Seattle Mariners management has finally pulled the trigger on that elusive right-handed power hitter we’ve all been begging for up here in the Northwest: the guy to dig us out of a depressing playoff slump has finally arrived. With the impending addition of Nelson Cruz to the Seattle Mariners for a reported $57 million over 4 years, it really does appear that Jack Zduriencik is making a valiant effort to win now, and win later.
And this could be just the first of several moves by the 7th year general manager.
Before the Cruz deal got out, Zduriencik got things rolling with an extension to All-Star third baseman Kyle Seager. At 27 years old, he’s the most recent $100 million dollar man whose contract spans over seven years.
Cruz will be a huge upgrade at the DH position, where the M’s posted a .190 average this past year. From a position in the line-up where the players sole job is to hit the ball (really, that’s it) then it should be obvious that hitting below .200 is a complete joke. Last year Cruz hit .271 with 108 RBI and a league-leading 40 HR, and on top of that, he carries a career .292 average in the postseason. We can expect this type of success for the M’s if they can continue to wheel and deal.
But don’t expect his numbers to equal his totals from 2014. Fans of Safeco Field know all too well the vast dimensions of the outfield – we can’t expect many players to reach even 30 long balls anymore. It’s a tough place for right-handed bats (after all, it was built for Griffey), but Cruz should still have plenty of success shooting for the gaps. Now, having said that, he did hit 25 of his dingers on the road. If he even comes within striking distance of 30-35 homers then he’ll be exceeding most fans expectations.
So we’re looking at a solid middle line-up, one that strikes fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers and keeps the managers on their toes. Cano. Cruz. Seager. The M’s might just need one more addition for that perfect squad. A dependable right-fielder may be next on the Christmas list now that Michael Saunders has reportedly been shipped off to Toronto for pitcher J.A. Happ. Due to his injuries and inconsistencies, Saunders wasn’t exactly a permanent solution in the outfield. Zduriencik moved on.
Matt Kemp is still on the board. He’s only 30 years old and has 5 years left on his hefty contract. The only issue is: what are we willing to part with? Our young pitchers are prime trade-bait, but trading Paxton or Walker would damage what is turning out to be a dynamite starting rotation. King Felix, Iwakuma, Paxton, Walker, and Elias helped lead the American League in team ERA last season and are primed to repeat. Pulling from that could be difficult to repair, and the game is all about pitching right now. And having acquired Cruz, it doesn’t make much sense to compromise those young arms.
Zduriencik is building something for the present and future. And things are just getting started.
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