Mariners Initial Roster Potentially Set Following Flurry of Moves
Credit: Carlos Vargas/Instagram
On top of releasing veteran outfielder Mitch Haniger on Sunday, the Mariners made a flurry of other moves as they continue to cut down their roster ahead of Thursday’s season opener against the Athletics. Left-handed pitcher Brandyn Garcia and catchers Harry Ford and Blake Hunt were optioned/reassigned to the minor leagues as expected, while the other handful of decisions the team made provide some answers as to how Seattle’s initial roster will likely shake out.
With Troy Taylor (lat) expected to start the season on the injured list, at least one spot in the Mariners’ bullpen was seemingly up for grabs this spring. Right-hander Casey Legumina appeared to be the favorite to land that job, with veteran lefty Drew Pomeranz making a late charge as a potential dark horse. Instead, neither will fill that role as Legumina has been optioned to Triple-A Tacoma and Pomeranz has been released alongside Jesse Hahn.
That leaves right-handed flamethrower Carlos Vargas as the eighth and final reliever remaining in Seattle’s major-league camp. Vargas was one of two players acquired from the Diamondbacks in the now-infamous trade that sent Eugenio Suárez to Arizona, but despite a Mariners bullpen that struggled at times with both injuries and performance, he never got the opportunity to pitch at the big-league level during his first year in the organization. In 53.1 frames pitched over the course of 55 total appearances in Triple-A last season, the 25-year old posted a 3.54 ERA with a 4.98 FIP while averaging just 6.75 strikeouts per nine innings.
Vargas, who’s surrendered five runs in 7.2 innings this spring, is out of minor-league options and will only have a short amount of time to carve out a role within a Mariners’ bullpen that is expected to get crowded quickly once Taylor, Matt Brash (elbow), and Jackson Kowar (elbow) return. The key to doing so will be simple for Vargas: complement the high-upside arsenal with consistent strike-throwing.
It is possible, however, that Seattle may add a reliever via the waiver wire or the trade market in the coming days. Several notable players have already been moved as teams begin to set their rosters and more will certainly follow.
In addition to their pitching decisions, the Mariners also optioned utility infielder Leo Rivas to Triple-A. Rivas slashed .233/.333/.274 in 43 games with Seattle a year ago and made some key defensive and baserunning contributions. He will likely be the first player in line to receive a call to the majors if one of the club’s infielders suffers an injury or needs to be sent down.
This essentially confirms that utility man Miles Mastrobuoni has made the roster. Mastrobuoni has put up big numbers this spring, slashing .452/.486/.613 with four extra-base hits, and is an average or slightly better defender at several positions.
Barring any outside additions, Seattle’s 26-man roster to start the year appears to be:
Starting Pitchers (5): Logan Gilbert, Luis Castillo, Bryce Miller, Bryan Woo, Emerson Hancock
Relief Pitchers (8): Andrés Muñoz, Gregory Santos, Gabe Speier, Collin Snider, Eduard Bazardo, Trent Thornton, Carlos Vargas, Tayler Saucedo
Catchers (2): Cal Raleigh, Mitch Garver
Corner Infielders (4): Luke Raley, Jorge Polanco, Donovan Solano, Rowdy Tellez
Middle Infielders (4): Ryan Bliss, J.P. Crawford, Dylan Moore, Miles Mastrobuoni
Outfielders (3): Julio Rodríguez, Victor Robles, Randy Arozarena
Once the Mariners’ roster is officially announced, we’ll have a bigger breakdown here on Emerald City Spectrum.
