Seattle Mariners Outfield

For the first time this season the Seattle Mariners
have three outfielders on their roster. It does seem
odd since you have three outfield positions.

When the shortened season started a month ago

the Mariners had Kyle Lewis and Mallex Smith

on the opening day roster as outfielders. The team

had utility players in Dee Gordon, Tim Lopes,

Jose Marmolejos, and Dylan Moore with one of

them playing in the outfield.

The lack of hitting eventually sent Jose Marmolejos

and Mallex Smith to the alternate training site.

Smith for the second year in a row with the lack

of spring training got off to a horrible start. I expect

we may see him again, however, with the trading 

deadline come up on August 31 the Mariners might

trade him. On his own likely won't get much, however,

he could be involved where the Mariners send two

players or more to another ball club. 

Dee Gordon who has played some left field well as

second base and shortstop would have been a good

candidate to be traded since the Mariners plan would

not have accepted his option year for next season.

Gordon is only hitting .130 so his playing time

has gone down and so has his value so like Smith

wouldn't get a lot on his own in a trade. The Mariners

may trade Gordon anyway since a little value is more

than no value.

Now today the Mariners have three natural outfielders

on their playing roster. They recently brought up

Jake Fraley and Braden Bishop both outfielders from

alternate training site. Right now they are being used

platooning in right field. Both are still needing to find

their way into hitting major league pitching.

Dylan Moore who was the Mariners primarily utility

player last season has found his hitting skills and power

as well. He looks to be someone who will be in the lineup

somewhere in almost every game. Right now he is on 

the ten day injured list with a sore wrist. He will be 

back playing regularly when he is able to come off

the injured list.

Sam Haggerty another utility player was recently recalled

from the alternate training site. With the injury to Moore

while at the same time hitting well he has made himself

into the lineup primarily playing left field. In five games

he is hitting .300 while playing solid defense.

The recent trade of designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach

to the Toronto Blue Jays after being designated for assignment

this leaves room for more appearances from these outfielders

primarily though could see an infielder or catcher Austin Nola

being the designated hitter on occasion. 

With the recent moves the bottom of the batting order should

be a lot better than it has been during the first half of the season.

The Mariners record is 11-19. I see an improvement coming up

in the final 30 games whether they have a record of winning 30

games is unlikely they may be closer than what it looks right now.

Go M's.