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Dream Mariners starting lineup for the 2024 season
In a perfect offseason for the Mariners, here is what my Dream lineup would be for the Seattle Mariners heading into 2024
It is no secret that the Mariners offense struggled in 2023. They were just too inconsistent to stay competitive for 162 games. Sure, they were 1 win away from the post-season, but how did their lineup stack up against the Texas Rangers or the Houston Astros? They would rank easily 3rd, and I am not convinced the Mariners make the same run the Rangers did to win the World Series.
Do I expect this lineup to be the exact same lineup the Mariners trot out on Opening Day? No. But this is a lineup that I believe Mariners fans could get excited about. No, the Mariners are not going to get Aaron Judge in a trade, or sign every top free agent available. But this lineup would be a much more consistent one compared to 2023.
1. J.P. Crawford, Shortstop (L)
Yes, I am sticking with the Captain leading off. Crawford put together his best season to date, and he deserves to lead off for this team going forward. J.P. hit .266/.380/.438/.818 with an OPS+ of 131. He led the American League in walks with 94, He struck out just 19.6% and walked at 14.7%. He also more than doubled his previous career high in Home Runs, clubbing 19 in 2023. Crawford had a very underrated season, and he will look to continue that into 2024.
2. Julio Rodriguez, Centerfield (R)
No Dream scenario lineup would be complete without J-Rod, the face of the franchise. Julio had a great season, hitting 32 Home Runs and driving in 103. His slash line was .275/.333/.485/.818 with an OPS+ of 128. He did strike out 175 times in 2023 (24.5%), which was a bit of a problem for Julio. Not just Julio, though, as I have mentioned before, Teoscar Hernandez, Eugenio Suarez, and Julio all combined for 600 strikeouts which is insane. That is like your 9 hitter striking out every single at-bat for an entire season.
Julio would see much better pitches to hit because of the new 3-hole hitter hitting behind him. I think he takes a huge step forward in 2024, and could be a MVP canidate by season's end. Talent is never a question with Julio, and if 2023 was his "floor", imagine what his ceiling could be. And in a lineup like this, the sky is the limit.
3. Shohei Ohtani, Designated Hitter
Remember, this is the dream lineup. In my scenario, the Mariners were able to convince ownership that signing Ohtani is a good thing, and they got the job done. I am not going to speculate the details of the contract, but do not let ownership fool you into believing they cannot afford Ohtani. They absolutely can, and Ohtani should just be able to play where he wants to in 2024 and beyond.
Ohtani obviously will not pitch in 2024, due to having Tommy John surgery earlier this year. Before the Injury, Shohei proved that he is the best player o the planet. He led the American League in Home Runs (44), OBP (.414), Slugging (.654), OPS (1.066), OPS+ (184) and total bases (325). Oh, and he only played in 135 games, as he did not play a game in September. Absolutely unreal.
Shohei Ohtani on hearing the chants from #Mariners fans to come to Seattle (through interpreter):
— Jessamyn McIntyre (@JessamynMcIntyr) July 12, 2023
“Every time I come here, the fans are passionate. I’ve actually spent a couple off-seasons in Seattle, I like the city, it’s good.” pic.twitter.com/W52VByI0W1
Obviously, the Mariners are not the favorite to sign Ohtani this offseason. Mariners fans have been pleading their case to ownership to bring Ohtani to Seattle, by chanting "Come to Seattle!" during his at bats in the All-Star Game.
Mariners fans chanting “Come to Seattle” to Shohei Ohtani.
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) July 12, 2023
This is how you Recruit stars @StoolBaseball pic.twitter.com/Qr9yvs6T1J
4. Paul Goldschmidt, First base (R)
Paul Goldschmidt is one of the most underrated players in all of baseball. While 2023 was a "down" season for the former MVP, it was still a good season, and one the Mariners have not had at First Base since John Olerud. Goldy hit .268/.363/.447/.810 with an OPS+ of 120. He hit 25 Home Runs and drove in 80. He also stole 11 bases, for what it's worth. Goldy was the MVP back in 2022 for the St. Louis Cardinals, but fell off a bit in 2023.
Goldschmidt is now 36 years old, and he is entering the final year of his contract with the Cardinals. I am not sure the Cardinals will actually trade him, but if the team has a disappointing offseason like they did in the 2023 regular season, they could be forced to move him. Paul is due $22,000,000 in 2024, which is about fair market value. The Mariners could even opt to have St. Louis pay down some of that money if the Mariners added another prospect or two. While I am not giving up on Ty France, the opportunity to get Goldschmidt, even at 36 years old, is too much to pass on.
5. Cal Raleigh, Catcher (S)
Cal took a huge step forward in 2023. Cal slugged 30 Home Runs, 8 more than any catcher in baseball. He was 3rd among catchers in fWAR (4.7) and 4th in WRC+ with 111. Cal has quietly become one of the best catchers in the American League, and has stepped in to be a leader for this franchise. He spoke after the Mariners were eliminated, that the front office needs to commit to winning. Well, with this lineup, the Mariners would put the league on notice.
6. Joc Pederson, Left Field (L)
Yung Joc is a proven winner. He is a 2-time World Series Champion, with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020 and the Atlanta Braves in 2021. He is more of a platoon/role player anymore, but still an effective one. Joc struck out just 20.9% of his at-bats, while walking 13.4% of the time. He slashed .235/.348/.416/.764 with an OPS+ of 111. He would fit right in with Jerry Dipoto's claim of wanting to bring more contact to the lineup in 2024. He strikes out below the MLB average, he takes his walks, and knows how to get it done in the Post Season. Joc would be a solid add for the Mariners.
7. Eugenio Suarez, Third Base (R)
I went back and forth deciding if I wanted to replace Geno here. After looking at the free agent third base pool, and taking into account who I have added to the lineup already, I decided to stick with Geno. He has found a home here in Seattle, and he is a fan favorite. While he struggled with strikeouts (American League leading 214 times), he still managed to have a 3.2 fWAR season. He played in all 162 games, but hit just 22 home runs. That number has to come up, especially if he has another 200+ strikeout season.
8. Jarred Kelenic, Right Field (L)
Jarred Kelenic had a very up and down season in 2023. He has not lived up to the hype from his prospect days, but his 2023 was a ste in the right direction. He played in just 105 games because of a broken foot he suffered kicking a water cooler, which was not ideal. I admire Jarred's passion, but sometimes the best ability you can have is availablility, and kicking water coolers is a dumb idea in the first place.
Kelenic was really inconsistent, but showed flashes of brilliance in 2023. OVerall, his slash line was .253/.327/.419/.746 with an OPS+ of 108. He managed an fWAR of 1.3, He struck out 31.7% of the time, and hit 11 home runs. If he were to stay in this dream lineup, he would need to strike out far less, and stay away from water coolers in the club house. Maybe he can invest in a water bottle, throwing them would do a lot less bodily damage.
9. Tim Anderson, Second Base (R)
Last but not least, i have the Mariners signing Tim Anderson. Yes, he has played shortstop most of his career with the Chicago White Sox, but he did play second base in the World Baseball Classic. No, I do not have the Mariners signing him to a long-term deal, I have the mariners signing T.A. to a short-term "Prove It" type deal. Tim is coming off of his worst season, both on the field and off the field. He hit just .245/.286/.296/.582 with an OPS+ of 60. Yes, he was 40% worse than league average wit his bat. He hit just 1 home run all season.
But from 2019 through 2022, Tim hit .318/.347/.474/.820 with an OPS+ of 122. He has never been a power hitter, but he did win the batting title back in 2019 when he hit .335. His career strikeout rate is 23.2%, just 0.8% above league average. He does not walk much, but he has been one of the best hitters in baseball before last season.
Tim's 2023 season maybe remembered most for the fight against Cleveland Guardian's 3rd baseman Jose Ramirez, where Jo-Ram knocked Anderson to the ground with a vicious punch. There was also a rumor where White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal and Tim had a physical altercation in the club house, but both parties denied that happening. The 2023 White Sox were one of the worst teams, and clubhouses in 2023. Maybe a change of scenery will do T.A. wonders. As always, go Mariners!