Mariners: 3 Options to Improve Center Field Defense

The Tampa Bay Rays, a notoriously low-budget team, could be motivated to trade their most expensive player: center fielder Kevin Kiermaier.

Yes, Kevin Kiermaier is the highest-paid player on the Rays, but his contract is still quite reasonable: he will make $12 million in 2022, and has a club option for $13 million in 2023 before entering free agency in 2024.

Kiermaier, a three-time Gold Glove winner in center field (2015, 2016, 2020), has long been known as a fantastic defensive center fielder. Words can only tell so much of the story, so I encourage you to check out some of his best defensive highlights in the video below, showcasing his speed, athleticism, coordination, and stellar throwing arm:

While defense has always been Kevin Kiermaier’s calling card (8.9 DEF in 2021), his bat took a turn for the better last season, posting a slash line of .259/.328/.388. A left-handed hitter, Kiermaier actually had extremely even splits against right-handers and left-handers, so he is a player that could be comfortably inserted into the lineup on a regular basis.

If Kiermaier was able to produce quality at-bats in the 6-9 range of the Mariners’ batting order and play Gold Glove-caliber defense in center, all while playing every day, I’d opine that he would be well worth $12 million in 2022.

Kevin Pillar could bring veteran leadership, postseason experience, and above-average center field defense to a young Mariners team in 2022.

The New York Mets decided not to pick up 33-year-old center fielder Kevin Pillar‘s $6.4 million team option this offseason, while Pillar opted against accepting a $2.9 million player option, making him a free agent heading into the 2022 season.

Pillar has shined defensively throughout his career, posting an outstanding 14.4 DEF in 2015 while with the Toronto Blue Jays, and exhibited above-average defense with the Mets in 2021 with a 1.1 DEF in over 400 innings in center field.

Last season, Pillar posted an underwhelming .692 OPS, but if his primary slot in the Mariners’ batting order was in the 7-9 range, his veteran presence and defensive prowess would make him an obvious improvement over the likes of Dylan Moore or Jake Fraley as an outfield regular.

If the Los Angeles Dodgers are ready to move on from Cody Bellinger, the Mariners could be at the top of the list of interested buyers.

Cody Bellinger was the N.L. Rookie of the Year in 2017, won MVP and Gold Glove honors in 2019, and helped the Dodgers win the World Series in 2020. However, after hitting .165 and playing in barely over 50% of the Dodgers’ games last season, it appears he could be on his way out of Los Angeles.

With ultra-utility man Chris Taylor re-signing in Los Angeles this offseason, star outfielder Mookie Betts, and first baseman Max Muncy (a position that Bellinger can also play at a high level) under contract for the next several seasons, L.A. would predictably be just fine in center field and first base without Bellinger’s services if they were to choose to deal him.

Bellinger’s massive regression last season is certainly cause for concern, but it could be the only circumstance that would ever make him available on the trade market. The Mariners, a team that can struggle to be successful in adding top talent through free agency, should be highly interested in any opportunity to bring in a potential star via trade (especially in a relatively “buy low” situation).

Since Bellinger can play both center field and first base, acquiring him could actually give Seattle major flexibility in their lineup; on days where Bellinger plays first, Ty France would have the opportunity to DH or get in work at third base, while young talents Taylor Trammell and (eventually) Julio Rodriguez could find some much-needed time in the outfield.

Starved for outfield depth in their minor league system, the Dodgers would surely be open to acquiring Seattle’s #6 prospect, outfielder Zach DeLoach, as a foundational piece in a potential deal. The Mariners also have massive depth in the pitching department, which Los Angeles can never seem to get enough of (both in their starting rotation and bullpen).