Sodo Mojo’s Mariners Q&A: Pitching, Cano, Additions

Question 2: What about Jayson Werth
Would Jayson Werth be a decent option for a call-up should an OF or Nelly hit the DL?
— lawto (@Lawto_) May 21, 2018
The question is a bit outdated because Nelson Cruz didn’t hit the DL. But I find it interesting that Mariners had an opportunity to call him up yesterday to replace Mitch Haniger for a few days, and instead opted for John Andreoli.
However, the decision was a smart one. Andreoli has 3 options remaining, meaning he can be sent back down to AAA at any time without losing him. If they had called up Jayson Werth, they would’ve had to DFA him when he was eventually sent down.
In addition to the roster flexibility, Werth hasn’t played well enough to warrant a call-up. Werth is hitting just .193/.260/.386 and some scouts have stated that the bat speed is virtually gone. Werth has hit better of late, but his a poor defender at his advanced age.
If Cruz went down for an extended stint, Werth might be the call-up. Or the Mariners might go shopping in the trade market. Werth has played better of late, but adding Werth to the 40 man only to DFA him 2-4 days later doesn’t make much sense.
If the Mariners suffer another injury, Werth might be the only guy left standing. Taylor Motter is the only position player on the 40 man not with the big club right now, and the organization has passed him over several times, including adding Andreoli to the 40 Man roster instead of just bringing up Motter.