SEATTLE — As the Seattle Mariners limped into the All-Star break looking for answers, general manager Jerry Dipoto openly acknowledged an ongoing search to bolster the pitching staff.
Dipoto has long maintained there are two “30- to 45-day windows” when clubs can acquire starting pitching. One is now through the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. The other runs from December into January.
So the Mariners, to use Dipoto’s phrase, will have their “antennae up” over the next few weeks in regard to possible pitching moves, but he pointedly added, “I don’t think you’ll see us add on the position-players side.”
Statistically, that makes sense. Through Saturday, the Mariners ranked sixth among American League clubs in runs per game (4.8) and fourth in OPS+ (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage adjusted to ballpark factors).
They have the league’s No. 1 and 5 hitters in Jean Segura and Ben Gamel, the league’s RBI leader in Nelson Cruz, and the No. 6 RBI producer in Robinson Cano.
Mike Zunino, while slumping now, had 31 RBI in June. First baseman Danny Valencia has played at an All-Star level since late April. Third baseman Kyle Seager is an established performer.
Right fielder Mitch Haniger seems to have steadied after a rough stretch when he returned from the disabled list. Center fielders Jarrod Dyson and Guillermo Heredia have contributed terrific defense while holding their own at the plate.
Even so, it’s the lineup’s recent slide that put the club in its current mess.
The Mariners batted .267 and averaged 4.97 runs per game in going 39-37 through their first 76 games. During their 3-10 slide (going into Sunday’s game), they hit .242 and averaged 3.77 runs per game.
It’s notable that during those 13 games the Mariners’ pitching actually improved: a 4.67 ERA through 76 games dropped to 4.38 during the 13-game slump.
The problem was diminished offensive production — from a lineup that, Dipoto reiterates, is unlikely to change.
“Our group knows it,” he said. “This is a veteran group. We are sprinkled with some youth, but the Canos and the Cruzes and the Seagers — they know how to play.
“They know what this is about, and they also know that this team is more talented than we’ve played, and to a man, I’ll tell ya, I don’t think there’s a single one of ’em that believes we should bust up this group.
“There’s not a single one of ’em that doesn’t understand how we got here, and there’s not a single one of ’em that doesn’t come to work, today, trying to figure out how to be the guy to get us out of it.”
When the season resumes Friday, the Mariners (43-47) will have have 72 games to get out of it.
Bullpen coach Hampton resigns
When the Seattle Mariners resume the second half of their season Friday in Chicago, bullpen coach Mike Hampton will not be with them.
Hampton tendered his resignation Sunday following the Mariners’ 4-0 victory over Oakland, effective immediately.
Hampton’s replacement will be announced prior to Friday’s game, the team said in a press release.
Hampton, a former Mariner pitcher, was in his second season as Seattle’s bullpen coach after being hired prior to the 2016 season. This was his first big-league coaching position. He worked as a pitching coach with the Double-A Arkansas Travelers in 2013 and 2014.
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