Mariners land Dee Gordon: Fantasy Fallout

By Brad Kelly | Dec 7, 2017

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 01: Dee Gordon #9 of the Miami Marlinslooks on during a game against the Atlanta Braves at Marlins Park on October 1, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

The Mariners came out of nowhere today to land Dee Gordon from the Marlins. What is the fantasy fallout of the deal?

This is truly the most wonderful time of the year. No not because of the holidays, but rather thanks to the MLB’s scathing hot stove. Most of the early headlines have been associated with Shohei Otani and the Mariners are certainly one of the odds-on favorites to land him. But, the team also made waves today by landing Dee Gordon from the Marlins for three prospects.

What is the fantasy fallout of the deal?

Most fans immediate thought was; well what does that mean for incumbent Robinson Cano? That question did not last long, as Gordon is headed to center field for the first time in his career.

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Outside of a PED suspension in 2016, Gordon is one of the best contributors over the last four seasons at second base. His skill is clearly speed and he has not disappointed, notching at least 30 SB since 2014.

Last season, he showed once again what he does best by posting a .308/2 HR/33 RBI/60 SB/.716 OPS/114 R line over 158 games. He will join an already improved Mariners’ lineup that added Ryon Healy, and will presumably have a healthy Mitch Haniger for the start of the season.

The addition of Gordon gives the M’s a stacked lineup and one of the deeper lineups you will see in the game. With Gordon and Jean Segura at the top of the lineup and Cano, Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager following, Seattle should have no issues scoring runs.

And that does not even take into account that they could land Otani as well, and he could even slide into the lineup. An important part of the deal was the Mariners also received international slot money, giving them the most cash to offer out of the Otani finalists.

For the Marlins, this return is a little lackluster. It was clear that the goal was to cut payroll, and they did just that. But, it is hard to know who will slide into second base. Martin Prado is on the trade block, leaving someone like Derek Dietrich as a favorite to fill in.

The Mariners do not have a loaded system, but they did net Seattle’s second and seventh-ranked prospects.

From a fantasy perspective, righty prospect Nick Neidert deserves the most attention right now, yet seventh-ranked infield prospect Christopher Torres, could have the highest ceiling.

Neidert dominated low-A ball last season but struggled mightily when promoted to AA. Torres is also a blazer, yet also a switch hitter and has performed very well in the minors. The last prospect is pitcher Robert Dugger, who also struggled once promoted to AA like Neidert, but did do well out of the bullpen.

Dee Gordon and the Mariners are the clear winners here. They did lose prospects but with a generally light system, the idea of adding Gordon and netting Otani is well worth the risk.

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Gordon will, of course, carry second base eligibility heading into 2018, and the move to Seattle places him in the top-5 at the position. His speed is not going anywhere and finding steals is harder and harder to do. He could easily post a .300/40 RBI/60 SB/120 R type of season.

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