Mariners second baseman going forward in 2020

General manager Jerry Dipoto says things will be a little different this off-season with the team not making many big trades like last year. And while he will add some pieces to the puzzle of rebuilding, Shed Long should see a lot of action at second base,

I am sure most fans would agree the Mariners will trade Dee Gordon to another team. The contributors here will write about who the team they feel Gordon will go to and who the Mariners will get in return. I haven’t come to any conclusions yet so I will let you know my choice down the road. This possibly happens after I read what a few of my fellow contributors say.

Dipoto says that he will be playing the youngsters a lot so if Dee Gordon is traded as expected we will see a lot of Shed Long at second base. In the long term, Long may become a super-utility player; however, next season he will see a lot of time at second base with an occasion in the outfield if the Mariners don’t go with a fourth outfielder but with two utility players instead.

When Long isn’t at second while in the outfield or he is given a day off we will see Austin Nola there when he isn’t at first base or catching. Also, Dylan Moore will see action at second as well if he is on the Mariners too.

Although there will be several candidates to play some second base the likelihood Long will be at the position most of the time. This could depend on his hitting especially against lefties since he is a left-handed hitter. I expect early on Long will play a lot at second base to see if he can hit lefties unless the Mariners are facing a top of the rotation left-handed pitcher.

If Long is batting at the top of the order I wouldn’t be surprised if he is moved down the order when facing lefties. He may hit eighth or ninth depending who else is in the lineup as well.

Kyle Seager may end up to be the only veteran presence in the lineup at third base; however, the Mariners are rebuilding so it is important to play the young guys. Dipoto will want to save some more added payroll for down the road when they want to add a needed piece or two for the playoffs.

Second base is another position to add a young player. Right now the player to put in that position looks to be Shed Long. This coming season we will see how much promise Long will have.