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.

Donovan Solano

Solano has long been one of my favorite targets for the Mariners this offseason. After the Mariners acquired Luis Urias, it looked like he would fill a sort of utility role. With Eugenio Suarez, Josh Rojas, Dylan Moore, Sam Haggerty and Jose Caballero on the roster at that time, Solano's fit was hard to see. Fast forward to Suarez being traded to Arizona as well as Caballero to the Rays and Solano starts to fit into this roster a little better.

Solano isn't the impact bat that Bellinger, Soler, or Rhys Hoskins could be, what what he does really well is control the zone, spray the ball around and just hits the ball really well. Solano has posted a wRC+ over 100 every year since 2019 (if you want consistency, it doesn't get much more consistent). Solano isn't a great defender, but as a utility infielder that can fill in at virtually every infield, spot minus shortstop, he would be very valuable to this team. He can come off the bench, rotate with Rojas or Urias at second and third base, and if Ty France struggles, he can become a very solid hitting first baseman. It also gives you a solid DH for when Mitch Garver has to go on the IL.

Solano isn't going to break the bank either. As a 36-year-old journeyman infielder, his big paydays are in the rearview mirror. Spotrac estimates his market value at one-year and $5.4 million. With a team estimated to have around $17-$25 million leftover, this is a really good deal that could add some really solid depth at a bargain. With the Caballero trade, I can return to pounding the drum for the Mariners to add Solano!

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.