Seattle Mariners Reportedly Not Interested in Jose Bautista

The Seattle Mariners are reportedly content with using inexperienced players like Ben Gamel and Dan Vogelbach in the outfield and first base, rather than signing former All-Star Jose Bautista.

Despite a splashy trade earlier this offseason to acquire hot-hitting shorstop Jean Segura, the Seattle Mariners seem poised to make a few more moves before the start of next season.  That move, however, remains unclear.

After sending away Taijuan Walker in the trade for Segura, the Mariners are reportedly seeking an established starter to round out their rotation behind Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma. Rumors circulated during the Winter Meetings that the Mariners would trade Seth Smith for a starter, then subsequently target Jose Bautista – but all current indications point to the Mariners reluctance to sign Bautista.

Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune wrote that there’s been no talk from members of the Mariners front office of a potential Bautista signing, but the fit remains clear.

Currently, the Mariners have Seth Smith, Ben Gamel, Mitch Haniger and Danny Valencia to play the outfield, but none possess the tools to be everyday players.  If Seattle hopes to bolster its offense into elite territory, adding another established outfielder would be wise.

But Bautista doesn’t figure to be that player, seeing that his defensive metrics last season plummeted along with his skills at the plate.  The 36-year-old slashed .234/.366/.452 with 22 homers in an injury-shortened season, while seeing his feared power stroke reduced to nothing more than a passing threat.

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Given that signing Bautista means giving up a draft pick, the market for the aging hitter is significantly smaller than originally thought before the season.  Many predicted Bautista to have a usual 40 home run season while hitting in the mid-200s, but his nagging injuries halted that notion.  Originally thought to be worth anywhere from $15 million to $20 million a year before the season, Bautista figures to be nothing more than a one-year flyer deal type of player at this point.

Still, Bautista’s track record and his high on-base percentage this season are positives for his future.  If he can show that he’s fully recovered from the knee injury that plagued him this season, Bautista could be at least a platoon option in the outfield.  And if he can learn first base in due time, his value will only increase.

Dutton notes that dealing Smith remains a very real possibility, and that would prompt the Mariners to add a proven hitter.  There’s still a reason SportsBettingDime.com gave the Mariners a 12/1 shot to sign Bautista.

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If the team isn’t fully confident in their young options, Bautista can prove his worth in a bounceback season, while bringing some needed star power to the North West.