GM Jerry Dipoto says Mariners weren’t interested in trading Ryon Healy
Jul 26, 2018, 4:19 PM | Updated: 4:23 pm
Ryon Healy has been filling in at third base for the Mariners in Kyle Seager's absence. (AP)
(AP)
Mariners first baseman Ryon Healy found himself the subject of a trade rumor earlier this week, with the Kansas City Royals reported to have inquired about his services with Seattle.
General manager Jerry Dipoto told Danny, Dave and Moore that the question of a Healy trade didn’t get far.
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“I saw the suggestion you were talking about,” Dipoto replied after Dave Wyman brought up the report by Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan. “It was actually another team called and checked in with us on Ryon’s availability and we declined. We like what Ryon has brought to our team.”
So much so that Dipoto isn’t considering a future for the Mariners without Healy right now.
“We believe in Ryon Healy,” he said. “He is part of both our present and we envision as part of our future, and I don’t anticipate that changing. He’s done the things that we acquired him to do and I’m hoping that he doesn’t take personally that his name showed up in a trade rumor. The fact is, it should probably be an honor if somebody is calling on you at this time of year.”
Healy, who came over last offseason in a trade from Oakland, has 21 home runs and 54 RBIs this season along with good defense at first base, but the 26 year old is hitting just .249 with a .280 on-base percentage in 84 games. And with Robinson Canó coming back soon from his 80-game suspension and set to see time at first base, it was only natural for other teams to check in on Healy.
“I know there’s been a lot of discussion and talk about where Robinson Canó goes, etc. – we’re taking it one step at a time,” Dipoto said. “… We like the defense that (Healy) has played at first base. We love the power. I will say that his ability to get on-base is what’s going to define whether he takes that next step in his career or he’s just a strong power guy who can play good defense at first base.
“Ryon’s done everything we thought he could do and probably more. He’s on a strong pace, I think he’s performing commensurate to his career norms. He has transitioned really easily defensively, and maybe more importantly, Ryon Healy really cares. He cares, he’s high energy and his teammates like him.”
You can listen to the full Jerry Dipoto Show in this podcast.
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