Breaking News: Mariners Have Completed The Signing Of Another Key Star Player

In late February, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports that the Mariners are considering the option of signing free agent third baseman Matt Chapman, who remains available. It’s uncertain whether these discussions are just part of routine front office assessments or if president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto has initiated talks with Chapman’s representatives regarding a potential contract.

Initially, Eugenio Suarez appeared set as Seattle’s third baseman at the start of the offseason. However, when Suarez was traded to the Diamondbacks in November, it opened up a vacancy at third base. The acquisition of Luis Urias from the Red Sox initially suggested he might replace Suarez, but the situation changed after another trade brought Jorge Polanco to the Mariners from the Twins. With Polanco now established as the second baseman, third base seemed to be covered by a platoon of Urias and Josh Rojas, with Dylan Moore providing depth.

The potential signing of Chapman would bring further changes to the infield setup, potentially relegating Rojas, Urias, and Moore to backup roles, unless they fill in for Ty France at first base occasionally. Adding Chapman, a multiple-time Gold and Platinum Glove winner, could significantly bolster the Mariners’ defense, which hasn’t always impressed according to public metrics.

Offensively, Chapman would provide an upgrade, although not as significant as one might expect. Chapman has posted a 110 wRC+ over the last few seasons, similar to Urias and Rojas, though their performance in 2023 might obscure their solid numbers from previous years.

However, Chapman’s performance in 2023 was inconsistent, with a strong start followed by a slump due to a finger injury. His high strikeout rate also contrasts with the Mariners’ aim to improve contact hitting. Financially, meeting Chapman’s contract demands could be a challenge for the Mariners, especially considering their recent expenses with the purchase of the ROOT Sports Northwest network and their projected payroll for 2024.

While Dipoto has shown interest in Chapman in the past, the Mariners’ history suggests they prefer trades over expensive free agent signings. Additionally, other teams might be in a better position to meet Chapman’s demands, given their financial flexibility.