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What will the Mariners outfield look like on Opening Day 2020?

By Aaron Chantler

OAKLAND, CA - JULY 16: Mallex Smith #0 of the Seattle Mariners dives for this ball that goes for a double off the bat of Ramon Laureano #22 of the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the six inning at Ring Central Coliseum on July 16, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JULY 16: Mallex Smith #0 of the Seattle Mariners dives for this ball that goes for a double off the bat of Ramon Laureano #22 of the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the six inning at Ring Central Coliseum on July 16, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Odd One Out

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JUNE 25: Daniel Vogelbach #20 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with Domingo Santana #16 of the Seattle Mariners after hitting a two run home run in the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on June 25, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JUNE 25: Daniel Vogelbach #20 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with Domingo Santana #16 of the Seattle Mariners after hitting a two run home run in the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on June 25, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

Santana will not be in the Mariners outfield next year and is unlikely to still be with the team. Arguably the most likely of the current group of outfielders to get traded, Santana would be tough to fit into the Mariners outfield next year.

His defensive blunders this year have been tough to stomach, but his offensive output has made him a consistent threat in the Mariners lineup. With that said though in today’s game it’s hard to fit one, let alone two, bat first players onto a Major League roster.

Unless they decide to move Santana to first base (and he proves he can handle the position), there isn’t room for him and All-Star Daniel Vogelbach in Seattle since neither provides defensive value. Since Santana does offer some value on the base paths his market would be larger than Vogelbach’s as teams will always be on the lookout for players with his offensive skill set.

The Holdover

SEATTLE, WA – JULY 27: Mallex Smith #0 of the Seattle Mariners is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after scoring a run on a double by Tim Beckham #1 of the Seattle Mariners off of starting pitcher Tyler Alexander #70 of the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning of a game at T-Mobile Park on July 27, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won the game 8-1. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – JULY 27: Mallex Smith #0 of the Seattle Mariners is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after scoring a run on a double by Tim Beckham #1 of the Seattle Mariners off of starting pitcher Tyler Alexander #70 of the Detroit Tigers during the fifth inning of a game at T-Mobile Park on July 27, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won the game 8-1. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

Smith is the next holdover that will be in the outfield come the start of the 2020 season. I almost left him off as I believe Trader Jerry could look to move him in the offseason, but I doubt the Mariners will want to break in two rookie outfielders at the start of the year. Smith has been much better since his call up from Tacoma, but look for Smith to be playing left field next year instead of center.

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