The Mariners made a big free agent signing a few weeks ago when they added Nelson Cruz, and while he is a huge upgrade at the DH spot, he is only one player. The team still had outfield questions to answer, even moreso after trading Michael Saunders to the Blue Jays. The bench also needed some help.On Wednesday, Seattle took a step towards improving their outfield situation and bench with a relatively minor trade with the Cubs. Here are the details:
Over the last three seasons, Ruggiano has hit .264/.331/.447 (111 OPS+) with 54 doubles and 37 homers in 1,042 plate appearances with the Cubs and Marlins, though most of that comes from his huge 2012 season in Miami (142 OPS+). He slumped down to a 90 OPS+ in 2013 before rebounding in 2014.The overall numbers look nice, but the right-handed hitting Ruggiano's main skill is hitting left-handed pitchers. He put up a .305/.333/.512 (137 OPS+) line against southpaws in 2014, and, in parts of six big league seasons, Ruggiano has a .266/.329/.508 (121 OPS+) batting line against lefties in 443 plate appearances.That isn't the biggest of samples, though it is also worth noting Ruggiano has hit .247/.358/.461 against Triple-A lefties since 2011. Maybe it's all a fluke, but more than likely this is a real skill he possesses. Ruggiano can hit lefties -- but not righties (career 89 OPS+ vs. RHP) -- while playing sound defense in the corners and passable defense in center. That's a fine bench player.The Mariners gave almost 1,000 combined plate appearances (967, to be exact) to the likes of James Jones (71 OPS+), Endy Chavez (99 OPS+), Stefen Romero (54 OPS+), Abe Almonte (56 OPS+) and Cole Gillespie (85 OPS+) this past season. Jones might still make the club as a bench player but the others are either gone already or can be easily cast aside. Ruggiano's a big upgrade over this lot and he came at a low cost.With Dustin Ackley and Austin Jackson entrenched in left and center fields, respectively, Ruggiano gives the Mariners a good right-handed half of a right field platoon, or just a solid bench piece if they add a full-time outfielder. Is it a big move? No. But it's an upgrade on the margins of the roster, and these days it takes way more than the starting lineup to compete. The bench and general organizational depth are very important, and that's where Ruggiano helps.Mike Axisa/CBS Sports
Over the last three seasons, Ruggiano has hit .264/.331/.447 (111 OPS+) with 54 doubles and 37 homers in 1,042 plate appearances with the Cubs and Marlins, though most of that comes from his huge 2012 season in Miami (142 OPS+). He slumped down to a 90 OPS+ in 2013 before rebounding in 2014.The overall numbers look nice, but the right-handed hitting Ruggiano's main skill is hitting left-handed pitchers. He put up a .305/.333/.512 (137 OPS+) line against southpaws in 2014, and, in parts of six big league seasons, Ruggiano has a .266/.329/.508 (121 OPS+) batting line against lefties in 443 plate appearances.That isn't the biggest of samples, though it is also worth noting Ruggiano has hit .247/.358/.461 against Triple-A lefties since 2011. Maybe it's all a fluke, but more than likely this is a real skill he possesses. Ruggiano can hit lefties -- but not righties (career 89 OPS+ vs. RHP) -- while playing sound defense in the corners and passable defense in center. That's a fine bench player.The Mariners gave almost 1,000 combined plate appearances (967, to be exact) to the likes of James Jones (71 OPS+), Endy Chavez (99 OPS+), Stefen Romero (54 OPS+), Abe Almonte (56 OPS+) and Cole Gillespie (85 OPS+) this past season. Jones might still make the club as a bench player but the others are either gone already or can be easily cast aside. Ruggiano's a big upgrade over this lot and he came at a low cost.With Dustin Ackley and Austin Jackson entrenched in left and center fields, respectively, Ruggiano gives the Mariners a good right-handed half of a right field platoon, or just a solid bench piece if they add a full-time outfielder. Is it a big move? No. But it's an upgrade on the margins of the roster, and these days it takes way more than the starting lineup to compete. The bench and general organizational depth are very important, and that's where Ruggiano helps.Mike Axisa/CBS Sports
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