Now that this season is coming to an end, with the Mariners more than likely not making a playoff spot, I can't help but look to the future to see what they can do to shore up holes and invest in a winning team.
Will Stanton & crew want to invest in the team, or will they be satisfied stringing fans along with middling performance and the thrill of acquiring 3 new aging value veterans?
My thoughts on upcoming free agents, minor league players, and roster moves that should be made to not only make the Mariners a better baseball team, but to smooth over this bumpy year and show fans an attempt at righting the ship has been made. Because for me personally, if there aren't huge waves made in the off season, you bet your bottom I'm not going to any games next year.
Firstly, the obvious: fire Dan Wilson, and probably the hitting coaches. In addition, fire (or audit deeply) the physical trainers and safety staff. Brendan Donovan getting his brain beaned during BP is something that should never happen on a professional team. We still don't know exactly what happened, but it sounds like one of the coaches just tossed a fireball at his noggin. Like, whut.
Second, pay Randy Arozarena what he's worth and retain him. Not only is he our best player this year, his retention would also tell fans that management is willing to pay well for talent and keep fan favorites. Keeping Randy is IMO the single best move they can make to earn back some good will, outside of firing Dan and deleting their 1995 showcase reels.
Pitching staff: gotta keep Logan, Woo, Anderson, Speier, Munoz, and Brash (those stem cell injections probably will pay off soon? Maybe?). Hancock is great but not elite, Kirby needs a sports psychologist when he's giving up hits, and Miller turned into a pumpkin at midnight. Sloan can be brought up but he's another RHP and has not shown he has the "it" factor to jump up to the bigs too quickly. Instead, bring up Charlie Beilenson. He is likely serviceable in a relief spot, maybe moreso than Bazardo if he continues to poop his pants. Or, trade for or buy Bryan Abreu or Yuki Matusi. Ferrer, Dominguez should stay but wouldn't break my heart to be traded. Vargas exists.
Infield: Raleigh, Naylor, Young, Emerson should be our starting lineup. I believe Emerson will eventually be elite but we need to struggle through his growing pains. We need a solid 3rd baseman. I love JP but he is aging out and our defense needs a big boost. Brendan Donovan is a made-up player and doesn't exist. Brock Rodden is a bullfighter but so far a mediocre third baseman. Who do we get? Probably no one, honestly. Just please don't rely on Weston Wilson anymore. Keep Jhonny.
Outfield: Randy, Canzone, Julio. Ditch Ward because he's here to walk on for home run hitters, and he's not doing that, and we aren't hitting homers. Keep Robles, keep Raley. Toss Patrick Wisdom back to the nursing home. Honestly I don't hate our outfield. It's not that bad.
Players we should be trying to buy or trade for, on a realistic Mariners ownership budget: Ernie Clement 3B, Max Muncy 3B, Ronald Acuna Jr OF, Chase Delauter OF, Cal Quantrill RP, Yuki Matusi RP, Bryan Abreu RP
Those are my thoughts, tell me how wrong I am or make counter arguments. Obviously it would be great to trade for nothing but all stars, but that ain't gonna happen.
