After trading for former All-Star second baseman Jorge Polanco this week, the Seattle Mariners potential starting lineup looks much deeper and more powerful than it did a week ago.
Per Adam Jude of the Seattle Times:
Potential lineup vs. RHP:
J.P. Crawford, SS
Julio Rodriguez, CF
Jorge Polanco, 2B
Cal Raleigh, C
Mitch Garver/Dominic Canzone, DH
Mitch Haniger, RF
Luke Raley, LF
Ty France, 1B
Luis Urias, 3B
(A heavy left-handed lineup with Raley in RF and Canzone in LF would be enticing too)
A few things to note here:
1) One of the reasons that the Polanco addition is so good is that it forces Urias and Josh Rojas into a platoon. Urias and Rojas were both thought of as starters pre-trade and now the M's can better utilize both of their skillsets.
2) It also gives the M's a better middle of the order punch. Polanco hit 33 homers back in 2021 and while he can't be counted on for that again, he should give you a solid power threat. That also allows Garver, Haniger Raley and France to all slide down, which gives the order more depth.
3) The team is counting on a big bounceback from Ty France. After making the All-Star team in 2022, France regressed in 2023, hitting just .250 with 12 home runs. If he can find his stroke, especially from the bottom of the order, that's a huge upgrade for Seattle.
The M's finished 88-74 last season and ended up missing the playoffs by 1.0 game.
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