M's Should Think OPS When Looking For Trades

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May 11, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro (13) celebrates after turning a double play to end the game against the New York Mets at Wrigley Field. The Cubs won 3-4. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

It is no secret the Seattle Mariners (27-33) need some help if they are going to climb out of this hole and compete in the AL West. They added Mark Trumbo who is a hitter with pop who strikes out a lot. He is now in a lineup with players that have power but strike far too often. And he has hit .143 with 9 strikeouts since joining the team.

There are players out there that could make this lineup instantly better. The stat the Mariners need to look at in a player is OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage). The Mariners rank 23rd in the majors in this category. They don’t need someone with a ton of power. They need guys who can get on base. OPS is important because it calculates how well a player can hit for power as well as get on base and score runs. Trumbo is a home run threat but he has yet to really show that with Seattle. The Mariners have hit plenty of home runs in 2015, but far too many have been of the solo variety.

Austin Jackson has been a serviceable leadoff hitter with a .689 OPS. But when you look at the teams that are thriving right now, their leadoff hitters are much better. The Giants’ Nori Aoki has a .816 OPS, Kolten Wong of the Cardinals has a .814 OPS and the best team in the AL West right now, the Astros have a leadoff man in George Springer who has a .797 OPS.

Ideally, you want your top hitters in the lineup with an OPS higher than .750, closer to .800. This means they are getting on base and being productive with the bat. The Mariners have only three players with an “ideal” OPS right now: Nelson Cruz, Seth Smith and Kyle Seager. The closest ones to them almost have 100 points less.

Here are some players possibly on the market that could help the Mariners in this department.

Next: Ben Revere

May 18, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Ben Revere (2) hits a single during the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Revere, OF Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies are selling, that is no secret. When you look at Ben Revere’s numbers, they are not that far from Jackson’s. But having another bat in the lineup similar to Jackson could only help. When he hits 2nd in the lineup, his OPS for his career is .719. That would be the fourth highest on the Mariners roster right now.

Revere’s OBP (on-base percentage) is a few points higher than Jackson’s. He has played in 60 games for the Phillies this year and leads the National League with 5 triples. He would be a huge asset in the outfield as well with his elite speed. He notched 49 steals last season, and has stolen at least 34 bases in three seasons.

Next: Ben Zobrist

Jun 5, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Oakland Athletics second baseman Ben Zobrist (18) at bat during the 4th inning of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Zobrist, UTL Oakland Athletics

Ben Zobrist can play all over the diamond. He also has a lifetime .780 OPS, and Zobrist has at least a .700 OPS when batting in the first three spots in the lineup.

Zobrist also has some pop to go along with his productive stats. He has hit 20+ home runs three times in his career. This year he has struggled with injuries, which may make him cheaper. He is a smart hitter. He can get the runner over or get the sac fly RBI (he led the AL in sac flies in 2010).

He is one of the most versatile players in the big leagues. Zobrist has played at least 50 games in left field, right field, second base and shortstop. He will make any roster better when he is healthy. He is reliable. Heading into this season, he has a string of 6 straight seasons of playing at least 146 games.

He would be a good bat to add to the M’s lineup, but it seems as if the Nationals will snatch him up first. Also working against Seattle is the fact that the A’s likely won’t want to trade within the division.

Next: Starlin Castro

Jun 9, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro (13) hits a single in the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Starlin Castro, SS Chicago Cubs

This is looking not as likely as it did a week ago. That is due to the injury of Javier Baez, the prospect who is performing very well in the infield. He is out for about two months which means the Cubs need Starlin Castro to hold down the fort.

In the case that he is going to be traded, the Mariners should take a long look. He has a lifetime .729 OPS, which would be 4th on the team in Seattle. He is a 3-time All-Star who had 207 hits in 2011. He has played 120+ games in each of his first five years in the big leagues and twice played over 160.

Not any one stat will jump out at you, Castro he makes any lineup better. A shortstop that can consistently get on base is something the Mariners have not had in some time. His defense may get adventurous at times, but he consistently produces with the bat. Over his career, his most productive position in the lineup has been the leadoff spot.

Next: Jean Segura

May 31, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Jean Segura (9) drives in a run with a base hit in the sixth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Jean Segura, SS Milwaukee Brewers

Another productive shortstop on the block is Jean Segura. He is just starting to come into his own at 25 years old. This year he is hitting .281 with three home runs, three triples and seven stolen bases. His OPS is the highest it has been in two years at .714.

He has been more productive than Brad Miller. Their OPS numbers are almost identical, but Segura has a 50 point higher average and a slightly higher on-base percentage. He is also more of a threat to steal.

The Mariners are also atrocious hitting with runners in scoring position, with a combined average of .218 in 2015. Segura is hitting .345 this year in that department. Anything to boost the chances of getting a key hit with runners on base would be a welcome change in Seattle.

Next: Martin Prado

Jun 3, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Marlins third baseman Martin Prado (14) connects for an RBI single during the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Martin Prado, UTL Miami Marlins

I have always been a Martin Prado fan. He is a lot like Zobrist. An argument can be made that there is no place for Prado on this roster seeing as most of his experience is at third base, second base and left field. The Mariners could entertain the idea of playing him at shortstop where he has 15 games of experience, most recently in 2012. He is a reliable veteran presence.

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