The Mariners introduced that they’ve chosen the contract of infielder/outfielder Jason Vosler. Fellow infielder Ryan Bliss was optioned in a corresponding transfer. There was already a emptiness on the membership’s 40-man roster on account of right-hander Mike Baumann just lately being designated for project and traded to the Giants.
Vosler, 30, signed a minor league take care of the M’s within the offseason and has been with Triple-A Tacoma all yr to date. In 89 video games with the Rainiers, he has hit 20 house runs and drawn walks in 8.4% of his plate appearances, placing out at a 21.6% clip. His .289/.357/.526 batting line quantities to a wRC+ of 113 within the heightened offensive setting of the Pacific Coast League.
Offense has been a problem for the Mariners all yr, as they’re hitting .218/.299/.367 as a workforce. That interprets to a wRC+ 94, higher than simply 9 golf equipment within the league. Seattle’s 28% strikeout charge is the worst within the majors by a big margin, because the Athletics and Rockies are the closest golf equipment at 25.7%.
Vosler has been enjoying the 4 nook spots this yr and people are definitely positions the place the Mariners may use some assist. First baseman Ty France has a subpar line of .223/.312/.350 and 96 wRC+. The M’s are clearly keen to maneuver on from him as he has reportedly been positioned on waivers because the membership hopes somebody claims him for nothing however price financial savings. Josh Rojas has been getting the majority of enjoying time at third base and had a sizzling begin however has since cooled, slashing .184/.269/.270 since Might 15. Within the outfield corners, Víctor Robles and Luke Raley have been doing effectively however Mitch Haniger is hitting .208/.287/.335 this yr.
Ideally, Vosler will come up and provides the lineup a lift. He’s performed extra first base than anyplace else this yr and will merely take enjoying time away from France, who may maybe wind up within the brief facet of a platoon. Regardless of his tough season total, the righty-swinging France remains to be hitting .237/.356/.395 towards lefties for a 123 wRC+, because of drawing walks at a 12.2% charge towards southpaws in comparison with a 6.8% towards righties.
Vosler hits from the left facet and will maybe protect France from right-handers. Vosler has slashed .303/.364/.590 towards righties this yr in comparison with .253/.339/.364 towards lefties. However his defensive versatility can even give Scott Servais some flexibility in how he will get him into the lineup.
This will probably be Vosler’s third huge league workforce of his profession, as he has 97 video games of expertise with the Reds and Giants. He’s hit simply .210/.279/.408 within the majors however has typically fared higher on the Triple-A degree. He has one choice season remaining and will be despatched all the way down to the minors later with out being uncovered to waivers. He additionally has lower than a yr of service time and might stick round for some time if he places up some first rate numbers.