BROCK AND SALK

Passan: Mariners have right plan for Kelenic; why a Tatís trade won’t happen

Feb 7, 2023, 1:39 PM | Updated: 6:25 pm

Mariners Jarred Kelenic...

Jarred Kelenic rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Oakland A's on Sept. 22, 2022. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

The Mariners are hoping third time is the charm when it comes to young outfielder Jarred Kelenic.

Dipoto: How differences for Mariners will help Kelenic, Crawford

Kelenic, 23, is heading into his third MLB season and the hope for him and the Mariners is that the bat comes around.

Kelenic made his MLB debut back in May of 2021 but has overall struggled at the plate, resulting in multiple demotions back to Triple-A.

This year, Kelenic will compete for a roster spot in spring training and if he wins that as expected, he’ll be part of a platoon with veteran AJ Pollock in left field.

But should Kelenic struggle again, how hard would it be for the Mariners to find a replacement via trade?

“Not,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan told Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk on Tuesday. “It should not be difficult to find a left fielder at some point. I mean, left field, remember is the easiest of the outfield positions to play. So you theoretically could trade for a center fielder or you theoretically to trade for a right fielder, too.”

That being said, Passan thinks the Mariners are giving Kelenic a good chance to succeed in 2023, and for good reason.

“And I think, by the way, this is the right thing to do,” he said. “Jarred Kelenic, remember, was supposed to be like the centerpiece of this. Like the centerpiece.”

Kelenic was the Mariners’ former top overall prospect after being traded to Seattle from the New York Mets. As Passan noted, Kelenic was seen as a key part of the Mariners’ rebuild along with Julio Rodriguez, who made his debut last year and became an All-Star while winning Rookie of the Year honors.

“Before Julio emerged the way that he has, Kelenic was the guy,” Passan said. “And so to not give him the opportunity every single day to go out there, you have enough surrounding him now to buttress it. Like if he fails, if this doesn’t work, you can move him and you can feel good that you gave him the opportunity, finally, to actually capture this job, and sometimes prospects don’t work out.”

Passan also thinks Kelenic will turn his career around.

“I actually have faith in him. I think he’s gonna be good still,” he said. “And I may be dead wrong on this, but enough people whose opinions I respect think there’s still something there for me to not say, ‘This guy’s cooked, get rid of him, a change of scenery is necessary.’ And if you’re gonna do it, do it with a team that’s got enough talent to cover it if it’s not working.”

Tatís to the Mariners? Don’t hold your breath

Recently, MLB Network’s Greg Amsinger floated an interesting trade idea (7:40 mark of the video), which would see the Mariners acquire shortstop/outfielder Fernando Tatís Jr. from the San Diego Padres.

Tatís has shown the ability to be one of the best players in baseball, but he didn’t play at all last year due to both an injury sustained in a motorcycle accident as well as a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. He’s also inked to a $340 million deal that runs through the 2034 season.

Passan isn’t buying the possibility of Tatís to the Mariners or any other team.

“I have no idea where these are coming from … No. 1, he’s got a full no-trade clause, so if (the Padres) want to move him, he’s got to say yes. And he is not inclined at this moment to say yes,” he said. “But beyond that, if you’re another team, are you really going to trade for a guy who’s got $325-plus million dollars, I think, left on his contract when he’s coming off a PED suspension? You have no idea what he is. And to make that investment in somebody who has shown a string of bad decision-making, it’s just a really difficult thing to do, I think.”

Listen to the full interview with Passan at this link or in the player below.

Drayer: Do Mariners need to keep close eye on Angels in AL West?

Brock and Salk podcast

Mariners Roof Report

Brought to you by
Rain Showers
High 52° | Low 42°
Roof is open
Red Sox at Mariners today at 7:10pm

Brock and Salk

Seattle Mariners Mitch Haniger...

Mike Salk

Salk: Scars remain as Mariners return, but hope isn’t far away

As the Seattle Mariners return for 2024, Seattle Sports' Mike Salk writes about seasons, scars, frustration, hope and baseball.

15 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Payton Wilson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profile: ‘Twitched up’ LB fills a need

Next up in Brock Huard's Seattle Seahawks draft profiles is a very intriguing defender in North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson.

19 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks Sam Howell...

Brandon Gustafson

New Seahawks QB Sam Howell describes trade, his role and more

The Seattle Seahawks have a new QB in Sam Howell, and he joined Brock & Salk on Wednesday to describe the trade that sent him to the Hawks.

21 hours ago

...

Seattle Sports Video

Video: Getting to know new Seattle Seahawks QB Sam Howell

What do Seattle Seahawks fans need to know about new QB Sam Howell? What will he bring to the QB room and competition this season? He joined the Brock and Salk show toady to talk about what type of QB the Seahawks are getting. Can he be a piece that helps this team get back […]

23 hours ago

...

Seattle Sports Video

Video: Brock Huard’s NFL Draft Profile: Payton Wilson, LB – NC State

Today on Brock and Salk, Brock Huard looked at a potential fit for the Seattle Seahawks in the upcoming NFL Draft. Why does Brock think NC State LB Payton Wilson might be a defensive fit for the Seahawks? What else could he bring to the defense other than LB depth? Watch his breakdown of him […]

23 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Julio Rodriguez...

Brandon Gustafson

Passan: Mariners’ Rodríguez can take game to another level in 2024

The 2024 MLB season can be when we see "the absolute apex" of star Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez, ESPN's Jeff Passan said.

1 day ago

Passan: Mariners have right plan for Kelenic; why a Tatís trade won’t happen