Seattle Mariners: A Lineup full of April Fools Rumors

What would it look like if nearly every semi-believable rumor that the Seattle Mariners were involved in this year came true? In honor of April Fools Day, let’s see what the team would’ve looked like if they took part in every rumor they were involved in.

These are all done in the same universe. So, if a couple of guys go out in a trade, it leaves an opening in the roster for one of the rumored players to come in. If you’re interested, the link to where the rumor came from is linked to their position.

Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2021 April Fools Seattle Mariners Roster.

Catcher – Tom Murphy seems like he could fight a bear and win. I’ll leave telling him he’s been traded to Jerry Dipoto.

First Base – Evan White might be my favorite Mariner, so he stays as well. Yeah, I know we got off to a slow start, but don’t worry, that will change soon.

Second base – Kolten Wong – Instead of signing with the Milwaukee Brewers, Kolton Wong decided to come to the Seattle Mariners. Dipoto decided to offer him a two-year deal worth 21 million (3M buyout in the third year on a 9M option). Wong instantly provides experience at second base, and with his defense, the Mariners now boast one of the best defensive infields in baseball.

Shortstop – Francisco Lindor – The Mariners decided that J.P. Crawford just wasn’t going to cut it at shortstop and that they needed an upgrade. Knowing they had strong depth coming up in the outfield in the future, they sent Crawford, Mitch Haniger, and Jake Fraley to Cleveland for Lindor. Lindor brings a solid bat to the team and provides a backbone for them to build around, provided they fork up the 10-325 deal he is probably looking for.

Third Base – Carter Kieboom – The Mariners are jettisoning Kyle Seager, getting a replacement that is nearly ten years younger. They send him, Ljay Newsome, and $5 million to the Washington Nationals for Kieboom, banking on a change of scenery to turn the prospect around. Ranked as the 20th prospect in all of baseball in 2019, it’s a chance for a great bat and above-average defense at the hot corner.

Left Field – Marcell Ozuna – Wanting another big bat in the middle of the lineup, the team decides to allow a weak spot in their defense in exchange for the potential that Ozuna brings to the middle of the lineup. He will see time at DH as well, but the bat should play all season, and provide a nice punch alongside Lindor. It’s a bit of money though, and at 4-72, it does seem like they had to pay a bit extra to get him there.

More from Mariners Rumors

• Could the Mariners Acquire AL Batting Champion, Luis Arraez?
• How the Mariners could swing a trade for Fernando Tatis Jr
• What it would take for the Mariners to trade for Randy Arozarena
• Mariners News: Everything from Day One of the Winter Meetings
• Is Xander Bogaerts Still An Option For The Seattle Mariners?

Center Field – Jarred Kelenic – Facing scrutiny from not just Mariners fans, but baseball in general, the team decides to bring Kelenic up out of Spring Training, and throw him into the proverbial fire to start in Center Field. This moves Kyle Lewis into a corner spot, which further improves the team’s defense.

Right Field –  Kyle Lewis – The team is able to move last season’s Rookie of the Year out of Center Field, and into a corner outfield position. Making a guy more comfortable on defense could help improve his bat, and cut down on his strikeout rate.

Designated Hitter – Ty France – France hit .399 while at El Paso in 2019, over ~350 plate appearances. It’s a bat the team has to have in the lineup, so he will see time not just at DH, but second base and potentially left field as well.

SP – Blake Snell – There were plenty of rumors flying around about Snell. He told the Rays he wanted to go home to Seattle, and they made it happen. It cost the Mariners a lot though, shipping out Logan Gilbert, Cal Raleigh, Isaiah Campbell, and Alberto Rodriguez. Alongside the addition of Lindor, the Mariners are showing their fans that they are serious about winning.

SP – Marcus Stroman – With the elite infield defense that the Mariners have put together, giving up a second-rounder for Stroman doesn’t seem too bad. His heavy ground ball rate should be put to good use, and it will be no surprise to see an ERA a good amount lower than his FIP, thanks in part to Evan White and company.

SP – Taijuan Walker – He had a nice resurgence, and the team believes that he will continue to grow. Still being a bit careful of his innings, putting him in a six-man rotation allows him to go deeper into games with a longer rest period.

RP – Trevor May, Blake Treinen, and Joakim Soria – Tired of having a sub-standard bullpen, the Mariners get a mix of experience, skill, and hometown flavor. The trio instantly moves the bullpen into one of the ten best in baseball, if not top five.

Here’s what the new lineup looks like.

1. Kolten Wong
2. Kyle Lewis
3. Francisco Lindor
4. Marcell Ozuna
5. Ty France
6. Jarred Kelenic
7. Evan White
8. Carter Kieboom
9. Tom Murphy

As well as the team’s starting rotation

1. Blake Snell
2. Marco Gonzalez
3. Marcus Stroman
4. James Paxton
5. Taijuan Walker
6. Justus Sheffield

What do you think? Sure looks like a great team to me. Happy April Fools Day Seattle Mariners fans!