With Robinson Cano injured and suspended for the next 80 games, could the Seattle Mariners put Dee Gordon back in his old position of second base?
When the Seattle Mariners acquired Dee Gordon in an off-season trade, the plan was to move him to centerfield with Robinson Cano entrenched in that position. That had been working. Of course, it did until this weekend when Cano got his hand broken. Not only that, he’s suspended for 80 games as well.
So what should the Seattle Mariners do?
Well, it appears part of the solution is for Gordon to at least see some time back in his old stomping grounds.
The Mariners have asked Dee Gordon about playing second base. He’s all in. It will happen, though not right away. Hasn’t taken a ground ball since December.
— Corey Brock (@CoreyBrockMLB) May 15, 2018
Not only that, with Cano’s suspension, the club now has some more money to play with.
Dipoto says that they CAN use the $ that Cano is not being paid for other roster moves.
— Kevin Shockey (@KevinShockey) May 15, 2018
Good question from @TJCotterill
With Cano down and out, the club added Gordon Beckham to the roster. Beckham, Andrew Romine, and Taylor Motter are all options at second base along with Gordon.
In the outfield, Guillermo Heredia will see an uptick in time.
In the minors, the club has some players with major league experience. Kirk Nieuwenhuis isn’t off to the best start in AAA. Cameron Perkins is hitting .292 with a .816 OPS. They also have veteran Jayson Werth, although he is hitting just .188 in 18 games and is going through spring training after being a late signing.
The Seattle Mariners are keeping their eyes and ears open for middle infield and outfield depth.
The Seattle Mariners don’t have a great farm system but may be able to use their newfound financial flexibility to acquire someone. It’s going to be easier to add outfield depth than it is in the middle infield, and as a team that is in the striking distance right now, moving Dee Gordon back down to second base is the prudent move.
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It’s not going to be easy for the Seattle Mariners to replace Robinson Cano. Everyone will have to step up, but they certainly have the talent to survive this, and their best bet is moving Gordon back to second.