According to MLB.com’s transaction log, the Mariners have reached an agreement with corner infielder Jason Vosler on a minor league contract. Vosler is represented by All Bases Covered Sports Management.
Vosler, 30, has appeared in parts of three major league seasons, with the Giants and, in 2023, the Reds. Last year, he played 20 games and had 65 plate appearances with Cincinnati, getting out to a fast start before fading. Vosler homered three times in his first 15 plate appearances, but he only hit.106/.160/.128 with 20 strikeouts in his next 50. In late April, the Reds designated him for assignment, and he was outrighted to Triple-A Louisville after going unclaimed on waivers.
Vosler spent the rest of the season with Louisville, where he hit.240/.333/.482 with 20 home runs in 363 plate appearances. By wRC+ (99), the production was in line with the International League’s league-average level. It was also very consistent with Vosler’s career production at that level; during parts of five seasons and 1747 plate appearances in Triple-A, Vosler has a.265/.342/.485 batting line.
While Vosler has spent the most of his professional career at third base (5303 innings), he has also played more than 1400 innings at first base and just under 200 in left field. He is a left-handed hitter who will provide the Mariners with some lefty depth at areas where they currently need it. The organization’s upper-level corner alternatives include right-handed batters Brian Anderson (third base), Michael Chavis (both corners), and Tyler Locklear (first base), but there aren’t many notable lefty hitters at the corners.
Going into the 2024 season, it appears like the Mariners will deploy a platoon of right-handed hitter Luis Urias and lefty Josh Rojas at third base. Urias has been hindered in camp by shoulder stiffness after his offseason stay in the Mexican Winter League, but he recently made his Cactus League debut and should have enough time to prepare for the season, assuming no further setbacks.
