Mariners face decision on Daniel Vogelbach: Keep Him or Trade Him?

Daniel Vogelbach had a decent first half of last season after the Mariners traded both Jay Bruce and Edwin Encarnacion. So much he was the Mariners representative on the all-star team. He slumped mightly in the second half of the season so the question should the Mariners trade Vogelbach or keep him.

I really don’t have an opinion one way or another about keeping Daniel Vogelbach. I am sure the Mariners will only get a “so-so” prospect for him unless they are able to trade him in a multi-player deal.

In the second half of the season, Vogelbach showed he has trouble hitting off left-handed pitchers so if he does hang around Seattle, he will probably platoon primarily at designated hitter though he could get an occasional start at first base.

Domingo Santana could be his partner as the designated hitter against lefties. However, Seattle would want him to play on a more regular basis. This could be the reason the Mariners would trade Vogelbach if they can get a good deal for him. Seattle, on the other hand, could trade Santana as well. In fact, he probably would be traded before Vogelbach we will see.

If the Mariners do trade Vogelbach, we will see multi-players at the designated hitter spot. The Mariners will be looking to play the younger players most of the time the fourth outfielder might see time at DH. This would allow the regular outfielders to get time off in the field on occasion and DH too.

I would really like to see Vogelbach stick around for one more season to see whether last season was a fluke. It would be nice if he could start hitting against lefties. I am sure he will get some opportunities even though he may start against righties.

Another positive thing is that Daniel Vogelbach is good in the clubhouse. The Mariners can always use a guy like him in the clubhouse even when platooning. We hope into his second full season in the major leagues he has learned enough to improve at the plate.

Whatever happens, I really do hope he is around in 2020.