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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: 1B/OF JOSE MARTINEZ & RHP GIOVANNY GALLEGOS

SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 18: Alex Colome #48 of the Seattle Mariners reacts after giving up two home runs to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the eighth inning during their game at Safeco Field on August 18, 2018, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 18: Alex Colome #48 of the Seattle Mariners reacts after giving up two home runs to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the eighth inning during their game at Safeco Field on August 18, 2018, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

While A.J. Pollock was perhaps the most hotly contested part of our plan, trading Alex Colome was perhaps one of the easiest. It’s not because we don’t like Colome either. He is one of the better relievers in all of baseball. However, when you have many needs and not much money, relief pitchers set to earn $7 million are easy targets.

Colome is really good, and with 2 years of club control at a reasonable rate, Colome should have plenty of interest this off-season. Ultimately, there was near consensus that Cardinals first baseman and outfielder Jose Martinez was the perfect target for Jerry Dipoto.

You see, Martinez is a player built for the American League who is playing for the Cardinals. A truly horrific corner outfielder, Martinez was blocked at first base by Matt Carpenter. Martinez is strictly a 1B/DH type, but not one who posses the home run power traditionally associated with those positions.

What makes Martinez valuable is his insane bat. In his first 270 games, Martinez is a career .309/.372/.478 hitter. Those are near elite numbers. But with the Cardinals packed outfield, their desire to sign Josh Donaldson to play 3rd, and Matt Carpenter anchored at 1B, the Cardinals simply don’t have space for Martinez. They also happen to have a need for a back-end bullpen arm, which is where Alex Colome comes into play.

By acquiring Jose Martinez, the Mariners can let him play at 1B and DH without any concern for his defense. The move also nets them a decent bullpen depth piece in Giovanny Gallegos and saves the team about $6 million on their payroll.

But with Pazos and Colome gone, what is happening in the bullpen? Well, let’s head there next.

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