THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: In Dipoto we trust to improve M's despite lockout

Always keep a promise.

At the conclusion of Wednesday’s Cheap Seats column, I mentioned that this annoying battle between MLB and its players union would certainly delay spring training — and the scheduled opening of the regular season on March 31, as well.

But I also suggested that, however maddening this rock fight between millionaires and billionaires might be, there could be a blessing in it.

The whole affair could wind up helping the Seattle Mariners.

So, you ask …

How?

There actually are a couple ways.

First, the Mariners already have done some savvy business, getting the jump on plenty of teams.

The addition of Cy Young winner Robbie Ray to lead the pitching staff was an outright coup.

A trade with San Diego that brought All-Star second baseman Adam Frazier to the Northwest was considerably helpful, as well.

Remember, too, that the Mariners are no longer in desperation mode.

They’re coming off a 90-win season, with a farm system ranked No. 1 by Baseball America.

INDEED, the Mariners figure to move from strength to strength, and any further moves made prior to this season will only accelerate the development of what appears to be a legitimate contender.

What makes me think, then, that this stupid delay caused by the owners’ lockout will help the Mariners in particular?

You know, besides the addition of Ray and Frazier, with that loaded minor league system as a solid backup.

Well, that optimism lands at the feet — or more likely — in the whirring brain of Jerry Dipoto, formerly general manager but now vice president of baseball operations in Seattle.

I hope Jerry doesn’t mind, but I’m going to keep calling him GM Dipoto (because it’s easier, but also because that’s the part of his gig that can put this team in the playoffs).

What I’m thinking, and previous moves suggest this to be true, is that Jerry is a very slick quick-draw artist.

He saw the lockout coming, and got the deals for Ray and Frazier done ahead of time.

People in the industry suggest he was very close to a third major deal just before the deadline, but couldn’t quite pull it off.

Dipoto has said publicly that the Mariners need a bat for the middle of the lineup, and I’m pretty sure that’s where he was headed when everything stopped.

KRIS BRYANT?

Trevor Story?

Those are two of the names that have been tossed around, and perhaps that’s where the Mariners will begin talks when the lockout ends.

But with Dipoto, you never know.

And that’s what gives me the confidence that Seattle will benefit from this delay.

See, we can all agree there will be chaos when teams, players and agents all get the green light to complete their rosters for the 2022 season.

Sure, there has been plenty of illegal chat going back and forth during the lockout, and I suspect that Dipoto has made a phone call or two.

When the all-clear siren sounds, though, Jerry is the kind of guy who will thrive in the madness.

He has a plan in place, I promise you, and he has ALWAYS made deals fast — with as much thought ahead of time as the situation allowed.

I won’t be surprised if Seattle is willing to write some monstrous checks to sign Japanese star Seiya Suzuki — who is available to any team in baseball.

Somehow, some way …

The Mariners will find at least one impact bat, probably a second one, and even another pitcher — in order to let their super crop of prospects develop just a little bit more.

Jerry Dipoto is ready for this hurry-up flesh market, believe me.

Let’s see if I’m right.

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Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. He also writes Zags Tracker, a commentary on Gonzaga basketball which is published weekly during the season.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”