MLB: Assessing the AL West GMs at the midway point
By Bill Felber
Seattle Mariners, Jerry DiPoto, -5.8
Always one of the more frenetic MLB executives, DiPoto maintained that approach during the buildup to 2021. He acquired nine players in trade who have performed for the Mariners, signed or extended 11 others, and called up a half dozen rookies.
Judging solely by their record, the Mariners – three games over .500 – are indeed better. As it happens, that has more to do with the contributions of players already on hand than many of DiPoto’s new faces. The five most productive Mariners to date – J.P. Crawford, Yusei Kikuchi, Ty France, Jake Fraley, and Kendall Graveman – all fit into that classification.
What did DiPoto do? His most visible move was the signing of free agent pitcher (and former Mariner) James Paxton. But injuries have limited Paxton (0.0) to exactly one appearance to date.
His callup of heralded rookie Jarred Kelenic (-1.0) got plenty of ink. But Kelenic managed just eight hits in 92 plate appearances and has since been sent down.
He also signed a brace of arms, some of whom have worked out. Those moves brought in reliever Drew Steckenrider (+0.6), starter Chris Flexen (+0.3), and relievers Paul Sewald (+0.6), and J.T. Chargois (+0.3). Net impact of those signings on the Mariners: +1.8 games.
DiPoto was less effective in his dealings with other teams. The eight players he brought in via trade, purchase or waiver claim include relievers Rafael Montero (-1.1) from Texas for a minor leaguer and Will Vest (-1.0), drafted from the Detroit organization. Net impact of all eight personnel acquisitions on the Mariners: -3.5 games.