Who will be resigned? Now we will see how serious management is about winning
Would seem like an opportunity to lock in a few guys, it’s obvious that signing Naylor is a good idea, questions abound about the rest of the roster. Is this the time to resign Palonco ~ the guy showed what he can do when finally healthy or do you just go with a prized rookie at 2B? Can you trust the light hitting Robles or do you trade him for not much to get out of the contract? Is Canzone your left fielder? Do you want to go through with resigning Arozorena ~ need to have some power in the OF but he is a super streaky player and disappeared in the big moments in the division championship series. Where is the power going to come from ~ is it enough to have a moderate power from Naylor, a ton of consistent power from Raleigh and inconsistent power from Rodriguez [primarily in the 2nd half] ~ personally i don’t think so ~ still need at least one more big time bat. So who is that, there is no one else under contract or in the system now to provide it ~ doubt that they will sign Suarez although he is an obvious value.
Arbitration cases for Gilbert and Kirby with Miller and Woo locked up.. I’m convinced they will try to promote the rookie Anderson when he is ready but optimistically that is next year so its likely that the 5th starter is Evans assuming they trade Castillo for Chipmonks to get out of the contract.
Signing Naylor early is key because it invites better players to consider signing with the Mariners to be that one more guy to get them back into serious contention [something that has been missing for years].
Comments
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The cuog GM on YouTube put together a nice offseason plan. It's reasonable, attainable, and has zero chance of coming true. They have a lot of flexibility depending in who they retain, resign, etc.
My big worry is that I think Gilbert's elbow is fucked. I predict TJ for him in 2026, I just don't know whether it will come this winter or after they start camp and he still can't throw 96.
If Gilbert has that happen should they really be looking to move Castillo?
I wouldnt commit more than $6-$8 mil for George Planko. Imhis health isnt reliable enough. I'd want him nack, but inly at a bargain or with massive amounts of money tied to incentives.
I'd see if thwres a trade market for Canzone. His defense is way too shitty for me. I'd rather bank on Raley getting back in form. Way better player overall.
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Absolutely on Naylor and Polanco. I can see both getting away. How much are they willing to overpay, in money and in years. I lean towards Raley over Calzone if they can get value. The young middle guys are on the come, but one of them will be replacing JP in a couple of years.
Naylor is a top shelf complimentary player, but needs dudes around him to flourish…which he has in Seattle. He is not a profile first baseman…more hit than power, but an absolute grinder, and appears to be a great clubhouse guy. He will wait to see what Alonso gets, but they are different players skill-wise. Alonso had 80 extra base hits, Naylor 50. That works with Raleigh's output behind the plate (not saying he will continue to hit 60 every year, don't twist).
I see Polanco as a solid DH, serviceable defender at 2B. I can see him getting 8-10MM for 2-3 years. He is a very good player, but, as with Naylor, he thrives when he is not the focus in the lineup.
Watching the playoffs, I think that we saw what this thing is becoming…starting pitching. The Dodgers are what they are, but they had 17 different pitchers start games for them this season, and the only one to make 30 starts was Yamamoto. Their top-end guys were fresh and strong when it mattered, and it allowed them to overcome a shit-tier bullpen at the end. I can see clubs going to a 6-man rotation, building in rest periods for starters during the season, allowing them to rest, reset physically and mentally, and be strong going into September. That can include mixing in the top-end prospects, prepping them from spring training. Look at what Yesavage did, after starting the season in low A. It is a mentality, and in today's game I think it will become the standard.
BITD, they had to learn to "pitch"…"Gotta have 4/5 commanded pitches"…now, it's "You got 97 with a plus-plus split / sweeper /slider? Let it rip, son". The guys coming out of college are that advanced. They have pitching labs, and college pitching coaches are getting poached to MLB.
tl/dr
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Who are the two best players in the Japan League right now?
Sign them.Doyer model.
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Trade Castillo to free up money for keeping Naylor. They have plenty of pitching coming up from the minors.
Let Suarez walk. He had the clutch home run in game 5 (I believe) but had a huge hole in his bat for most of the playoffs and is aging. I thought his bat looked slow. Find somebody else who can hit 30+ home runs.
Bring up Colt Emerson.
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Naylor has to be the top re-signing priority. Has to. Let Suarez walk. Hard to say about Robles because he was hurt so much, but his bat was TERRIBLE in the playoffs. I think I'd be leaning towards trying to get Polanco on something team friendly if possible.
Probably can only afford to upgrade one OF position this year, so I think you look at trying to get more out of RF and let it rip with Randy Arozarena at least 1 more year in LF. -
I think the team will want to ride with Calzone in Right in a platoon with Robles ~ Calzone getting most of the AB to see if he is a major league hitter with average and a degree of power as he matures. I dont think that solves their problems but that is what I think management will want to do.
The real question is who is at third ~ i think the front office wants more power and either 3rd or RF is where they can get it. If they get an additional new power hitter in right or left field, Williamson is your third baseman to see how he developes would seem likely.
At this point they are back where they were in July ~ they need Naylor at 1st, they need a an additional player at DH, left / right fielder and / or third baseman with power and OBA, one more good contact hitter and an increased IQ for manufacturing singles and doubles with men on base.
Everybody has holes ~ history says the mariners will not address most of their needs, but the team surprised us at mid season with the acquisitions and fans responded down the stretch with major attendance ~ maybe ownership surprises with new acquisitions.
What i think they will do is trade for a new DH, sign Naylor, trade Castillo for young prospects, play the rookies at 2B and 3B, continue on with Arozarena in left while hoping for the best.
