What are the Mariners (not) doing?

So, it’s been nine days since the Mariners have made a trade or free agent pickup.

I know it’s still early in the off season, and there are plenty of players on the market that are still looking for new teams, free agent or otherwise, but it seems to me like the M’s should have picked up somebody else at this point.

After signing Nelson Cruz, J.A. Happ, and Justin Ruggiano, the Mariners seem to be in a good place moving forward, but I feel like they’ve been surprisingly quiet this offseason.

Now this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. A lack of moves means that the M’s are happy with how their lineup looks right now, and I have to say, I’m happy as well.

Of course, if they could pick up another decent bat–say around .280 to .300 batting average (which, depending on the team we get it from, might not cost a lot)–I would be a lot happier.

Here is a list of current free agents on the market, which you can filter to sort out players that have signed with a team already.

Nori Aoki immediately catches my eye on that list. He was excellent for the Royals last season, and although the M’s are pretty stacked in the outfield (Dustin Ackley, Austin Jackson, Ruggiano), throwing Aoki in left, where he played a little for the Royals last season, would be an upgrade there.

More from Mariners News

• 2023 Steamer Projections: Teoscar Hernandez could see a drop in Seattle
• Steamer Projections: Julio Rodriguez to enter rarified air in 2023
• What if the Mariners traded FOR Tyler O’Neill this time?
• Mariners starting pitching is being overlooked by MLB
• Baking the Cake: An Adjusted Mariners Offseason Plan

I’m pretty sure the M’s, like the rest of us, are banking on Ackley having a breakout season next year, which is entirely possible.

Adam Rosales could be a decent pickup and serve as a Willie Bloomquist-esque player next year in the infield (also Mark McLemore-esque, for those who remember him).

It has been a very long time–too long–since I’ve seen a Mariners roster that I’ve been comfortable with going in to the next season, and I really shouldn’t be complaining too much. However, I can’t help but think that they are going to make a couple more moves before spring training that will either make or break the 2015 season.

Happy Holidays to all you SodoMojoers (is that a thing?) out there. Thank you for reading my articles, providing feedback, and making me a better writer in general.

As always, your feedback is greatly appreciated, and look forward to reading a lot more up through the new year and throughout 2015.