Mariners sign closest thing to Daniel Vogelbach with latest free agency move

The Seattle Mariners have found their newest left-handed slugger, and if he looks a little familiar, that’s because we’ve seen this type of ballplayer before. Let's take a trip down memory lane to remember a former fan favorite.

The team recently signed first baseman/designated hitter Rowdy Tellez, a move that immediately bring up memories of Dan Vogelbach.

Mariners News: Seattle signs first baseman Rowdy Tellez

Tellez, 28, brings a powerful left-handed bat with a knack for launching baseballs into orbit. Standing at 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds, he fits the “big man with big power” type of player that Mariners fans embraced wholeheartedly when Vogelbach was mashing home runs in Seattle from 2016-2020. Both players share a similar frame, a similar approach at the plate, and even a similar running ability, or lack thereof, that suggest they might not break any land speed records, but they will absolutely demolish mistake pitches.

Like Vogelbach, Tellez is the kind of player who looks like he was built to do one thing: mash. He has 105 career home runs to his name and has shown flashes of elite power, particularly during his time with the Milwaukee Brewers. However, much like Vogelbach, he’s had his share of ups and downs, with stretches of incredible production offset by bouts of inconsistency.

His 2022 season was a memorable one, when he slashed .219/.306/.461 with 35 home runs. Though this power output seems like the outlier, as he hasn't topped 21 in any other professional season.

Seattle fans, though, have always had a soft spot for players who can bring both power and personality, and Tellez certainly fits the bill. He’s known for his affable demeanor, a trait that made Vogelbach a beloved figure despite his uneven performance. "Vogey" was always a guy who looked like he enjoyed the game no matter the circumstances, and Tellez will hopefully bring that same type of energy to an offense that will certainly have their fair share of struggles. If nothing else, Mariners fans can expect Tellez to bring some fun to the clubhouse, and if he starts launching home runs into the right field seats at T-Mobile Park, he might just become the latest fan favorite in Seattle.

Whether Tellez can replicate Vogelbach’s 2019 All-Star season remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: Mariners fans love a slugger with a big bat and an even bigger personality. Hopefully Tellez enjoys a successful bounce back season and embraces the fans, while Seattle reciprocates the love.