Spring training is fast approaching, but not fast enough for me. These days, we are in a serious baseball content drought: MLB The Show is in end-of-life, most of the major names have been signed, and the trade market is coming to a standstill. All I have left to keep me going these days is the 40 in 40s. Most recently, I read what Isabelle Minasian wrote about Emmerson Hancock. The article was a good read. Until now, I did not know Hancock was the 6th overall pick, which makes the Mariners’ development of him interesting, especially considering the success they’ve had with other guys who didn’t have as much upside, like Bryan Woo or Bryce Miller. Hancock is not the only player to raise these kinds of questions. The Mariners currently have a plethora of players who may, in fact, be on their last chance or close to it. Through circumstance, injury, or just plain chance, these are players who now find themselves on the outside looking in of the opening day roster, which raises a few questions for me:
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Now, obviously, there may be other players you have opinions about, but let me explain why I chose who I chose.
Cole Young could become the starting second baseman right out of spring training, or even third base if things don’t work out for Williamson over there. While a bad run for Young could mean starting in Triple-A and allowing the Mariners to run out whoever for 2-3 months while Young builds up some momentum again in the minors. Williamson is in a similar boat to Young; it seems they are going to go with him at third, but I would hesitate to call it a sure thing. Williamson had some good moments last year and looked solid, but is going to take more than 76 OPS+ to be a core contributor on this team at a power premium position, at least I think it should. Luke Raley didn’t see much action last year due to injury, but even when he was healthy, he still didn’t see an uptick in use and went unused in the playoffs. Raley has to come out of the gate hot. He has some value as a utility player for outfield and first, but with the addition of Refsnyder, it’s hard to say how Raley fits on this roster moving forward.
Bryce Miller was haranged by injury, inconsistancy and poor performance last year, I imagine mostly stemming from his repeated elbow issues. Miller has shown he can be dominant. I fully expect him to return to form and more this season; I don’t think there’s any reason to expect less. Now, I’ll preface this by saying I am a well-known Canzone hater. Now, Canzone has had flashes, but I’m ready to see him put it together if he can. However, if he can’t, I support ending the Canzone experience. Emmerson Hancock’s name still haunts the comments on these posts. What is there to say that Isabelle hasn’t said already? He’s 26, a former top pick, now is the time show us he’s got it. The random usage, being called up and down at a whim, I’m sure, takes its toll mentally and physically. But Hancock has got to show up with a new gear this year, or I fear his time as a Mariner may be soon drawing to a close.
Of course, I can’t let you go without seeing the results from last week. So let us get into it. Last week I asked you all if you thought the Mariners were done this offseason, and boy did people let me know:
Vast majory of you said know. I think that’s cope (formerly known as Edge) but I guess we shall see. If there is going to be a deal, it will be the NL Central, either the Cubes or the Cardinals, but I really think the asking price for Nico Horner or Brenden Donovan is too high. That being said, competitive teams make competitive moves; you rarely miss prospects when you’re playing in October. Plus, while the cost is high now, it might only get higher at the deadline, or depending on where teams are at, become nonexistent.
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In relation to that we also asked if you thought the Mariners had a World Series leve roster as they are right now, the results were less straightforward:
Slight lean towards “I don’t know,” but really it’s split into thirds. Obviously, we still have yet to see how this group will play over the course of a full season. Personally, I don’t think the Mariners have made massively impactful changes that put them over the top, but I guess that depends on how much they need to get over the hill.
Regardless, let us know what you think in the comments and survey below…or I guess above in this case.
