3 players that could replace an injured Ty France for the Mariners

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Ty France took a high, running fastball off of his wrist in the Tuesday night game against the Oakland Athletics. Stop me if you've heard it before, but once again, Ty France is nursing an injrued wrist and is likely going to spend some time on the injured list.

We should all expect it to happen at some point, as France has missed time in each season due to injury, whether it's a ball hitting him at the plate (he's been hit 797 times it seems like) or due to an errant throw/collision at first base.

What it does mean is that the Mariners need someone to step in at first base for a while. Whether it's just a couple of games, or actually for a semi-extended period of time with a potential trip to the IL from Ty France. I do think that he is going to make a trip there, which is why I want to look at options that aren't on the team right now to replace him, instead of just bench replacements who are already with Seattle. If that's the case, we would just see Haggerty at first most likely.

It seems like there are better options though, so let's take a look at some players who could replace Ty France at first base while he deals with the wrist injury.

Mariners Option #1: Mike Ford

This is probably the option that most fans are clamoring for. He's been doing quite well so far in 2023, hitting .298/.412/.583 with 10 HR and 47 RBI. He also has a 1/1 BB/K rate, with both at 27, which isn't bad at all.

Ford has taken plenty of cups of coffee in the bigs, earning nearly enough playing time to amass a full seasons worth of stats, although they are nothing to write home about. At 30 years old, maybe he has made some type of veteran change, and is worth a look at a time where the Mariners have very few in-house options to bring someone in for the injured France.

There are those that think Ford may be a AAAA player, someone who will forever rake in AAA, but struggle in the majors. He's been playing incredibly well this year at Tacoma, smacking 11 doubles as well. He knows how to play first, is a decent enough defender, and has enough experience at the big league level that it wouldn't be throwing anyone in over their head.

He's done great in AAA, but there is someone else down there that is trying to keep up with his stats, and that's who we look at next.

Mariners Option #2: Jake Scheiner

.270/.380/.569. 11 2B. 13 HR. 38 R. 36 RBI. 45 games. positional versatility.

Those are all numbers and facts about Jake Scheiner, who is still looking for that first big league call-up. This might be the perfect time for the Mariners to give it to him, especially if they think that Ford is, in fact, a AAAA player.

Scheiner has been hitting in the mid-high 200's wherever he plays since being drafted, regardless of the level. So far in 2023, his walk rate has even gotten a bit better and his K rate has dropped a bit. He can play anywhere too, which is something that Jerry and Hollander are big fans of. HIs time in 2023 has mostly been at 3B and LF, but he played nearly 100 games at first in 2022 in Arkansas.

At 28, Scheiner is due for a shot at the bigs. He's seeing the ball really well this season, and it seems like a great opportunity to take advantage of a player who is swinging the bat well. There aren't a lot of other high-level options for the Mariners to bring in that are already in their system, but if they want to get funky and switch things around, there is another route they could take.

And no, it's not to have Marco Gonzales hit. Even though he hit .311/.382/.402 in college.

Mariners Option #3: Zach DeLoach

Wait. An outfielder?

Yup. Hear me out.

Jose Caballero can play third, and it's actually his listed position at Tacoma from his time there. We move him to 3rd, and swing Geno over to 1st, where he played in the WBC. Teo goes to DH, and DeLoach gets work in the outfield.

It's not a great situation, and I understand that. However, this team thrived on chaos in 2021 and 2022, so why not introduce a bit of it and see what happens.

DeLoach is playing quite well so far in 2023. He's hitting at a .304/.404/.456, with a handful of homers and steals. He does strike out a bunch, but who doesn't in Seattle. Give the guy a shot and see what happens. Worst thing that happens is he struggles, and you send him down and give someone else a shot, like Cade Marlowe or Jack Larsen.

Here's hoping that Ty France comes back healthy soon, and gets back to his 300 BA ways.

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Mariners Option #3: Zach DeLoach

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