A little late to this, but Dipoto seems to be as rigid in avoiding extensions as he has been in avoiding large FA contracts, extending only Segura since taking over as GM. So why saddle the 2020/21 team with a big contract after protecting that budget all these years just to make the 2018 a stronger wild card contender? Given that the Mariner’s contract load drops from near $160m this year to ~$90m in 2020 after the Felix and Cruz contracts expire, there should be a growing budget surplus developing.
Clearly Dipoto is determined to navigate the middle way between the two conventional ways of team-building, that being spend big money for big stars, or spend years rebuilding the farm system. His desire to win could be devoted to building a perennial contender first while still competing in the short term rather than the other way around.
That still leaves the option of taking advantage of the slow FA market to get a pitcher on short term deal. But does Seattle have the leverage to make that deal or are they forced to overpay to get a quality arm? If you’re Lance Lynn after being kicked around all winter like a ball at 8-year old soccer game do you sign with Minnesota, an AL Central title contender and consensus wild card lock or Seattle? In other word, Dipoto may be out there pitching one-year deals but is anyone listening?