Mariners Promoting Top Prospect

After the Mariners fourth straight loss yesterday and perpetual fall down to the bottom of the standings, you’re probably asking yourself: “Why should I keep watching?”

It’s a fair question. And I have a fair answer. For after last night’s game, we saw this:

It makes sense that Marte is the call-up. He was in Tacoma’s original lineup yesterday, but was pulled. We also saw this analysis from Bob Dutton yesterday as well:

First, on Marte: He’s having a great year in Tacoma. He’s hitting .314 in 65 games with the Rainiers. He has 20 stolen bases vs. just three caught stealings. He started out the year playing SS, but has since been working out in the OF, but he’s far from a finished product out there. MLBPipeline.com ranks him as the Mariners No. 2 prospect. He’s a switch-hitter, and he went 2-2 in the MLB Futures Game during all-star weekend.

1. I’m sad to see Chris Taylor go, again. The M’s are just about out of it this season. Keep the kid around. He hit the ball hard three times yesterday. We’ll never know what Chris Taylor can do until he plays, or has a chance.

2. Where is Ketel Marte going to play? Brad Miller is the SS. Robinson Cano is the 2B when he comes back. Kyle Seager plays 3B. One commentor on Twitter suggested maybe this means Austin Jackson is being dealt. I guess it could mean that, but I don’t know.

3. Marte gives the team a dynamic that they don’t have: A stolen base threat. The M’s don’t run a lot, but Marte can, and that’s good. Interesting that he’s coming up and not James Jones.

The M’s take on the Twins again today at Target Field. The trade deadline is this afternoon. Stay tuned to Sodo Mojo.

Go M’s!

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• What Jerry Dipoto’s trades, comments mean for remainder of Mariners offseason
• Mariners Select Chris Clarke in Rule 5 Draft
• Thank you for a Memorable Year, Abraham Toro and Jesse Winker!
• Winter Meetings Wrap Up: Checking where the Mariners stand

Next: J.A. Happ's Rough Star Leads to Yet Another Ugly M's Loss