Tuesday, October 25, 2022

The Mariners Infield

Looking  back on the 2022 season the
Seattle Mariners  infield was solid. The 
Mariners can still improve  though.

Ty France had another  good season 
at first base when he wasn't  hurt. His
numbers after the all-star break  wasn't 
as good. Wonder if injuries  played a part.
Carlos Santana  played well  at first in
the  place of France when the Mariners
picked him up  from Kansas City. Also,
did the job at dh as well. His batting average 
wasn't  great  but  had some key hits especially 
home runs. Whether he will be  back in 2023
we will  have  to  see. 

Adam Frazier at second we have  to say was a 
disappointment though he had  his moments.
His batting average  was .238 compared to
.273 career average. It would have been nice
to get closer to the career average. He showed 
he could play left and right field to and played 
a little  shortstop  as well. Adam will be a free
agent so there is  a good possibility he won't 
return. The Mariners  are looking to find someone 
with more punch. Dipoto  has hinted getting a
free agent shortstop who is willing to play second.

Speaking  of  shortstop  JP Crawford had an ok
season  though not as good as in 2021. He had 
a .238 average  compared to .273 in 2021. Though 
his defense was good  it wasn't as like 2021 either.
We hope Crawford bounces back. Picking up  a 
shortstop  depending  on  the  player Crawford 
could move to  second base.  Either way the Mariners 
should upgrade at second.  Crawford  seems not
to do as well in the second half of the season so
picking up someone who can play some shortstop 
would be great. We know Dylan Moore  can play
shortstop  on occasion  but he doesn’t have  a  good 
enough at the plate. I  would  love  to  see upgrade 
at the utility position  to.

Speaking  of  utility  Abraham  Toro  was a disappointment 
for sure. Had he hit better would have been more pleasing
when Frazier  did not. Toro was sent down to triple-A even.
Would have been off the playoff roster hadn't  Moore or
Sam Haggerty  went on the injured list. Haggerty was the
surprised utility  player when he was called  up. Haggerty 
had a .256 batting average for the season. He was around 
.300 before having to  play everyday.  His speed was
missed during the playoffs.  I  am sure most agree he 
should be  back in 2023.

The biggest  surprise  had to be Eugenio Suarez at third 
base. He was a throw in the trade when the Mariners  picked 
up Jesse Winker from Cincinnati but had a better season 
by far. He led the Mariners in home runs with 31 along with
87 runs batted in. His biggest surprise  was with his glove.
He let us forget about Kyle Seager.  Had the Mariners not
made that trade the team wouldn't have been in the playoffs.
The Mariners  would  have  had to rely on Abraham  Toro  and
Dylan  Moore  at third unless they had picked up another third
baseman. Also, Eugenio  was great in the club house.

So let's see what the Mariners to improve  the infield.

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