Sodo Mojo’s Seattle Mariners Round Table: Spring Training

This season, the folks here at Sodo Mojo our bringing you a weekly “round table” where we discuss the latest Mariners questions! In week 1, we toss around a few Spring Training questions, and begin to look ahead to March 29 and beyond.

Question 1: Which player has improved his stock the most in Spring Training 2018?

Ty Gonzales: Dan Vogelbach, clearly. His numbers are fantastic, but what I’m most impressed with is his plate discipline. He has walked a ton and is working counts in his favor on a consistent basis. I’m also pretty impressed with his defense. He’s made a couple of really nice plays down the line.

Colton Swanson:  Colby. You already know my answer. He’s my man. Dan Vogelbach has had a monster spring at the plate and has even shown improved instincts In the field and on the base paths. With Healy out, Vogelbach has made a case for himself to be the Opening Day first baseman after swinging the hottest bat of the Spring for the Mariners.

He has always had a good eye at the plate but he has ended up on another level this spring, with an OBP north of .500. He seemed like he would always be the odd man out after the last few years but after what he has done this spring, Vogey can no longer be ignored.

Dan Clark: For me I think a few of the young guys have improved their stock over the spring. Rob Whalen for me has been the most impressive. After taking leave last year to deal with depression and anxiety he has looked absolutely stellar.

Michael Johnson:  Colton, this one’s for you. Dan Vogelbach gets my vote. In 33 at bats he’s having the best spring of his career. Vogey leads the team in doubles (5). He is tied for second on the team in hits (14) and home runs (2). He is tied for 4th in RBI (6). And the most impressive stat thus far is that he leads the team in walks (9) and has K’d (6) fewer times than 12 of his teammates.

Yes, the man who has 15 Ks and just 4 BB in his 40 major league at bats is showing incredible plate awareness this spring. There was talk that Vogelbach had reinvented himself a bit over the off-season and at this point it has shown. The loss of Ryon Healy right out of the gate was a pretty big gut punch, but as the spring has progressed Vogey has given us all a reason to exhale.

Jeff Nooney: Rob Whalen. Rob was almost out of baseball in 2017. He battled depression, and the Mariners gave him the time and help to help him as a human, not just a ball player. I think that helped him get his mental strength back, and he has dominated this spring.

Colby Patnode: There are several good choices, and this question is difficult to answer, which is actually a really good thing. I have been impressed with the defense of Dee Gordon. Marco Gonzales looks really good as well.

Of course, Vogelbach has the monstrous numbers. Whalen has been excellent as well. However, in the very spirit of the question, I must say Vogelbach is the winner. He has gone from an AAA DH, to trying to figure out how to fit him onto this roster in 3 weeks. Ultimately, he probably starts the year in AAA, but could easily hit his way to the big leagues early in 2018.

Question 2: Which Spring Training Injury has you the most worried?

Ty Gonzales:

I am not thrilled by the prospect of having 44-year-old Ichiro playing four-to-five games a week, so Ben Gamel’s injury scares me the most for sure. With Guillermo Heredia slowly coming back from his shoulder injury and Gamel expected to be out until June, Ichiro’s going to get the bulk of playing time in left. That is… not ideal.

Colton Swanson:

Every one of the injuries sucks. But for me, Robbie’s is the most concerning. I know that he is only out a few days but leg injuries have a tendency to linger throughout the season. The last thing I want to see is one of Andrew Romine, Gordon Beckham or Taylor Motter in an everyday role late in the season. And even if Cano can stay in, a leg injury could hamper his range as well his setup at the plate.

Dan Clark:

Most concerning injury for me would probably be Cruz. Soft tissue injury in which he is coming into his year 38 season. Him and Cano both with leg injuries even if they are minor now they seem to becoming more frequent.

Michael Johnson:

I’ve had a recurring nightmare for years. Our beloved Mariners are hosting a post season game and Felix is on the bump. The crowd is going crazy and “The King” proceeds to give up home run after home run after home run on pitch after pitch after pitch. How many home runs varies as it just depends on how long my brain forces me to sleep through the painful drama on that given night. It is terrifying, truly.

But, the ironic thing about these dreams is whenever I wake up – generally sweating as these are those very realistic type dreams – I am able to find a way to see the good in what I just experienced… the Mariners were in the playoffs! When I watched that ball attempt to shatter Felix’s elbow into a million pieces two weeks ago however, for the first time I truly believed I may never get to see Felix Hernandez pitch in the playoffs.

That thought is sickening. So, am I concerned about the injury in terms of how much impact it will have on the Mariners season? No. But having finally come to the realization that Felix likely won’t get a post season start in a Mariners uniform is not only concerning, but sends me right down emotional lane.

Jeff Nooney:

My biggest injury concern so far in spring training has got to be Robinson Cano. Cano is the heartbeat of this lineup, and we have found out that his injury stemmed from scar tissue from the same injury he suffered back in 2017. Could be a lingering injury.

Colby Patnode:

There are so many to choose from. Thankfully, it appears the only projected starters to miss Opening Day will be Ben Gamel and Erasmo Ramirez. If forced to pick one, I’d have to say Robinson Cano.

The Mariners need Cano to be great in 2018, and if he misses any significant time, the team will be lost. Currently, their only back up plan up the middle is Andrew Romine or Taylor Motter. Color me unimpressed. At least if Cruz goes down, the Mariners have Vogelbach, Ford, or Healy to help out.

Question 3: Is there a player you would like to see the Mariners add in 2018? Or are you satisfied with the team, as is?

Ty Gonzales:

I can already hear everyone screaming, “ALEX COBB!!!!!!” Please, use your indoor voice. I’ll give you another name: Greg Holland. Jerry Dipoto has said it himself — you can’t have enough pitching. Holland was solid last year after missing all of 2016, and somehow he’s still not signed. Plus, I’d much rather have Holland over Casey Lawrence or Chasen Bradford.

Colton Swanson:

There are plenty of players the could/should add before the year. However, the most realistic and obvious would be Alex Cobb. A rotation (when healthy) that has Felix, Paxton, Leake and Cobb in it would give the M’s a much better chance at contending in 2018. And with this unique free agent market, Cobb may come at a bargain price on a one year deal.

Dan Clark:

I still think we need pitching but I’m going out on a limb and adding a RP and going back to a Jerry Dipoto fave if healthy in Huston Street. Let’s build an amazing bullpen.

Michael Johnson:

Honestly, I have come to grips with the fact the Mariners are going into the 2018 season with what they’ve currently got. Are there needs? Absolutely. Pitching and outfield depth being a couple. But the offense – if healthy – is set up nicely and I think there is potential to break the .500 mark… again, assuming the injury bug stays in Peoria when spring training is over.

If you were going to force me name a guy I’d like to see added, I would probably go with R. A. Dickey. Would love the opportunity to watch a Dickey knuckleball shimmy and shake towards the catcher while sipping a cold one out in The Pen.

Jeff Nooney:

I think Trevor Cahil could be an interesting option for this club. The spacious outfield could drop his HR numbers, he has experience both starting and coming out of the pen. Depth is what this team lacks, and I think he could help in multiple areas.

Colby Patnode:

Sadly, I agree 100% with Michael. The Mariners are willingly going into 2018 with their current group of players. Yuck. Most Mariners fans are probably screaming Alex Cobb, but I have reached the point where I would disagree.

The Mariners missed their chance to build a playoff rotation, and adding Alex Cobb alone would not get it done. Would he help? Probably. Are the Mariners interested? Hahahahahahaha… probably not.