Navy general manager Justin Holland met with reporters this afternoon to discuss the possibility of some late-season acquisitions. While Holland — second in command in Seattle’s front office to president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto — has left the door open for anything, he indicated that the convenience approach is complementary to the back of the roster.
“You don’t know what will happen. I think this group of players that we have – the 40-man roster as it is – we’ll probably add to the edge. We may increase in a more significant way, but I expect it will probably be on the fringes rather than a truly significant way based on where we are.said HollandLink via Daniel Kramer of MLB.com).
The comments came just days after Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reported that the M’s had internal discussions. Matt Chapman, one of the top four unsigned free agents. Holland would not comment on Chapman — the CBA limits what team personnel are allowed to say about certain players — but Kramer wrote that the M’s discussions about the third baseman took place earlier in the month.
There is no indication that Seattle is deeply involved in the Chapman market. Cramer reported that M’s interest was based on a significant reduction in the asking price of the four-time Gold Glover. According to Kramer, a nine-figure deal for Chapman would be a “non-starter” for Seattle. According to a report by MLB.com, the Mariners would suit up for a short-term/incentive-loaded contract, though surprisingly, Chapman’s camp is not interested in the Boers Corp.
Third base seems to be a relative weak point for Seattle. The sailors accepted Eugenio Suarez to the Diamondbacks early in the offseason. They brought Louis Urias He dealt with the Red Sox in a minor trade and implied the hot corner last month. Jorge Polanco Agreement. Polanco forces a hit to the left with a load on second base Josh Rojas Above the third, probably Uriah on the right hand in the army.
Urias entered camp at slightly less than full strength. The Mariners were happy today as he battled some soreness in his throwing shoulder coming out of winter ball.Through Divish). It’s not a serious issue, but it will keep him from throwing on the diamond in infield drills early in Spring Training.
Holland downplayed any concerns about the third base platoon. When asked if MS felt vulnerable at the site, “I really don’t feel that way, no. We feel really good about what the combination of Josh and Lewis can do for us this year.
That’s the tone GM is expected to strike officially. That said, Chapman is the only unsigned third baseman who would be a clear upgrade over the Rojas/Urías combo. If Seattle is simply keeping an eye on the market for the chance to jump at a low price, it’s assumed they’re satisfied with their in-house options.
Seattle is easily tied for the top two free agents. Blake Snell And Cody Bellinger. The relationship with Snell was mainly about geography rather than team interest. The NL Cy Young winner is a native of Seattle and there was some speculation that he would choose to stay on the West Coast after three seasons in San Diego.
Despite this conversation, Kramer wrote, the Mariners showed little interest in Snell at any point during the winter. M’s traded for a rehab starter Robbie Ray and depth arm Marco Gonzales But they retained their top five starters. George Kirby, Luis Castillo, Logan Gilbert, Brice Miller And Brian Wu. Former top 10 selection Emerson Hancock It stays on hand as a top-up depth piece.
Bellinger was arguably the better roster option, but Kramer reported that Seattle didn’t consider the former MVP in either of the past two seasons. M got it again Mitch Haniger And enter Luke Raleigh As part of a revamped corner outfield from Tampa Bay. Seattle sent a one-time top prospect. Jared KellenicLeaving Haniger and Raley side by side as presumptive starters Julius Rodriguez On the grass of the field.
Seattle has generally opted for the trade route over free agency under Dipoto, especially when it comes to position players. A two-year, $24MM deal this offseason Mitch Garver It was the first multi-year free agent deal Seattle had given during Dipoto’s tenure. Directory resource It will launch the company’s 2024 player in the 135mm range. That middle-of-the-pack figure is in line with last year’s roughly $137MM opening day total.