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3 Mariners who shouldn't be guaranteed an opening day roster spot in 2024

The Mariners had their obvious struggles. There are plenty of opportunities and avenues to upgrade their team this winter. With those options, these 3 players should not be guaranteed a spot on the opening day roster.

By Tanner Vogt |
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Seattle Mariners v Chicago White Sox / Michael Reaves/GettyImages
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The Mariners had a disappointing 2023, there is no way to sugarcoat it. Coming off an impressive 2022 season that saw them break their long-standing playoff drought, as well as win a playoff series against their rival, Toronto Blue Jays, the expectations were sky-high. The additions of Teoscar Hernandez, AJ Pollock, and Kolten Wong, with a full season of Luis Castillo and George Kirby had everyone thinking this team would be a contender for the AL West. A major injury to Robbie Ray, as well as absolutely dreadful seasons from Kolten Wong and AJ Pollock put a lot of pressure on guys that probably shouldn't be carrying as much weight as they were.

Many players were forced into positions or roles that they probably shouldn't be in, for a playoff-contending team. Guys like Dylan Moore, Sam Haggerty, Jose Caballero, Mike Ford, and Cade Marlowe were forced into more full-time roles than they should have been. Not all the blame falls on those secondary guys, though, as this team doesn't go as they do. This team goes as their pitching does, as well as how Julio, Geno, Ty France, Teoscar Hernandez, and Cal Raleigh go. Those guys are the heart of the order and other than an absolutely insane August, they were all pretty average, something that cannot happen when you want to win a division, especially the AL West.

Today we are going to look at 3 players who should not be guaranteed a spot on the opening day roster starting in 2024. These are guys that are, in my opinion, in 1 of 2 situations. First off, they have either played so poorly that they should not be guaranteed a spot on the opening day roster unless they force your hand. They either need to spend more time in the minor leagues, they need more competition at their position, or they need to be sent away and replaced for more production. The second reason is that they were forced into way too many at-bats for my liking. The Mariners didn't have a lot of choices, given injuries and lack of production from some major positions, but moving forward, these 3 should either have more competition for their role or not be on the opening day roster altogether.

Mariners #1 Potential Candidate: Ty France

The most obvious position to upgrade, and arguably the easiest position to upgrade and get more offense is first base. The first base position for the Mariners in 2023 was absolutely terrible. Don't be fooled by Ty France's 104 wRC+, which says he was 4% above league average in 2023, he was nowhere near that for a first baseman. France slashed .250/.337/.366. No, I did not type that incorrectly, he slugged .366! For a first baseman! The only reason France had any sort of positive wRC+ was because of his .337 OBP, which isn't even that impressive, it was largely carried by his major league-leading, 34 hit by pitches. I think France can get back to his 2021 and 2022 years, but I truly think that he needs to quit getting hit by so many pitches. The body can only take a 98-mph fastball to the arm or hand so many times before it just takes its toll on your body.

The Mariners can definitely do better this winter. They could also add a very productive bat to the middle of the order at an easy position. Now all of this trashing on Ty France, I think he can be a productive hitter. In 2021 and 2022 his slugging percentage was in the mid 400's, which is very acceptable for a first baseman. He was 29% and 25% above league average in those 2 years. I just think that the Mariners need to explore all of their options this offseason. They need to create competition for Ty France and not guarantee him a spot at first base.

In either bringing in competition for Ty France, or just fully replacing him this offseason, the Mariners have plenty of options. As I said, it is a relatively easy position to fill. There are free agents like Brandon Belt, Jeimer Candelario, Rhys Hoskins, Justin Turner, Mark Canha, or Adam Duvall. They could also explore the trade market for guys like Anthony Santander, Christian Walker, Pete Alonso, Spencer Steer, and Lamonte Wade Jr. See what I mean? There are plenty of options, that won't be very expensive, whether it be by trade or free agency.

Mariners Candidate #2: Mike Ford

Let me preface this, Mike Ford was absolutely valuable to this team in 2023. He was better than the first baseman you were reading about on the previous slide, he was just very streaky. Mike Ford was instrumental in the Mariners winning a few games. He slashed .228/.323/.475 with 16 home runs, which was good for a 123 wRC+. He ran a high strikeout rate and relatively low walk rate, he just mashed!

Going into 2023, he shouldn't be guaranteed a bench role or any sort of role on the 26-man roster. He just hasn't proven to be enough of a good hitter, and surely you can do better. Mike Ford is pretty much a DH only; he could probably fake it at first base and defense isn't really that big of a deal for first baseman. Mike Ford can easily be replaced by any of the guys listed on the previous page and his bench spot should go to a more valuable bat and someone who can give you a little more positional versatility.

Mariners Candidate #3: Dominic Canzone

When the Mariners acquired Dominic Canzone at the trade deadline for Paul Sewald, there was a lot of excitement about him. Canzone was a 25-year-old outfielder who had raked everywhere he had played. In 2022 between AA and AAA for Arizona, he slashed .299/.367/.541 with 22 home runs. He followed that up with .354/.431/.634 slash at AAA in 2023 for Arizona. He has shown good walk and strikeout rates, so we know that there is a good hitter there.

If you want to play for a division title and potential World Series, though, you can't sit around and wait for half the year and hope that Canzone breaks out. You need to get a proven, elite level bat. The Mariners need to add a true middle of the order bat and possibly 2 bats. Canzone shouldn't be guaranteed an opening day spot as a rotational outfielder and sometimes at DH. He shouldn't be guaranteed 200 or 300 plate appearances; if he comes up for a few weeks to fill in during an injury that is fine. If he forces your hand by hitting consistently at the Major League level, then great, you have a good problem there.

Do you see the theme here? There is too much uncertainty with the way that this roster is currently constructed. You cannot guarantee a significant amount of at-bats to guys like Dominic Canzone, Mike Ford, Cade Marlowe, Sam Haggerty, etc. You need to get proven major leaguers that you know what you will get. If any of those guys force your hand by playing really well, again, that is a great problem to have.

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