Drayer: Baseball is back, so what’s on tap for the Mariners?

Thankfully, there shall be baseball. Now what for the Mariners?

Players vote to end MLB lockout, salvaging 162-game season

First item of business, complete the club. The transaction freeze has come to an end and Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto has items remaining on his list. We have covered all of that in conversations, posts, podcasts and Hot Stove shows and now it’s time to see what can get done. At a minimum, Dipoto would like to add an impact bat and a starting pitcher. What to look for?

At the time that MLB imposed the lockout, Dipoto was within striking range of at least one free-agent signing, but nothing got pushed across the finish line. Could we see something quickly? Or will there be a reset of sorts, particularly with the infielders? If they were close on Trevor Story or Kris Bryant, do they wait to see what happens with Carlos Correa?

On the pitching front, the feeling was Dipoto was leaning toward a trade, perhaps Sonny Gray or one of his rotation mates in Cincinnati. The A’s could be open for trade as well with multiple pitchers and Matt Chapman of interest.

The question here is will the trade market move slower? It would stand to reason the sense of urgency here is different. Trades do not have to get done in the coming days. This could present a unique challenge for Dipoto and others. How long do you hold out for your top preferences? With the positional flexibility the Mariners have Dipoto should be in better shape than most teams looking to fill needs but again, timing could be key.

Of course there is one other possibility that falls under a different timeline altogether and that is Seiya Suzuki. I suspect he will want to get into camp quickly. Every day will be precious as he makes the adjustment from the NPB to MLB. I wouldn’t be looking for discounts here, however, as an agent-set deadline here should garner substantial best offers from a field of finalists.

So new faces should be popping up in camp as the shortened spring training progresses. What about the old faces?

The official reporting day for players is Sunday, but many are already in the area and could show up at the facility at any time. Coaches and front office members will be permitted to talk with the media once more, so we’ll have a clearer picture of what is to come regarding plans of how they can get the team ready on an abbreviated schedule.

The pitching will be a concern. There are enough spring games scheduled to get each starter four starts if they are ready to go in the first run through the rotation, but as we have seen every spring, there are players they may need or prefer to go slower with. It is a necessity that’s one thing, otherwise, it will be a luxury. Regardless, it’s hard to see a rotation stretched out in time for Opening Day. The bullpen will be leaned on.

On that note, there is no group of players I will feel for more than the relievers. Do you know who benefits most from a full slate of spring training games? Relievers. Put yourself in their shoes. They don’t pitch often and they don’t pitch for long. If they have a miserable 1-inning outing in the spring, they have to live with it for days. They need appearances to get comfortable with their mechanics and to build up not just in innings but back-to-backs. Scheduling B-games could help, but this will be a very quick build up for relievers.

Others who will get the short end of the stick with a shorter spring training are players on the bubble, young players looking to break through and players coming off injury. All of these players benefit from longer looks and more innings and both will be in short supply.

All eyes will be on 2020 American League Rookie of the Year Kyle Lewis coming back from knee surgery. Top Mariners prospect Julio Rodríguez in a normal spring might have an outside chance to kick down the door, but in this case, 20 games is probably not enough. But for the record, I don’t put anything past Rodríguez.

Seattle Sports will be on the ground and ready to bring it all to you starting on the full squad report day Sunday. It is going to be a whirlwind spring training, but hey, we are well rested.

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