Reinforcements expected as Seattle Mariners prep for final sprint

The Seattle Mariners had a much larger than usual traveling party on the trip to Baltimore as organizational meetings were scheduled for this week on the trip.

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It is an annual occurrence when a group of directors and above accompany the team on a trip this time of year that starts with an off day to meet and review systems and programs. General manager Justin Hollander, who joined the pregame show Thursday morning, summed up the purpose of the meetings that were held this week.

“We assess the state of our systems,” he said. “It’s more about what do we need to add, what programs are working well, what we need to do better or take down and start again. It’s a great time for us to really reflect on what’s worked well and maybe what hasn’t worked well and how to get better.”

As for the big league team, with the trade deadline behind them, the focus narrows in on how the front office can help the team in a postseason run.

“Something we are really trying to measure carefully is, series to series as you get towards to the end of the year, where you can focus on which player is a better fit for this roster – this player or that player – to arm (manager) Dan (Wilson) with the 26 best possible, because now you are in win-every-game mode as opposed to big picture versus little picture,” said Hollander. “I think there are things we can do once the rosters expand in September to make the bunch more functional.”

In September, teams are permitted to add two players from the 40-man roster, one pitcher and one position player. Hollander is anticipating significant additions before then, however, with the returns of Bryce Miller, Victor Robles and Luke Raley from the IL.

“That’s three huge additions to our team that are all on the road to recovery,” he said, noting Raley could return as soon as this weekend in the series against the Mets. “So we are really excited to add them to the mix and see what kind of freedom that gives Dan in game, day-to-day to match up a little differently and use the bench more in game, too.”

If all goes well, it will be an interesting mix to juggle with Robles inked in to be the every day leadoff hitter and right fielder before his injury and Raley posting an .812 OPS the final three months last season. At a minimum, they provide needed depth late in the season.

“Fingers crossed that you stay healthy right now,” said Hollander. “We used to have August trade waivers. We don’t have that anymore. So what you have is what you have in the organization.”

This is the group they go forward with. The changes won’t be limited to the personnel. The play and the playing time should differ this time of year. We saw it in the post deadline homestand. We should see it going forward, according to Hollander.

“It’s a short stretch,” he said. “Now we get in the sprint of the season and you just want to try and assess where you are today and put your foot on the gas for the last six weeks of the season. It’s very rare in a long season that you’ll say, like, now is the time to put the hammer down. I think you’ll see guys (with) less days off now. You’ll see our relievers maybe go back-to-back more than they had previously, and that won’t be unique to us. That’ll be more common with everybody as you’re in the sprint right now.”

For more from Seattle Sports Mariners insider Shannon Drayer, click here.

Reinforcements expected as Seattle Mariners prep for final sprint

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