The Seattle Mariners have brought up two of their most intriguing bats in Lazaro Montes and Michael Arroyo, but that doesn’t automatically mean either one should be written into the lineup every day over the final 18 games.
Seattle entered Tuesday at 67-77, and the playoff math is grim. The club’s odds of reaching October sit at just seven percent. That leaves the Mariners in a strange spot: still alive, technically, but staring at a season that has gone off course.
That’s why the question around Montes and Arroyo matters now. The organization promoted its two best offensive prospects within the last week, and fans are already looking ahead. Should the team prioritize getting those young hitters regular run, or keep chasing the slimmest playoff path with the best possible matchup-based lineup?
Montes has started against right-handed pitching so far and has sat against lefties. In 14 total at-bats, he is hitting .214 with a homer and three RBIs. Arroyo, meanwhile, went hitless in his debut on Sunday.
The argument against making either player an everyday fixture right now is simple: as long as the Mariners are still in the race, however faint the hope, they should be rolling out the lineup that gives them the best chance that night. Against a right-hander, that means Randy Arozarena, Julio Rodriguez and Dom Canzone in the outfield, with Laz Montes as the DH. That would also keep Cole Young at second base rather than bumping him for Michael Arroyo, and it would avoid pushing Randy Arozarena out of left field just to make room for Arroyo.
The same logic flips when a lefty starts. In that case, it would be Canzone, Julio and Arozarena in the outfield again, with Arroyo at DH and Montes on the bench. That setup, as laid out, keeps the lineup aligned with the pitcher on the mound rather than forcing either prospect into a role that doesn’t fit the matchup.
Once the Mariners are fully eliminated, that changes. Then there would be more room to mix things up and get creative.
Montes could play right field, Canzone could sit, Arroyo could slide into left field or second base, and Cole Young could get a day off or even shift to shortstop for a game. But that’s a different stage than the one Seattle is in right now.
There’s also Taylor Ward to consider. The Mariners acquired him at the trade deadline from the Baltimore Orioles, and at this point they don’t owe him playing time.
They only owe him money. Ward is hitting .105 in 23 games with Seattle, and the move simply hasn’t worked.
When possible, Arroyo should get the nod over Ward, while Ward can be used as a late-game replacement, pinch-hitter or pinch-runner off the bench.
The latest edition of the 'Refuse to Lose Territory' podcast also digs into the Mariners’ rotation problems, the playing-time question for Montes and Arroyo, and whether Seattle really still has a shot at the playoffs.
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