Gary A. Vasquez- USA TODAY Sports
Manager Eric Wedge made an interesting decision earlier this week, the manager decided to replace Brendan Ryan with Robert Andino as the Seattle Mariners’ starting shortstop position.
Ryan has been prolifically terrible as an offensive player in his three-year stint with the Mariners, posting a futile average of .217. Ryan makes up for this with his defense, the shortstop has saved more runs in the last two years than any other defensive player in the MLB and had a defensive WAR of 3.6 last season.
Andino was the Baltimore Orioles starting second basemen in 2011 when he hit .263, but dropped off last year, only hitting for a .211 and average and the Orioles traded him to Seattle in return for outfielder Trayvon Robinson. This move obviously is not for offense.
“I’m going to give Robert a chance to play and see where he takes it. I like what I saw with his work and his approach this spring. I don’t feel it’s been as good in season, but it’s been a little better here the last week in the cage.” Wedge told Mariners.com.
Andino offers minimal offensive improvement over Ryan and Wedge knows that. The manager is obviously trying to send a message to his team that is trying hard to give the Houston Astros a run for fifth place in the AL West. Wedge is trying to say safe that nobody’s spot in the lineup is safe and he is trying to motivate his players to pick it up or they will join Ryan on the bench.
Along with GM Jack Zduriencik, Wedge’s contract expires after this season. I would expect to see a few more drastic changes just to try to salvage their jobs.
