What will the Mariners lineup look like in 2019?

There is no surprise in hearing that the Seattle Mariners will look quite different in 2019 following a disappointing end to the 2018 season. Starting in November, General Manager Jerry Dipoto began trading away franchise names in return for young, budding stars that bring massive upside to the franchise.

A major question that has yet to be fully answered is how the Mariners lineup will be constructed for the 2019 season. Of course, there is no ‘perfect lineup’ used for an entire season, but Seattle never quite found an everyday group that fans were sure they would be seeing as they entered the gates of Safeco Field.

As Dee Gordon dealt with a foot injury, Mitch Haniger flourished in the leadoff spot. Robinson Cano sat out 80 games to serve his PED suspension, and Denard Span essentially traded off days with Ben Gamel in left field. A pitching matchup can also spur change, but the Mariners found massive inconsistency throughout their lineup in 2018.

Now, Denard Span and Ben Gamel are no longer Mariners. Neither are Robinson Cano or Jean Segura. The one guarantee for Seattle’s lineup in 2018 was to see Nelson Cruz as the clean-up hitter, or #4 spot; he signed a deal with the Minnesota Twins on January 2nd.

The Mariners seem to be headed in the right direction, finding everyday-caliber contributors for vital positions. Mallex Smith will serve as Seattle’s center fielder to fill a gap that had seen Dee Gordon, Guillermo Heredia, and Cameron Maybin throughout 2018. Former Brewer Domingo Santana aims for a bounce-back year in left-field with the absence of Ben Gamel and the contract buyout of Denard Span.

If the Mariners are done making splashes in the trade market (which isn’t necessarily likely), Seattle’s defensive lineup will be as follows:

C Omar Narvaez
1B Jay Bruce
2B Dee Gordon
SS Tim Beckham
3B Kyle Seager
LF Domingo Santana
CF Mallex Smith
RF Mitch Haniger
DH Edwin Encarnacion

Few positions show the potential of rotating new players regularly. First baseman Ryon Healy may take over for Jay Bruce dependent on a pitching matchup. If designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion is traded before Opening Day, Bruce or Healy could end up filling that role – or even 1B/DH Daniel Vogelbach.

Assuming Encarnacion isn’t traded and the projected lineup is accurate to come March 20, here’s what manager Scott Servais could do with the lineup:

Mallex Smith
Domingo Santana
Mitch Haniger
Edwin Encarnacion
Omar Narvaez
Kyle Seager
Jay Bruce
Tim Beckham
Dee Gordon

Many arguments could be made revolving which player falls into which slot. There is a very strong case to keep Mitch Haniger in the leadoff spot where he blossomed just a year earlier. Kyle Seager could maintain his position as the 5th hitter, or Dee Gordon could find himself near the top of the order. In fact, the only spot that is safe from a debate is newly-acquired Edwin Encarnacion in the clean-up position.

For the more debatable slots, Mallex Smith as the leadoff hitter makes sense for the Mariners. He has speed, swiping 40 bases in 2018, but also slashed .296/.367/.406 in 480 at-bats. Though Mitch Haniger could find time leading off, he will produce from anywhere in the lineup. He drove in 93 runs in 2018, which is impressive, considering a large portion of his at-bats came with empty bases.

Dee Gordon could very well begin the season hitting 9th. Though his quickness creates leadoff value, his mediocre on-base percentage and inability to draw walks lead manager Scott Servais to move him out of the leadoff spot mid-2018. With the addition of Mallex Smith and the continued production of Mitch Haniger, it is unlikely to see Gordon as the leadoff hitter in 2019.

In terms of other players, Kyle Seager could be placed anywhere in the lineup below Edwin Encarnacion. Jay Bruce may find himself higher in the lineup than seventh. Or, If Mallex Smith is indeed the leadoff hitter to begin the season, Mitch Haniger could succeed him in the second spot. In fact, 2019 could simply be a year full of trial-and-error, where Servais and the Mariners attempt new lineup combinations to find a winning formula.

The Mariners will hopefully find a lineup that works for them early into the 2019 season and stick with it. With the departure of fan favorites, young and exciting players will have to opportunity to showcase their worth at the major league level.

The lineup will be full of new faces – unfamiliar faces to the casual fan – but each Mariner should be more cemented at their position in a season where developing stars can build a contending franchise.