Wisdom, now 34, had a strong run with the Cubs from 2021 to 2023. His production was fairly predictable. He struck out a ton, but usually put the ball over the fence when he connected. He hit at least 23 home runs in each of those three seasons, but struck out at least in all three.
All told, he had 76 home runs in 1,211 at-bats during those years, while striking out at a rate of 36.9%. That led to a lopsided .214/.298/.473 line. Despite the strikeouts and low batting average, he was 11% better than the league average for that period, according to wRC+.
He was benched in 2024, but hit just .171/.237/.392 174 plate appearances. Never being a particularly gifted defender, the slump at the plate became untenable and he was non-tendered at the end of the season.
He signed with the Kia Tigers of the Korea Baseball Organization and returned to his previous form. He struck out 29.2% of his at-bats in South Korea last year, but threw 35 home runs. He finished the year with a .236/.321/.535 line and 126 wRC+. He was given short stints in the outfield corners, but mostly split his time between third and first base.
The Mariners will bring him on board in a non-roster capacity and take a look at him. They have Josh Naylor as their regular at first base. The hot corner is a little more open. The club is interested in a return Eugenio Suarezanother power-hitting third baseman with big strikeouts, but he remains unsigned as a free agent.
It is possible that prospect Foal Emerson could take over the job this year, but he’s currently only 20 years old and hasn’t made it to the Majors yet, with just six games of Triple-A experience. Ben Williamson currently projects as the first solid glove in third place, at least until Emerson works his way in. Wisdom gives them another option without taking up a selection spot. It’s also possible Wisdom could earn his way into a bench role as a right-handed bat, providing platoon coverage for lefties like Naylor. Dominic Song, J.P. Crawford, Cole Jong And Lucas Raley.
Photo courtesy of Jim Rassol, Imagn Images
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