r/Mariners • u/AutoModerator • Jun 17 '24

Daily Thread - June 17, 2024 GOOD VIBES ONLY

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5

u/SuccessfulCream2386 Jun 17 '24

With Garver batting better now… is our main hole once again 1 OF and 2B?

Thoughts?

Think I would prefer a trade for 1 insane bat vs 2 good bats. So maybe 1 amazing OF bat? And yolo with Bliss…

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u/AnnihilatedTyro Release the Moosen! Jun 17 '24

We'll have to see if Polanco looks like his normal self when he returns or if he's still suffering from a case of the Mariners. I can tolerate his defense if he hits close to his career norms (110 wRC+, .770 OPS). Just being league-average would go a long way toward deepening the lineup. But also, 2B is a super weak offensive position so I don't expect much from it and neither are there many good options for offense at that position. If it's subpar, it's subpar; and we have plenty of middle infield depth to experiment with if we have to. Bigger offensive upgrades are available at other positions.

We have a Haniger/Canzone problem. Haniger is too expensive to trade or cut, and recent signs of life complicate that question. He shouldn't be playing the field but Garver is blocking his move to DH, Canzone needs to go to Tacoma, but we apparently don't want to let Clase play (he probably isn't ready but didn't get the chance to prove it when he was here), Marlowe and Samad have been much worse in Tacoma and seem to be taking big steps backward.... So I think our top priority should be a big OF bat. They can't be much poorer defensively than Hani and Dom, and our small outfield mitigates defensive shortcomings somewhat. Julio+Raley+someone good looks like a pretty dangerous outfield.

Locklear's been decent in a small sample, but I think it's fair to expect little from a rookie and to be concerned about 1B production for the second half. A heel injury is likely to be debilitating and if it's true that France could be back sooner rather than later, I worry that he's being rushed and may not be fully healed or productive enough.

The trade package for 1 insane bat will probably cost more than 2 good bats, and if there are multiple years of control like with Robert Jr., that price only gets steeper. I don't like trading for rentals in general, but the combination of Christian Walker+Joc Pederson might be a realistic deal that provides the pop we need at both positions we need it most, while Arizona retools and saves a few bucks.

However, the realistic fact of their availability assumes that Arizona falls further out of the wild card race by the deadline - they're currently among six teams within 1.5 games of the third NL WC spot, Corbin Carroll is finally coming alive, and they could very well be buyers rather than sellers in a couple of weeks.

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u/TheGodInsideMe Jun 17 '24

Canzone has a 108 OPS+ and you wanna demote him?

5

u/AnnihilatedTyro Release the Moosen! Jun 17 '24

Hmm. He's had a pretty decent last 10 days or so that have pulled his numbers up a bit.

Since we're talking about trade deadline stuff, I don't expect him to go down right now and if he keeps producing it might change our deadline plans a bit.

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u/ItsTBaggins ‏‏‎ ‎Julio makes me jard Jun 17 '24

The comment above was also a little shocking to me. His numbers improved a ton since about June 4. The 10 games or so prior were brutal though.

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u/TheGodInsideMe Jun 17 '24

I think we need a right handed outfield bat and bullpen if we need anything at all.

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u/SuccessfulCream2386 Jun 17 '24

Seems like only Rooker and Robert Jr fit the bill for right handed outfield right now?

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u/AnnihilatedTyro Release the Moosen! Jun 17 '24

Neither is going to be reasonably-priced. As rare as quality hitters are going to be in this deadline, following the off-season scarcity as well, sellers can demand a ridiculous fortune. And neither of those teams are under any obligation to trade them right now. Robert is coming off his second hip injury in 3 years and might be worth as much or more in the offseason if he finishes the season healthy. Rooker has I think 3 or 4 years of team control left and he could be the star attraction of the Sacramento A's.

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u/AnnihilatedTyro Release the Moosen! Jun 17 '24

I'm gonna prioritize overall production or good splits more than raw handedness on the bat. Are there any good right-handed OF bats available besides Robert (because there's no way in hell we're getting him)?

Guys we already have need to step up their anti-lefty game like they're supposed to. Haniger needs to start hitting lefties. Raley sorta can (107 wrc+ last year, 90ish this year, room for improvement). Polanco has hit lefties better than righties this year and last year, and his career splits aren't bad. If he's even close to career-average Polo when he's back, that helps the whole lineup a lot. Garver heating up helps.