The Mariners’ need for a right-handed bat has become impossible to ignore, and the usual stopgap answers are not moving the needle. Buddy Kennedy is the latest name in the mix, but he is probably not the fix for a lineup that badly needs help against lefties. The Rob Refsnyder experiment, as the source material puts it, has already gone sideways.
That is why MLB Network’s Jon Morosi turned some attention toward Casey Schmitt when he joined Seattle Sports with Dave Wyman and Bob Stelton to talk trade deadline needs. Morosi focused on Seattle’s problems versus southpaw pitching and pointed to the right-handed platoon options, including Refsnyder and Victor Robles, before landing on Schmitt as a particularly appealing fit.
The case for Schmitt starts with the Giants’ place in the standings. They look like sellers, sitting well behind the wild card race with the third-worst record in the National League.
Schmitt, meanwhile, is in the middle of a career season. He’s projected to post a .290/.316/.508 line with an .825 OPS, 132 OPS+ and 128 wRC+.
What really jumps out for Seattle is what Schmitt has done against left-handed pitching. He’s hitting .357 in those matchups, a massive contrast to the Mariners’ .205 average against southpaws, which is worst in the majors. His .368 on-base percentage suggests he’s aggressive, but the production has been there anyway: a .524 slugging percentage and .892 OPS against lefties.
That kind of profile is exactly why Schmitt has been viewed as a possible target before. SoDo Mojo’s Zachary Rymer was on him as a potential fit back in May, and the logic still holds.
The harder part is figuring out whether San Francisco would actually move him. Schmitt, now 27, was a second-round pick in the 2020 draft, and this season looks like the kind of breakout that could make the Giants want to keep him. He’s also controlled through 2029, which only adds to the price.
Still, there’s a path where San Francisco decides to cash in. If Buster Posey can’t move Rafael Devers, Matt Chapman or Willy Adames, Schmitt could become the kind of sell-high chip that brings back value.
Seattle also needs bullpen help before Aug. 3, but that cannot come at the expense of addressing the right-handed bat issue. The hope in Seattle is that the Mariners will attack this deadline the way they did last year.
And if they’re looking for one more reason to push hard on Schmitt, his versatility fits the mold Jerry Dipoto tends to like. Schmitt has major league experience at all four infield spots and left field.
In Other News...
Mariners Add Buddy Kennedy As Another Infield Depth Debate Begins
The Mariners kept adding to their infield options Monday by bringing in Buddy Kennedy, a move that fits the kind of small, practical depth shopping Seattle has been doing as the season wears on. Kennedy arrives from the Giants for cash considerations after spending most of the year at Triple-A Sacramento, and he gives the organization another experienced minor league bat to plug into the system without costing much to acquire.
Kennedy is expected to report to Tacoma, where he can stay ready if Seattle needs an extra body at third or second base. His major league rsum is still thin, with just 8 plate appearances in 7 games this season and no hits to show for them, but the Mariners are clearly treating him as a viable fallback while the bigger infield picture continues to sort itself out, including the possibility of covering for Patrick Wisdom if the need arises. [Read more 🡒]
Mariners May Be Eyeing A Riskier Twins Pivot For Right-Handed Thump
As the trade deadline creeps closer, the Mariners search for offense is starting to look a little broader than the obvious names. Minnesota keeps popping up as a possible source, with Royce Lewis emerging as one alternative to Byron Buxton and Ryan Jeffers also mentioned as a right-handed bat who could help balance Seattles lineup. Lewis has shown some life since coming back from the minors, but the attraction is tied as much to his upside as to the frustration that has followed him for much of his career.
The risk is baked into both Twins options, which is why this feels more like a front-office debate than a clean fit. Lewis comes with the kind of injury history and inconsistency that can make any club hesitate, while Jeffers would need to prove he is healthy enough and worth the at-bats in a crowded mix. Even so, Seattle has the kind of payroll flexibility to chase a bat if it decides the upside is worth the gamble, and that is what makes this a name to keep on the radar. [Read more 🡒]
Mariners May Be Headed For Another Dugout Debate Soon
Speculation around Dan Wilsons future is starting to follow the Mariners again, and it comes with the kind of backdrop that tends to make every loss feel bigger. The discussion is rooted in the clubs current performance and the broader organizational mood, with some around the team wondering whether a change could eventually become necessary if the season keeps going the wrong way.
If Seattle were to decide it needed a new voice before the year is over, the conversation would likely stay inside the building rather than turn outward. Manny Acta has the clearest profile as a replacement given his long run with the organization and prior managerial experience, while Jake McKinley sits farther down the list as more of a wildcard. If the Mariners wait until the offseason, though, the field could widen considerably, with names such as Alex Cora and Grady Sizemore entering the conversation. [Read more 🡒]