I was checking all the rumors over at a site I frequent known as MLBTraderumors.com and I saw a link to an article by Larry Stone that brings up the need to remove Chone Figgins from the roster. I was once in favor of such a move, but recently I realized that with the kind of season the Mariners are having and with the end a mere 50 games away, this would be pointless, especially with roster sizes increasing in a month anyway.
Right now, Chone Figgins makes a huge chunk of change as a seldom used utility player, most regulated to late inning pinch running situations and last minute substitutions. He's due whatever is left of his 9.5 million this year and another 9.5 mil next year, unless the Mariners could pull off some sort of trade that would lessen the financial blow. Since Figgins has next to nothing in trade value at the moment, the Mariners' front office would still be stuck with most of the bill.
However, there is value in having Chone Figgins on the current Mariner roster and specifically on the bench, because Chone Figgins doesn't have to play everyday, let alone every week. Here's a breakdown of his last ten appearances in an M's game:
August 5th vs. Yankees: Mike Carp was unavailable because his wife was giving birth to his daughter, so Figgins started at third, Kyle Seager was moved over to second and Dustin Ackley was placed at Carp's usual position, first.
July 28th vs. Royals: Figgins pinch ran for Jesus Montero in the 8th inning and came around to score the deciding run on a sac fly by Mike Carp. Montero was DHing that night, so Figgins did not play in the field.
July 24th vs. Yankees: Figgins pinch ran for Montero after the latter was intentionally walked. Once again, Montero was DHing.
July 22nd vs. Rays: Figgins played third and Kyle Seager moved over to second as Dustin Ackley was given a day off.
July 15th vs. Rangers: Once again, Figgins played third and Seager moved to second as Ackley was given a day off after going 0 for his last 15.
June 29 - July 2nd: Figgins longest stint of consecutive starts came over four games at the end of June/star of July. This was because the perfect storm of Mariners injuries happen right at this point. Franklin Gutierrez got smacked in the head on a pick off move on June 28th and Michael Saunders came down with a flu on the 29th. Meanwhile, Mike Carp was still on the DL, so Figgins got four starts in left field with Casper Wells and Ichiro being the only other outfielders on the roster at the time. Saunders returned to play on July 3rd and Carlos Peguero was called up on July 5th.
June 25th vs. Athletics: Figgins pinch ran for Justin Smoak in the bottom of the ninth, after Smoak drew a two out walk. Saunders grounded out in the next at bat to end the game.
So, since June 25th, Chone Figgins has played in 10 of the 37 games the Mariners have played, but only in situations of dire need. There are no illusions of reclaiming value here, just a guy who can be placed in the lineup very rarely, but can also go days without any regular playing time. On a winning team, this surely a wasted spot that a platoon hitter, or fourth outfielder would fit nicer, but on a developing team, this is exactly what you need.
Right now, the Mariners have only one player that you could call a veteran starter that plays every day and that's only because he's arguably the best fielding shortstop in the league. Miguel Olivo would be the most veteran starter, except he's lost considerable playing time to John Jaso and Jesus Montero, so he's no longer an everyday player. Michael Saunders has played parts of the last three seasons, while Dustin Ackley, and Mike Carp were given chances as starters last year. Kyle Seager and Casper Wells had some taste of the Bigs last year, but weren't really considered starters until this year, (Wells, of course, after his demotion and call-up), while Montero is in his first real season. Trayvon Robinson and Eric Thames are trying to prove something until Gutierrez comes back, or until somebody from Triple-A pushes them for their spot.
So, with the Mariners remaining committed to their youth movement, it's actually pretty handy for them to have players like Munenori Kawasaki or Miguel Olivo or even, Chone Figgins to sit on the bench while the Mariners try to maximize the playing time of the rookies and second year players. We all know what those veterans have to offer and more experience won't improve them where it would rookies.They're perfect Per Diems!
Right now, Wedge, Zduriencik, and the rest of the Mariners front office/coaching staff want to see what they have on the big league roster and how well these young players handle playing a full season. They want to see Montero come out of slumps and establish himself as a consistent hitter of lefty and right pitchers. They want to see Ackley turn it around and prove he could be an everyday lead off hitter. They want Carp to hit with power and Seager to just keep hitting so if there is a power hitting free agent available in the off season, there will be someone legitimate to hit around him.
Of course, the only way for them to properly evaluate these guys is to give them a very long leash and let them work through everything. Since we can't reneg on Figgins' contract, we might as well have him be a safety jacket.
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