Call to the pen
Fansided

MLB Rumors: Three teams that need to be active with waiver claims

By Paul Ashley

ST LOUIS, MO - JUNE 11: General view of the ball park from the upper level as the St. Louis Cardinals play a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Busch Stadium on June 11, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals defeated the Phillies 6-5. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
ST LOUIS, MO - JUNE 11: General view of the ball park from the upper level as the St. Louis Cardinals play a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Busch Stadium on June 11, 2017 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals defeated the Phillies 6-5. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
MLB Rumors
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JULY 29: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the San Francisco Giants bats against the Milwaukee Brewers in the bottom of the six inning at AT&T Park on July 29, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

The Seattle Mariners have not been to the postseason since 2001.  They are currently 2.0 games behind the Oakland Athletics for a Wild Card spot and 6.5 games behind the Houston Astros for the lead in the AL West.

Although the Seattle Mariners have made many moves to improve their team, additional improvements could still be made in order to help the team reach the postseason for the first time in a long time.

Robinson Cano will return to the Mariners lineup as a first baseman and Dee Gordon will remain at second base.  As Gordon was the opening day starting center fielder, Seattle could use additional help in the outfield.

The Mariners outfield currently ranks 25th in the MLB in slugging percentage with a .384 average.  For comparison, their division-mate Athletics are 13th at .415 and the Astros are 15th at .405.  There are no current playoff teams below the Mariners in this statistic.

Due to this, the Mariners need to look into options to increase their slugging percentage in the outfield without sacrificing on-base percentage.  Players such as Andrew McCutchen and Curtis Granderson would improve their slugging percentage and maintain their on-base percentage as both currently hold a higher on-base percentage than the Mariners outfield average of .330.

McCutchen and Granderson are both free agents following this season, so they would be a minimal risk for the Mariners if they are placed on waivers and the M’s are able to claim them.

As both players slugging percentages are way above the Mariners .384 outfield average, they could help Seattle close the gap on the New York Yankees, Athletics, and Astros to help them find a spot in the postseason.

Home/MLB Rumors