What the Mike Jacobs Deal Might Do for the Mariners

Mar 13, 2011; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman Mike Jacobs (35) stretches prior to the game against the Oakland Athletics in a game at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Jacobs, a former Marlin who hit 32 home runs in 2008, has been invited to attend the Mariners spring training camp. Even though he has only played 20 games in the past three years due to a variety of injuries, he spent time with the New York Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, Colorado Rockies, and Arizona Diamondbacks.

One might wonder what the Mariners are doing signing another potentially has-been player to their roster. After all, it would appear that Mike Jacobs had his glory days in his 2006-2008 seasons, and now he’s slowing down quite a bit. Consider this: even though he’s played only 20 games, during his time playing Triple-A ball in Colorado Springs with the Rockies organization in 2011, he batted .298 with 23 home runs and 97 RBIs. So even though his performance in 2012 was less than stellar, he has a lot of potential.

Potential is what the Seattle Mariners seem to be riding on in this prospect-grabbing season. With a collection of players who were once stellar big names balancing out a rookie cast, perhaps they will do something in 2013. That remains to be seen. What is known is that the team is picking up an awful lot of flack for relying on a cast of characters who were great players five years ago to round out their cast of newbies. With King Felix’s contract ending in 2014, the team is going to need a heck of a lot more than names to pull out of the AL West’s gutter.

They’re going to need someone who can drive that ball over the fence, and they’re going to need people who not only get on base, but who can bring in the runs. Perhaps Jacobs is one of those people – even with has-been stats from five years ago, his 2011 season shows that he still may have some power in his swings – contrary to his .211 and no-home run season in 2012.

Since Jacobs is a non-roster invite, he won’t be taking up precious space on the 40-man roster for 2013. That way, if he tanks in the minors or at spring training, it won’t be a major loss for the Ms. However, if he shows that he’s still got some power behind those arms, he could be just the left-handed hitter the Mariners are seeking to drive the balls over the newly brought in walls at Safeco Field.

What do you think? Can Jacobs be a valuable asset to the Mariners offense for 2013? He’s one of four who have been invited to the Mariners’ Major League camp (the other three are Jesus Sucre, Jeremy Bonderman, and Jonathan Arias).