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Mariners News: M’s Acquire Adam Lind from the Brewers

By Brian Helberg

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The Seattle Mariners improved their lineup and solidified the first base position by acquiring Adam Lind from the Milwaukee Brewers

Jerry Dipoto has been the busiest man in baseball during the Winter Meetings, and he pulled off yet another deal on Wednesday morning. The Seattle Mariners acquired Adam Lind from the Milwaukee Brewers. Lind immediately becomes the M’s starter at first base.

Seattle had to part with three right-handed pitchers, all under the age of 20. Carlos Herrera, Daniel Missaki and Freddy Peralta are headed to Milwaukee in exchange for the 32-year-old infielder. Andy Wilkins was claimed off waivers by the Mariners last week, but he was DFA’d to make room for Lind on the 40-man roster.

Greg Johns of MLB.com caught up with Dipoto following the trade. The M’s general manager had this to say regarding his most recent acquisition:

"“Adam lengthens our lineup as a first baseman who gives us on-base percentage and power. First base was a spot we came here looking to fill, and we feel that Adam is a good fit for us.”"

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Originally selected in the third round of the 2004 draft by the Toronto Blue Jays, Lind reached the big leagues as a September call-up in 2006. Lind excelled as a part-time player during his first three seasons, slashing .271/.309/.436 with 22 home runs and 94 RBI across 195 games.

Lind came into his own during the 2009 season, finishing 15th in MVP voting and winning a Silver Slugger Award. He posted a .305 batting average with a career high 35 home runs and 114 RBI in 151 games. Lind registered a .370 on base percentage and slugged .562 through 654 plate appearances.

The University of South Alabama alum struggled to replicate his success in 2010, hitting .237 with 23 home runs and 72 RBI across 150 games. His on base percentage fell to .287, and his slugging percentage dropped by nearly 150 points.

Injuries and lack of production forced the Blue Jays to use Lind in a platoon role in 2011 and 2012. He hit a mediocre .252 with 37 home runs and 132 RBI through 218 games played. Lind posted a .303 on base percentage and slugged .429 across 895 plate appearances.

Sep 10, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Adam Lind (24) enters the dugout to play the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Anderson, IN product got healthy in 2013, and he found his stroke. Lind hit .288 with 23 home runs and 67 RBI through 143 games. His .357 on base percentage and his .497 slugging percentage were his best marks since his breakout campaign in 2009.

Lind’s resurgence continued in 2014 with Toronto. Despite missing some time with a foot issue, Lind posted a .321 batting average with 6 home runs and 40 RBI in 96 games. His .479 slugging percentage left something to be desired, but his .381 on base percentage was a new career high.

The Blue Jays opted to cash in on Lind’s stellar season, and shipped him to the Brew Crew last winter in exchange for Marco Estrada. Lind continued to mash in the National League, hitting .277 with 20 home runs and 87 RBI through 149 games. He registered a .360 on base percentage and slugged .460 across 572 plate appearances.

Defense has never been Lind’s strong suit. After toiling in the outfield for much of his first five seasons, Toronto decided to move him to first base in 2010. Lind has found a home at first base, and graded out as an above average defender in 2015.

Lind is entering his contract year, and should be motivated to cash in next offseason through free agency. Baseball Reference is projecting another strong season for Lind. They believe he will hit .280 with 17 home runs and 69 RBI through 518 plate appearances. FanGraphs is slightly less optimistic about Lind next season. They predict he will hit .275 with 18 home runs and 60 RBI across 120 games.

The Mariners did not have to give up too much to land Lind. Carlos Herrera appears to have the highest ceiling, as the the 18-year-old went 4-2 with a 3.26 ERA through 14 starts this past season with the M’s affiliate in the Dominican Summer League. Daniel Missaki is another pitcher with big league potential. The Brazilian born hurler went 1-2 with a 3.41 ERA in 6 starts with the Clinton LumberKings last season. Freddy Peralta went 2-3 with a 4.11 ERA across 57 innings in the Arizona Instructional League.

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There are two main concerns with Adam Lind; durability and his inability to handle left-handed pitching. Staying healthy has always been difficult for Lind. He has appeared in more than 140 games just four times in his 10-year career. Lind’s splits are very disturbing. He is a lifetime .293 hitter against right-handers, but he has hit a measly .219 against southpaws during his career. I am dreading the thought of seeing Lind in a platoon with Jesus Montero next season, but that could be the M’s plan.

Personally, I still would have preferred to see the Mariners sign Justin Morneau. He is a more well-rounded player in my opinion, and Seattle could have signed him as a free agent rather than trading young arms. However, Lind was my second choice amongst available first basemen.

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Lind makes the Mariners lineup better, and he should stabilize the first base position in 2016. He is the best first baseman the Mariners have had since John Olerud left town in 2004, although that is not saying much. Lind has a chance to be very productive hitting out of the number six spot in Seattle. Overall, I am excited to see what he can do next season in the Emerald City.

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