THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: The vibes around Mariners improved, but is it good enough?
Will the vibes be enough?
The Mariners certainly gave us a happy tale ahead of the MLB trading deadline, not only finalizing a reunion with popular third baseman Eugenio Suarez, but surprising the whole team by bringing Geno and his family on the plane home to Seattle after Wednesday night’s game in Sacramento.
Suarez made a trip up and down the aisle, hugging just about everyone, and telling reporter Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710: “I am so happy!”
Geno obviously is bringing his “Good Vibes Only” mantra back to the club, along with the 36 homers that landed him on this year’s All-Star team.
The Mariners thus have added both of Arizona’s corner infielders, having previously dealt for Snakes’ first baseman Josh Naylor.
In a “happily ever after” story, this new and powerful lineup would haul Seattle into the postseason, and hopefully to the World Series — the franchise’s first trip ever.
It won’t be that easy, however.
Among other problems, Seattle’s talented starting rotation has had hiccups over the past few months.
Only Bryan Woo and Luis Castillo look on top of their games, while Logan Gilbert and George Kirby have been frustratingly inconsistent.
THE M’S have had some nervous moments with the bullpen, too.
Playoff baseball almost routinely comes down to depth among your relievers, and most of the game’s best were dealt to contenders just before the deadline on Thursday.
San Diego snagged Athletics flamethrower Mason Miller, and the Padres now have enough lights-out relievers that they could start a parade in the second or third inning.
The Mariners tried to beef up their own pen, and did manage to land lefty Caleb Ferguson from Pittsburgh — but the goal was to get a bit further than that.
In fact, keeping pace with their rivals in the AL West will seriously test the Mariners’ vibes over the season’s final two months.
Houston already has a five-game lead in the division — despite so many injuries that they resemble a M*A*S*H unit — yet the Astros have made it clear they’re still fighting for another title.
They took advantage of the Twins’ fire sale to stage their own reunion, trading for shortstop Carlos Correa — once the Astros’ first overall draft pick.
Correa has had all sorts of injuries, including migraine headaches that are recent enough to be a worry, and his production this season has been blah to the point that he’s carrying a WAR of .01.
Still, that move proves Astros ownership is serious, since Correa is earning $36 million this year and his contract runs through 2028.
Houston also bagged Miami outfielder Jesus Sanchez, who possesses a bundle of talent but whose OPS+ after six years in the majors is exactly 100.
The Astros also took a shot at Padres starter Dylan Cease, but couldn’t close a deal.
Meanwhile, the Rangers are visiting T-Mobile Park this weekend with plenty of ambition.
They opened up deadline day by landing lefty reliever Danny Coulombe from the Twins (is anyone left in Minnesota?), and then made a surprising move with the addition of starter Merrill Kelly from Arizona.
The Rangers already had plenty of pitching with Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi atop the rotation.
Maybe Texas is trying to corner the market on veteran starters.
In any case, the AL West is a three-horse race — or maybe four if the Angels keep on playing well.
ARE THE Mariners now solid enough to handle this slugfest?
The addition of Naylor and now Suarez makes the lineup downright dangerous.
Club guru Jerry Dipoto made some moves that go against his core beliefs.
Acquiring Naylor, Suarez and Ferguson — who all will be free agents after the season — must have forced Jerry to hold his nose.
He’s said again and again that his goal is to bring back players with additional years of club control.
Dipoto and majority owner John Stanton, who are blasted regularly by the fan base for failing to throw money and personnel into a “win now” strategy, have spun 180 degrees with these trades.
Yes, it would feel like a better business plan if they could get Naylor, Geno or both to sign, say, two-year extensions.
That’s about when all those exciting prospects should hit town.
But you rarely get guarantees like that.
Of course, you don’t get promises of making the playoffs, either.
You have to win your way.
Good vibes only, right?
Email: jscameron14@gmail.com
Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press three times each week, normally Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday unless, you know, stuff happens.
Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”
JOHN FROSCHAUER/Associated Press Seattle Mariners third baseman Eugenio Suárez hugs bench coach Manny Acta before Thursday's game against the Texas Rangers in Seattle.