3 Options for the Mariners at 3rd Base if Luis Urias is Hurt

Option #1: Trust in Josh Rojas & in-house vets

In what is arguably the most boring option, giving Josh Rojas and the in-house company control is the most likely scenario. Urías does still have an option left, so Seattle could let him get healthy and in shape while down in Tacoma, forcing him to earn his way back. It might not matter all that much if Seattle gets the Josh Rojas they acquired last summer.

Added along with Dom Canzone and Ryan Bliss in the Paul Sewald trade, Rojas was having a nightmarish season (62 OPS+) before a resurgence in his final 46 games in Seattle (103 OPS+). He will never provide the power or defense that Eugenio Suarez brought to the ballpark the past two seasons, but Rojas should be a more consistent contact hitter who provides speed, versatility, and energy to this roster. As the left-handed side of a 3B platoon, the Mariners could do much worse if the Seattle version of Rojas is here to stay.

As for his platoon counterpart, expect to see a trio of players battle for the opportunity that appears open at third. Dylan Moore is paid and expected to be a valuable utility piece to this ball club in 2024, but health, inconsistencies, and not a ton of 3B experience in the past few years are a concern. Michael Chavis is 3rd baseman/utility infielder who has struggled offensively in the bigs but has had a solid start to spring. The third challenger should be Samad Taylor, who comes over in a trade with KC. Known more as a major speed threat who can play multiple positions, Taylor has shown some real power early on in Peoria.