3 infielders the Mariners should look at to round out the roster

The Mariners have made a few big moves recently (both of which were actually in the same day). Many people will argue if they got better, but there is no real debate if the 2024 Mariners roster is better. They added a corner outfield bat that has the potential to be an impact middle-of-the-order bat, even if it's only for 100 games or so. They also added a back of the rotation or swing bullpen arm (this was underrated as they seriously needed some pitching depth).

They also added a solid corner outfielder who can play first base, a solid defender, and potentially a 20-20 guy. Yes, they lost Robbie Ray, but there was no guarantee Ray would play this year. They did all of this while not increasing their overall budget, leaving them in the same financial spot that they were in heading into the day, so Friday was a big win for the Mariners.

They had previously added Mitch Garver, who will give them a significant upgrade at the DH spot. He is one of the best at the spot, when healthy (thats been the biggest issue, playing only 209 games over the last three years). There is no question that this team has raised the floor since the end of the 2023 season.

Monday morning, it was reported that the Mariners were still looking to add another infielder. They have Luis Urias and Josh Rojas slotted to play second base and third base, but adding some depth to lessen the burden on those two performing would be ideal. Let's take a look at two infielders that may not have a ton of upside but will certainly help continue to give this team more certainty and raise the floor.

Amed Rosario

Another infielder that could help raise the floor of this team, while providing a solid bat (in terms of average and not striking out) is Amed Rosario. Rosario gives the Mariners more of a true middle infielder (104 games at shortstop and 36 at second base) versus Solano.

Rosario would give the Mariners and infielder that can play solid defense at both middle infield spots, while being a fairly high average, low strikeout rate guy. He can also steal some bases (46 stolen bases over the last three years).

Rosario has been a pretty solid infielder over the last few years. Removing the 2020 COVID year, Rosario posted three straight 2+ fWAR seasons from 2019-2022. His best season came in 2022 when he slashed .283/.312/.403 with a 105 wRC+ and a 2.7 fWAR. He hit 11 home runs and stole 18 bases. He regressed in 2023, slashing .263/.305/.378 with an 88 wRC+, worth just .2 fWAR and only hitting six home runs, though he still stole 15 bases.

Rosario would be a really solid addition to the middle infield group here. He might be able to get a starting gig somewhere else and look to rebuild his value before hitting free agency again (he probably should and will do this). If Rosario wants to be on a contender and possibly play some postseason baseball, the Mariners would be a really good fit for him. Spotrac estimates his market value at a one-year deal worth $6.3 million. I am not sure this would be enough to get him as another team might offer him a starting job and $8 or $9 million, but if the Mariners could get him in that $5-$7 million range, this would be a solid bench addition.

Jon Berti

While Solano is my personal favorite, Jon Berti is right there with my next favorite utility infielder I would love the Mariners to try and acquire. He is the only name on this list that would require the Mariners to trade for, but he shouldn't be overly expensive considering he is almost 34 years old.

Berti was one of the more underrated players in 2023, playing 133 games, slashing .294/.344/.405 for a 103 wRC+. He stole 16 bases (though he stole 41 in 2022, showing elite base-stealing ability). He has also been worth 4.3 fWAR over the last two years. His strikeout and walk rates have been right in line with what the Mariners have been looking to add. Berti played the most games of his career in 2023 and has gotten better with more playing time.

Berti provides a lot of the same type of versatility that Dylan Moore does, albeit with more consistency and less strikeouts. Berti played 64 games at shortstop, 41 at third base, 18 in left field and 15 at second base. He gives you the same flexibility that Moore gives you, but more certainty, allowing you to play Moore versus lefties more specifically at second base with Rojas and letting Berti play more of an everyday utility role.

Finding a match here is sort of difficult. Berti doesn't have a ton of trade value with him being 34 years old and only under contract this year and next, but he has been a solid performer. With a new GM, I am not sure which direction the Marlins want to go. They could use some help in the outfield and maybe a shortstop, maybe Cade Marlowe gives them enough club control and upside to do it. Maybe you could swap Dylan Moore and a prospect for Berti; Moore is a few years young, both have a couple of years of control, but Dylan Moore can play some shortstop for the Marlins.