Inbox: Will Mariners add to starting rotation?
Jerry Dipoto was more than happy to pay the $20 million posting fee, $3.5 million international signing fee and $500,000 salary for Shohei Ohtani. So why is he now saying he doesn't want to sign a starting pitcher? The money obviously isn't a problem at least for year one of
Jerry Dipoto was more than happy to pay the $20 million posting fee, $3.5 million international signing fee and $500,000 salary for Shohei Ohtani. So why is he now saying he doesn't want to sign a starting pitcher? The money obviously isn't a problem at least for year one of the contract. Why not sign
-- Paul G., Boise, Idaho
Dipoto has consistently said this offseason that he wanted to sign the most-impactful pitcher possible. Ohtani clearly was a unique situation, a top-tier talent with six years of team control at a relatively small initial cost.
With Ohtani out of the picture, the Mariners viewed a strong reliever like
:: Submit a question to the Mariners Inbox ::
When are we signing a top-end starting pitcher like
-- Joseph N., Seattle, Wash.
This has been an off-stated question once Ohtani went to the Angels. And the answer is that the Mariners don't appear interested in throwing big-money, long-term deals at starters in their 30s, given the club still has two seasons at $27 million per year for
Darvish and Arrieta are about the same age as Felix, and they are now expected to land $25 million-type money for the next five or six years. Lynn figures to sign for somewhat less money and years, but still will be a guy starting a big new deal at 30-plus with some question marks. Ohtani is 23 with his prime years ahead. He was a far different case.
Does Dipoto really think he can get away with our scant handful of starting pitchers and a rotating cast? We tried that last year, turned out not so well.
-- Dan G., Spokane, Wash.
This is really the crux of the previous two questions. Fans see the struggles the Mariners had last season when injuries sidelined the top four starters for much of 2017, and they assume the cupboard is bare. Dipoto sees a rotation that wasn't in place for most of last year, but has quality at the top and better depth than most teams now that all the pieces are together.
Mike Leake was outstanding in September after being acquired from the Cardinals. He'll be part of the rotation now from Day 1. Same with
The Mariners have a legit No. 1 starter in
As for depth,
Has there been any updates with either Charlie Furbush or Danny Hultzen?
-- Jarett S., Kennewick, Wash.
The two lefties are a testament to how difficult it is for pitchers to recover from shoulder issues. Both had rotator cuff surgeries -- and more than once in Hultzen's case -- which is much tougher to return from than Tommy John surgery. Both have been out of baseball now for two years and neither is a member of any MLB organization at this time.
With Dee Gordon's trade, does that mean the interest in
-- Ryan H., Bellevue, Wash.
Acquiring Gordon eliminated the pursuit of Jay in free agency. The Mariners are quite happy with the young trio of Haniger, Gamel and Heredia splitting time in the corners, with Gordon taking over in center. Motter might be more of a trade possibility since the club acquired veteran
With new options at first base, does that mean the team does not see Dan Vogelbach in the Majors this year?
-- Lope A., Seattle, Wash.
Vogelbach appears in position this spring to just relax, show what he can do and let the chips fall where they may. Unlike last year, he's not coming to camp expected to share a first-base platoon. The Mariners acquired
But sometimes things happen. Every year, players get hurt or underperform, plans change and a few guys you never expected emerge as key contributors at some point in the season. That's why teams acquire depth and options. That's true with Ford and it's true with Vogelbach as well.
Greg Johns has covered the Mariners since 1997, and for MLB.com since 2011. Follow him on Twitter @GregJohnsMLB.