Seattle Mariners Given One of Lowest Offseason Grades By National Publication
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The Seattle Mariners were given one of the lowest offseason grades in baseball, earning a "D-" from USA Today on Wednesday.
Apparently, the same free agent inactivity that frustrated fans all winter drew their ire as well.
We double- and triple-checked it and yes, retaining Jorge Polanco and adding Donovan Solano constituted the bulk of “maintaining” an offense that ranked 22nd in OPS and 21st in runs scored. Criminal support of a unicorn pitching staff.
The M's brought back Polanco on a one-year deal worth $7.5 million and signed Solano to a one-year deal worth $3.5 million. Both are expected to be regulars for Seattle, with Polanco taking over as the starting third baseman after playing second last year.
The M's elected to sit out the free agent market for guys like Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso, both of whom could have helped. Seattle is also clearly banking on a full year of Victor Robles and Randy Arozarena to help the offense, while also hoping that the addition of hitting coach Kevin Seitzer will help. The M's offense has been better in spring training, as they've scored 10 runs or more in each of the last four Cactus League games.
The M's are 3-2 right now, having won three straight.
They'll take on the Athletics on Wednesday afternoon with first pitch coming at 12:10 p.m. PT. The Mariners will open up the season on March 27 when they take on these very same A's at T-Mobile Park for a four-game series.
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