How the Mariners latest trade could shake up their lineup on path to AL West Title

After trading for Jorge Polanco, the Mariners lineup looks like it may be complete heading into 2024. Here is what it could look like.

St. Louis Cardinals v Seattle Mariners
St. Louis Cardinals v Seattle Mariners / Alika Jenner/GettyImages

The Mariners have had one of the most intriguing and convoluted offseasons of any team in baseball so far. You take a look at all the changes that they've made, and the lineup looks more different than I can remember from one season to the next. Quickly, think about the starters that have left the lineup, and the replacements that they Mariners have added.

Mariners Out

Mariners In

DH - Mike Ford

DH - Mitch Garver

2B - Kolten Wong

2B - Jorge Polanco

3B - Eugenio Suarez

3B - Luis Urias

LF - Jarred Kelenic

LF - Luke Raley

RF - Teoscar Hernandez

RF - Mitch Haniger

That's five new players that are going to be in the Mariners lineup, likely on a daily basis as regulars. Yes, Josh Rojas took over for Wong at second, but since he isn't the starter this year, I think positing it this way makes sense. With all those moves and the latest trade for Jorge Polanco, what could the Mariners lineup look like on Opening Day?

SS - JP Crawford
2B - Jorge Polanco
CF - Julio Rodriguez
DH - Mitch Garver
C - Cal Raleigh
LF - Luke Raley
RF - Mitch Haniger
1B - Ty France
3B - Luis Urias

Adjust where you need to, but I think it could look something like this. Maybe you move Julio up to the 2 to give him more opportunities to run and cause havoc on the bases. That would make sense. I think with that top 5, you can provide a good amount of worry in any opposing pitcher that is going to take the mound against the Mariners.

We will dive deeper into it as the season goes on, but I do think that is a good looking lineup, and one that is better than what the team was putting out last year. It's deeper, more well-rounded, and plain seems like a better team than 2023.

Are we missing some true thump in there? Maybe. It's not like Geno, Kelenic, or Teo lived up to their previous production last year, even if they did amount for a good amount of the teams home runs. Are Urias, Raley, and Haniger better than those 3? Time will tell, but I think the construction of the lineup puts them in a better place. With the current pitching staff that the Mariners have, I think it's a good start to the 2024 season, and one that will put them in serious contention for the AL West Title.

manual