Seattle Mariners: The disappearing bat, Guillermo Heredia 2018

A promotion

Robinson Cano broke his right hand on May 13 and was placed on the disabled list. Shortly after Cano was handed an 80 game suspension for violating the MLB drug policy. The Mariners had Dee Gordon move from center field back to second base, a position he played before coming to the Mariners.

Heredia became the regular center fielder after Gordon’s move. During the time, When Heredia became an everyday player, his offense suffered, actually disappeared would be a better term. In June, He went 13 for 77, at the plate, a .186 clip.

He played a solid defensive center field, although he is a better defender in left. Heredia also showed he is a better player in a part-time role. Sometimes the more a marginal talent plays, the more they get exposed.

M’s use different options

At the trade deadline, the Mariners acquired Cameron Maybin because they believed he was a better fit in the starting lineup over Heredia. It turned out Maybin really wasn’t much of an improvement.

On August 1, Ben Gamel was sent down to Tacoma, due to the Mariners surplus of outfielders. It was just as unpopular as Heredia’s demotion in April. The M’s said they sent Gamel, a left-handed hitter, down to the minors was because they were facing more lefty pitchers and that Heredia was righty bad and a better defender. Gamel was batting around .300 and Heredia was slumping along with most of the Mariners lineup.

Gamel rejoined the team on August 20 and Heredia was sent back to Tacoma in his place. At this point, Robinson Cano was also back on the team and Seattle had returned Gordon to center field on a part-time basis.

Rosters expanded in September and Heredia was back. He platooned with Denard Span, who started against right-handed pitching. Maybin also made some starts in left field as well. Mitch Haniger was now the Mariners option in center field when Gordon was at second base. At times, Heredia was relegated to being a late inning, defensive replacement.