Mariners should avoid recently DFA'd former batting champ in second base search

Yes, I am here to talk about the Mariners' offensive struggles. Yes, one of the biggest disappointments that they have had this year has come from the second base position. It has been horrible to watch, and it has not gotten better at all this year as it continues to look like the worst move from the Mariners offseason.

Jorge Polanco makes up a majority of the playing time at second base for the Mariners in 2024 and it has contributed to the seventh-worst wRC+ in all of baseball and one of the highest strikeouts at the position in baseball. The second base position has also combined to hit just below the "Mendoza Line" at just .199. The production just isn't there and the Mariners will likely look to explore their second base options come the trade deadline. They may even be in the early talks of upgrading already!

As the impact names are talked about, guys like Nico Hoerner or Bo Bichette are brought up as the Mariners can dream on the production those names would bring to this middling lineup. Maybe Dipoto will make an impact move there, but we could also see him look to make a lesser move to address the position.

The Mariners need to avoid Tim Anderson as they look to upgrade their lineup

Tim Anderson was once a premier shortstop in the game but has had a very hard fall. The Marlins just designated the former batting champ for assignment after a terrible first half. The former All-Star and MVP vote-getter, put together three elite seasons from 2019 through 2021, Anderson was one of the best all-around shortstops. Anderson was a regular .300 hitter with 15-20 home run power and similar stolen base ability.

An injury shortened what seemed like another solid year for "TA" in 2022 and his 2023 season could never get going. The White Sox declined the former first round pick's option, making him an unrestricted free agent. Anderson would sign a one-year deal with the Miami Marlins for $5M, hoping for a bounce-back season.

Unfortunately for Anderson and the Marlins, that just didn't happen. The 31-year-old was hitting .214/.237/.226 which was worth just a 31 wRC+. His strikeout rate ballooned to 28% and he had virtually no power.

Anderson looks like the next victim of players to just completely fall off a cliff after a string of productive years, Hopefully Anderson gets another opportunity and can bounce back; he was electric and a fun player to watch at his peak. With his recent performances, however, the Mariners need to stay as far away as possible as they look to fix the second base spot.