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Seattle Mariners: 5 “Budget Ballers” to Consider this Winter

By Colby Patnode

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 30: GM Jerry Dipoto of the Seattle Mariners looks on from the dugout prior to the game against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field on September 30, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 30: GM Jerry Dipoto of the Seattle Mariners looks on from the dugout prior to the game against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field on September 30, 2015 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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Logan Morrison

SEATTLE, WA – MAY 26: Shortstop Andrew Romine #7 of the Seattle Mariners tags out Logan Morrison #99 of the Minnesota Twins after Morrison tried to stretch a single into a double during the ninth inning of a game at Safeco Field on May 26, 2018, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – MAY 26: Shortstop Andrew Romine #7 of the Seattle Mariners tags out Logan Morrison #99 of the Minnesota Twins after Morrison tried to stretch a single into a double during the ninth inning of a game at Safeco Field on May 26, 2018, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

Hello old friend. Logan Morrison, a one time Mariners’ first baseman and one of the first players Jerry Dipoto shipped out of town, finds his way onto our list. But before we dig into what Morrison can bring the Mariners, let’s talk Morrison’s shortcomings.

Yes, it was terrible this season. Morrison slashed an abysmal .186/.276/.368 this season. Yuck. In addition, his .239/.325/.427 career slash doesn’t inspire confidence either. On the surface, it appears as though “LoMo” was simply a 1-hit wonder.

Of course, we are referring to the 2017 season that saw him hit .246/.353/.516 with 38 home runs in148 games. In addition, Morrison has always graded out as a poor defender at first base and provides no value as a base-runner. So why is he on the list?

Well for starters, Morrison is unlikely to find much action on the free agent market for the reasons listed above. Short market leads to a cheap option. Also, despite the putrid numbers in 2018, Morrison actually ranked in the Top 50 in barrel percentage, tied with Milwaukee Brewers slugger Jesus Aguilar.

Ryon Healy has done nothing to show that he should be gifted first base without any competition, and since Morrison is likely to sign a 1-year deal, the acquisition wouldn’t prevent the eventual Robinson Cano transition to first base. If the Mariners decide Cano is their first baseman in 2019, Morrison could be a cheap option to fill the DH role as well.

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