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Sodo Mojo’s 2019 Seattle Mariners Off-Season Plan

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SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 11: Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto watches batting practice before a game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 11, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. The Rangers won the game 2-1 in eleven innings. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - JUNE 11: Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto watches batting practice before a game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on June 11, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. The Rangers won the game 2-1 in eleven innings. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
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3. Target Phillip Ervin

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 10: Phillip Ervin #6 of the Cincinnati Reds slides into third base after hitting a triple in the second inning against the Seattle Mariners during their game at T-Mobile Park on September 10, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 10: Phillip Ervin #6 of the Cincinnati Reds slides into third base after hitting a triple in the second inning against the Seattle Mariners during their game at T-Mobile Park on September 10, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

When two of the 4 people involved an off-season plan are as interested in a player as our panelist were, he’s probably going to make the list. Phillip Ervin is a 27-year-old outfielder with the Cincinnati Reds who will not become free agent eligible until after the 2024 season.

Ervin experienced a bit of a breakout season in 2019, slashing .271/.331/.466 with 7 home runs in 260 PAs. Ervin has 200 big league appearances under his belt and in that time he has roughly a full season worth of PAs.

In his 571 PAs, Ervin has hit .262/.328/.438 with 17 home runs and 14 steals. That’s a quality player. Nothing special, but nothing to scoff at. Ervin is a good base-runner as well, grading out with a positive BsR in all 3 MLB seasons.

Ervin has logged the most innings in left field but also has 250 or more innings in both center field and right. He has the arm to play anywhere and actually was a solid outfielder in 2019, posting a +6 DRS in just under 520 innings. Here is our proposal:

Ervin isn’t a star but the possibility of adding a pre-breakout player with club control and versatility is intriguing. The difficulty in this deal is figuring out the cost. The Reds are looking to win in 2020 so a straight prospect for Ervin deal may not be enough.

Perhaps the team would be interested in Mallex Smith or Domingo Santana? Or maybe a bullpen arm like Sam Tuivailala would do the trick. It is possible that the fit just won’t be there on either side of this trade. But if a deal can be struck, Ervin at least has the potential to be a solid, everyday option for a few years.

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