It’s been roughly a month since Leody Taveras was let go by the Texas Rangers and picked up by the Seattle Mariners, a team that plays in the same competitive AL West Division. If we’re being honest, it seems like Taveras has spent more time in a Mariners jersey this season than he ever did with Texas, and the results have been pretty sobering for his new club.
The experiment in Seattle has not turned out well—perhaps even worse than his previous stint with the Rangers. This isn’t about saying “I told you so.” Instead, it feels more like a shared moment of commiseration for both fan bases grappling with the challenges of Taveras’ underwhelming performance.
After being waived by the Rangers on May 6, Taveras quickly found work with the Mariners, making his debut just a day later. Since joining Seattle, he’s played in 25 games, but the numbers paint a grim picture: a slash line of .185/.212/.296, two homers, eight RBIs, 24 strikeouts, and just three walks which culminates in a .508 OPS. Those stats are a stark reminder that his time with the Rangers didn’t quite set the bar high, but it’s clear he hasn’t taken a step forward in the Emerald City either.
In roughly the same number of at-bats for both teams—83 with the Mariners compared to 82 with Texas—his struggles have been consistent. The numbers reveal a similar pattern: a K/BB ratio of 23 strikeouts to just 2 walks for both teams, OPS marks hovering near the bottom of the league (.601 with Texas compared to .518 in Seattle), and a dwindling number of steals (6 for 7 with Texas, and 3 for 5 with Seattle).
There have been fleeting moments of promise for Taveras. He’s delivered a few clutch hits and made some defensive plays, including a notable outfield assist where he gunned down his former teammate, Nathaniel Lowe, at the plate to prevent a tying run. Yet, these flashes of potential have become overshadowed by an overarching sense of disappointment for the Mariners as they witness Taveras struggle in both hitting and fielding.
Interestingly enough, the Mariners might be forced to keep Taveras on their roster due to their ongoing challenges in the outfield. Right now, he’s one of only three outfielders in their depth chart, joining standout players Julio Rodriguez and Randy Arozarena. Fortunately for Seattle, their overall team performance has fared better, currently sitting in second place in the division with a winning record, unlike the Rangers who have been reeling.
Texas made the tough choice to part ways with Taveras in hopes of rejuvenating their outfield by bringing up talented young players, specifically aiming to give Evan Carter a shot. While that change hasn’t yielded immediate results yet, it was undoubtedly a move they needed to make for the long-term health of their franchise.
Only time will tell if the Mariners and hitting coach Edgar Martinez can help Taveras find his groove. For now, Mariners fans are undoubtedly feeling the echoes of Rangers fans’ frustrations, as they look on and witness the same struggles unfold in their lineup.
