The Seattle Mariners are headed for a difficult conversation with and about outfielder Randy Arozarena.

And no, it's not about handshakes or teammate relationships.

It's about defense, and what to do about it.

Never regarded as super strong defender, Arozarena's defense has backtracked through the first 11 games of this season.

In just those 11 games, Arozarena has already taken a poor route to a ball, failing to cut it off and turning a single into a double against the Cleveland Guardians.

On Sunday, in a loss to the Los Angeles Angels, Arozarena dove for a ball, failing to catch it or keep it front of him, allowing a batter to hit a double. He eventually scored, tying the game at 5-5. His poor throw in the bottom of the 11th allowed the Angels to score on a game-winning sac fly.

On Monday, in a loss to the Texas Rangers, he did the same thing, diving for a ball he couldn't get to, allowing a ball to become a double. And then he allowed a ball over his head that became the game-winning hit in the 2-1 defeat. It certainly wasn't an easy play (.600 expected batting average), but it's a play that gets made by certain outfielders.

Arozarena's bat is a necessity in the lineup, especially in this ice-cold version of the M's lineup, but how the team handles his defensive woes is going to be interesting to monitor.

The issues at hand? What happens with Colt Emerson comes to the big league roster? And how about the fact that Arozarena is a free agent at the end of the year?

We discussed those things on the most recent 'Refuse to Lose' podcast:

"I think there's an uncomfortable conversation brewing because when Colt Emerson gets here, what is the answer for the Mariners?

There are a handful of answers: Colt Emerson can get here, and Randy can stay in left, and Brendan Donovan can be the DH, and Cole Young can play at second. That works. You'd end up sitting one of Raley and Canzone, but that's a situation that works.

It also works if you put Brendan Donovan in left, Colt Emerson at third, Cole Young at second, and put Randy Arozarena at DH. I believe that is probably the best scenario for the Mariners for multiple reasons.

There's Randy's defense getting out of left field consistently, which is a good thing, and then there's Brendan Donovan not having to be the DH. Remember, if Emerson, Young, Donovan, and JP Crawford are all in the game at the same time, you'll have no backup infielders. I'll assume Leo Rivas is being sent down in this situation. You'll have no backup infielders.

So if Brendan Donovan's the DH and, for some reason, has to go into the infield or into the game, you've burned your DH. If he's already in the game in left field, you can switch things around easier.

I think Randy Arozarena as the DH makes a lot of sense, but I don't think Randy Arozarena's going to go for being a DH. I think Randy has too much pride for that. I think Randy knows it's a contract year, and he doesn't want to limit himself defensively or limit his earning potential based on where he's playing defensively.

I think there's a tough conversation, because I think what's best for the Mariners is Colt Emerson at third, Brendan Donovan in left, and Randy Arozarena at DH. But I just don't see Randy Arozarena going for that."

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