2025 MARINERS Win Total Prediction

[sutz]

Wilson doesn't come across, to me, as a manager who will put up with bad defense.

Maybe so, but he has to deal with the players he has.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Yep, and hopefully they see the pine if they start booting balls.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

I would hope not, but I can't imagine that they aren't aware of all that stuff I just posted, and yet they brought Polanco back anyway. And from every report I've seen they brought him back to play 3B.

We have some damn good IF in AAA, wouldn't be surprised on bit to see someone come up.

 

[sutz]

We have some damn good IF in AAA, wouldn't be surprised on bit to see someone come up.

I agree. Bliss is up. Rivas looks like he's damn close.

 

[bileever]

What makes you think Polanco is a better fit at 3B than 2B?

He's played the vast majority of his career at SS and 2B, and he's been a below average defensive infielder at both of those positions. His career fielding percentage at SS is .959, while the league average fielding percentage at SS is .973. His career fielding percentage at 2B is .977, while the league average fielding percentage at 2B is .983.

He's also played 3B in his career, although much less than at SS or 2B. His career fielding percentage at 3B is .918, while the league average fielding percentage at 3B is .961. I'm sure you're aware, but just in case you're not, a .918 fielding percentage is incredibly bad and probably part of the reason that he's had such limited playing time at that position. MLB teams just cannot afford to have such a shockingly poor defensive player at 3B. It really can't be overstated just how bad a .918 fielding percentage is at the major league level.



https://www.mlb.com/news/jorge-polanco-mariners-free-agent-contract

We've been spoiled for a long time with the defensive play at 3B. Kyle Seager, Geno, and Josh Rojas we're all very good on defense at 3B. Going from those guys to Polanco is going to be jarring for a lot of M's fans. He could very easily be the worst defensive 3B in MLB this season, just like he was the worst defensive 2B in the league last season.

I understand where you're coming from. Jorge Polanco is not a stellar defender, no matter what position.

But my argument is based on the fact that Polanco started his career as a shortstop, and didn't switch to second base until 2021. Since then, he's been subpar there, and especially with his knee injury, a return to the left side of the infield might do him some good.

He hasn't played much third base, but it's a less demanding position than the middle infield jobs, and having had the full pre-season with Perry Hill working with him, third base has the potential of being a better fit for the ex-shortstop.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Had to swoop up tickets for a Boston game in June. Yearly tradition w/a couple friends. We can all hate the Red Sox together. Ahhhhhh

 

[CPHawk]

89 and miss the playoffs again

 

[CostaRicaHawk]

93 wins and just make the playoffs then go on to win the World Series.

 

[Hawkinaz]

Won 85 games last year I will stay positive and go with 88

 

[SoulfishHawk]

And to think, if the offense was even AVERAGE last season, they win the division going away. Period.

 

[SonicHawk]

I think pitching takes a step back and hitting takes a small step forward.

83-81.

 

[IndyHawk]

I like 95

 

[Chapow]

I understand where you're coming from. Jorge Polanco is not a stellar defender, no matter what position.

But my argument is based on the fact that Polanco started his career as a shortstop, and didn't switch to second base until 2021. Since then, he's been subpar there, and especially with his knee injury, a return to the left side of the infield might do him some good.

He hasn't played much third base, but it's a less demanding position than the middle infield jobs, and having had the full pre-season with Perry Hill working with him, third base has the potential of being a better fit for the ex-shortstop.

The ball gets on you faster at 3rd than at SS or 2nd due to the proximity to the plate. That requires faster reaction times to make the play. There's a reason it's called the hot corner. You're also further from 1st which requires a stronger arm and faster, harder, and more accurate throws. The smallest of bobbles can lead to the hitter beating out the throw and costing you an out (something Polanco struggled with last season at 2B). The 3B is often times on a bit of an island out there when the rest of the infield shifts over to the right. (Yes, I know the shift has been banned, but they still can and do often times shift the SS to the right as much as is still allowed, which leaves the 3B basically alone to cover nearly the entire left side of the infield). I could go on, but the point is that it's pretty debatable whether 2nd or 3rd is the more demanding position. I think 3rd is the more demanding position because it generally requires quicker reaction times, a stronger, more accurate arm, and there's no room for even the slightest of bobbles or the smallest of boots.

But regardless, Polanco is a liability on defense no matter which position he plays. There's just slightly more room for error at 2nd than there is at 3rd. At 2nd, you can recover from a slight bobble or a small boot to still get the out at 1st. You can't at 3rd unless the hitter is really slow. I'm just having a really hard time believing that Polanco won't be worse at 3rd than he was last season at 2nd.

 

[Chapow]

I think pitching takes a step back and hitting takes a small step forward.

83-81.

I'd be willing to give you 1000 to 1 odds if you want to bet. I would, of course, be betting that they don't finish with a record of 83-81.

 

[SonicHawk]

I'd be willing to give you 1000 to 1 odds if you want to bet. I would, of course, be betting that they don't finish with a record of 83-81.

I'll take it at $0.01

 

[Hawkinaz]

I'd be willing to give you 1000 to 1 odds if you want to bet. I would, of course, be betting that they don't finish with a record of 83-81.

That brings back memories of when Tiger Woods was on top of the golf world the sports books had a bet where you could have Tiger or the field it was a sucker bet that I took a few times more so I would care enough about golf I would watch.

 

[sutz]

Hey, only 94 to go.

 

[Wsumatt1982]

76 wins. The pitching is good but the offense will be worse than last year. Hot take: I want him to do well but Julio is one of the more overrated players in the league. Typically extremely terrible to start the season as well.

 

[Atradees]

They extended Cal. Yay. If Palanco is expected to be our best hitter? It's gonna be a difficult season. 58 wins.

 

[Chapow]

They extended Cal. Yay. If Palanco is expected to be our best hitter? It's gonna be a difficult season. 58 wins.

I think they expect Julio to be our best hitter. Unfortunately, that usually doesn't start happening until we get close to July.