Nicole: You are not ready for what is happening in Seattle right now. We just watched the team that won the AL West with a 76-86 record fire their manager, and now they are staring down the barrel of a catcher controversy that could define their entire 2027 season.
Kevin: It’s wild. You win the division, you go to the ALCS last year, and yet here we are talking about roster construction before the offseason even truly begins. The rotation is locked in, but the infield and the battery? That’s where the chaos lives.
Kevin: Hey everyone. Thanks for tuning in. It’s good to be back with you all.
Nicole: Here is what we have for you today on this edition of Roster Battles. First, we are going deep into the catching situation—Cal Raleigh vs. the rest of the league. Second, we look at the bizarre depth chart at third base and second base. And finally, we make our roster cut predictions for October 31st. Let’s get into it.
Nicole: Okay, let’s start with the biggest question mark in Seattle. Cal Raleigh is coming off a monster year, but Willie MacIver and Jhonny Pereda are waiting in the wings. Is there any real competition for Raleigh’s job, or is he untouchable?
Kevin: Raleigh is untouchable. He’s the anchor. But the battle isn’t really for the starting job; it’s for the backup role. And that’s where it gets interesting because you have MacIver, who has shown defensive flare, and Pereda, who offers some pop.
Nicole: But think about the workload. If Raleigh catches 140 games, who is handling the bulk of the relief catching? MacIver seems like the more polished defender, but does he have the bat to justify keeping him over someone like Pereda?
Kevin: Exactly. In modern baseball, you need a catcher who can hit enough to stay on the field when Raleigh sits. MacIver is young, but his track record isn’t as proven as Raleigh’s. If I’m Seattle, I’m looking at MacIver as the clear No. 2, but the pressure is on him to prove he can handle a full season if needed.
Nicole: And don’t forget, with Dan Wilson gone, the new manager—whoever that turns out to be, maybe Joe Espada—will have huge input here. They might want a catcher who can manage the pitching staff better than anyone else.
Kevin: That’s a fair point. Raleigh has that presence. But if MacIver shows he can frame pitches and keep the arm strong, he wins the backup spot. Pereda might end up being the trade chip or the option guy.
Nicole: So, Raleigh starts, MacIver backs him up. That feels like the most likely scenario unless something crazy happens in spring training. Let’s move to the infield. We talked about Cole Young yesterday—he’s projected to start 140 games at second base. But Ryan Bliss is also on this roster. What is the plan there?
Kevin: Bliss is the puzzle piece. He’s explosive, but he’s volatile. Cole Young had that breakout moment last year, and if he keeps up the plate discipline and the contact rate, he’s the everyday guy. Bliss is probably your super-sub or platoon partner against left-handed pitching.
Nicole: Right, because Young has that versatility and the defensive reliability. But Bliss provides that speed and power upside off the bench. It’s a classic case of having two guys who can do different things well.
Kevin: Exactly. And don’t forget Michael Arroyo and Brock Rodden are also SS/2B options. The depth is actually insane. Seattle has more infielders than they know what to do with.
Nicole: It is a crowded house. Okay, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Third Base. You have Brendan Donovan, Leo Rivas, Weston Wilson, Patrick Wisdom, and... wait, is that it? Who is actually playing there?
Kevin: This is the messiest position group. Donovan was brought in for his all-around game, but Wisdom brings raw power. Rivas and Wilson are younger, developmental types. It’s a committee approach until someone proves they’re the everyday starter.
Nicole: So, no clear winner yet? That’s going to be a big story in March. If Wisdom doesn’t heat up early, they might have to stick with Donovan for his defense and on-base skills, even if the home run total isn’t what fans want.
Kevin: I think Donovan starts, but Wisdom forces their hand. If Wisdom hits .250 with 20 homers in camp, he’s getting significant at-bats. It’s a battle of styles.
Nicole: We’ll see how that shakes out. Before we break, I need to ask you for a quick favor. We work hard every single day to bring you this level of detail and analysis, free of charge. A small contribution helps us keep the lights on and the episodes rolling. Please check the link in the episode description to support us. It means the world.
Kevin: Thank you so much. Seriously, your support keeps this independent voice alive. Now, let’s wrap up with our roster cut predictions. Who is staying, and who is going?
Nicole: Let’s start with the bullpen. You have Eduard Bazardo, Cooper Criswell, Seranthony Dominguez, Jose Ferrer, Hoby Milner, Andres Munoz, Michael Rucker, Josh Simpson, Gabe Speier, Troy Taylor, Carlos Vargas, and Cole Wilcox. That is too many arms.
Kevin: Way too many. Munoz is the closer, Milner is the setup man. Those two are safe. Then you’ve got the high-upside guys like Vargas and Rucker. I think Bazardo and Simpson are the first ones cut. They’re solid, but there’s a logjam.
Nicole: Agreed. And in the outfield, Victor Robles is trending down. With Julio Rodriguez healthy and Randy Arozarena locked in, Robles’ defense needs to be elite to keep his spot. Does he have it?
Kevin: He’s risky. Lazaro Montes and Dominic Canzone are pushing hard. I think Robles makes the team as a defensive specialist, but if he struggles in camp, he’s gone. It’s a thin margin.
Nicole: Final thought: The rotation is set. Gilbert, Kirby, Woo, Miller, Hancock. That’s five. The rest are depth. So the cuts will come from the bullpen and the infield/outfield corners. Great stuff, everyone.
Kevin: Thanks for listening. Keep an eye on those spring training stats. They tell the whole story.
Nicole: Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with a fellow Mariner fan. Up the Seals!