THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Skip, your Swiss army knife could help your anemic offense

Scott Servais

Manager

Seattle Mariners

Hi, Scott…

Something is bothering me, and I’m really hoping you can fix it.

Just for background, I should mention that I’ve been covering big league baseball since you were a kid on a tricycle — so it’s not like I’ve come to this party in the past year or two.

One other thing worth mentioning…

I do have some experience seeing some young teams up close, and even watching the best ones grow into champions.

I followed it a few years ago in Kansas City, as the Royals built a group of kids into a winning ballclub — eventually getting to a World Series in 2014, and then winning one in 2015.

The good news is that I can see your Mariners heading on that same kind of trajectory.

Jerry Dipoto could be proven correct when he says your group might sneak up on “the back end” of this season’s playoffs, and then evolve into a routine pennant contender in 2022.

You’ve gotten off to the decent start this year, and I keep thinking of something Marco Gonzales mentioned before the year even started.

“On the AL West front, I don't think I'm alone in seeing a window, seeing an opportunity to really make a statement in this division,” Marco said.

IF MARCO is right, then you have the pieces in place for a dark horse run at the division right now.

Winning in 2022 would be great, Scott, but why wait?

I agree with Marco.

The division is nothing special, and it’s there for the taking. 
Now, here’s the thing…

The pitching is good enough.

Your rotation — even going with the six-man thing — will work itself out, especially when young guys like Logan Gilbert work themselves into the picture.

That’s a nice bullpen Jerry’s put together, too, which means you’re going to win more close games than you lose.

Bottom line…

I think you have the arms to match anyone in the AL West.

The worry, Skipper, is going to be scoring runs — especially early in the year.

After the All-Star Game (or thereabouts), you very well might get that infusion of offense that Seattle fans have been waiting to see.

Jarred Kelenic almost certainly will be planted in left field, and you might even get some scoring help from catcher Cal Raleigh.

THE KEY, though, is not missing an opportunity with a player or two who might be hiding in plain sight.

You don’t need to be a professional scout to spot a bright future for Kelenic, Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez and some of your young pitchers.

Sometimes there are guys who haven’t always been under the bright lights — players who develop later than others, and somehow just fit in perfectly.

That brings me to my original question, and why I’m puzzled.

See…

I think Sam Haggerty could be one of those special pieces, the type of contributor who somehow holds everything together — and does it every day.

So far, Scott, you’ve “complimented” Haggerty by referring to him as your Swiss army knife, and mentioned that everybody roots for guys like Sam — in other words, little guys who are barely hanging on in the major leagues.

Except…

That notion is wildly underselling Haggerty.

He’s not that little (5-11, 175 pounds), and just in the last week, your cute Swiss army knife has blasted long, long home runs from each side of the plate.

You’ve mentioned that Haggerty — whose speed has been clocked inside MLB’s 97th percentile – helps with his versatility.

But just because a player is the type of athlete who CAN excel at several positions, that doesn’t mean he should do it.

Why waste him on the bench when half of your lineup is stuck under .200?

Look, Haggerty recently played seven straight games, went 9 for 21 (plus stealing three bases), and was rewarded with a spot on the bench Monday night when you got to Houston.

Houston, of all places, where you really need some wins to contend in the division.

I DON’T get it.

Meanwhile, you’ve handed the everyday second base job to Dylan Moore, who arrived at Minute Maid Park hitting .113, and absolutely killing rallies from that sixth or seventh spot in the order.

Haggerty, who snuck quietly into the Mariners organization from the Mets via a waiver claim in January of last year, is carrying an OPS (on base plus slugging) of .767.

That’s third-highest on the club, behind only Ty France and Mitch Haniger.

We all know that left field is reserved for Kelenic, and that’s fine — presuming that he hits right away in the majors.

So, here’s an idea…

Why not give Haggerty a month or two at second base?

Everything he’s done so far suggests that Sam has all the tools to be a big league regular — with that switch-hitting bonus, to boot.

Scott, if there’s some mysterious reason why you think Moore might be a better long-term answer at second than Haggerty, please let us know.

I think it looks just the opposite.

And pretty damn clearly.

Thanks for your time, Scott…

Steve Cameron

Coeur d’Alene Press