Mariners Analysis: M’s to Upgrade Rotation?

With the trade deadline just days away, the Mariners will surely look to upgrade their current status as playoff pretenders to playoff contenders by adding to their underwhelming rotation.

One of the Mariners more vital needs is to bolster the rotation. All year long there have been concerns over consistency and health. Early on it looked as though Felix Hernandez was not himself- and of course he has just returned for injury- but Taijuan Walker filled in as the team’s ace for a brief moment, until his success tapered off. It then looked like Nate Karns could be a reliable starter, going through the entire month of May not allowing more than three runs in any start, but his flash of goodness would also dissipate. And with Wade Miley having the worst year of his career, the Mariners needed an answer from Hisashi Iwakuma, and the team hasn’t gotten any with consistency until recently. Scott Servais even desperately brought Mike Montgomery from the bullpen in order to create some order, but that too failed, and as we know he is now with the Chicago Cubs.

So this poses the question: To trade or not to trade? And if so, for who? Luckily for the M’s, many teams who are already virtually out of the playoff race are looking to unload talent for future pieces to build. Many pitchers on the market would be viable staples in the M’s future rotation, but here are three of the best potential options that can (and already have) caused damage around the league.

Next: Rich Hill

Rich Hill – LHP – Oakland A’s

One of the M’s top choices could actually be an American League West nemesis in Rich Hill. Even at 36 years of age, Hill is having a remarkable season. He has not allowed more than three runs in any of his thirteen starts this season. His ERA so far is just a measly 2.25, which is third best in baseball.

Even more promising for the Oakland Athletic is that his strikeout totals are still impressive. He has K’d ten batters three times this season and has fanned at least six men in seventy-five percent of his starts (ten times).

The Mariners are fully aware of the potency of Hill; they have faced him twice this year and have been dominated both times. In his first shot against the M’s, Hill had one of those ten K showings, while also only allowing five hits over six innings. That April night the Mariners could only muster one run against Hill in the team’s 6-1 loss to the Athletics. In late May he spun an even better gem, busting through eight shut-out frames. Again Hill would take the win, making his numbers versus the M’s mind-boggling: 0.64 ERA with sixteen K’s in two starts.

If there is one weakness for the aging athletic, it is his walk totals. While he is striking batters out with great consistency, he is also allowing bases on balls too often. He has walked three or more batters in six of his thirteen starts- four batters two of those times. Now, that may be consistent with many of the M’s rotation so far this year, but it is not the standard the team wants.

Walks will be walks though, and the Mariners will take them if he were to bring the rest of his arsenal with him. While his age could also be a concern, a trade for Hill could be a quick fix to the M’s inconsistency, and they can deal him away next year, but it doesn’t look like father time is playing much of a factor on him at the moment.  Hill would be a pleasant and flashy addition to the rotation if the M’s could finagle a deal for him before the deadline.

Next: Julio Teheran

Andrew Cashner – RHP – San Diego Padres

The last and probably easiest to obtain is Padre, Andrew Cashner. The Padres just traded away Drew Pomeranz, proof they are already looking towards next season. With little to look forward to the rest of the campaign, the Padres are looking to rebuild; shipping Cashner to the M’s can help with that.

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There is little to say about Cashner that makes him a better member of the rotation than I previously mentioned, but he is consistent. He has allowed exactly three runs in seven of his fifteen games. On the brightest days, he only allowed one run and that happened five times, three of them in his last four starts, which is a good sign.

He has had some hiccups along the way, allowing more than five runs twice, including a horrific eight runs early this month in less than three innings, which hasn’t helped his 4.79 ERA. That number is slightly deceiving though because he hasn’t pitch more than six and one-third innings all year. This could be an issue for the M’s because their bullpen- especially of late- has proven very unreliable.

The Mariners have been fortunate, much like with Hill to have seen Cashner up close and personal. Back in late May during their inter-league series, Cashner went the six and one-third, giving up his typical three runs on six hits. He has seen the M’s three other times since 2010, once pitching seven innings, giving up just one earned run, that was back in 2014. It is to be determined if he can bring back performances like that this year.

Next: M’s Go Blue Jay Hunting in Toronto

What can be said though is that with many pitchers- others being Ervin Santana, Jake Odorizzi and more- The Mariners will have options to help the rotation to reach its expectations. GM Jerry Dipoto has voiced his concern with a hint of optimism about the rotation, but these new additions could help quell his and Mariner fans fears, if they come to the Emerald City.