Mariners turn to lightly-used former Guardians outfielder as they look to hold off September collapse

There’s perhaps no team that’s been more disappointing this season than the Seattle Mariners. After coming within a game of making the World Series last year, Seattle’s taken a huge step back this year thanks to some serious regression from some of their biggest players. 

Cal Raleigh’s on pace for one of the biggest season-by-season fall offs in MLB history, Julio Rodríguez hasn’t had the kind of season that’s been expected of him and even old friend Josh Naylor hasn’t lived up to his billing. 

But even with those struggles, the Mariners entered the weekend just 4 1/2 games out of a postseason spot thanks to the American League’s weak middle. Sure, they have four teams in front of them, but a small chance is still a chance. 

They added a familiar face in their quest to nail down that chance earlier this week when they added Stuart Fairchild to their roster for a second time this season after his disastrous showing with the Guardians. 

Stuart Fairchild is back with the Mariners

Fairchild’s first stint with the Mariners was about as minimal as one could have, as he made one appearance as a pinch-runner at the beginning of August (and scored a run on Colt Emerson’s walk-off)  before being designated for assignment to make room for Brendan Donovan. 

He elected free agency after that DFA but re-signed with Seattle on a minor league deal and posted a .895 OPS in 18 games at Triple-A Tacoma before getting promoted. 

While he has those solid Triple-A numbers, this could also be a short stint on the Mariners’ big league roster since he’s taking the palace of Victor Robles, who was placed on the family medical emergency list. Any player has to be on that list for a minimum of three days but can’t be on it for more than seven days. 

Fairchild had been with the Guardians in spring training (when he wasn’t starring for Chinese Taipei in the World Baseball Classic), and got his promotion to the team’s big league roster at the end of May when Cleveland placed Steven Kwan on the same family medical emergency list that Robles was just placed on.

He went 3-for-19 with 14 strikeouts and seven walks in limited action. He elected free agency after being designated for assignment by the Guardians, and quickly signed a minor league free agent contract with the Mariners. 

Fairchild has the speed and defense that makes him a great fit as a team’s fourth outfielder, but that can lead to a bit of a volatile existence since you’re always the last man on the roster.

He should be able to use that skillset to make an impression for the Mariners over the next 24 hours, but it may not be a long stay for him in the Pacific Northwest. 

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