Arbitration Eligible Players

[PolarVortex]

Below is a list of the Mariners arbitration eligible players, including MLBTR's prediction of their final contract value for 2019. My expectation of what the Mariners will do is in parenthesis:

• James Paxton – $9.0MM (Re-signed for one year. The Ms will try to get him to sign a 2 or 3 year extension, but they will low-ball him and he will decline)

• Alex Colome – $7.3MM (He'll get re-signed. The Ms will probably offer a 2-year deal and Colome will accept.)

• Erasmo Ramirez – $4.4MM (DFAed. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. If they resign him, this will be the third time he fooled them.)

• Mike Zunino – $4.2MM (First, a trade is not out of the question, but I don't think the Ms will receive a decent offer. Mike will be resigned for one year. Don't think the Ms are quite ready to offer a multiple year deal to a guy who hits .190 and strikes out in 40% of his plate appearances. It's time to accept the fact that Zunino is not going to get better.)

• Nick Vincent – $3.5MM. (Re-signed for one year @ $3.5. This is now the going rate for pitchers of Vincent's caliber. He isn't spectacular. He'll implode 5-6 times during the season. But he stays healthy and he'll be ready to take the ball when he's called.)

• Justin Grimm – $1.6MM (DFAed)

• Chris Herrmann – $1.5MM (DFAed. Herrman is probably worth $1.5 million at today's salaries for bench catchers, but I can see the Ms trying to upgrade.

• Ryan Cook – $1.0MM (DFAed. Cook was a project. The project has concluded.)

• Roenis Elias – $1.0MM. (Resigned. He might even get a 2-year deal. He's a decent insurance policy that won't object to pitching in AAA when he isn't needed. And some of these lefties are late bloomers. Elias best days may still be in front of him.)

 

[Msfann]

When the drafted zilchino I was excited to see the catcher of the future for us, now I can't wait for that experiment to end.

Say no to zunino!

 

[Duders]

When the drafted zilchino I was excited to see the catcher of the future for us, now I can't wait for that experiment to end.

Say no to zunino!

While in Tacoma before Z was bumped up to the majors, I was totally up for the move to Seattle. In Tacoma, he was knocking the leather off the ball.....but then the struggles started. I've always liked Mike a lot, his defense and awesome relationship with the pitchers has been tops. Don't know if the GM Z moved him up too quickly or what, but now I say it's time to bid farewell to Zunino, along with Seager too.

 

[blstoker]

Why would we get rid of Zunino? Yes, he's below average in his ability to get on base (AL average for catcher in BA is .227 and OBO is .292), but he's significantly above average in power (slg is .366). Since he's above average as a defensive catcher - overall I'd say he's an average catcher. Unless there's a better option for the position to replace him with - since he's under team control for 2 more years - why move on if you don't have something better.

Yasmani Grandal (30) and Wilson Ramos (31) appear to be the best options hitting the market this offseason - and both will require $10 million or more a season to get them to come to Seattle - and since both are over 30, who knows just how much they have left in their careers.

Matt Wieters (33), Devin Mesoraco (31), Jonathan Lucroy (33) and Kurt Suzuki (35) are the only other potential free agents listed (2019 MLB Free Agents Tracker) that could even be argued are as good or better than Zunino on the market, and all of them will cost as much or more than Z, while being significantly older.

As for our own prospects - I'm not sure there's anyone who is better within our own system. Marjama, Freitas, Herrmann and Rupp all are underwhelming as being replacements for Zunino.

Just getting rid of Z because he isn't living up to our expectations isn't really an answer to the issue.

 

[PolarVortex]

Why would we get rid of Zunino? Yes, he's below average in his ability to get on base (AL average for catcher in BA is .227 and OBO is .292), but he's significantly above average in power (slg is .366). Since he's above average as a defensive catcher - overall I'd say he's an average catcher. Unless there's a better option for the position to replace him with - since he's under team control for 2 more years - why move on if you don't have something better.

Yasmani Grandal (30) and Wilson Ramos (31) appear to be the best options hitting the market this offseason - and both will require $10 million or more a season to get them to come to Seattle - and since both are over 30, who knows just how much they have left in their careers.

Matt Wieters (33), Devin Mesoraco (31), Jonathan Lucroy (33) and Kurt Suzuki (35) are the only other potential free agents listed (2019 MLB Free Agents Tracker) that could even be argued are as good or better than Zunino on the market, and all of them will cost as much or more than Z, while being significantly older.

As for our own prospects - I'm not sure there's anyone who is better within our own system. Marjama, Freitas, Herrmann and Rupp all are underwhelming as being replacements for Zunino.

Just getting rid of Z because he isn't living up to our expectations isn't really an answer to the issue.

You're right. At an estimated $4.1 million, they probably won't find better value for a catcher next year. Catchers aren't cheap anymore. The Blue Jays gave Russell Martin $18 million a year. The question mark about his value will come in 2020 when his second time through arbitration will raise his salary to 7 million and then in 2021 when he'll probably cost 10 million. So, rather than wait until his arbitration value exceeds his true value in 2020, maybe they cut ties with him now if they can get a decent trade return.

 

[blstoker]

You're right. At an estimated $4.1 million, they probably won't find better value for a catcher next year. Catchers aren't cheap anymore. The Blue Jays gave Russell Martin $18 million a year. The question mark about his value will come in 2020 when his second time through arbitration will raise his salary to 7 million and then in 2021 when he'll probably cost 10 million. So, rather than wait until his arbitration value exceeds his true value in 2020, maybe they cut ties with him now if they can get a decent trade return.

I don't know what to do honestly, I just see the offensively dominate catcher mostly a thing of the past. There just aren't very many in the league right now, and with that in mind - Zunino hasn't really performed that horribly. I just don't know if you move away from a league average hitter with an above average glove to what will most likely be a below average guy in both offense and defense.

People just point at Zunino for being so bad, but what's really shocking is just how bad catchers in general have been the 3 or 4 years at the plate.

 

[SeattleCoug]

Paxton- Either deal him or see if he will take a 2-3 year deal (probably not). He lost value the last two months and he aint young anymore. Don't care if he has been unlucky, being available is his biggest weakness.

Colome- I'd trade him. Ideally Diaz is the guy you trade but they wont so deal Colome. You wont find a better time then now to get value

Erasmo- Cut bait. There are many Erasmo types out there that wont cost that much. Go cheaper there

Zunino- Keep. You wont find a better option out there. Just have a quality backup so he doesn't have to play and flail away six times a week

Vincent- Cut bait (see Erasmo). Good guy and we got more out of him then we could ask. But 2017 was clearly a mirage. Find a younger cheaper option who can do the same thing.

Grimm- Don't even know who he is or that he was here. Good bye

Hermann- Cut bait or see if he would comeback on a minors deal. They need a legit backup catcher.

Cook- DFA, try to get him back on minors deal

Elias- I've always liked him. Very inconsistent but he has something that I like. Maybe its attitude

 

[wazzu31]

I don't know what to do honestly, I just see the offensively dominate catcher mostly a thing of the past. There just aren't very many in the league right now, and with that in mind - Zunino hasn't really performed that horribly. I just don't know if you move away from a league average hitter with an above average glove to what will most likely be a below average guy in both offense and defense.

People just point at Zunino for being so bad, but what's really shocking is just how bad catchers in general have been the 3 or 4 years at the plate.

That’s kind of the one issue with baseball is that it is very cyclical. Offensive capable catchers weren’t around until Johnny Bench. Then it became a thing and now it kind of really isn’t. You don’t find guys Bench’s caliber, which I think Zunino is defensively, but are great offensively. Frick, Posey got a rule changed because he doesn’t know how to block the plate and not get killed.

If the Mariners offense wasn’t so terrible the past few years, a great defensive catcher that can hit 25 plus homeruns in the 8th slot wouldn’t be bad. But they have had so many automatic outs that he is a liability. Realistically had the Mariners offense not been so good no one in Seattle would even remember Dan Wilson.

 

[blstoker]

That’s kind of the one issue with baseball is that it is very cyclical. Offensive capable catchers weren’t around until Johnny Bench. Then it became a thing and now it kind of really isn’t. You don’t find guys Bench’s caliber, which I think Zunino is defensively, but are great offensively. Frick, Posey got a rule changed because he doesn’t know how to block the plate and not get killed.

If the Mariners offense wasn’t so terrible the past few years, a great defensive catcher that can hit 25 plus homeruns in the 8th slot wouldn’t be bad. But they have had so many automatic outs that he is a liability. Realistically had the Mariners offense not been so good no one in Seattle would even remember Dan Wilson.

Unfortunately, today Dan Wilson would be a top 3-5 catcher overall with just how bad 85% of catchers are offensively now and his skills on defense. Even guys like Brian McCann and Russell Martin (guys who at one point were considered offensive catchers) just aren't very good at the plate. I'd love to get a catcher with a .250/.350/.450 split, but there's fewer than 10 catchers who even came close to doing that in the MLB this year.

2018 C w/ 400 PA:

1. J.T. Realmuto (.277/.340/.484/.825)
2. Yasmani Grandal (.241/.349/.466/.815)
3. Francisco Cervelli (.259/.378/.431/.809)
4. Yan Gomes (.266/.313/.449/.762)
5. Robinson Chirinos (.222/.338/.419/.757)
6. Yadier Molina (.261/.314/.436/.750)
7. Buster Posey (.284/.359/.382/.741)
8. Wilson Contreras (.249/.339/.390/.730)
9. Salvador Perez (.235/.274/.439/.713)
10. Tucker Barnhart (.248/.328/.372/.699)
11. Mike Zunino (.201/.259/.410/.669)
12. Jonathan Lucroy (.241/.291/.325/.617)
13. James McCann (.220/.267/.314/.581)

That's a lot of really bad numbers - and if Zunino had put up the same numbers he had last year he would've been at the top of the list instead of 11th (since I am sorting by OPS).

 

[blstoker]

To be clear, I don't think the Mariners' offense suffered because of Mike Zunino. Robinson Cano missing half the season had a much bigger impact than Z. Dee Gordon's inability to get on base as a lead off hitter for most of the season hurt more than Z. Kyle Seagar having his worst season as a professional at any level had much more to do with Seattle's woes than Z. All three of those guys make many times the amount that Z makes. The decision to play Heredia instead of Gamel hurt the offense more than Z.

The only Mariner who was paid $10 million or more by Seattle that actually earned his salary was Nelson Cruz. Unfortunately, he's the only one not under contract for 2019.

 

[ulmax]

yeah....i dont think they are going in another direction with there catching

including ..cris herrmann...for this year

next year...after felix...i would expect..a lot more changes.

working on the starting pitching...is fairly critical..this year

 

[ulmax]

this guy would still work in a trade....for utility guy...and platoon for seager/dh...or anyone like him

Yangervis Solarte #26

• 3B
• B/T: S/R
• 5' 11" /205
• Age: 31

Yangervis Solarte
#26 3B
SummaryStatsChartsNewsAwardsSHOP

• Yangervis Alfredo Solarte
• Pronunciation: YAWN-hair-vis SO-lahr-tay
• Nickname: Tutu
• Born: 7/3/1987 in Valencia, Venezuela
• High School: Tomas Alba Edison, Valencia, VEN
• Debut: 4/2/2014
• Relationship(s): cousin of Roger Cedeno

View More Bio Info +

 

[ulmax]

Yangervis Solarte Third Baseman 2018: $4 million, 2019: $5.5 million club option ($750,000 buyout), 2020: $8 million club option ($750,000 buyout)

Aaron Sanchez Starting Pitcher 2018: $2.7 million, 2019-2020: Arb. Eligible, 2021: Free Agent

Sean Reid-Foley Starting Pitcher

for paxton
and ramirez.......and maybe vincent........lolol

a fantasy...lol

 

[ulmax]

James Paxton Starting Pitcher 2018: $4.9 million, 2019-2020: Arb. Eligible, 2021: Free Agent

Erasmo Ramirez Starting Pitcher 2018: $4.2 million, 2019: Arb. Eligible, 2020: Free Agent



maybe..i like nick but sometimes ya need to move on...or not
Nick Vincent Relief Pitcher 2018: $2.75 million, 2019: Arb. Eligible, 2020: Free Agent

 

[ulmax]

blue jays would look like
stroman
paxton..lhp
borucki
pannonne..lhp
gaviglio

ramirez..sp/pen

that is not a bad rotation

 

[ulmax]

or i would trade seager for sean reid foley....and they can have the platoon..of solarte and seager..lol


aaahhh well..enough of that.....lololol

the thing is they have this guy as well

Aledmys Díaz #1

• SS
• B/T: R/R
• 6' 1" /195
• Age: 28

Aledmys Díaz
#1 SS
SummaryStatsChartsNewsAwardsSHOP

• Aledmys Díaz
• Pronunciation: uh-led-mee
• Nickname: Papito
• Born: 8/1/1990 in Santa Clara, Cuba
• Debut: 4/5/2016

View More Bio Info +

 

[ulmax]

amir garrett...cinncinatti

 

[ulmax]

while garrett..maybe hard to get..i would take this guy for some bull pen guys...cuz he is out of options



if you added a sean reaid foley trade to..this one...that would really work
cuz reid foley could come from tacoma

 

[ulmax]

opps posted on the wrong thred

so if you say ulmax...==idiot..ok i deserve it