Player Profile: Adam Lind

Coming into his first season as a Mariner, Adam Lind will add a veteran voice and bat to the clubhouse.

Since coming into the MLB in 2006, Adam Lind has had monster seasons and not-so-monster-seasons. Sporadic stats show that Lind has a hard time staying in the lineup for the whole season. Out of 10 seasons, Lind played in only half of the games of 5 separate seasons. The thirty-two year old is entering his 11th year in the MLB and the more cynical fans question the veteran’s productivity.

In 2009, Adam Lind stole the show and earned his first and only Silver Slugger award. Obviously Lind has the potential for major offensive ability, but his consistency is lacking. After his impressive 2009 season, Lind has had a hard time coming close to those kind of numbers for a second time.

The ebb and flow of Lind’s performance is hard to fathom. It could be due to the fact that an astounding 77% of Lind’s plate appearances come against right handed hitters. Fortunately, Lind averages .291 against righties compared to a significantly less impressive .221 against southpaws. With a swing in numbers like that, expect Adam Lind to be on a rotary schedule with Dae-Ho Lee. Switching between these two first baseman will provide flexibility for the Mariners and their options when facing a new pitcher. Defensively, Lind is as reliable as any player. A stiff lower back held questions about his mobility, but this spring has proven it won’t be an issue.

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The Mariners will most likely use Lind and Lee as a platoon, meaning whenever there’s a lefty on the mound they’re going to keep Adam Lind far away. This poses a set of problems for Scott Servais. Should Lind be the DH, allowing anyone to pinch hit for him? That would force Nelson Cruz to play in the field and Lee would move into the lineup at first. Clearly, a game-by-game strategy will have to be set up according to the opposing pitcher. This will again bring a feeling of inconsistency to an offense that needs solidarity.

Next: Seattle Mariners 2016 Season Prediction

Overall, Adam Lind is going to do more good for than Mariners than bad. He is a veteran first baseman who has spent plenty of  time in the league and knows the game very well. Even if Lind and Lee are forced to rotate as platoon players, this will give Lee more at-bats and more chances to do something with a big bat. Come Opening Day, Lind is expected to be the starting first baseman.