Mariners Analysis: Handicapping the M’s Demotion Candidates (Poll)

By Brian Helberg |

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May 9, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop Chris Taylor (1) throws to first in the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

The Mariners are going to need a staring pitcher for Tuesday’s game against the New York Yankees, and someone is going to have to go down to make room for the incoming hurler.

Seattle is without James Paxton and Hisashi Iwakuma, and it looks like it could be quite sometime before we see them donning a Mariners’ uniform. Mariners’ skipper Lloyd McClendon has been tightlipped on which pitcher will get the call from Tacoma, but there have been a few hints.

25-year-old southpaw Mike Montgomery was scratched from his start on Sunday for the Rainiers. Montgomery was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Erasmo Ramirez, and he has a 4-3 record with a 3.74 ERA across 9 outings this season. Montgomery would be making his Major League debut on Tuesday against the Yanks.

The other name being floated around is Justin Germano. The 32-year-old right-hander is having a stellar season for Tacoma. Germano is 3-2 with a 3.02 ERA across 50.2 innings and 6 starts. Germano is a big league veteran, but has not seen regular playing time since 2012 when he worked out of the Chicago Cubs bullpen.

Justin Germano has the better numbers and has proven himself to be a very versatile pitcher, but the deciding factor may be the fact Mike Montgomery is on the 40-man roster and Germano is not. In order for the M’s to call up Germano, they would have to clear a spot on the 40-man. Bringing up Montgomery would require no such move.

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Today, we will discuss who could be sent down to make room Montgomery or Germano. There are a few different names being bandied about, but Rickie Weeks, Dustin Ackley, Willie Bloomquist and Chris Taylor seem to be the most likely candidates.

We will start the slideshow with Rickie Weeks who has struggled mightily in his debut season with the Mariners.

Make sure you click through to the final slide to cast your vote for who deserves to be demoted.

Next: Rickie Weeks

May 30, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Rickie Weeks (25) eyes home plate umpire Jeff Kellogg as he is called out on strikes to end the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Rickie Weeks – LF

The Rickie Weeks experiment in Seattle has thus far been a colossal failure. Weeks signed with the M’s after spending the first 11 seasons of his career playing second base for the Milwaukee Brewers. The Mariners envisioned Weeks playing left field in a platoon with Dustin Ackley, but things have not gone according to plan.

The 32-year-old has looked like a shell of his former self at the plate, and the transition from second base to left field has not been a smooth one. Weeks is hitting .183 with 2 home runs and 9 RBI’s across 71 at bats in 2015. His .284 on base percentage is somewhat respectable, but his .282 slugging percentage falls well shy of his .422 career mark.

Defense has been an even bigger problem for the Southern University alum. Weeks has started just 9 games in left field, and sports a dismal .917 fielding percentage. His 1.32 range factor per 9 innings is barely within sight of the 1.98 league average. Weeks has only committed 1 error this season, but his lone miscue cost the Mariners a win against the Boston Red Sox on May 14.

However, there are a few big factors working in Weeks’ favor. Jack Zduriencik brought Weeks into the fold to face left-handed pitching, and he has fared well against southpaws in 2015. Weeks is hitting .294 with 2 home runs and 9 RBI’s against lefties this season. He also represents the M’s best pinch hitter. Weeks looks more attractive when you combine this with the fact that Weeks is out of minor league options, and demoting him would require a trip through waivers.

I think there is a decent chance the M’s give up on Rickie Weeks in the near future, but I doubt it will be this week.

Next: Dustin Ackley

May 28, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Dustin Ackley (13) walks back to the dugout after striking out during the ninth inning of a 5-3 loss to the Cleveland Indians at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Dustin Ackley – LF

Rickie Weeks’ platoon partner has been equally as disappointing this season. Ackley excelled during the second half of last season and this spring, but his production has fallen off a cliff over the past 6 weeks.

The Ack-Attack is hitting just .188 with 4 home runs and 10 RBI’s across 117 at bats in 2015. Ackley has posted a miserable .230 on base percentage and slugged .325. The bearded wonder started the season hot, hitting .304 with 3 home runs and 3 RBI’s during his first 8 games. However, he has hit just .151 with 1 home run and 7 RBI’s since.

Nobody can complain about Ackley’s skills in the field. He has proven himself to be one of the most important and versatile defenders the Mariners have. Ackley has played all 3 outfield spots this season, and has seen extended time in both left and center field. He remains the only player on the Mariners’ regular to be error free in 2015. Ackley has also made a couple highlight reel grabs in the past couple weeks.

The 27-year-old UNC alum is another Mariner out of minor league options. Just like Weeks, Ackley would have to pass through waivers if Seattle opts to send him down to Tacoma. The Ack-Attack still has some potential left, and does not become a free agent until following the 2017 season. When you factor in his age, it is highly unlikely no other team places a claim on Ackley.

I think Dustin Ackley is the least likely candidate to be demoted. He is starting to show signs of life at the plate, and I do not think Jack Zduriencik is quite ready to give up on the former no.2 overall pick. I would not be surprised to see Ackley traded in the coming month, but I doubt the M’s let him out the door for nothing.

Next: Willie Bloomquist

Apr 10, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop Willie Bloomquist (8) throws the ball to first base against the Oakland Athletics during the second inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Willie Bloomquist – UTIL

Willie Bloomquist is a wily veteran and a fan favorite in the Emerald City, but his place on the M’s roster seems to be disappearing. Bloomquist is a super utility player, but Lloyd McClendon appears intent on converting Brad Miller into that role. Miller is younger and cheaper than Bloomquist, and thus the 37-year-old is a demotion candidate.

The Port Orchard, WA product is hitting .182 with 0 home runs and 3 RBI’s across 44 at bats in 2015. Bloomquist has registered a .200 on base percentage and a .205 slugging percentage.

Willie Bloomquist has been his normal versatile self this season, playing 6 different positions. Bloomquist has spent the bulk of his time in the outfield, but he has also started a pair of games at shortstop and first base. Bloomquist is the only player on the Mariners’ roster capable of spelling Logan Morrison at first base.

Just like Weeks and Ackley, Bloomquist is out of minor league options. He too would have to pass through waivers if the M’s opt to demote Willie. I highly doubt any team would place a claim on Bloomquist, but he may rather hang up his cleats than ride the bus in the Pacific Coast League.

Lloyd McClendon views Willie Bloomquist as an extension of the coaching staff, and thus it is unlikely he chooses to designate him for assignment. His salary and lack of playing time are obvious issues, but I think there is a pretty good chance Bloomquist is still with the Mariners on Tuesday.

Next: Chris Taylor

May 21, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Seattle Mariners shortstop Chris Taylor (1) throws the ball to first base in the first inning over Baltimore Orioles infielder Manny Machado (13) at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Taylor – SS

Mariners’ fans have an unnatural amount of love for Chris Taylor, but he may be the most logical choice to send down to Tacoma this week. Taylor was only recalled from AAA on May 4, but he has looked overmatched in every way at the big league level this season.

The University of Virginia alum is hitting a measly .159 with 0 home runs and 1 RBI across 20 games in 2015. He has posted a .221 on base percentage and a .206 slugging percentage. He has stolen a pair of bases, but he has struck out 19 times in 63 at bats. He is determined to hit his first career home run, and continuously turns in poor at bats resulting in weak pop outs.

Taylor has been billed as a defensive wizard at shortstop, but his performance has been less than magical this season. Taylor has a respectable .974 fielding percentage, but his 3.85 range factor per 9 innings is well below the league average of 4.06. He also scores a -2 in defensive runs saved. For comparison’s sake, Brad Miller has a .974 fielding percentage, a 4.51 range factor per 9 innings, and he has saved 3 runs in 2015.

Chris Taylor posted an impressive .287/.347/.346 slash line across 136 at bats in his rookie campaign last season. These numbers indicate Taylor is a plus hitter, but a closer look at the number suggest otherwise. He sported a .398 batting average on balls in play last year. This is a very high number, and leads one to believe that he was just finding the holes in 2014. However, they always say it is better to be lucky than good.

Taylor is the only name on this list that has minor league options remaining. Demoting Taylor would create the least waves in the Mariners’ clubhouse. When you take his lack of production into consideration, the decision becomes clear.

I think we will see Taylor get another look in Seattle before long, but look for the 24-year-old to be sent down to Tacoma on Tuesday.

Next: Vote

Apr 8, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Rickie Weeks (25) reacts after striking out with the bases loaded to end the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field. Los Angeles defeated Seattle, 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Vote

It is never easy to write about someone’s dream dying, but that is part of the job. Baseball is a numbers game, and this situation in particular fits the old cliché perfectly. I would say Chris Taylor is the name that makes the most sense, but a case could be made against any of the 4 candidates.

Now is your chance to have your voice be heard. Use the poll below to cast your vote for who will be sent down to Tacoma on Tuesday.

Next: Mariners Analysis: Find Out Where the M's Rank in All Star Voting

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