Unlocking Opportunities: Mariners Dive into Infield Market Strategies

Injuries have hit the Seattle Mariners’ infield hard this season. Second baseman Ryan Bliss is out for four to five months with a torn left biceps after surgery. First baseman Luke Raley has moved to the outfield following a shoulder fracture to Victor Robles, who will miss about 12 weeks. Meanwhile, Jorge Polanco is limited to designated hitter as he recovers from knee surgery and some side discomfort.

With the infield depth weakened, the Mariners are exploring options to add players. Historically, big trades at this time of year are rare, but they do happen. For example, the Milwaukee Brewers recently bolstered their rotation by acquiring young pitcher Quinn Priester from the Red Sox. Last year, the Miami Marlins traded Luis Arraez to the San Diego Padres in early May, showing that possibilities exist even early in the season.

Currently, it’s hard to see any teams willing to trade key players so soon in the season. If the Mariners struggled to find trade partners in the offseason, it’s likely they’ll face the same challenges now. However, Seattle’s front office is actively evaluating other rosters. They’re particularly interested in veteran players who are on minor league contracts and may have opt-out options soon.

Acquiring these veterans might not generate excitement, but the Mariners need to improve their performance. As it stands, Rowdy Tellez and Donovan Solano are not delivering, and the team’s overall batting average is just .200. There are several veteran infielders in Triple-A who are performing well, like Christian Arroyo from the Phillies and Harold Castro from the Royals.

Additionally, the Mariners can look inward for solutions. They’re currently focusing on developing top prospect Cole Young but may accelerate the process for other promising players. Third baseman Ben Williamson is doing well in the minors, batting .286, and has shown defensive versatility. Another option is Tyler Locklear, who is off to a hot start with a .286 average in Triple-A.

If the Mariners’ batting woes persist and they can’t find help externally, we might see Williamson or Locklear brought up to shake things up. A shift might be necessary simply to break the current slump and get the team back on track.

In summary, while the Mariners face challenges, both from injuries and performance, they have several avenues to explore for support, whether through trades, free agents, or promoting talent from within the organization.



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