The Seattle Mariners and second base have had an adversarial relationship for the past six years.

Since the Mariners traded Robinson Cano to the New York Mets on December 3, 2018, there have been multiple attempts to find his replacement, but to no avail.

Kolten Wong, Adam Frazier and Jorge Polanco are just a few of the players who played. Seattle Efforts to fill the All-Star-sized void left by Cano’s departure.

The Mariners’ incessant struggles at second base leave the team in a difficult position in 2025; The first stage and the third stage also need to be improved.

recently article MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer says Cole Young, the club’s No. 2 prospect, is Seattle’s long-term plan at secondary, but likely won’t impact the team’s 2025 Opening Day roster. Kramer also noted the warning that Young was expected. It’s possible to play with the Mariners’ Triple-A affiliate, the Tacoma Rainiers, and still be called up at some point in 2025.

A report by MLB Network’s MLB insider Jon Morosi also stated that Seattle is “closely evaluating” Korean Baseball Organization player Hye-Seong Kim, who could be assigned to the MLB roster and signed to a contract. Kim plays second base and shortstop. MLB Trade Rumors He projects to earn a three-year, $24 million deal in free agency.

The Mariners also have in-house options like Ryan Bliss and Dylan Moore who can play second base.

It would make sense for Kim to go after Seattle. A cheap international free agent who has solid, consistent touch and is quick and a good defender. He hit .326 with 11 home runs and 75 RBIs and stole 30 bases with the KBO’s Kiwoom Heroes in 2024.

It will also (probably) be cheaper than other options on the open market like Gleyber Torres. The Mariners would also avoid giving up hopes of trading for another second baseman like the Cubs’ Nico Hoerner.

But it would also create an interesting scenario for the (projected) two seasons in 2025 and beyond.

Kim’s inclusion in the cast could also lead to many difficult decisions.

Kim will be the starting second baseman in 2025 after a completely lackluster performance in spring training and early in the season.

It would also leave Bliss in no man’s land. The former Arizona Diamondbacks prospect has shown flashes of great potential and surprising power for someone his size (6-foot-7, 165 pounds) in 33 games in 2024. Moore, who won the first Gold Glove of his career, will earn approximately $3.9 million in 2024 before hitting free agency in 2025 spotrac.

Bliss will have two more years of team control under pre-arbitration in 2026 and 2027. The team is unlikely to keep Moore beyond 2025. If Young is the long-term solution and Kim is the team’s starting second baseman in 2025, one has to wonder. How long will Seattle keep Bliss on the roster? His potential could definitely make him an intriguing piece of a trade package.

But there’s another question about what will happen to Kim once Young is ready.

Team captain and defender JP Crawford has a contract until 2026. Team President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto was confident in the former Gold Glover’s ability to bounce back from an injury-riddled and disappointing 2024. Given Crawford’s status in the clubhouse and in the community as a leader, it seems unlikely that the team will move on from him before his contract expires.

But that’s still two years away. And the team still has two top-100 prospects in Colt Emerson and Michael Arroyo, who play shortstop.

This could create a potential log squeeze for 2025 and beyond. However, in the meantime, the team must first solve what they have.

Assuming Kim’s skills reach the major league level, the team will be in good position for 2025. And if that doesn’t happen, the Mariners have Bliss, Moore and even Leo Rivas to rely on.

But if Kim can translate his KBO production to the MLB level, then Seattle will have two solid contact hitters with speed on the lower routes in Kim and outfielder Victor Robles.

Kim will also turn 26 on January 27 and will still be under 30 years old assuming he signs the projected three-year contract.

Kim would be a valuable addition to the Mariners. As for the potential congestion it would create, there are worse problems.

MARINERS FULL LIST OF AGENTS LEAVING THE WRONG LEAGUE: The Seattle Mariners have a prayer of minor league free agents, including a few interesting names. CLICK HERE

LIABILITY OF YOUTH TO INVOLVED IN MARINES’ OPENING DAY PLANS: The Seattle Mariners’ top prospect is unlikely to impact the team’s second base position for Opening Day, according to a report from MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer. CLICK HERE

SATURDAY IS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE ICONIC RENTAL: Saturday marked the 32nd anniversary of Lou Piniella’s hiring as Seattle Mariners manager, marking the beginning of the most successful era in franchise history. CLICK HERE

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