Mariners: Taylor Motter could see more playing time this season

The Mariners have lucked out by having Taylor Motter fill in at shortstop. He could also see more playing time in the outfield.

The Seattle Mariners, like many other teams, are dealing with a few injuries. The major one is to shortstop Jean Segura, who is currently dealing with a hamstring issue. As a result, Taylor Motter is filling in and doing a good job. And even when Segura returns, Motter could still see playing time in the outfield. If you are in a deeper league, he is worth the add.

Motter played in just 34 games with the Tampa Bay Rays last season. In that span, he played all four infield positions, two outfield positions and even made an appearance as a pitcher. This year, he started one game in left field, two appearances at first base and 13 games at shortstop (12 starts).

In 16 games this season, Motter has a .255/.321/.667 line with five home runs, 12 RBI and 10 runs. He also has 13 strikeouts, five walks and a steal. Most of these numbers already surpassed his 2016 performance.

More from FanSided

• Yankees: Luis Severino has blunt assessment of another miserable outing
• Bills: 3 2023 roster holes that could cost Josh Allen a Super Bowl
• Colts RB Jonathan Taylor shoots down rumors of troubling injury
• MLB Rumors: Favorite to trade for Justin Verlander emerges and it’s not the Astros
• NY Mets should disband franchise if nightmare Justin Verlander report becomes reality

Motter benefits from hitting in the No. 6 spot, behind Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager (despite the latter not having a home run yet). He is putting up good numbers when the hitter in front of him get on base. Motter has a .321 average with four homers and 11 RBI in those situations.

Segura has been rehabbing in the minor league and is expected to rejoin the Mariners sometime this week. Motter could be out of a job but I think he has another option.

With Leonys Martin designated for assignment, the Mariners currently have Guillermo Heredia manning left field. Motter has some experience there and could end up in a platoon.

If that happens, I don’t think it will be long before Motter takes over the job for good. He has shown great power recently, his five homers have come in the last 11 games, and is a great fielder, 100 percent fielding percentage this season.

While he is getting constant playing time as the shortstop now, that will come to an end. If he moves over to left field, then his at-bats will be cut in half. That is why he is a deep-league waiver add.

Next: Robbie Grossman: Deep Waiver Wire Add

If you are looking for some power on the waiver wire, there are a lot of players out there. However, their ownership percentages are closer to 50 or 60 percent. Motter is someone that is more available to the majority. I would add him to speculate that he ends up as the full-time left fielder.