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5 Former Mariners we would love to see back in 2024
Free Agency is always wild. If the Mariners are looking to fill out some of their potential openings, here are some familiar faces they could bring back in 2024
Looking into the upcoming Free Agency period, I wanted to see if there were any Mariners that would be worth reuniting with for Seattle. Some teams have massive names that they hope to return. Seattle, well, not so much.
There are still a handful of names out there that used to play for the Mariners. Some of them, sorry Adam Frazier, I'm just not interested in seeing come back. Not because they're bad, but because I want more at the position. Frazier would be nice as your backup second baseman, but we already have Rojas and Cabby who can fill the MI utility role. Also, it would be really cool to have Nelson Cruz back for a season, but I just don't know if he has anything left at age 43.
Instead, I'm looking elsewhere. It starts with people who haven't quite left yet, so it's a bit of cheating on this one, but you could still call them Free Agents if you want to. I want to look at both Tom Murphy and Teoscar Hernandez.
We need a good/solid backup catcher, and Murphy is a stud. It's the health that is a worry. A full season from Murphy would make for one of the best catching situations in all of baseball between Raleigh and Murphy. Murphy was doing really well in 2023 before once again going down with injury. If the Mariners want to take that risk, then I think it could make for a bold swing, and resounding success, if it works.
Then, there is Teoscar Hernandez. It sounded like he was being talked to in the locker room as if he wasn't going to be here next year, but who knows if that is true or not. There could be other conversations to be had and feelings could change, especially if the Mariners end up being worried that they wouldn't be able to replace Teo. Do they offer him the QO and let it be? Or do they actually try and sign him to a short-term deal? If you can get good Teo back, and even slot him into DH more often than RF, it would be a darn good situation and fix the Mariners DH spot.
Some (more) catching options who could return for the Mariners
Omar Narvaez - C
As I mentioned above, the Mariners need a backup catcher. As he's gotten into his 30s, Narvaez has moved out of the primary role and into the backup. You can see it over the last two seasons, as he has played 84 and 49 games there, respectively.
I would love to see Narvaez back. Not because of how he has hit the last two seasons (not good, not good at all), but for the potential of spelling Raleigh and maybe showing flashes of how well he did when he was in Seattle before. .278/.353/.460 with a 119 OPS+ is one of the better seasons the Mariners have ever had behind the plate. If we could get 80% of that, it would be a big win for the Mariners backup catcher spot.
Mike Zunino - C
This is one you would have to be real careful of and ready with a quick hook. Zunino struck out in 43.6% of his ABs last season, playing in 42 games for Cleveland. He had a great year in Seattle though, and another in Tampa. Would it be worth bringing him in to see if he can provide a bit of magic in 40 or so games worth of playtime? I don't think it's as good of an idea as Narvaez, but that 2017 season with Zunino sure was fun.
Some pitching options who could return for the Mariners
Carl Edwards Jr - RP
He was barely here, yes, I know that. He pitched only 4.2 innings with the team during the shortened 2020 season. I took a liking to him from watching him take part in the MLB the Show contest that a player from each team participated in. However, he's been pretty darn good the last two seasons, compiling a 3.07 ERA and ERA+ of 133 over 93.2 IP. Might be a fun flyer if there is an opening at the back of the bullpen, and the skip over any of the big names available... like Josh Hader.
Keynan Middleton - RP
Middleton was in Seattle for one full season, and performed to mixed results. He walked a ton of people, but had a decent FIP of 4.49. He's looked better the last two seasons while in ARI/CHW/NYY, with a 3.86 ERA, a BB/9 of 3.5, and a K/9 of 10.5. Could he turn into a version of Steckenrider/Topa/Speier, and find a great season with the Mariners?
James Paxton - SP
This one is pure greed on my part. I really enjoy watching Paxton pitch. He had a good season going in Boston before, presumably, getting tired over the last few starts. Through 16 outings, he had an ERA of 3.34, a FIP of 4.08, and was going about 5.1 IP per start. Just 2.4 BB/9 and 9.7 K/9 showed that he still had good stuff. Would getting him on the staff as the Mariners 5th or 6th starter, possibly long relief guy be possible? I know the Mariners are loaded at pitching (when healthy), but last year showed the need for a vet when people get tired. Paxton would be a fun short-term fit there.
Is there anyone I missed? Or anyone that you think we should stay away from in lieu of someone else? Let us know, and as always... Go Mariners!