What Do The Seattle Mariners Do With A Crowded Outfield?
What are the Seattle Mariners going to do? They have a collection of talented young outfielders who, at some point, will all need playing time. It’s indeed a good problem to have. However, Seattle needs to figure out their future plans for the roster sooner rather than later.
With Kyle Lewis out, Seattle has a main group of Taylor Trammell, Jared Kelenic, and Mitch Haniger. The former two are being looked upon to be franchise cornerstones (along with Lewis). Haniger is most definitely going to be traded, especially if Trammell, who was raking at AAA before his callup to replace the injured Lewis, hits better than he did during his first MLB tenure.
Kelenic and Lewis are safe in the outfield. Lewis, the reigning AL ROY, was just getting into a nice groove before his injury. Kelenic was a top-5 prospect. Trammell, also once a top prospect, might be the odd man out. Why is that? Considering he’s a talented player in his own right.
In a perfect world, Seattle trades Haniger and uses Lewis, Kelenic, and Trammell as the everyday OF. That’s great if the team didn’t have another elite prospect at the position in Julio Rodriguez. For Seattle to be successful, they’ll need to figure this potential logjam out.
There’s always the chance to play one as an exclusive DH, however, that’s likely not in the cards. You could always trade one of the four. That’s the easy way out, probably the smart move. And if that is what happens, expect Trammell or Rodriguez to be the ones to be dealt.
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Rodriguez would likely be dealt to acquire a position of need, as he’s still a few years away from the show. He won’t be moved for anything prospect-related unless it’s to acquire more pitching. It doesn’t make a lick of sense to trade a top-5 prospect in all of baseball, who’s offensively gifted, for another set of offensively gifted prospects who may or may not be as good.
Trammell is the one who might be moved to acquire a prospect. Seattle runs a risky game, assuming all of these guys reach their potential. A somewhat ready-to-play outfielder could land the Mariners a decent return. And considering the team will probably not be playoff-ready before Rodriguez is ready for a callup, maybe trading Trammell and receiving some extra offensive firepower is necessary.
With Haniger likely being dealt, they can address other needs there (1B, SP, RP). He’s going to be moved regardless. Seattle will be a minor seller. If they by some chance look to be in the running, and I have doubts that will be the case by the trade deadline, Haniger might stay and Rodriguez will be the one to garner the biggest haul of proven talent.
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Let’s face it, Seattle probably won’t be competing, and they have 1 or 2 years before they are. Haniger leaving is probable and they have a few years to see what kind of players their outfield develops into. Besides, Seattle is relatively loaded.
The Mariners a good outfield (as mentioned), however, with J.P. Crawford at SS, Ty France at 2B (where he should be playing), Kyle Seager at 3B, and a promising young catcher in AAA, the Mariners can get production everywhere in the lineup. A veteran like Haniger, can provide the additions for their weaker positions, and do so without dealing with their top guys.
In baseball, it is unlikely all your roster produces. It’s probably more imperative that Seattle keeps their OF core intact (Rodriguez included) to get a good understanding of who are the real alphas. I’m on the fence about who’s going to be the star of the group. Kelenic has the highest pedigree as a prospect, Lewis is a ROY winner, Trammell showed he can kill it in AAA, and Rodriguez is a young prodigy that is excelling in the minors.
If your Seattle, it comes down to what you get in return for these guys. What’s a team willing to deal and where do you see your team in a year or two? That’ll make the difference as to who’s staying or going.
Image Source: Alan Chitlik, Sportspress Northwest
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
