Seattle Mariners: 5 offseason trade targets
Ed Stein
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The Seattle Mariners have a good young team but are still a few pieces shy of reaching their potential. Here are five realistic players the M’s can trade for to get them to the next level.
Baseball fans have few logs to throw on the hot stove this offseason due to the lockout. After a while, the “what ifs” start to get stale, and the embers fade. This should be a time of anticipation for Seattle Mariners Nation. With an exciting young core of players, more hot prospects coming, and the defending American League Cy Young winner, Robbie Ray, signed as a free agent, there is plenty to look forward to.
The M’s are a legitimate playoff contender. But it’s hard to say this team is complete. Seattle is one or two pieces shy of turning the A.L. West on its head.
Keeping it Real
Before we start, there is no doubt, Seattle would love to trade for Brandon Lowe, Matt Olson, or Yoan Moncada. All three would look great in a Mariners uniform and produce at a high level. However, in terms of assets the M’s would have to send back, they are all way too expensive.
In Olson’s case, Oakland doesn’t want him banging them around for the next two seasons. Conversely, the M’s don’t want to spend the six following years watching Noelvi Marte or Julio Rodriguez destroying the league in another team’s colors.
Only pay for what you need
Then there are players on the trade block; the M’s could go after, but if they don’t help them, why bother? For example, as great as it would be to get Bryan Reynolds from Pittsburgh, he isn’t necessary. Seattle already has Jarred Kelenic, Kyle Lewis, Mitch Haniger, and Jake Fraley (as a fourth outfielder) on the roster. Not to mention the highly touted Julio Rodriguez, who is MLB Pipeline’s number two prospect in baseball, not far from joining them.
Every team needs starting pitching, even the Seattle Mariners. Again there is plenty of talent on the near horizon coming from the minors. In two years, Emerson Hancock, George Kirby, and one of several highly rated prospects will join Logan Gilbert to form a strong young core of starters.
The Mariners will continue to look for a starting pitcher via free agency or trade … But Jerry Dipoto acknowledged today that, if they don't add another, prospects Matt Brash and Brandon Williamson could be considered for the fifth rotation spot.https://t.co/3vCeKnTspg
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) December 2, 2021
The Mariners need someone who bats left-handed bat, preferably with some pop, who can also get on base. Ideally, this player is a third baseman to replace Kyle Seager, but not a deal-breaker if he isn’t.