Ranking the Best Second Baseman in Mariners Team History

Mariners #2: Bret Boone – 19.8 fWAR

I feel odd about this. Both Bret Boone and the guy ahead of him on this list (spoiler… it’s Robinson Cano), have a heavy conversation around their extra-curricular activities when it comes to their methods of training. I think that’s a polite way to say it, right? Boone never tested positive for anything, but showing up as a career .255 hitter and hitting .331, with 13 more homers and nearly 50 more RBI definitely made people wonder, especially in the early 2000s.

I’m not saying that he did or didn’t do anything. I am saying that it is a big part of the conversation when you talk about his performance, and needs to be considered.

That being said, it sure was fun watching Boone back in 2001. He was worthy of his top-3 MVP finish after turning in one of the best offensive seasons in the history of the Seattle Mariners. That season was a huge part of the reason that he ranks so highly after he earned a 7.8 fWAR. You pair that with the 7.4 fWAR he earned in 2003 when he hit .294/.366/.535, and those two seasons alone vault him into second place for the best second baseman in Mariners history.