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Why the Seattle Mariners Addition of Mitch Garver Isn't Enough

Originally posted on FanNation Fastball | By Brady Farkas | Last updated 12/27/23

The Seattle Mariners took a solid step forward on Sunday night when they signed catcher/designated hitter Mitch Garver to a multi-year deal.

This marked the first addition to the roster this offseason, was the first free agent money the M's had spent, and put an end to the notion that ALL the team was going to do was cut payroll.

While the move was good, it can't - and shouldn't - be the only thing the M's do this offseason. The team still needs to find more offense.

Fantasy Baseball guru Mike Kurland posted an M's projected lineup:

My projected lineup for the #Mariners

The notes have my quick thoughts on the outfield.

Initial thought: The top half of the order is solid but it gets iffy quick.

All future updates moving forward will be on the site: https://t.co/vvfyxWErgj pic.twitter.com/D1cb8g8eaK
— Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) December 25, 2023

This mock-up has Garver hitting in the cleanup spot for Seattle, and therein lies the problem. Garver can't be counted on to be this team's middle of the order production. He hit 19 homers in Texas last year, which was great when he was the fifth or sixth option in the lineup. It was a great bonus for a great team that featured All-Stars like Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Josh Jung and Adolis Garcia. Because of the depth, Garver got to be the cherry on top of the lineup, hitting fifth or seventh mostly and seeing more fastballs.

In Seattle, that's not currently the case. The M's can't rest their hopes on Garver simply replacing Teoscar Hernandez or Eugenio Suarez as a middle of the order presence.

If he is the M's one-or-two option for power, the team is likely to be disappointed. If the team continues to add and brings in Jorge Soler or Matt Chapman, forcing Garver down the pecking order, then he also can be a nice bonus for them.

This article first appeared on FanNation Fastball and was syndicated with permission.

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