Mariners’ Jerry Dipoto: ‘Championship teams have Adam Fraziers’

The debut of top prospect Julio Rodríguez coupled with the addition of reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray dominates the headlines for the Mariners as they enter the season, but those two aren’t the only new faces who should make quite the impact for Seattle in 2022.

What the Mariners bring north: Shannon Drayer breaks down the roster

Shortly after the MLB lockout ended, the Mariners swung a deal with the Cincinnati Reds that brought two sluggers to the Pacific Northwest in 2021 All-Star outfielder Jesse Winker and third baseman Eugenio Suárez, another former All-Star who owns the most home runs in baseball since 2018. There’s still one more notable addition to the Mariners’ lineup, though, that has been somewhat forgotten due to the four aforementioned players.

Adam Frazier, a second baseman and corner outfielder who the Mariners acquired from the San Diego Padres before the lockout began late last year, was the first move of Seattle’s offseason, and a key one at that. Frazier had an incredible start to the 2021 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, slashing .324/.388/.448 in 98 games and making the National League All-Star team before a midseason trade to the Padres.

Now, Frazier figures to be a constant at the top of Seattle’s lineup and at second base.

While he may not have as many eyes on him as Rodríguez, Ray, Winker or Suárez, Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto made it very clear that Frazier is a great player and will be a key part of the club in 2022.

“Championship teams have Adam Fraziers,” he told Mike Salk on The Jerry Dipoto Show on Seattle Sports 710 AM Thursday morning. “And he is a constant on-base threat.”

Despite being a very good player since entering the league in 2016, Frazier has “mostly flown under the radar,” Dipoto said.

Related: Adam Frazier likes Mariners’ playoff chances with their roster

“He has been a really good major league player now in his sixth season,” Dipoto said. “He has been a consistent on-base threat. He doesn’t have the big, gaudy power that usually gets you noticed or identified as a star, but this guy has been among the most consistent fastball hitters in the league over the course of his time. He has been an above-average on-base threat from Day 1 as a big leaguer.”

Adam Frazier 🤝 Clutch Hitting pic.twitter.com/K357mTAcy5

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 30, 2021

Frazier also offers the Mariners some versatility. In addition to second base, he can play third base as well as left field while being a smart baserunner, Dipoto said.

“He just has those baseball instincts that really make teams go,” he said. “And him sitting at the top of the lineup, stirring on base, creating opportunity, it allows everybody else to hit in a spot that allows them to be excellent in their spot. J.P. Crawford (dropping) down in the lineup gives you another on-base advantage lower in your lineup. Dropping guys like Winker and (Mitch) Haniger, Ty France down a little bit in the lineup allows them to be more run producers than run scorers. And that’s a really positive impact to have that one guy that’s always there.”

Listen to the full Jerry Dipoto Show at this link or in the player below.

MLB insider Jon Morosi explains why he’s picking M’s to win AL West

Follow @TheBGustafson