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PolarVortex
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Dipoto said that the rotation of Gilbert, Woo, Miller, Castillo, and Kirby will remain intact. That's reassuring. It's what I prefer. But, unless they are planning to significantly bump payroll, how will they upgrade the infield?
First base: Is Raley the heir apparent? He has only started 59 games at first at the MLB level. But, he is cheap. Isn't arb-eligible until 2026 and was 4th on the team in WAR at 3.3. He isn't going anywhere. But can he be counted on defensively at first base over an entire season?
Second base: Polanco has a $12 million contract or a $750,000 buyout. I can't imagine them keeping him for 12 mill after the season he had so they will need to find a second baseman unless they plan on dicking around with a combination of Moore, Rivas, Bliss, and Urias all year long. That would truly suck but it would be sooo Dipoto.
Shortstop: Crawford is still owed $23 million over the next two years. He is probably the most secure of all the infield positions going into next season mainly because Dipoto won't trade low on him. And he is still only 30 years old going into next season so it is reasonable to assume that he may have a couple more years in him at peak performance.
Third base: Rojas is probably going to win a gold glove. And his defense inflated his overall war to reach a decent, if unflatering 2.1. He is only going into his second year of arbitration this winter so he is a good bet to stick with the Mariners for another year.
DH: Garver is untradeable. He would have to be an add-on in a trade in which the acquiring team got a top prospect or one of our young starting pitchers. I'd rather be stuck with Garver for another year and who knows, being the last year of his contact, maybe he will be inspried to work a little harder in the offseason to have a good year in 2025.
So, my summary:
Polanco - is gone but the replacement may not be any better. With Cole Young waiting in the wings, I don't think we should expect a multi-year free agent signing like Brandon Lowe or a trade for someone like Jonathon India.
Garver - Like it or not, we are stuck with him and his -0.1 WAR for another year.
Despite assurances from Dipoto, the opening day offense next year will look a lot like the offense of the last month of this season except for second base.
First base: Is Raley the heir apparent? He has only started 59 games at first at the MLB level. But, he is cheap. Isn't arb-eligible until 2026 and was 4th on the team in WAR at 3.3. He isn't going anywhere. But can he be counted on defensively at first base over an entire season?
Second base: Polanco has a $12 million contract or a $750,000 buyout. I can't imagine them keeping him for 12 mill after the season he had so they will need to find a second baseman unless they plan on dicking around with a combination of Moore, Rivas, Bliss, and Urias all year long. That would truly suck but it would be sooo Dipoto.
Shortstop: Crawford is still owed $23 million over the next two years. He is probably the most secure of all the infield positions going into next season mainly because Dipoto won't trade low on him. And he is still only 30 years old going into next season so it is reasonable to assume that he may have a couple more years in him at peak performance.
Third base: Rojas is probably going to win a gold glove. And his defense inflated his overall war to reach a decent, if unflatering 2.1. He is only going into his second year of arbitration this winter so he is a good bet to stick with the Mariners for another year.
DH: Garver is untradeable. He would have to be an add-on in a trade in which the acquiring team got a top prospect or one of our young starting pitchers. I'd rather be stuck with Garver for another year and who knows, being the last year of his contact, maybe he will be inspried to work a little harder in the offseason to have a good year in 2025.
So, my summary:
Polanco - is gone but the replacement may not be any better. With Cole Young waiting in the wings, I don't think we should expect a multi-year free agent signing like Brandon Lowe or a trade for someone like Jonathon India.
Garver - Like it or not, we are stuck with him and his -0.1 WAR for another year.
Despite assurances from Dipoto, the opening day offense next year will look a lot like the offense of the last month of this season except for second base.
