2022 Seattle Mariners Season a Significant Step Forward
Reds Trade – Part 1
Following the end of the lockout, Dipoto moved quickly on a blockbuster trade with Cincinnati by acquiring All-Stars Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez. One of them worked out well, while the other started rough and ended rough.
Dipoto traded away Justin Dunn (1-6 with a 6.10 ERA in 16 starts between AAA and the Major League club), Jake Fraley (.812 OPS in 216 ABs with the Reds, spent multiple stints on the IL), minor leaguer Connor Walker. and MLB Top 100 prospects Brandon Williamson (6-7 4.11 ERA with stops at AA and AAA).
In hindsight, the Mariners appear to have won this trade. But there could be some stormy seas on the horizon. According to M’s beat writer Ryan Divish on the Brock and Salk show, there is some friction between Winker and the M’s, despite Seattle buying out his final arbitration year.
Ironically, third baseman Suarez, who seemed to be a salary dump, and throw-in, proved to be a force in the clubhouse, at the plate (despite a million strikeouts), and in the field. His 31 home runs paced the Mariners this season, although a late-season injury cooled him off at the plate down the stretch.