The Mariners accomplished one of their biggest trade deadline needs, getting a right-handed hitter from the Baltimore Orioles, but it does leave some real questions.
The Seattle Mariners attempted to address their biggest need in the trade market on Monday, acquiring outfielder Taylor Ward from the Baltimore Orioles for three pitchers, including Alex Hoppe.
A nine-year veteran of the Los Angeles Angels and Orioles, Ward is a career .247 hitter with 120 home runs and 375 RBIs.
This season, he's hit .246 for Baltimore with just seven home runs, though he's upped his on-base percentage in a major way. He's got a career OBP of .336, but this year he's at .383. He leads the American League in walks with 87.
He will be a huge addition to a roster that is at or near the bottom of most major categories against left-handed pitching. He's hitting .269 against lefties with a .413 on-base percentage.
He's hitting .238 against righties, but still maintains a solid on-base percentage of .372, well above the M's team OBP of .310, which is 25th.
So, with Ward in the fold, and Brendan Donovan set to return on Tuesday from injury, there are looming roster questions for the Mariners moving forward.
What the roster will look like
For the sake of argument, let's say the lineup looks like this against right-handed pitching:
C: Cal Raleigh
1B: Josh Naylor
2B: Cole Young
SS: Colt Emerson
3B: Brendan Donovan
LF: Randy Arozarena
CF: Julio Rodriguez
RF: Dominic Canzone
DH: Taylor Ward
***Remember: At the moment, JP Crawford is on the injured list
Baltimore Orioles left fielder Taylor Ward (3) crosses home plate to score a run against the Houston Astros during the 11th inning at Daikin Park. Erik Williams-Imagn ImagesBench:
The Mariners need to field Mitch Garver as the 10th position player, and then they need three of Weston Wilson, Rob Refsnyder, Leo Rivas, Victor Robles and Stuart Fairchild, who are all on the current roster, presumably. Of course, that can change, but this is where things stand now.
How things could shake out
Well, if Donovan is in the lineup at third base, the Mariners don't have any true backup infielders, so it seems like that would keep Rivas safe. Though he struggles offensively, he is a switch-hitter, which gives him additional value.
That gets you to 11 of 13 spots. Given Robles's ability to play defense and run, he seems safe as well, getting you to 12.
That leaves Refsnyder, Fairchild and Wilson for the final spot. If Robles and Ward are already here, does the team need a THIRD right-handed outfielder/DH type?
They certainly could, and since they are paying Refsnyder, they may want to keep him around, but are there better options down at Tacoma? Could Miles Mastrobuoni be a better fit until Crawford returns?
And what about Sept. 1?
Well, Sept. 1 will see roster expansion, meaning the Mariners will get another position player in the group. Last year, the team utilized three catchers, so maybe Jhonny Pereda has the inside track, but this could also be the spot for Michael Arroyo, or perhaps Mastrobuoni if Crawford is here?
And how about when Crawford returns?
Well, things will get interesting. Will Crawford assume a bench role? Will Crawford become the shortstop and Emerson goes to the bench?
Will Ward play every day, or will he only play against lefties? Allowing Donovan to play right?
The Mariners are currently 55-58 and three games back in the American League West.
