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5 Spring Training Trade Candidates the Mariners could target

By Colby Patnode

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 11: Raimel Tapia #15 of the Colorado Rockies bats during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field on September 11, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Cardinals 2-1. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 11: Raimel Tapia #15 of the Colorado Rockies bats during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field on September 11, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Cardinals 2-1. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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4. Raimel Tapia, OF Colorado

DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 11: Raimel Tapia #15 of the Colorado Rockies bats during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field on September 11, 2019, in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Cardinals 2-1. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 11: Raimel Tapia #15 of the Colorado Rockies bats during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field on September 11, 2019, in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Cardinals 2-1. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Sometimes a player is more of a dream than a reality. A dream is a strong word. But Raimel Tapia is a player we have long talked about on this website, and since he is out of options, we figured we talk about it again. Tapia had a decent season for the Rockies in 2019, slashing .275/.309/.415 in 138 games.

Unfortunately, Tapia displayed almost no power, despite playing half his games in Denver and his batted ball data leaves a lot to be desired. Tapia also doesn’t walk, posting a career 4.8% walk rate. But this doesn’t come with a typical low K%, though Tapia’s 22% K rate is still slightly below-average.

Tapia hits way too many groundballs, including a 51.7% groundball rate in 2019. Defensive grades very for Tapia. Fangraphs shows him as solidly below-average, while statcast puts him in the 87th percentile in outs above-average, the 79th percentile in outfield jump, and the 85th percentile in sprint speed.

Tapia is a bit like former Mariner Ben Gamel, minus about 20 points of OBP. Tapia may not be an easy fit with the club with their current outfield situation, and Colorado may not even consider trading or waiving him. But if he does, Dipoto will likely be interested.

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