Bullpen inflexibility was a problem for the Mariners at the beginning of the season, and it's going to rear itself here at the trade deadline as well.
If you go back to our Seattle Mariners coverage in spring training, we identified two things that stood out as real potential issues for this team:
The lack of bullpen inflexibility, and the lack of right-handed hitters, particularly on the infield.
The right-handed hitting issue has been an issue all season long, but the Mariners addressed that on Monday by acquiring Taylor Ward from the Baltimore Orioles. As the trade deadline nears its final hours, reports indicate that the M's are very interested in more bullpen help, but the logistics of the bullpen issue are about to be an issue again.
Here's what we mean:
The out-of-options/won't-be-optioned crew
As it stands right now, the Mariners have five active members of an eight-man bullpen that either won't be sent to Triple-A, or can't be sent to Triple-A because they are out of options.
That group is: Andres Munoz, Jose Ferrer, Gabe Speier, Eduard Bazardo and the newly-acquired Seranthony Dominguez.
The remaining three spots in the bullpen
As of this particular moment, the remaining three bullpen spots are filled by Michael Rucker, Cole Wilcox and Josh Simpson. Alex Hoppe was traded to Baltimore in the Ward deal, but of course, the M's are looking to upgrade in one of those three remaining spots.
Seattle Mariners pitcher Matt Brash (47) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the seventh inning at Busch Stadium. Jeff Curry-Imagn ImagesWhere the issues lie
The Mariners are expected to get Matt Brash, Carlos Vargas and Cooper Criswell back from injury in August. While the health of those players is not guaranteed, the roster spots also have to be accounted for, because they also can't or won't be sent down to Triple-A.
Vargas and Criswell are both out of options and both provide value when healthy.
In theory, if the Mariners acquire another bullpen arm, they'll bump out one of Rucker, Wilcox and Simpson, leaving the M's with a core group of six, and then the remaining two of that group of three.
Well, if Vargas, Criswell and Brash all come back, then the M's will be left with nine relievers for eight spots. They would have to DFA someone they don't want to, like Vargas, Criswell or Bazardo.
More questions
Of course, it's possible that the Mariners could keep all nine if they bring someone back from injury after rosters expand on Sept. 1. But, then, how do they ever get Kade Anderson onto the roster?
Perhaps that is where the additional rumors about trading one of George Kirby or Emerson Hancock come from.
The trade deadline is set for 3 p.m. PT.
