Mariners Looking To Add High-Contact Hitters

Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto spoke with reporters at the GM Meetings on Tuesday, discussing the club’s offseason goals. One of the main areas of focus is to enhance the offense’s bat-to-ball skills.

When asked about the club’s biggest need, Dipoto emphasized the importance of “adding some contact to our lineup.” He also mentioned the preference for an additional right-handed bat, expressing excitement about the group of young lefty hitters within the team’s front office.

Seattle’s decision not to issue a qualifying offer to Teoscar Hernández was related to their desire to improve the contact rate of their hitters. Dipoto explained, “We wanted to make sure we can address some of the flaws that exist in our team,” linking the lack of consistent contact to the team’s postseason absence.

Seattle hitters struggled with swing-and-miss, but the departure of Hernández signals a conscious shift in the team’s offensive approach. To fill the gap, rumored targets include players like Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Jarred Kelenic, Jung Hoo Lee, Alex Verdugo, Max Kepler, Whit Merrifield, Amed Rosario, and Tim Anderson.

Eugenio Suárez, the team leader in strikeouts, could also be a subject of trade talks, with reports suggesting interest from the Toronto Blue Jays if they lose Matt Chapman in free agency. Additionally, the Mariners are looking to re-sign Tom Murphy, their long-time catcher.