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Seattle Mariners: Sodo Mojo’s 2019 Off-Season Plan

By Colby Patnode

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 8: Starter Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch during the first inning a game against the New York Yankees at Safeco Field on September 8, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 8: Starter Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch during the first inning a game against the New York Yankees at Safeco Field on September 8, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /
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TRADE: OF KEON BROXTON

PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 23: Keon Broxton #23 of the Milwaukee Brewers makes a catch at the wall on a ball off the bat of Pablo Reyes #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the eighth inning during the game at PNC Park on September 23, 2018, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 23: Keon Broxton #23 of the Milwaukee Brewers makes a catch at the wall on a ball off the bat of Pablo Reyes #15 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the eighth inning during the game at PNC Park on September 23, 2018, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

We’re choosing to not rely on Lonnie Chisenhall staying healthy for an entire season, but also give this team some much needed defensive depth in their outfield. You could say they already have that in Guillermo Heredia, but there is a little-to-no upside for him at the plate.

While Keon Broxton hasn’t performed at a consistent level with the bat, his combination of raw power and speed has gotten us excited about the prospects of him joining the Mariners. Not to mention he also has the potential to be one of the best defensive centerfielders in all of baseball, and perhaps even win a Gold Glove one day.

Broxton is certainly an exciting player, but he’s in a very similar situation to Daniel Vogelbach. Across the board, the Brewers may have the best outfield in the MLB, so there is no starting job available to Broxton.

They also have the likes of Domingo Santana and Tyrone Taylor on their 40-man roster, and top outfield prospects Corey Ray and Troy Stokes Jr. nearing their MLB debuts. Furthermore, Broxton is out of Minor League options, meaning that the Brewers will have to keep him on the 25-man roster for the entire 2019 season. That’s probably not going to happen.

From a talent standpoint, Broxton is worth more than James Pazos. But the circumstances surrounding his situation in Milwaukee likely mean Pazos is the best thing the Brewers could get for him. Losing Pazos is a tough pill to swallow for Seattle, but a necessary one given our acquisitions of lefty relievers in this plan. With Wade LeBlanc and Roenis Elías also in contention for bullpen jobs, the number of lefties on the 40-man roster was a bit overkill.

In essence, this is a deal of excess for excess. The Brewers aren’t necessarily strapped for bullpen pieces, but Pazos makes a great bullpen even better. With Pollock, Haniger, Chisenhall, and Gamel also in the fold, Broxton is more of a luxury for the M’s. However, Broxton will be given a chance to start and could find himself as the team’s centerfielder if he hits well, moving Pollock over to left field.

For us, our plan for Seattle’s 25-man roster is to disregard the traditional utility man and run with five outfielders. Given the positional flexibility of all four of Seattle’s starting infielders, and Chisenhall’s ability to play the corner spots, we think this is the best option for how we’ve constructed the roster.

(Written by Ty Gonzalez)

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