Mariners Face Major Setbacks with Key Players’ Absences
Mariners’ Offense Hit Hard
The Seattle Mariners are facing a challenging period as they lose two of their key hitters for significant portions of the second half of the season. General manager Justin Hollander revealed that shortstop J.P. Crawford, who is on the 10-day injured list due to a fractured hand, will be sidelined for at least four to six weeks. Outfielder Julio Rodriguez, also on the IL with a right high ankle sprain, will have his condition reassessed in about a week, suggesting he will be out for more than the minimum 10 days.
Underperformance This Season
Both Crawford and Rodriguez have struggled to meet their personal performance standards this year, contributing to the Mariners’ offensive struggles. Crawford has been strong defensively but is batting just .204/.299/.347. This is a significant drop from his .262/.352/.384 average over the previous three seasons, including a career-best .266/.380/.438 last year.
Rodriguez, who burst onto the scene with a .279/.338/.495 batting line and 60 home runs in his first 287 games, is hitting .263/.315/.372 this season. His home run count has dropped to 11 from 32 last season, and his isolated power has fallen from .216 to .109. His injury is especially unfortunate as he was beginning to heat up, with a .409/.469/.750 slash line, four homers, and three doubles in his last 48 at-bats.
Adjustments in the Lineup
In Crawford’s absence, the Mariners are expected to rely on Dylan Moore and Leo Rivas at shortstop. Moore has a respectable .230/.307/.425 line against lefties, though his defensive metrics suggest he is overextended as a regular shortstop. Rivas, with limited major league experience, is batting .288/.440/.397 as a left-handed hitter in 195 plate appearances this season and might take on a larger role.
Rodriguez’s absence will be felt keenly in the outfield. The Mariners will likely use a combination of Luke Raley, Victor Robles, and Mitch Haniger, with Cade Marlowe and Jonatan Clase available off the bench. None can match Rodriguez’s production, and his loss complicates the Mariners’ situation further.
Impact on Trade Deadline Strategy
Seattle was already looking to improve a lineup that ranks 28th in the majors in runs scored (389) and on-base percentage (.298). While they are tied for the 12th-most home runs in MLB, their low OBP has resulted in many solo homers. With a strong rotation and a promising bullpen bolstered by Gregory Santos’ return, the Mariners’ lack of offensive power was a critical issue even before these injuries. Now, with Crawford and Rodriguez out, the need to strengthen their lineup before the trade deadline has become even more pressing.
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