on.Sunday. There is speculation that
the Mariners will be involved in a trade
or two during that period. I am not
much into speculation myself. Those
who write about such things is their
job.
The Mariners do trade it will likely
bring back at least a second or third
baseman. The Mariners could have
a first baseman however that is likely
going to be in free agency in some
manner. Right now Luke Raley is
the Mariners first baseman. The
thought is the Mariners would bring
in a right handed bat to platoon
with Raley who is considered the
4th outfielder as well. Currently
Tyler Locklear is the right handed
bat however is he ready to play
in the major leagues is the question.
JP Crawford is the lone starter expected at shortstop with the
Mariners bringing in a second
and third baseman or just one
of the spots. The Mariners right
now have 37 spots filled out of
the 40-man roster. There are at
least three players plus a few
pitchers who could come off
the roster in my mind. This could
mean filling first, second and third
for those three vacant spots. The
Mariners may look at adding a
reliever or two as well however they
do have 21 pitchers on the 40-man
roster. The opening day roster will
have 13 pitchers on it. This means there are eight left over for depth
though they could release a couple,
however they do have a few signed
to minor league deals to. One of
them could take a spot on opening
day the Mariners don't have many
set for the eight relievers.
Looking at the Mariners second and third base spots if they didn't bring
anyone in. Ryan Bliss, Leo Rivas
spent sometime with the Mariners
this last season and there is top
prospect Cole Young as well. Bliss
and Rivas are both on the 40-man
roster while Young would have to
be added if he was on the opening
day roster. Rivas is a switch hitter
while Young bats left handed. Bliss
is a right handed hitter so the
Mariners could choose to platoon
at second base. If Young makes
the team he should play most of
the time and maybe Bliss against
a tough lefty. Bliss could play
some shortstop or third base on
occasion to. At third base the M's
recently required Austin Shenton
from the Tampa Bay Rays. He is
a left handed hitter and Dylan
Moore could platoon with him.
This doesn't seem good if the
Mariners don't acquire at least
one player at second or third base.
The Mariners haven't done well
platooning the last couple years.
Dylan Moore a good utility player
hasn't shown to be a starter except
an occasion when a player is hurt
and for a week or two. Last season
the Mariner had to use Rivas at
shortstop while Crawford was out
near the end of being on the injured
list. Moore is best as being on defense
and has use offensively but not in a
big way. Dylan's best is to come
off the bench late in games to take
advantage of what he can do. I could
see him pinch hitting with runners
on base and stay in the game afterwards. He can be used as a pinch
runner as could either Rivas and Bliss
off they made the team.
The Mariners could be in a tough
spot without bringing in a second
or third baseman. The choice would
a third baseman at least depending
who.they acquire. We hope that
we have some answers to the infield
when next week is over. Go M's!
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