Do the Seattle Mariners have enough hitting for 2018?
The WAR for the Seattle Mariners
The overall effect is a loss of about 1.6 WAR from 2017 to 2018. Even with a reduction in WAR, their projected total would have ranked them above average last year, so perhaps Dipoto is right. Maybe they do have enough offense.
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On the other hand, they have two spots that could use an upgrade. Ryon Healy and friends at first base are projected to be worth 0.5 WAR.
That’s well below average and would rank them 28th out of the 30 MLB teams based on 2018 projections.
Only the Royals (primarily Brandon Moss) and Mets (Dominic Smith) project to be worse.
The left field spot (primarily Ben Gamel) is projected to be worth 0.7 WAR, which would be 24th in MLB. This is another potential spot to upgrade.
Dipoto is likely hoping Healy and Gamel outperform their projections, which is always possible for two players who will be 26 next season.
They’ll also be making right around the MLB minimum salary. A free agent addition at first base or left field would be much more costly.
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Dipoto may be right. The Seattle Mariners offense projects to be similar to last year and they do have a more prominent need in the pitching department, but unless Healy and Gamel hit better than projected, the team is giving away offense at two spots that generally provide good hitting.