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It appears the Mariners have a limited budget. The Mariners need some power and a back up catcher. Let's explore!
Jerry Dipoto now has to work with a limited budget. There's some options out there to kill two birds with one stone. Lets explore.
The Mariners are coming off a disappointing season. After making the playoffs after two decades in 2022, the 2023 team was primed with high expectations. The 2023 Seattle Mariners returned much of the 2022 team, hence the high hopes for the team. The pitching staff is the highlight, as Luis Castillo, George Kirby, and Logan Gilbert were still on staff.Robbie Ray unfortunately needed to have Tommy John surgery early in the season. The former 2021 Cy Young winner, Robbie Ray, is still on staff and is projected to return around the All-Star break.
With the loss of Tom Murphy to free agency, the Mariners are thin in depth at the catching position. The Mariners could go the route of having Harry Ford start the season as a backup at catcher, and spell the DH spot, and potentially gain a draft pick from MLB's new rules on prospects and draft picks. Ford, has proved himself on the international stage. However, Ford is not ready for the big leagues and needs more time before he takes over for Cal Raleigh in Seattle. Gary Sanchez poses as a pickup for the Mariners as he can back up Cal and DH.
The Mariners need a backup catcher. All the news can point to needing an outfielder, but a backup at catcher is also a need. Sure the Mariners picked up a catcher in the Eugenio Suarez trade, but they didn't fill a need. The true prize was Carlos Vargas in the trade. Seby Zavala, is a name no one knows, and its for a reason. Zavala, is not good. I don't wont to pretend I'm a GM but I wouldn't even trade for Zavala on MLB the Show. The Mariners can still fill a catching and DH need in Gary Sanchez as he provides some power that has been subtracted from the team.
Gary Sanchez is probably looking for a full-time job. The fact of the matter is most teams have their catchers already in play. Sanchez could have a big impact on the Mariners lineup if he moved to a primary DH role. The DH role would allow Sanchez to focus on hitting. There have been moments where Gary Sanchez could pass as a serviceable MLB catcher, his money is best made by swinging a big bat and spot-filling in at catcher.