With the trade deadline coming in two weeks and multiple players working back from injury, the Mariners will have some calls to make.
At 50-50 on the season, the Seattle Mariners are officially in full throttle mode as they try to win the American League West for the second consecutive year.
The M's, who spent much of the first half mired in frustration, are just 0.5 games back of the Texas Rangers in the American League West while also being just one game back of the surging Boston Red Sox in the American League wild card race.
Because of the trade deadline, injury returns, and prospect movement, there are several roster questions looming for the M's in the next two weeks.
Let's dive a little deeper.
Brendan Donovan
Donovan has been out since mid-May with complications from a sports hernia surgery that he underwent last season. He's played three rehab games and figures to be back by the time the Mariners play the Los Angeles Dodgers next week.
When he comes back, he'll assume a utility role with regular playing time. Bringing him back for Buddy Kennedy seems to be a fair call.
Rob Refsnyder
Refsynder, mired in the midst of a terrible first season in Seattle, is also working back from injury and has played two games for Triple-A Tacoma.
While his hold on a roster spot is far from a guarantee, if he comes back, it seems to be that replacing Weston Wilson will be the move.
Seattle Mariners designated hitter Rob Refsnyder (30) hits an RBI single against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Comerica Park. Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images*This means that the Mariners primary lineup would include Cal Raleigh, Josh Naylor, Cole Young, Colt Emerson, JP Crawford, Randy Arozarena, Julio Rodriguez, Donovan and Dominic Canzone.
The bench would include Mitch Garver, Victor Robles, Refsnyder and Luke Raley.
Other questions
Now, beyond those moves, there are several other questions that the Mariners need to answer:
1) Are they committed to Refsnyder getting his spot back, or could they move onto another right-handed hitting option? For instance, outfielder Brennen Davis is working back from injury also, but had a torrid spring and an excellent first two months with the Rainiers. Prospect Michael Arroyo is 8-for-10 against left-handed pitching at Triple-A Tacoma since being promoted and Ryan Bliss has been red-hot over the last two weeks.
2) Is Emerson, now hitting .195 with just one home run since June 15, a lock to stay up? Or could the team move Crawford back to shortstop and Donovan to third base again? At what point do his struggles become counter productive to his development?
3) Could the Mariners move on from Robles, who is in the final year of his contract and hitting .210 with a 45 OPS+? They need a right-handed bat at the trade deadline, could that acquisition actually take the spot of Robles?
4) Is there a chance that Raley, who hit the game-winning home run on Sunday, could be moved to help clear some roster redundancy? If the team already has Canzone and Donovan with the ability to play the outfield, is Raley truly necessary in a bench/utility role?
These are all things the Mariners will be attempting to deal with as they finish out the regular season.
The M's open up a new series with the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night at 6:40 p.m. PT.
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