make room for Ramirez. Of course whoever was going to be the fifth starter the Mariners had to make a move. The reason they gave for Heredia was that the team wasn’t going to face another left handed starter the rest of the road trip and if it weren’t for James Paxton’s poor outing on Saturday likely they would sent down a pitcher from the bullpen. General Manager Jerry Dipoto basically said so and they wanted to keep Ichiro around because he is a mentor to the younger players which I include Heredia in and the veterans as well. He said that it wasn’t an easy choice to make.

The Mariners will have to make another roster move over the next several days where Ryon Healy will be done with his rehab assignment. Who they will send down is anyone’s guess though Daniel Vogelbach is the likely choice. Heredia is expected to return when the ten days are over and he is eligible to do so. It will be interesting whether he will or not depending on the pitching situation at the time.

Right now the Mariners have three left handed hitting outfielders and one right handed one in Mitch Haniger if you don’t count Nelson Cruz. The Mariners really need to go with two right handed hitters and two left handed hitters. Sunday the Mariners had the bases loaded with two outs and Vogelbach scheduled to hit however a lefty came into the game so they brought Mike Zunino who had the day off to pinch hit. Zunino is someone who is all or not type of hitter. If they had less than two outs I could understand using Zunino in this spot but they had two outs. Heredia would have been the perfect choice if he had still been on the roster because he is a contact hitter. The Mariners could have scored a run to tie the game with a sacrifice fly or gone ahead with a single scoring the runner on second as well but Zunino struck out to end the inning. Heredia does the little things that don’t always show up plus he is involved in rallies for the Mariners as well. Saturday night he started off getting on base that led the Mariners to scoring five runs and this doesn’t count his defense.

A lot of people will say the Mariners did win two out of three in Texas however they could have swept them as well. Another thing is how well will Ben Gamel be playing during this stretch. He finally got a hit and scored a run in this game but previous nine at bats he went hitless. So with him and Zunino the bottom of the batting isn’t doing so well. Of course we can’t forget about Vogelbach as well since he has struggled since he hit his home run last Saturday.

Another thing about Heredia I like his enthusiasm along with Dee Gordon in the dugout and I find it interesting they gave Gordon the day off at the same time optioning Heredia and keeping Ichiro.

I just hope this stretch without Heredia will not hurt the team in the but. We will see indeed and how much will Ichiro play as well? I am sure at some point they will give Haniger a day off and Gamel to especially if he continues to struggle at the plate. Dipoto please bring Heredia back when he is eligible to return and if you have to dfa Ichiro so be it. Remember to if the Mariners don’t make the playoffs you could lose your job and keeping Ichiro worth it.