Four players who definitely won't be back next year

[PolarVortex]

Kendrys Morales - I think this will finally be the end of Morales in Seattle. Many of us wanted him re-signed last winter and if he had gone to spring training with the Mariners, his season might have been very diffferent. But he didn't, and now I doubt if he has many fans left in the Mariner fan base. My opinion of him has shifted 180 degrees sincce March. I definitely don't want him back.

Cory Hart - No brainer here. He's gone. Hart's options are limited as he probably needs to stay in the AL now so he can DH most of the time. I guess there is a small window for him to comeback if he wanted to sign another incentive-laden contract, but I think he will find an equivalent contract with a team that has a more hitter-friendly ballpark

Justin Smoak - Justin will be non-tendered. I think there is mutual interest between the player and the team in ending his relationship with the Mariners.

Chris Young - His value inccreased is year. He'll get $5-7 million in the open market. Mariners will not match any offer that high. Instead they will simply move on to their next reclamation project.

On the fence - these could be gone via trade on non-tender
Lord Farquar - good trade bait for a team needing a quality set up guy. With Carson smith and Leone ready to take over the setup role with the Ms, Farquar becomes expendable.
Medina - see Farquar
Wilhelmsen - see Farquar
Morrison - production does not match salary. Mariners will be looking to upgrade at first base this winter, but I doubt if they find anything.
Ackley - If he ever put it together over a full season he could be a 20 homerun, 90 runs scored, 90 RBI guy. But, he won't ever put it together over a full season. He had a nicce second half, but I'm ready for a more consistent bat in left field. I think the Mariners are as well.
Jackson - he isn't much better than Jones and makes 15 times as much money. Mariners will be looking to move him this winter.
Saunders - Seems like he has been right on the verge of breaking out for about two years now. After five yearrs, patience with him may be worn out.

 

[gowazzu02]

the problem I have is this is where Jack Z starts doing work. He'll undoubtly screw it up.

 

[wazzu31]

Kendrys Morales - I think this will finally be the end of Morales in Seattle. Many of us wanted him re-signed last winter and if he had gone to spring training with the Mariners, his season might have been very diffferent. But he didn't, and now I doubt if he has many fans left in the Mariner fan base. My opinion of him has shifted 180 degrees sincce March. I definitely don't want him back.

Cory Hart - No brainer here. He's gone. Hart's options are limited as he probably needs to stay in the AL now so he can DH most of the time. I guess there is a small window for him to comeback if he wanted to sign another incentive-laden contract, but I think he will find an equivalent contract with a team that has a more hitter-friendly ballpark

Justin Smoak - Justin will be non-tendered. I think there is mutual interest between the player and the team in ending his relationship with the Mariners.

Chris Young - His value inccreased is year. He'll get $5-7 million in the open market. Mariners will not match any offer that high. Instead they will simply move on to their next reclamation project.

On the fence - these could be gone via trade on non-tender
Lord Farquar - good trade bait for a team needing a quality set up guy. With Carson smith and Leone ready to take over the setup role with the Ms, Farquar becomes expendable.
Medina - see Farquar
Wilhelmsen - see Farquar
Morrison - production does not match salary. Mariners will be looking to upgrade at first base this winter, but I doubt if they find anything.
Ackley - If he ever put it together over a full season he could be a 20 homerun, 90 runs scored, 90 RBI guy. But, he won't ever put it together over a full season. He had a nicce second half, but I'm ready for a more consistent bat in left field. I think the Mariners are as well.
Jackson - he isn't much better than Jones and makes 15 times as much money. Mariners will be looking to move him this winter.
Saunders - Seems like he has been right on the verge of breaking out for about two years now. After five yearrs, patience with him may be worn out.

I hope Rodney's gone, they need his money and they have viable options there.

Wilhemsen I think they will stretch him out like the Rangers did with Wilson to see if he can start

They need to package Jackson with someone and deal him out of town. His great defense doesn't make up for his inevitable strikeout in crucial moments.

Morales might come back with his tails between his legs for a 1 year deal after Scott Boras ruined his season and I'd be more comfortable with him at DH than anything they have. Unless Morrison DH's with Petersen at 1B.

Hart is good as gone but I fear Jack will find another Hart clone in the offseason to take a chance on and give him way too much of a leash.

Walker is good as gone as well, it's either him and Lloyd and it doesn't seem like Lloyd is going anywhere.

Miller most likely will be shipped out as well.

I think outside of Rodney the bullpen will return basically as is.

 

[SeattleCoug]

Problem is you still have more questions then answers on this team. Going into the year you were sure about Cano, Seagar, Felix, Kuma and some bullpen pieces. Outside of those guys who do we really feel good about heading into 2015.
Zunino, A Jax and either Miller/Taylor will be a starter but all have holes in their game right now.

We figured out we can finally kick Smoak and probably Montero to the curb but we didn't find a lot off answers. Do you really feel good about handing starting spots to guys like Ackley, Saunders, Lomo?
Seems like there isn't a heck of lot in the minors to help us next year either. I think Peterson is still a year away as we has struggling in AA most of the 2nd half.
Definitely need a legit 3/4 starter, a corner outfielder and 1B/DH.

 

[BSUSeahawk]

All of those bubble players will be back because they're under team control.

Especially the relievers. No reason to get rid of cheap, effective relievers.

It will be interesting what they do. I think an OF of Ackley-Jackson-Saunders is great defensively, but leaves some to be desired at the plate. 3B and 2B are covered. I'll likely be alone on this, but I want to give Brad Miller another year. I still feel there's potential there. A decent backup catcher would be nice, as Zunino is only good for defense and a few dingers.

First base is where I'd like to see an outside upgrade. Not a lot of options though. Morrison will likely be brought back, but I'd rather see him platoon/DH than be the full time first baseman. Morales and Smoak? Good riddance.

 

[NWinAZ]

Evan Gattis from Braves is said to be available next year (at least under old management). He would be a great RH, power bat who could play some LF, 1B, DH, and backup catcher.

 

[wazzu31]

Evan Gattis from Braves is said to be available next year (at least under old management). He would be a great RH, power bat who could play some LF, 1B, DH, and backup catcher.

I don't know much about him but just from you quick analysis on him as a fan I would like to pass. I'm utterly sick of Lloyd's 2 different lineups. I have always hated the LH and RH lineups. They need full time players not guys who they have no confidence in facing left handers. If he can come in and play RF and give Saunders CF and send Jackson somewhere for a 4-5 starter then I'm all for it.

 

[SeattleCoug]

It will be interesting what they do. I think an OF of Ackley-Jackson-Saunders is great defensively, but leaves some to be desired at the plate

Ehh I fear that's what we will get for next year which will be disappointing. Ackley had 2 good months and 4 bad ones, I really hope his starting spot for next year isn't written in pen. At the very least I want him to earn it. Saunders would be great if he could ever stay healthy. However he seems to be Guti 2.0 and is never healthy. Hard to rely on. The Jackson thing is disappointing. I really thought he would be a good fit here but it seems every hitter acquired it subject to the Mariner curse.

 

[SeattleCoug]

I don't know much about him but just from you quick analysis on him as a fan I would like to pass. I'm utterly sick of Lloyd's 2 different lineups. I have always hated the LH and RH lineups. They need full time players not guys who they have no confidence in facing left handers.

Of all that's gone wrong over the last month this has driven me more crazy and pissed me off more then anything else. Some things you cant control, however playing your best 9 guys is.

For reference in the last 17 games they have faced lefties 7 times. They have gone 1-6 in those games and those 7 starters have compiled a 0.56 ERA in 48 1/3 innings against the M's. The only game they won in that stretch was against the Angels AAA team in the 9th inning.

 

[wazzu31]

Of all that's gone wrong over the last month this has driven me more crazy and pissed me off more then anything else. Some things you cant control, however playing your best 9 guys is.

For reference in the last 17 games they have faced lefties 7 times. They have gone 1-6 in those games and those 7 starters have compiled a 0.56 ERA in 48 1/3 innings against the M's. The only game they won in that stretch was against the Angels AAA team in the 9th inning.

I just get frustrated because you can't have a guy do well in one game then sit him the next day because of IMO some mythical lefties can't face lefties. You don't see guys getting sat down against the Astros for the season because he went 1-12 in one series against. Granted some guys struggle but IMO you can't use the sample size of 1/50th of their at bats to give up on a guy and actually allow them to see major league pitching. Just like every level of baseball the more live pitching regardless of lefties, knuckleballers, splitters etc. Mariano Rivera wasn't great because he was some dominant pitcher. He was great because no other pitcher had a plus cutter. Baseball isn't other sports where you get to face other professionals in practice and work on the read option or a certain offense.

Unless there is some stat that a lefty couldn't hit left handed pitching from HS to AAA then I'm still not buying it.

 

[BSUSeahawk]

Ehh I fear that's what we will get for next year which will be disappointing. Ackley had 2 good months and 4 bad ones, I really hope his starting spot for next year isn't written in pen. At the very least I want him to earn it. Saunders would be great if he could ever stay healthy. However he seems to be Guti 2.0 and is never healthy. Hard to rely on. The Jackson thing is disappointing. I really thought he would be a good fit here but it seems every hitter acquired it subject to the Mariner curse.

I don't disagree, but those are our best options. Giancarlo Stanton isn't walking through that door.

 

[BSUSeahawk]

I just get frustrated because you can't have a guy do well in one game then sit him the next day because of IMO some mythical lefties can't face lefties. You don't see guys getting sat down against the Astros for the season because he went 1-12 in one series against. Granted some guys struggle but IMO you can't use the sample size of 1/50th of their at bats to give up on a guy and actually allow them to see major league pitching. Just like every level of baseball the more live pitching regardless of lefties, knuckleballers, splitters etc. Mariano Rivera wasn't great because he was some dominant pitcher. He was great because no other pitcher had a plus cutter. Baseball isn't other sports where you get to face other professionals in practice and work on the read option or a certain offense.

Unless there is some stat that a lefty couldn't hit left handed pitching from HS to AAA then I'm still not buying it.

The problem is, a lot of our lefties really can't hit lefties.

I'm not opposed to platoons when done properly.

However, LMC constantly batting Morales ahead of Seager because he's a righty (against LHPs) is pretty dumb IMO.

 

[wazzu31]

The problem is, a lot of our lefties really can't hit lefties.

I'm not opposed to platoons when done properly.

However, LMC constantly batting Morales ahead of Seager because he's a righty (against LHPs) is pretty dumb IMO.

My thing is how do you know that they can't? Seager sucked for one full month longer than the sample size that Lloyd justifies for his LH and RH lineup. Historically yes, lefties struggle more against lefties, but historically righties struggle more against lefties which is what I have never understood. Not until the specialists arrived in the bullpen had that ever been a concern in the history baseball, but one guy coming in and getting 1 or 2 guys out does not equate to lefties cannot hit lefties. Michael Saunders should be starting full time over Austin Jackson whether it be lefties, righties, minor leagues or tee ballers on the mound.

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

Keep Ackley ... I pretty much agree with everything else...

 

[SeattleCoug]

I don't disagree, but those are our best options. Giancarlo Stanton isn't walking through that door.

Agree those are the best but unfortunately we have been waiting on Ackley and Saunders for years now. I really do love Saunders game and I think he would be our best leadoff option if he could ever stay healthy. Not that Lloyd seems to like Saunders anyway. Ackley, I want to believe turned a corner and dropped off in September because of the injury but I just cant trust him

 

[SeattleCoug]

The problem is, a lot of our lefties really can't hit lefties.

I'm not opposed to platoons when done properly.

However, LMC constantly batting Morales ahead of Seager because he's a righty (against LHPs) is pretty dumb IMO.

Our lefties actually have a higher BA/OBP/SLG against left handed pitching then our righties. Problem is there is no decent RH hitting on the roster. Platooning is fine if you have options but putting guys like Hart, Romero, Denorfia, etc. In the lineup just for balance is maddening. You play your best lineup especially in September when you have shot

 

[wazzu31]

Agree those are the best but unfortunately we have been waiting on Ackley and Saunders for years now. I really do love Saunders game and I think he would be our best leadoff option if he could ever stay healthy. Not that Lloyd seems to like Saunders anyway. Ackley, I want to believe turned a corner and dropped off in September because of the injury but I just cant trust him

That seems to be the luck of the Mariners in recent years. It appears Ackley turns the corner then he gets hurts, Saunders starts playing at an all star level then he gets hurt, Carp start playing like a main stay in the lineup then gets hurt etc etc. The Ackley thing sucks because he has shown he is capable but it is still an unknown but obviously my fear is that they decide to part ways with him somehow and he ends up somewhere else and proves he had turned the corner. With Saunders his only obstacle is health, with Ackley is is maintaining his confidence.

 

[PolarVortex]

The problem is, a lot of our lefties really can't hit lefties.

I'm not opposed to platoons when done properly.

However, LMC constantly batting Morales ahead of Seager because he's a righty (against LHPs) is pretty dumb IMO.

Yeah, when Seagar batted behind Cano, his stats were far better. His season went in the tank when the stuck him behind Morales. He was on pace for a 115 RBI season. Instead, he is staggering to get to 100 and probably won't make it.

 

[Banned 10x]

Ehh I fear that's what we will get for next year which will be disappointing. Ackley had 2 good months and 4 bad ones, I really hope his starting spot for next year isn't written in pen. At the very least I want him to earn it. Saunders would be great if he could ever stay healthy. However he seems to be Guti 2.0 and is never healthy. Hard to rely on. The Jackson thing is disappointing. I really thought he would be a good fit here but it seems every hitter acquired it subject to the Mariner curse.

Jackson is a decent fit, just not in the lead off spot. He should be batting in the bottom third of the lineup, imo.

 

[wazzu31]

Jackson is a decent fit, just not in the lead off spot. He should be batting in the bottom third of the lineup, imo.

Completely agree, he strikes out way to much to leadoff and (at least with the M's) his clutch hitting has sucked. You need a leadoff who can get on baseball to either set the table or keep an inning alive to get to the heart of your order.