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My list to Santa: 5 unrealistic signings as a Seattle Mariners fan
“All I want for Christmas is……” everybody – Seattle Mariners wish list
As a Seattle Mariners fan that is expecting a slow offseason (which I am totally fine with), we might as well dream big during the holidays. You have to go big or go home when you are sending a list to Santa Claus, so I am asking for ALL FIVE of these free-agents this Christmas. PS: I will also settle for just one of them, Santa.
No. 1: J.T Realmuto
The Seattle Mariners have some solid catching depth, but J.T. Realmuto would certainly be a major upgrade. The two-time All-Star and one-time Gold Glover is one of the prized free-agents this offseason. He started his MLB career with the Miami Marlins in 2014, and gradually became a star.
Over 7 seasons, he holds a career .278/.328/.783 line. Realmuto has hit 95 home runs and also stolen 44 bases. He became one of the interesting case studies because of his athleticism as a catcher. Realmuto was actually a shortstop and was converted to catcher which has paid off.
The former Phillies catcher will turn 30-years-old next March, so he would act as a great veteran in the young Seattle Mariners squad. The Mariners currently have Tom Murphy who has been a great low-key addition since joining the team. Luis Torrens is also in the mix after coming to Seattle. And then Cal Raleigh is also not too far behind in the minors and is showing lots of promise.
Even with those three players, Realmuto is a player that the Seattle Mariners cannot pass up. Although it is highly unlikely that Jerry Dipoto will even talk to J.T. Realmuto’s agent this offseason, it would be a dream come true if he did walk into T-Mobile Park.
J.T Realmuto is just one of five players on my crazy wish list. Now that we have our guy manning the backstop, we need someone to throw to him. Meet the second player on my list…
Seattle Mariners wish list – No. 2 Trevor Bauer
This one probably does not come much as a surprise because I wrote about Trevor Bauer’s fit with the Seattle Mariners earlier this offseason. Bauer is the best starting pitcher on the free-agent market who is coming off of an NL Cy Young Award.
It is unlikely that the team will sign any of these players on my list to be quite frank, but Bauer might be one of the better candidates. The extroverted Bauer has some ties to Seattle, WA which makes me think that he has not counted the Mariners out yet.
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Bauer has a close relationship with Driveline Baseball which has a facility in Kent, WA. Driveline Baseball arguably changed Bauer’s career and made him as good as he is now. He works out at Driveline so often that he apparently has a home down in Maple Valley.
In addition, the Seattle Mariners are in need of an ace to lead the rotation. I am a huge Marco Gonzales fan, don’t get me wrong, but he won’t lead the team to a World Series. Bauer seems like the perfect guy to lead the rotation.
There is no doubt that he is talented, and it might be good to bring Bauer’s energy and fame to lead the new era of Seattle baseball. I feel like many of the Seattle Mariners players are quiet, which is good, but bringing in a nutcase like Bauer might actually create a nice balance.
I still think that the Mariners will not be big spenders this offseason. If Bauer were a free-agent next offseason, Jerry Dipoto’s top priority would have been him.
Doesn’t it seem like I am asking a lot from Santa Claus? Well, there are three more left on my list…
Seattle Mariners wish list – No. 3: Brad Hand
If we’re asking for a star catcher and starting pitcher, we might as well ask for a closer too. Brad Hand is one of the better relief pitchers on the free-agent market and would suit the Mariners very nicely.
It is no secret that Jerry Dipoto is attempting to bolster the bullpen. But he isn’t signing the cream of the crop because of the current situation the Mariners are in. That being said, Brad Hand is unlikely to join the Seattle side because he is one of the better relievers on the market, but he would be the ideal type of guy next offseason.
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Why does Brad Hand make so much sense? Jake Mitton (Sodo Mojo Contributor) made a very good point: Seattle needs more left-handed relievers. The recent additions of Rafael Montero and Keynan Middleton are great low-cost additions, but they are both right-handed.
Hand is a three-time All-Star with solid performances with the Padres and Indians. He has been working mostly as a closer since 2017 and has been great. He is not going to be saving 50+ games like K-Rod, but he is very consistent when called upon.
I would actually consider the chances of signing Hand higher than Realmuto and Bauer, but still pretty low. There will be plenty of other win-now teams that are willing to pay a higher price tag for Hand than the Seattle Mariners. Jerry Dipoto will be seeking other bargain relievers like Montero and Middleton this offseason.
Still, Hand is one of my favorite relievers on the market so I am asking Santa Claus to give it a chance. Now stepping into the batter’s box, a quality DH…
Seattle Mariners wish list – No. 4: Marcell Ozuna
Marcell Ozuna is another example of a player that would suit the Seattle Mariners, but it is not exactly the right time. Ozuna is a proven veteran power hitter, but it might just be a tiny bit too early for the Mariners to spend on a player like him.
The main reason why the Seattle Mariners should avoid going after Ozuna is the murkiness of the lineup. Of course, I could tell you the holes the Seattle Mariners have now, but that doesn’t really matter. Jerry Dipoto needs to assess the holes after the 2021 or 2022 season.
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With the depth the Mariners have, the lineup could go several different ways. If all of the outfield prospects become stars, one of them might be relegated to the DH role, so Ozuna would be a useless signing.
For example, the future outfield could look like Kyle Lewis, Taylor Trammell, and Jarred Kelenic. And Julio Rodriguez right behind all of them. This might mean Mitch Haniger gets booted out of the outfield and slotted in at DH.
Again, Marcell Ozuna is still a great player and if Santa Claus put him under the Mariners Christmas tree, I would take him. But it just seems a little unrealistic that Jerry Dipoto would go and annoy Ozuna’s agent this offseason.
But, imagine if Santa Claus brought all four of these players: Realmuto, Bauer, Hand, and Ozuna. The team would be stacked and surely contending, but it’d be one heck of a receipt. Last but not least, an All-Star infielder…
Seattle Mariners wish list – No. 5: DJ LeMahieu
DJ LeMahieu is one of my favorite players on the free-agent market and is another player I just dream of signing. LeMahieu is one of the better two-way players in the MLB that can offer so many defensive capabilities while being a solid top of the lineup hitter.
The former Yankees All-Star is a free-agent and it sounds like he will be staying with the Yankees, or going across town to the Mets. But, LeMahieu is a one-of-a-kind talent and it would be nonsense to leave him off my Christmas list.
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Similar to Realmuto, LeMahieu quietly grew into a star player and is great on both sides of the game. LeMahieu is 32-years-old and has not shown any signs of slowing down. At first, I thought that the Seattle Mariners could be a suitable team this offseason but that seems unlikely now.
Earlier this offseason, I wrote about LeMahieu being an automatic hole-filler in the lineup. Second-base is somewhat of a question mark and LeMahieu could have slotted right in. His versatility on defense could also come in handy and help with matching up against the opponent, something we saw a lot of last season.
He is the perfect type of veteran that is used to winning and has experience in the playoffs. The Mariners will be searching for players like LeMahieu next year, I am sure.
Imagine a Mariners team with Realmuto, Bauer, Hand, Ozuna, and LeMahieu… Although it seems crazy, that is what the Mariners are shooting for in a couple of seasons. Once the young squad gets some more time in the MLB, Jerry Dipoto will be using his wallet and prospect cards to acquire players of this nature.
Who knows, Santa Claus might come in the clutch and leave at least one of these players under the tree. Wait till next year for my list to Santa Claus with 5 realistic signings instead of unrealistic signings.
Next. Seattle Mariners wish list: 3 free agent options at second base. dark