Mariners' Jarrod Dyson: In line for expanded opportunity in 2017

Dyson, who arrived in Seattle via a Jan. 6 trade, is in line for expanded opportunities in both playing time and on the basepaths during spring training, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports. "I talked to him yesterday and said, 'Hey, be ready,'" Mariners manager Scott Servais said. "It's not going to be just straight platoon. I'd like to see what he can do against left-handed pitchers in spring training. It is the spring and keep that in context, but I'm curious to see what it looks like."

Analysis:

The veteran outfielder, who'll lead off in Saturday's Cactus League opener against the Padres, will have the green light on the bases in spring training. Dyson swiped 30 bags in a part-time role for the Royals in 2016, and has 176 steals overall in his career despite never getting 300 at-bats in any of his seven seasons in the majors. Servais is ready to give his offseason acquisition a chance to take some hacks versus southpaws as well, a handedness against which the 32-year-old hit .379 in a modest sample of 29 at-bats last season. If Dyson can hold his own against lefties, it would give the Mariners an opening to boost his playing time beyond that of a straight platoon, and incorporate his speed into the lineup on a more frequent basis.