Seattle Mariners Holiday Wishlist: 3 free agent options at second base

Former All-Star Jonathan Schoop

Establishing himself as one of the more powerful second basemen in all of baseball early in his career in Baltimore, Jonathon Schoop has had an intriguing career. An All-Star with the Orioles in 2017, Schoop actually had a streak of four straight years with 20 or more home runs before 2020. His power he displays from the right side, including his ability to hit lefties hard present him as an interesting option to fill the Mariners need at second base.

Despite a high K% throughout his career, Schoop has been able to walk and hit enough to provide above-average value to a lineup. He peaked in his All-Star campaign of 2017, with 32 homers, 105 RBI’s, and a 120 wRC+. Schoop was shipped to Milwaukee at the 2018 trade deadline, but could not continue to slug his way to success for the Brewers, hitting only .202 with four home runs.

After signing with the Twins in the offseason that followed, Schoop – like the rest of the 2019 Twins – proceeded to slug his way to success, ending 2019 with a .473 slugging percentage and 23 home runs in 121 games. Schoop was picked up by Detroit last offseason and continued to show that his 2018 struggles were a fluke. He actually raised his home-run-to-fly-ball ratio is 2020, and was on pace to go deep 20 times for a fifth straight season.

Schoop +2.4 UZR actually checked in as third among all qualified second baseman in 2020, showing that he has the willingness and ability to improve defensively. Schoop would be a low-risk, high-reward option to plug in at second base in 2021. Now let’s examine the final free agent option for Jerry Dipoto.