THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: So long to a good vibe — but perhaps hello to a value guy?
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 1 month, 4 weeks AGO
The Mariners will have to find their good vibes elsewhere.
The fan base may not even try.
Expect mostly grumbling from folks who follow the club every day, and therefore are aiming for a World Series after all these years.
Eugenio Suarez, the power-hitting third baseman who has become a clubhouse leader and fan favorite in two stints with the Mariners over the past three seasons, is not coming back.
Suarez has signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Reds — the team who traded him to Seattle in the first place (in a salary dump, a garage sale).
Now the Reds want that old fridge back.
Does this mean that the Mariners will plug their openings at second and third base with kids?
Heading into Monday, they had three prospects who are exciting options to fill those infield spots, but these guys have precious little big league experience.
Colt Emerson, the hottest youngster of the three, has had precisely zero at-bats in The Show.
Even in the majors, pitchers will have to throw him some strikes, and so far he’s barreled them at eye-popping levels.
Maybe he can walk straight into the Mariners lineup.
Maybe.
You probably know the other two: Cole Young, who played a decent stretch at second last year, and Ben Wlilliamson, the Gold Glove-level defender at third.
But when Seattle acquired infielder Brendan Donovan from the Cardinals later Monday, Williamson was sent to the Rays as part of the three-team trade.
The Cards are in a rare rebuilding job, and there are prospects written in at all the infield spots.
MOST FANS have been thinking (or hoping) that the kids could wait a year, and gradually work their way into the lineup toward the end of this season.
Meanwhile, Suarez and his good vibes — plus that power bat — could anchor third for one more World Series push.
Geno launched 49 homers last year, including a mega-drama grand slam that hoisted the M’s into the ALCS.
The Mariners, though, either didn’t want to match Cincinnati’s money, or the brain trust feels certain they’ll have a solid young hitter ready to play third.
Emerson, with a trade for a second baseman still coming?
Speaking of second, Young might have improved enough to hold down the job (at least until the trade deadline).
He hit .211 in 223 at-bats last year, and so far, has been considered a sub-par fielder.
Emerson is the best hitter, and overall prospect, of the three.
In his minor league treks last season, he hit .285 with a handsome .842 OPS.
The Mariners’ front office won’t say much on the subject, but the hope is that Emerson — who shot up through the entire farm system last year — can step into the big leagues around midseason.
It doesn’t make sense to have a valet parking cars and moonlighting at second base for $15 million per year until a prospect comes around — or they finally agree on a trade.
DONOVAN, who is now a bona fide major leaguer with four years of solid production on his resume, honestly might be the missing piece for the Mariners.
A left-handed hitter who puts the ball in play against just about anyone, Donovan has averaged 3.9 WAR since 2022 — but the real bonus is consistency.
In fact, Donovan is almost eerie.
His batting averages over four seasons range from .278 to .287, OPS hops from .759 to .787, home runs from 10 to 14, yada, yada.
Donovan has won a Gold Glove and played every position except catcher and center field.
He’s not exactly a gazelle (five stolen bases was his best year), but whatever animal can swing a bat, that’s Brendan.
Last season, he struck out 67 times in 515 plate appearances.
“He’s not a star,” said an NL scout, “but he can pull a good team to win a pennant by being in the middle of every rally.”
“The Cardinals HAVE to move him because he’s not a match for them. His value to the Cards right now is what he can bring back in a deal.”
Ah, yes, his value.
The Cardinals wanted a package of prospects and at least one young major leaguer.
“They’re dreaming,” the scout said. “But with a team like Seattle, the Cards are pushing it because this guy might fill the last hole in the playoff lineup — with two years of team control left.”
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Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press three times each week, normally Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday unless, you know, stuff happens.
Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”