Trying Something New to Finally Bring a Title to Seattle

“We felt like, ‘Well, we’ve been fifth or sixth in the league in general over the last handful of years, and if we pull back but we don’t tear down to the studs, we’re probably still in the middle of the pack, but we’ve set ourselves up so much better for the future by doing that,’” Dipoto said.

“The goal is to not have to go through the eight- or 10-year rebuild that is required when you strip it down and you’re waiting for draft picks to gestate and young players to mature and you’re ripping a payroll down with the intent of starting from scratch.”

The payroll is still bloated, for now, but only two players are signed beyond 2020: the injured third baseman Kyle Seager and Yusei Kikuchi, a rookie starter from Japan. Dipoto is eager for the next phase of his plan.

“By this time next year, we’re going to be an extraordinarily flexible roster, and we’ll be in a very different range in terms of available payroll,” Dipoto said. “So now we’re set up to really make a run, just about the time that we think that wave of prospects are going to start hitting the shore.”

In the meantime, the under-30 players on his patchwork roster — all acquired in trades or free agency — will try to show staying power. Outfielder Mitch Haniger and starter Marco Gonzales have become integral long-term pieces. Santana, infielder Tim Beckham and catcher Omar Narvaez are trying to do the same.

So is Vogelbach, whose average has fallen since a torrid start but still dreams big.

“It’s cool just winning a game in the big leagues,” Vogelbach said. “Even in the regular season, you win a game, there’s a vibe in your clubhouse, everyone’s excited. I can’t imagine winning a World Series. That’s what I want to do.”

Three years ago, Vogelbach indirectly helped the Cubs do it. If that luckless franchise can win, then maybe, someday, the star-crossed Mariners will take their turn.