The Mariners didn’t trade for Taylor Ward to watch the offense sink further, but that’s exactly where this has gone.
Ward has now appeared in 20 games for Seattle, and the line is as ugly as it gets: 8-for-71, one extra-base hit, eight walks and 21 strikeouts. His wRC+ sits at 12, the lowest mark among American League hitters since the August 3 trade deadline.
There’s no sugarcoating that kind of stretch. Pitchers have adjusted, and Ward’s ultra-passive approach hasn’t produced much of anything.
His 34.4 Swing% is the lowest among all hitters, yet he’s seeing more strikes since joining the Mariners, with his rate of pitches in the zone at 52.0 percent. The contact hasn’t helped either, with Ward hitting the ball at just 86.5 mph on average since arriving in Seattle.
If there’s any consolation for the Mariners, it’s that the deal has at least paid off for the Baltimore Orioles. Alex Hoppe has been terrific out of their bullpen, which only adds to how painful this one looks for Seattle.
The Mariners went to the deadline needing offense and bullpen help. Instead, they sent bullpen help away and got back a hitter who has made the lineup worse.
That’s where Lazaro Montes comes in, and why Ward’s presence matters so much right now.
According to Ryan Divish and Adam Jude of The Seattle Times, the idea was for the 21-year-old Montes to get "regular at-bats" in right field and at designated hitter. That wasn’t a full everyday commitment, but it was close enough to suggest a real opportunity.
Montes made the most of his debut right away, going 2-for-4 with a homer. The blast came to slightly left-of-center on a slider at the knees, a clean reminder of why his power has carried such a strong reputation through the minors.
The 38 home runs he hit at Double-A and Triple-A only reinforced that.
There’s still the obvious concern about how Montes handles left-handed pitching. That’s part of why Ward got the start Wednesday against lefty Patrick Sandoval. Montes posted a .687 OPS in left-on-left matchups in the minors, while Ward owns a career .803 OPS against southpaws.
But after the way Ward has performed, giving him those at-bats instead of Montes feels like splitting hairs. If Montes gets exposed in those situations, at least the Mariners learn something useful.
Ward hasn’t offered that kind of return. For a right-handed platoon bat, it’s fair to wonder what he gives Seattle that Victor Robles can’t cover, especially when Robles brings more speed and better defense.
If Ward has to be moved aside so Montes and Robles become the default right-field mix, that’s the move. And at this point, Ward’s season is headed toward the ending he’s effectively put on the table himself.
In Other News...
Mariners Take A Chance On A Former Top Prospect With Upside
The Mariners added a familiar kind of lottery ticket to their pitching depth, signing right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson to a minor-league contract and sending him to Triple-A Tacoma. Once regarded as one of the better young arms in the system, Woods Richardson has already seen the majors with both the Blue Jays and Twins, and his path has taken him through a designation for assignment by Toronto before he elected free agency.
For Seattle, the move fits the sort of low-cost gamble contenders often make when they believe there is still something to unlock. Woods Richardson gives the organization another arm to evaluate in Tacoma, where the Mariners can keep a close eye on a pitcher who made his big-league debut in 2022 and is still young enough to factor if the stuff and command come together again. [Read more 🡒]
Mariners Just Created A Connor Joe Question Fans Can't Ignore
The Mariners latest roster shuffle left Connor Joe in a familiar but uneasy spot. After Seattle designated Joe and right-hander Nolan Kingham for assignment to make room for Lzaro Montes and Hoby Milner on the 40-man roster, both players cleared waivers and were outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma, keeping the move from being the end of the road for either player just yet.
Joe now has a decision to make, since he has the right to elect free agency, and the Mariners have not indicated whether he plans to stay in the organization or test the market. Kinghams path is more straightforward because his service time means he has to accept the assignment, but Joes situation is the one that lingers for Seattle, where every roster spot matters and every fringe move can hint at what comes next. [Read more 🡒]
Mariners May Have Found A Better Use For Their Latest Pitching Add
The Mariners added another arm to their system by signing right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson to a minor-league deal and sending him to Triple-A Tacoma. Most of his big-league work has come as a starter, but he has also handled multiple roles this season, which makes him an interesting fit for a Seattle pitching staff that suddenly needs more flexibility.
With rotation depth thinned by an injury, the appeal here is less about where Woods Richardson has traditionally worked and more about where he might help most. Seattle can use pitching in just about any form right now, and his ability to cover innings gives the club another option if it wants to patch a game together out of the bullpen or lean on a bulk reliever while the roster sorts itself out. [Read more 🡒]