By Daniel Kramer | February 20, 2024
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GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The Mariners' position players joined their pitching teammates on the field Tuesday for the first full roster workout of spring training, finally gathering the many new faces on a revamped roster in one place.
But even with a revamped roster they're happy with rolling out on Opening Day, for a front office that's made as many significant trades as any team this offseason, it's been hard not to think about whether they're done adding are – especially given the fact that they are dealing with the fact that there are unsigned free agents who would clearly fit into the current structure of the roster.
“You never know,” general manager Justin Hollander said Tuesday at Cactus League media day. “I think this group of players that we have – our 40-man roster as it is – we can add on the fringe, we can add in a more significant way, but I expect they're probably more fringe players than real players.” depending on where we are.”
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In particular, sources said the Mariners had talks about former All-Star Matt Chapman earlier this month – but they were moderate and hinged only on the remote possibility that the third baseman's price would drop massively. Even then, they would probably need a green light from the owner, not only for the takeover, but also for increasing the budget for it.
Chapman is believed to be seeking a long-term deal worth $100 million, which is not a winning formula for the Mariners. A shorter contract with lots of incentives would be more palatable, but it wasn't an option for Chapman's agent Scott Boras.
Seattle's front office has admired Chapman for years since his five seasons in Oakland, and the club made an aggressive bid to acquire him two years ago during the A's big selloff, centered on former top prospect Noelvi Marte, who later led the package acquisition by Luis Castillo. However, aside from the A's sky-high demand for George Kirby, it was believed that they shied away from trading Chapman within the division and instead dealt him to Toronto. Only after being rejected did the Mariners decide to acquire Eugenio Suárez.
Additionally, Chapman has won four Gold Glove Awards and is widely known for the work ethic and preparation that the Mariners' core players pride themselves on. He would seemingly fit right in with Julio Rodríguez, Cal Raleigh, JP Crawford and the rest of Seattle's core.
The Mariners have uncertainty at third base for the first time since Kyle Seager's first full season in 2012. They will look to replace an elite defender, Suárez, with a squad of Josh Rojas and Luis Urías, both of whom underperform defensively and are not primary series producers like their predecessors. Additionally, coach Scott Servais announced Tuesday that Urías is suffering from right shoulder inflammation and will not be able to participate in training camp.
Asked if the Mariners feel vulnerable at the position, Hollander said: “I don’t really feel that way, no. … We’re really happy with what the combination of Josh and Luis can do for us this year.”
There was never much discussion around the Mariners about Seattle native Blake Snell, and the discussion quickly ended – especially after the club got through its offseason without having to trade any of its five starting players.
Snell is coming off his second Cy Young Award-winning season, but one in which he threw just 180 innings in 32 starts (fewer than six innings per start) and walked 13.3% of the batters he faced – a far cry from “Dominate The”. Zone” mantra that the Mariners live by. Seattle could use the starting pitching depth, but not for the price or profile that Snell comes with.
“I think like 29 other teams, we wish we had more,” Hollander said. “I feel really good about our front five plus Emerson [Hancock]. We also have Austin Voth on the team, who has started many big league games in the past. And then we have another group behind us, in both Triple-A and Double-A, that is even more untested. I suspect people will emerge from this.”
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As for Cody Bellinger, the Mariners have never been involved with the former NL MVP – neither last winter, when he sought a one-year deal to restore his value, nor this offseason, when he enjoyed a huge resurgence.
As Hollander indicated, the Mariners will most likely go with what they have – that includes the return of Mitch Haniger and the addition of Mitch Garver and Jorge Polanco to the lineup, complemented by the core of Julio Rodríguez, JP Crawford and Cal Raleigh , each reaching their prime.
“I think this is the hungriest team I’ve ever had in spring training,” Servais said. “This team is a little bit different compared to what they went through last year and we made some additions and those guys are hungry too. And that's good.”