The 20-year-old Emerson, who signed an eight-year, $95 million contract extension with the club last week, is expected to reach the majors sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n
Emerson is currently off to a solid start with Triple-A Tacoma, batting .308 with an .828 OPS, one homer and four doubles in his first 10 games. And with the M\u2019s struggling offensively early and new third baseman Brendan Donovan having some defensive issues at the hot corner, which is where Emerson is expected to get most of his big league action this year, there is some added wonder to just how soon Emerson could be called up.<\/p>\n
When Emerson does reach the majors, the Mariners may have to get creative in order to get him and others the at-bats they need. That could lead to some complicated situations.<\/p>\n
With Emerson expected to play third in the majors, Donovan\u2019s positional versatility will be key in helping Seattle keep its big offseason trade acquisition in the lineup. But Donovan moving around will come at the expense of the playing time of others. One of those could be left fielder Randy Arozarena, who mans one of the two positions Donovan has played most in his career.<\/p>\n
During a conversion with Seattle Sports\u2019 Brock and Salk on Thursday, Mariners play-by-play Aaron Goldsmith<\/a> highlighted why moving Arozarena from a full-time role in left field could be a complicating factor when it comes to promoting Emerson.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cHere\u2019s my one concern with that, I\u2019m just gonna be perfectly honest, Randy\u2019s in a contract year,\u201d Goldsmith said. \u201cYou\u2019re gonna tell a guy in a contract year, \u2018Hey, you\u2019re now a part-time DH.\u2019 It takes a pretty big man to say, \u2018I got you, skip. Yeah, I\u2019ll do what you need there.\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cNow, if Randy just signed a big, fat free agent deal and he was taken care of for the rest of his life, maybe it\u2019s different.\u201d<\/p>\n One potential benefit of Donovan playing in left field is it could upgrade the defense. Arozarena has consistently rated as below-average defender by defensive metrics. Donovan has been around average.<\/p>\n \u201cIs that an upgrade? I\u2019ll let other people decide that,\u201d Goldsmith said. \u201c\u2026 My point is that (calling up Emerson)\u2026 isn\u2019t as clean as it sounds if you\u2019re making a fantasy baseball lineup.\u201d<\/p>\n Hear the full conversation at this link or in the audio player in this story. Listen to Brock and Salk weekdays from 6-10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.\u00a0<\/p>\n Seattle Mariners coverage<\/p>\n \u2022 How this slow start by Mariners offense is different than others<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0Seattle Mariners\u2019 Donovan working through \u2018growing pains\u2019 at 3B<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0Bowden: Why Seattle Mariners shouldn\u2019t consider trading a SP<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0Mariners, KING 5 announce TV affiliates for 10 Friday broadcasts<\/a>
\u2022 Seattle Mariners place Robles on IL, call up veteran<\/a><\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Seattle-Mariners_830x100.jpg\")
\t
![](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SeattleSportsEmail-830x100-1.jpg\")
\t