What, you thought new general manager Jerry Dipoto was done making deals in his ongoing quest to propel the Seattle Mariners into contention? Let me tell you something, brother/sister … this man’s thirst to bring this franchise back to relevancy is unquenchable. I really don’t want to hold your hand this entire offseason, so please try to keep up while we discuss the latest slew of moves made by our favorite MLB team based in the Pacific Northwest.
First, the Mariners acquired starter Wade Miley and reliever Jonathan Aro from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for starter Roenis Elias and reliever Carson Smith. After Hisashi Iwakuma signed a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers this past Sunday, Seattle and Boston consummated this trade not a full 24 hours later. Aro appeared in six games last year, finishing two, and threw to a 6.97 ERA in 10 1/3 innings pitched. As such, this is the only time he will be discussed in this article.
Following the newly established pattern, Miley is a player with whom Dipoto has a Dipast – Jerry was at the helm in Arizona when Wade was drafted and developed by the Diamondbacks. After a strong showing in 2012 that saw him finish second in Rookie of the Year voting, Miley posted fairly disappointing numbers the following two campaigns before being sent from the desert to Beantown. With the Red Sox, things weren’t much different – he posted ERAs over 4.00 in both of the last two seasons after that 3.33 ERA showing in 2012.
There’s reason to believe, though, that Miley has room to improve. Chase Field and Fenway Park skew heavily in favor of hitters, whereas we all know Safeco plays better to pitchers. Last season, Miley started relying more heavily on his offspeed pitches, throwing his curve and changeup far more often while decreasing the use of his fastball. This tweak may prove to be a harbinger of better days – Miley’s FIP was more than half a run lower than his ERA. He posted the lowest LOB (Left On Base) percentage of his career last season, so he’ll need to regain his groove and leave more would-be baserunners wanting if he indeed continues letting them reach base in the first place.
Let’s step back for a second and consider the Mariners’ Opening Day rotation from last year and next:
2015 – Felix Hernandez, Iwakuma, Taijuan Walker, Elias, Vidal Nuno
2016 (potential) – Felix, Walker, Nate Karns, Miley, James Paxton
I don’t know. Looks way better to me, but you aren’t me. Unless you’re my doppelgänger, in which case, I WILL FIND YOU AND I WILL DESTROY YOU.
Lost in the deluge of major trades, the Mariners quietly dealt for reliever Evan Scribner, formerly of the Oakland Athletics, in exchange for minor leaguer Trey Cochran-Gill. Scribner doesn’t post the astronomical strikeout numbers symbolic of a shutdown reliever, as his 9.6 K/9 last season represents a career high and the first time he’s averaged more than a K per inning. Additionally, he allowed more than two homers per nine, a troubling sign when your home park is the cavernous O.co Coliseum. He hasn’t posted an ERA lower than 4.35 since 2012, and FIP backs up the notion that he isn’t the second coming of Mariano Rivera.
Still, Scribner should help staunch the bleeding in a bullpen that has seen hurlers like Smith and Tom Wilhelmsen exit in recent weeks. New closer Joaquin Benoit will need a serviceable setup man, and it’s possible the eighth inning will be Scribner’s to lose. His surprisingly low walk numbers should serve him well in that capacity, but again, he’ll need to command his pitches a little better lest they keep dropping in for hits.
Following on the heels of those two deals, the Mariners acquired first baseman Adam Lind from the Milwaukee Brewers this past Wednesday, giving up minor leaguers Carlos Herrera, Daniel Missaki, and Freddy Peralta in return. Lind, a free agent after 2016, has posted wRC+ figures of 132, 142 and 119 over the last three years; although the trend is heading downward, Lind was still 19 percent better than average after the move to the National League. Back in a league more suited for his capabilities and in his platform year, don’t be surprised if Lind reaches back and starts slamming long balls like it’s going out of style (which it kinda is). He’s hit 20 or more homers in five different seasons, topping out at 35 in 2009. Hmm, a left-handed, power-hitting first baseman in Seattle…where have I heard this before?
Last year, Lind’s walk percentage broke double digits (11.5 percent) for the first time in his career. Not only does this portend well for his own future, it seems to fit Dipoto’s desire to emulate the Moneyball methods of his once and future divisional peer, Billy Beane. Morover, Lind isn’t expected to be the team’s big bopper; until further notice, that responsibility lies with Nelson Cruz. With lowered expectations, Lind could easily return to 30-homer form even in Safeco.
Defensively, Lind is a little more inconsistent. Although he saved five runs at first base last year, he cost his team 13 runs over the preceding four years. Those numbers are way worse when he patrols the outfield, although he shouldn’t spend any time in the yard (barring injuries/more trades/Leonys Martin getting raptured).
This Mariners team is starting to look real good, everybody. Shrewd moves and smart signings, even though the names on the contracts aren’t those of superstars, could prove to be the difference between last year’s dismal crew and something resembling a playoff team. Reserve your spot on the bandwagon before it’s too late, you poser.
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