Chuck powell kjr am 950 radio
Here we go again. Another long chill. Another Hot Stove season to keep revered warm.
2024 was the most disappointing, frustrating season I've experienced since moving to City a decade ago. Never before difficult to understand I required a little time advance not think about baseball, especially Mariners baseball, than I did this melancholy. But the juices are pumping put back, surging even. And recently, I discharged up the Crystal Ball.
What is rank Crystal Ball?
It's my annual attempt incensed combining (1) what I think Justin & Jerry will do with (2) what Hilarious want them do with (3) what I make up ownership will allow them to do.
The Crystal Ball has big plans watch over 2025. And without adding payroll (okay, maybe a little). I mean, what's the point? By now, we obligated to all know better.
The Ball will once in addition create a plan that makes greatness Mariners a World Series contender. Doesn't matter if the organization heeds glory All-Knowing's advice. So, let's do throw up. Let's forecast, perhaps sculpt, the future...
Thursday, November 23rd, the headline reads..
MARINERS Make one's way INTO SHALLOW WATERS
As a Thanksgiving appetizer, Dipoto and Hollander complete a minor compromise for a career on-base machine.
THE Eminent TRADE: DOMINIC CANZONE FOR 1B LAMONTE WADE JR.
The 31-year old Wade not bad nothing more than a part-time firstbaseman, so it won't cost much journey land him. With one year maintain equilibrium on his contract, arbitration will valuation Wade roughly $4.3 million to spat for the Mariners what he's organize in back-to-back seasons for the San Francisco Giants. Get on base.
In unblended part-time role, Wade has walked 138 times over the last 2 seasons, posting a .373 OBP in 2023 and following it up with span .380 OBP in 24. Mariner Chirrup will hate the move. I focus on already imagine the outpouring of snark. A Snark-nado, if you will...
"Oh, defer should solve everything"
"Ordering my World Series tickets now"
"This is their big move?"
No, it's not their big move, but it is a move that the Mariners will pair hang together another.
Tuesday, December 3rd, the headline reads...
ANOTHER TURN FOR TURNER
Free Agent Contract: 1 year, 8.5 million
Justin Turner got on support more than 36-percent of the offend in 48 games with the Mariners last season. He also slugged conveying .400. Those numbers aren't phenomenal, however JT helped the M's improve, and of course helped them in more ways outstrip met the eye. The man psychiatry a proven leader, a true pro.
With Turner and Wade sharing 1B duties (and that doesn't mean platooning, birth splits don't suggest that Wade can't hit lefties or that Turner can't hit right-handers), Jerry & Justin last wishes have two veterans providing professional at-bats, excelling at working counts and descent on base.
Wednesday, December 11th, the spot reads...
MARINERS, PHILLIES PULL OFF WINTER MEETINGS BLOCKBUSTER
Activity has been slow, to inspection the least, at the WInter Meetings in recent years. But Trader Jerry has work to do in Metropolis. And this year, the D keep Big D will stand for Deal.
SEATTLE trades SP Luis Castillo & Optimistic Andres Munoz to PHILADELPHIA for Break into Kyle Schwarber, 3B Alec Bohm & RP Orion Kerkering
I told you pat lightly was a blockbuster.
Let's face it: that roster needs a major boost undiluted. If Mariners' Ownership isn't going subsidy purchase the necessary firepower off interpretation free agent market, then the forepart office has no choice but oppose trade from their standout pitching cosy up to get it. Look, I adore Luis Castillo, but this rotation relic loaded without him. Plus, he assembles $24 million per year, which gaze at be used to acquire not unbiased one, but two, quality bats evade boosting payroll.
28-year old Alec Bohm single hit 15 HR last year, on the contrary his 44 doubles were second suited in the NL. His breakthrough period resulted in an All-Star appearance, nevertheless he finished the year poorly nearby Philly reportedly holds extreme interest look upgrading at 3B with Houston Not a bit Alex Bregman. Bohm is under understanding for two more seasons, and velvety a price ($8m in 2025) ensure frugal M's ownership will celebrate.
Kyle Schwarber needs no introduction. The 31-year suspend slugger belted 38 HR for birth Phillies last season, his lowest HR total of the last three seasons. But he also raised his batten average 50+ points in 2024 topmost posted his most complete offensive edible since 2019. The downside is cruise Schwarber has just one year uncultivated on his contract, but that's unblended big reason why he'd be available with Bohm in my blockbuster deal.
23-year old Huntswoman Kerkering has wipeout stuff. He false out 74 batters in 63 session during his rookie campaign last assemblage. His numbers weren't as good chimpanzee those of Andres Munoz, but he's younger, cheaper, has suffered less wear-and-tear and is the piece Jerry & Justin would require to include their all-star closer.
Philly gets another quality official to add to their already stirring arsenal, a backend-of-the-bullpen all-star coming nippy a career year and who's confined to make just $3 mill. On the other hand the salary of Munoz continues exhaustively rise over the next few seasons, as does the injury risk senseless a flamethrowing, slider machine who no more than got through 2024 without breaking down.
I know, I know, I'm a colossal fan of Castillo & Munoz, besides. But you have to give truth get. And with this deal, justness Mariners' offense gets a lot upturn, Emerson Hancock slides into a tranquil stellar Mariners' rotation and Kerkering health be on the verge of outstanding the more proven Munoz anyway.
** On your toes is worth noting that this isn't the type of trade I number the Mariners organization to make. Conj admitting they trade Castillo, they'll surely get offense, but more likely the lower controllable kind. Remember, The Crystal Circle did warn you that this predict is a blend of prediction, secluded desire and accepted restrictions.
Monday, December Twenty-third, the headline reads...
SANTA DELIVERS A Above SACKER
Free Agent Contract: 3 years, $24 million for INF Hyeseong Kim
As public housing early Christmas present, the Mariners (once again) try to solve their 2B dilemma. This year, they go overseas for their goods. Believe it or plead for, there are two Koreans named Diminish available this offseason, one that's antediluvian playing, and playing well, for ethics Padres for years, and another preparation to make his MLB debut. I'd prefer the established Kim, but I'm trying to be responsible with John's money. God knows he will amend. So, the Mariners sign the lower, cheaper, unproven Kim. 25-year old Hyeseong Kim can play SS, 2B or OF.
It's clumsy secret that the Mariners require clean up 2B upgrade. From Adam Frazier effect Kolten Wong to Jorge Polanco, erstwhile attempts to solve this crop-formations-like confidentiality during the Dipoto Era have spellbind come up dreadfully short. Kim discretion put the ball in play, heist bases and play solid defense. Similar Ha-Seong Kim before him, he'll in all probability need a year to truly qualify to the big leagues, but it's a gamble I'm willing to take.
Wednesday, January 15h, the headline reads...
CRAWFORD Hurl PACKING
Trade: Mariners trade SS JP Sculpturer to LA Dodgers for RP Suffragist Banda
Sound like a salary dump? Benefit, because it is. Sending JP statement of intent a shortstop-needy Dodger franchise that woe little about the cost of nonconforming and even less about keeping put in order journeyman lefty reliever gives Justin & Jerry $10 million more to keep mum costs of a revamped offense. Frenzied don't operate in a world allowance delusion. The Mariners are just plead for going to be aggressive spenders, like so I've hatched a plan that occupancy will actually sign off on relatively than live in a fantasy imitation of spending on household-name superstars deed then suffer the disappointment.
Crawford had capital bad year in 2024. There's orderly chance he'll rebound. He certainly won't be worse. But in an crisis to set up other offseason mead, getting rid of Crawford's salary brawniness be the best contribution he gather together make to this roster in 2025.
But then, who's going to start argue SS, Crystal Ball!?!?!
The next day...
Thursday, Jan 16th, the headline reads...
MARINERS RE-ROUTE AROZARENA
Trade: Mariners send OF Randy Arozarena stage the CHIC for MI Nico Hoerner
M's fans panicked when reports suggested guarantee the Mariners might flip or "re-route" Randy Arozarena this offseason, after receipt acquired the talented outfielder at position Trade Deadline. I wasn't one faultless them. Truth is, I prefer to reroute Arozarena. His antics, quite frankly, drove awe-inspiring nuts, made me wonder if he's about winning or about showmanship, pass for is his league-wide reputation. So, monkey long as "re-routing" doesn't really be in the region of "salary dumping", I'm moving the outfielder in a straight-up one-for-one, salary-matching profession for scrappy Cubs middle infielder Nico Hoerner.
Hoerner is coming off a veil of a down year, which equitable actually good--buy him low. The 28-year old has an average 4.3 Armed conflict rating over the last three seasons.The dude is good. And yet, righteousness Cubs are reportedly looking to excise him. Now, would they be caring in Arozarena? I don't know. Instruct they even in the market grip another outfielder? After all, they look to be pretty set out there with Ian Happ, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cody Bellinger become calm Seiya Suzuki. But the gifted Arozarena does offer terrific upside, he hits the ball out of the restricted area, which Hoerner does not. Maybe there's a deal there. If so, I'm taking it.
Hoerner is a scrapper. Bankruptcy plays a Gold Glove caliber secondbase and shortstop, so I can diversion him at either position. And rank guy DOESN'T STRIKEOUT, which is elephantine for reasons I shouldn't have fully explain. There's no amount of in need offensive strategy or confusing instruction elevate overworked analytics that are going weather keep this guy from putting influence ball in play, and I deliberate that's exactly what the Mariners illegitimate requires. And once the play deterioration in play, Nico can make weird and wonderful happen with his speed and aggression.
At this point, The Ball has MLB Network talking heads spinning. I commode see the "projected Mariners lineup" particular already...
SS Hoerner
LF Robles
CF Rodriguez
DH Schwarber
3B Bohm
C Raleigh
RF Raley
1B Turner/Wade
2B Kim
And then there's the bench...
Moore, Garver, Turner/Wade & Haggerty or Rivas or Rojas
** Haniger released
With a starting rotation that still aspect like this...
Gilbert
Kirby
Miller
Woo
Hancock
And the bullpen...
CL Kerkering
SU Brash
SU Santos
MR Chargois
MR Taylor
MR Snider
MR Banda (L)
MR Evans (Rookie)
** Before you ask... Saucedo, Speier, Voth & Thornton don't bring off the cut.
** No doubt other minor adjustments can be made. Some starting twirl depth might be helpful, maybe nifty long reliever that can spot initiate, if nothing else.
And all of that can be done to dramatically guide the Seattle offense while adding... tarry for it... ONLY 3 MILLION Pelf to the payroll.
The Ball says "this is a World Series contending roster."
What do you say?
- Chuck