The offseason is beginning to heat up, and no, it’s not all about the Giancarlo Stanton sweepstakes. According to reports, the Seattle Mariners have acquired second basemen Dee Gordon from the Miami Marlins.
#Mariners acquire two-time All-Star Dee Gordon and international slot money from Miami in exchange for minor leaguers Robert Dugger, Nick Neidert and Christopher Torres.
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— Mariners PR (@MarinersPR) December 7, 2017
Seattle Acquires Dee Gordon
While we still await the news of where Stanton will land, the Mariners have made the biggest trade of the offseason so far. Seattle will acquire second basemen Dee Gordon and $1 MM in international pool money, in exchange for prospects Nick Neidert, Christopher Torres, and Robert Dugger.
Gordon, who is naturally a second basemen, will have to adjust to playing center field for the Mariners. Robinson Cano will still be at second base, and Jean Segura will still play shortstop.
It’s been clear that, with a new ownership group in Miami, the Marlins plan on entering a rebuild next season. While we have been focused on Stanton’s whopping $295 MM contract, other players, in addition to Gordon, are surely in the mix to be moved over this offseason. Gordon by himself is owed $38 MM through the 2020 season, which includes a $14 MM option in 2021.
On Seattle’s end, Gordon will sure up the loss of Jarrod Dyson in center field. While Gordon has the speed to play center field, it will be interesting to see if his glove will translate to the outfield after being a ten-year veteran second basemen. He’s only played 13 games in the outfield while he was in the Dominican League.
Gordon has become one of the top base-stealers in the game. He put up great numbers in 2017, slashing .308/.341/.375 with 60 stolen bases. His consistency at the plate and his adequate base-running netted him a 2.8 oWAR, and he ended the year with a 3.1 WAR. Although Gordon had a great 2017, his 80-game suspension in 2016 might be a cause of concern for the Mariners. Gordon was suspended due to testing positive for PEDs.
In addition to receiving Dee Gordon, Seattle acquired $1 MM in international pool money. The Mariners have been rumored to be in the Shohei Otani sweep stakes, and now have accumulated over $3.5 MM in pool money, which is the most than any other team interested in Ohtani.
While clearing up cap room was priority #1 for the Marlins, they will be receiving some good prospects. Neidert, a second round pick in 2015, dominated in 19 starts of High-A ball last year, posting a 2.76 ERA, 9.4 K/9, and 1.5 BB/9 over 104.1 innings. Yet, he struggled after receiving a promotion to Double-A; he gave up 17 earned runs on 33 hits while only recording 13 strikeouts in 23 innings there.
Torres finished last season in the Rookie League of the Mariners system. The 19-year-old, who plays both second base and shortstop, slashed .222/.417/.617 in four games this season. Although he only played four games, Torres managed to record 51 walks in 64 games during his rookie season in the minor leagues.
Dugger finished this season with the Mariners High-A affiliate, the Clinton Lumber Kings. In 22 games, he went 4-1 with a 2.00 ERA. He recorded 8.6 K/9 against 2.0 BB/9 this season.
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