Catchers
David
Freitas: began the season with the Mariners because of injury to Zunino. Was
sent down for a period of time when injuries happened to Herrmann as well. Had
a good batting average in triple A but didn’t translate to the majors. He
batted on .215 with 1 home run and 5 rbi’s in 36 games. Likely will compete for
backup catcher in spring training. Not sure he will make the team especially if
the Mariners pick up another catcher.
Chris
Herrmann: I think he is the perfect catcher especially batting left handed. He
can play first base and the outfield if necessary but the Mariners didn’t use
him in either spot. Problem with allowing only 25 man roster no place to carry
three catchers. I wish the major leagues would expand the rosters to 28 this
way could use an additional catcher along with outfielder or infielder and
relief pitcher. He didn’t have a great batting average but better than the
other two. He batted .237 in 36 games with two home runs and seven rbi’s. I
hope his defense can improve so Mariners will use him more behind the plate.
Mike
Zunino: we all know he is an all-star capable catcher behind the plate but his
batting average was subpar once again. The Mariners need to get more out of him
on the offensive side of the ball. I think 2019 will be important season for
Zunino. Being able to hit home runs with 20 is good however only drove in 44
runs with a batting average of .201. He isn’t able to hit the off-speed pitches
and can’t hit fastballs somes either. He struck out 150 times on the season.
Infielders
Gordon
Beckham: a veteran infielder who spent much of the season at Tacoma except when
Gordon was hurt and then call up at the end of the season. He showed not to be
a very good shortstop either. His best positions are second and third base.
Mariners need upgrade far as utility player goes. He batted .182 in 22 games
driving in one run. May not be in spring training with the Mariners.
Robinson
Cano: had a productive season when he played. He was injured fracturing his
right arm in May then suspended for 80 games failing the major league drug
policy. In 80 games he batted .303 with 10 home runs with 50 rbi’s. Pretty good
for a half season for sure. This coming season the question will be how much playing
second base or spend more time at first base and designated hitter. The
question will be answered when general manager Jerry Dipoto and manager Scott
Servais let’s us know. He would like to play second regular but it depends what
they want to do with Dee Gordon as well. See if he returns to center field on a
regular basis or at second base where he is better defensively. This will
depend to whether the Mariners will pick up a center fielder as well. The story
will continue.
Dee
Gordon: He spent the first month and a half or so playing center field but when
Cano was injured then suspended moved back to his previous position of second
base. He showed to be a very good defensive second base. In May he broke his
toe and spent some time on the disabled list. Never was the same at hitting the
rest of the year. In August the Mariners moved him to the bottom of the batting
order hitting ninth most of the time. Mitch Haniger was inserted as the lead
off hitter and he batted around .333 the rest of the season. The Mariners right
now figure he will be lead-off hitter going into spring training. We are hoping
Dee Gordon can have a healthy 2019. Should help the bottom of the order next
season with his speed allowing Haniger along with Jean Segura to drive in runs.
News will come further whether he will play primarily at second base or center
field. His versatility would allow him to play short when Segura needs a day
off himself.
Ryon
Healy: had a solid season at the plate though his batting average was lower than
he or the team would have liked. He did show his power again like in his rookie
season with the A’s. In 2018 he had 24 home runs and 73 rbi’s. Right now the
question is how much will he play at first base. He did show himself a good
defensive first baseman which came into question when spring training began.
Where Robinson Cano plays and whether the Mariners re-sign designated hitter
Nelson Cruz will answer it all. If Cruz comes back and Cano will play a lot of
first base the Mariners could trade Healy to bring back a pitcher or someone
else needed to bolster the roster. Whatever the case like having Healy around.
Kristopher
Negron: he spent most of the season at Reno the triple A team of the Arizona
Diamondbacks however impressed the Mariners enough to purchase him from them at
the end of the trading deadline. He played in 18 games in September for the
Mariners. Though his offense numbers weren’t great he did show the Mariners his
versatility he could be the Mariners utility player in 2019. This would depend
whether the Mariners can pick up another player for the role or if they really
need a utility player since Dee Gordon and Robinson Cano may play more than one
position next season. Since the Mariners will likely go with 13 pitchers having
12 position players including two catchers the Mariners will need a stronger
bench then they had in 2018.
Andrew
Romine: he was the primary utility player for the Mariners. I have to believe
he was the weak link to the Mariners bench. He didn’t play very much and didn’t
have a good batting average or produce when he did play. He played in only 72
games batting .210 and drove in two runs. He will be a free agent so I don’t
expect the Mariners will re-sign him. I don’t see him invited to camp or make
the team. He would have to do a big turnaround for sure.
Kyle
Seager: though the Mariners didn’t make the playoffs despite winning 89 games;
they did it with Seager having an off year. You can blame it on a sore toe but
he was having a bad year before then. Usually he hits better in the second half
but that didn’t happen this time. For the Mariners to have a good season next
season they need to have Seager to bounce back. We hope the Mariner bench will
be better where Seager need some time off they will be able to allow him to
even if he doesn’t want the time off. Now he is making a lot of money in the
$19 million there is more scrutiny as well. I like Kyle so I am rooting for his
recovery.
Jean
Segura: had a great first half being named to the all-star team. Should have
been named the MVP of the all-star game because of his home run. The second
half he was OK but wasn’t noticed that much since the offense of the team went
dead. His stats were almost identical of 2017. I am not sure what happened
between him and Dee Gordon in an argument however I hope he will be a team
player next year. The Mariners need to have the best of him if they have any
chance to make the playoffs.
Daniel
Vogelbach: spent most of last season in Tacoma where he was MVP. He showed his
power even when he was with the Mariners. His defense at first base is not even
average so he would be best at dh. Probably doesn’t have a spot on the Mariners
so I hope they trade him to another American League team.
Outfield:
Had some turmoil during the season with Gamel and Heredia both spending time in
triple A along with Dee Gordon having to go back to his familiar position of
second base.
Ben
Gamel: started on the disabled list in spring training. Doing well platooning
with Heredia in left field the in mid-May the Mariners acquired Denard Span. At
that point they were sharing left field until Dee Gordon went back to second
base when Robinson Cano was injured then suspended. Gamel played some in right
field with Haniger moving to center field when Heredia was struggling at the
plate. Gamel was sent to triple A in August though he was hitting well. He
returned in late August playing sparingly. Not sure where he will be in 2019. I
don’t think there will be room for both him and Denard. One of them will likely
be traded.
Mitch
Haniger: had a solid season for the Mariners. He was named the MVP of the team.
He was second in home runs and rbi’s to Nelson Cruz. He started batting sixth
then moved to cleanup when Cruz was out for a little while. In August moved to
lead-off hitter when Gordon was struggling. Also played some center field as
well though manager Servais feels right field is his true position. In my mind
he is a superstar in the making.
Guillermo
Heredia: started the season platooning in left field with Ichiro then Gamel was
doing fine in that role. He started playing center field when Dee Gordon moved
to second base because of Robinson Cano injury then suspension. He plated good
center field but his hitting suffered playing every day. He was sent to Tacoma
when Gamel was reactivated for a short period of time then again in late August
when he was struggling and the Mariners had acquired Cameron Maybin and brought
Gamel back up. I see Heredia platooning once again in left center and
occasionally playing in center field as well. At some point he could become a
regular in the outfield but not sure this is a good time.
Cameron
Maybin: the Mariners acquired him at the trading deadline from the Miami
Marlins. He started playing some in center field however never felt like he fit
in with the Mariners. In September he was in the role of platooning in left
field and occasion in center field. He will be a free agent and I don’t see him
returning to the Mariners.
Denard
Span: acquired in May along with reliever Alex Colome. Been a solid contributor
platooning in left field along with pinch hitting when needed. Not the
defensive player he once was but his offense was good including in the second
half when some of the other players offense had disappeared. He could play a
good role in the outfield once again if they decide to keep. He has an option
so the Mariners could release him or trade him. If he stays on the team he will
be paid $12 million. I see him or Gamel in the Mariners outfield but not both
especially if they pick up another outfielder. This will depend to what they
decide to do with Dee Gordon as well.
Designated
Hitter:
Nelson
Cruz: had another good season for the Mariners making the all-star team once
again. He was one of the few who continued to play good in the second half. Led
the team in home runs and rbi’s as well. He will be a free agent. Although he
would like to return not sure the Mariners are as keen to keep him around. The
reason they would like to use position players at dh instead of someone who
can’t play in the field. Though I agree with them at the same time will they be
able to replace his offense output. We will see what happens. I do hope he
returns since he is a special player.
Next
up looking at players on the triple A Tacoma roster not on the 40-man roster.
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