The Seattle Mariners can’t be sellers because there isn’t much to sell
The Seattle Mariners poor start to 2022 could make them trade deadline sellers. But who of value do they have to trade?
After winning 90 games last year, 2022 has been a bust so far for the Seattle Mariners. With all the young talent on the team, saying this season is disappointing seems like a stretch.
The Seattle Mariners just completed a three-game sweep in Oakland. But after the Bay Area hat trick, they have a 32-39 record, good for fourth in the American Leagues West, 12.0 games behind division-leading Houston.
If they are counting on a Wild Card spot, the M’s are 7.5 games behind Boston. Even worse there are seven teams between them and the postseason. With just over five weeks until the July 30 trade deadline, the Seattle Mariners could be sellers this year.
Seattle Mariners General Manager “Trader” Jerry Dipoto has made some big deals in the past. It’s hard to believe anyone of importance gets dealt. In fact, Seattle doesn’t have a trade asset of substance to move who would be worth parting with.
Slim Pickings
- They just dealt for Jesse Winker in the spring, so it’s doubtful he gets traded away now. Besides after his poor start to the season, his value is low right now.
- Mitch Haniger is hurt and wasn’t productive prior to getting hurt (.200/.222/.486/.708 stat line in 9 games.
- Eugenio Suarez has played better of later, but who plays third base if he’s dealt?
- Adam Frazier has some value, but the M’s don’t have a viable replacement at second base.
- Abraham Toro and Dylan Moore are good utility players. Unfortunately neither has much value. Also, the organization already punted on the idea of them starting when acquired Frazier and Suarez.
- Outfielder Taylor Trammell most likely has little value, although he is rising. Add in Jarred Kelenic’s struggles and Haniger’s injury and the M’s might just need to keep him.
- Catcher Tom Murphy was off to a good start this season before he got hurt. Now he’s done for the year and his backup LuisTorrens isn’t that good.
- Robbie Ray is back to his old inconsistent ways. Now he comes with a big price tag which eliminates him from trade consideration.
- Chris Flexen is a possibility. But it’s questionable whether the Seattle Mariners get a better than Flexen-level player in return.
If Dipoto trades away someone it’s most likely a relief pitcher. He doesn’t have much to work with there either. The Seattle Mariners 2022 bullpen is mid-tier at best. Unless another team is desperate for relief help, he can’t expect to recoup very much.
Trader Jerry is a master wheeler-dealer and at times a magician. If he’s a deadline seller, Dipoto will have to dig deep into his bag of tricks to get something positive back for the future.