#3 Jerry Dipoto – Go make a splash!
Jerry Dipoto got a contract extension from owner John Stanton, pictured above with Dipoto, to get the Mariners from a young up-and-coming team to a playoff team. He has done a good job so far by surprising everyone and signing Robbie Ray to a five-year contract. Trading for Adam Frazier was nice, but he has to make some big-time moves now. The Mariners need to improve their lineup and add one more starter.
The Mariners need to sign one of Kris Bryant or Trevor Story. They have to get one of those two because they don’t have to trade assets for them, it only costs money. Signing Bryant would lock down third base for a long time in Seattle, and Story could play second or third base. It would be interesting to see what he would do in Seattle. The offensive production that the two of them offer is immense.
Besides those moves, the Mariners need to acquire a legit starting pitcher to make their rotation one of the best in the division. They could sign a Tyler Anderson or Garrett Richards type of pitcher, but they would need to sign someone better. Acquiring one of Sonny Gray, Luis Castillo, or Frankie Montas would be huge for the Seattle rotation. Making the rotation a big strength would be amazing to watch in 2022.
Those are the things that need to do once the lockout ends, but making a big splash would be a huge step forward. Trading for Bryan Reynolds would be one of the biggest moves they could make, and it would certainly cost a lot, but it would be worth it. Signing Carlos Rodon would also be a big risk move with a big reward potentially. Trading for Jose Ramirez would also be a big-time splash, but that may be the least likely big splash move.
Mariners fans should be clamoring for two impact bats and two impact pitchers. If they get all four of those positions addressed with big impact players, the Mariners should almost certainly be a playoff team next year. The more big-time players added, the better for the Mariners in 2022.