Monday, January 22, 2024

Mariners Spring Training Begins In Three Weeks

The Mariners  pitchers and catchers 
will be reporting in three weeks from
this Wednesday on February  14.

The time is short for the Mariners  to
make any additional  moves before 
training camp. We are hoping to see
at least couple additional position 
players sign or be acquired. The 
position  players  report on February 
19. 

The Mariners  first game will be on
February  24 against the Chicago 
White Sox at their training  facility. 
Interesting the first time I can 
remember  they don't  open against 
the San Diego. In fact they don't 
face the Padres for the first time
until  March 3.

The Mariners  can use acquiring 
a third or second baseman and
or utility.  Currently Dylan Moore 
and Sam Haggerty  are the only
utility  players on the 40-man 
 roster. Luis Urias right now is
expected to be the starting 3rd
baseman. If the Mariners acquire 
a third baseman Urias would 
likely  platoon at second base.

Being a right handed Urias would
platoon with Jose Rojas at second
and play occasionally at third too.
Acquiring a second baseman it
would depend who it is Rojas may
platoon with Urias at third or play
on occasion if still still at second.

Current situation  Dylan  Moore  
may platoon at 2nd base or in 
left field.  If he is in left than
Sam Haggerty may platoon at
2nd. Their is a good chance the
Mariners will pick an infielder 
and an outfielder.

In the outfield we could see 
Dominic Canzone  a left handed
batter in left field  with Dylan
Moore playing against left handed
pitcher if they don't  get a right
handed hitting outfielder. Currently 
Mitch Haniger  and Julio Rodriguez 
are the only pure outfielders who
bat right.  

Luke Raley they acquired from Tampa 
Bay for infielder Jose Caballero is a
left handed bat and may platoon in
right field depending  how healthy 
Mitch Haniger stays. Mitch Garver 
is expected who they signed as a
free agent from Texas is supposed
to be the dh most of the time. He 
may catch on occasion  to rest Cal
Raleigh  against lefties. In this case
Haniger may dh. May depend whether
the Mariners acquire a right handed
hitting  outfielder.  This would be the
best idea for flexibility in the lineup.
Raley could play some first base in
place of Ty France  if needed. 

The Mariners  could go with three 
catchers as well as they started 
last season  though it didn't work 
out. The Mariners acquired two
catchers on the off-season Blake
Hunt and Seby  Zavala. Seby they
acquired  from Arizona  in  the trade
sending Eugenio Suarez to them.
Both are more defensive catchers.
Seby the most likely  the one to 
begin the season.  He could  be 
the second catcher. If he were
to start then late in the game
we could see Cal Raleigh pinch
hit for him and stay in. Whatever
the case the Mariners  would have
an insurance catcher. 

It will be interesting to  see  what
additional  moves  the front office
makes. There a few free agents 
still out there. Who comes depends
how much they want to spend. Go M's.



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