Seattle Mariners Rumors: Team a prime candidate to land free-agent outfielder
Could Jon Jay sign with the Seattle Mariners? - [MLBHighlights / YouTube screencap]
The Mariners are in pursuit of an improvement in center field for the 2018 MLB season.
by Ryan C. Devault
November 30, 2017 at 6:37 PM November 30, 2017 at 6:37 PM
Seattle Mariners rumors link the team to free-agent outfielder Jon Jay. A Twitter post by MLB analyst Jerry Crasnick was made on Thursday (Nov. 30), stating that the Mariners "remain a prime player" for Jay this offseason. This could be the answer to who would play center field for the Mariners during the 2018 MLB season. With Jarrod Dyson entering free agency, Jon Jay could be an improvement on offense for the team.
This isn't new information, as Jay has been linked to the Mariners through prior MLB rumors, but it does show that the team is still expressing interest in signing him.
Crasnick also points out that Mariners center fielders posted a combined OPS of just .612 last season, whereas Jay was at a .749 OPS with the Chicago Cubs. That could be a nice boost to the Mariners' offense.
Jay stats with the Cubs
During the 2017 MLB season, Jon Jay played in 141 games for the Chicago Cubs, making 433 plate appearances. He finished with a .296 batting average and .374 on-base percentage, showing he was adept at getting on base. Over his eight-year career, Jay has a .288 batting average and .355 on-base percentage. The big downside, though, is that Jay has only 18 career home runs, showing he would provide very little power to the lineup.
While Jay has been called a good defensive center fielder by some MLB analysts, he has a negative WAR over his career.
That includes posting negative defensive numbers for the 2016 season with the San Diego Padres and then again in 2017 with the Chicago Cubs. Adept at playing all three outfield positions, Jay may also be a step down when compared to the speedy guys Seattle had playing center field last season.
More Mariners news
Additional Seattle Mariners rumors have been confirmed by the team, as starting pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma has signed a minor league contract with the team.
He will come to Spring Training trying to earn a spot in the rotation, which would give him a salary bump that would likely include incentives. For now, he is an insurance policy for the Mariners who is very affordable on this new deal.
The Mariners also pulled off a trade to address the situation at first base. Mariners' general manager Jerry Dipoto acquired infielder Ryon Healy from the Oakland Athletics.
Healy could offer some power from the first base position and is an inexpensive option who offers depth to the team. Healy will get a shot during Spring Training to become the full-time first baseman unless the team adds another name during the offseason.
Ryan C. Devault
Ryan C. DeVault is someone who enjoys a great sporting event as much as a well-constructed film. Ryan's interests range from watching baseball games in person to enjoying the next season of a hit reality competition show.
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