Yusei Kikuchi (Photo by Moto Milwa, via Flickr)
The Seattle Mariners have, for the most part, been quiet this offseason. GM Jerry Dipoto is not in classic Trader Jerry mode. Don’t get me wrong. He’s been active, signing a bunch of decent to good relievers with the hope that they’ll have a magical season. It’s not the worst idea. Then again, it doesn’t exactly scream winning strategy.
It’s no secret that Seattle’s bullpen was their major weakness last year. There are a couple of other areas also in need of a boost, such as starting pitching, specifically an ace, and more offense. Help is on the way in those departments, but it’s unclear if those reinforcements will be here in 2021 or 2022.
When those players arrive from the minors, where are they going to play? More specifically, whose spot they’re taking away, and what’s to become of those displaced players? Some will be let go with no return. Others could/should be dealt, to replenish the farm system.
Let’s take a deeper dive into who the Seattle Mariners tradeable assets are. First of all, every player is available for the right price. In this era, there are very few untouchables. Next, to complete a trade, it takes two teams and the right circumstances. The players involved must meet criteria such as talent, need, age, salary, contract, status, etc.
Due to his age and contract, Kyle Seager doesn’t fit into many team’s trade criteria. Kyle Lewis does fit the criteria. It will take an “offer he can’t refuse” for Dipoto to sign off on moving the reigning Rookie of the Year. Along with Lewis, Evan White, J.P. Crawford, and Jarred Kelenic also are in the least likely to move category unless Dipoto gets a similar Godfather offer.
With all the above in mind, here are the five most desirable pieces within the Seattle Mariners organization.
Although we count prospects as one tradeable asset, they are broken into groups for classification purposes.
The M’s have the third-best farm system in baseball. At the top of the list is previously mentioned Kelenic, Julio Rodriguez, Taylor Trammell. They are all outfielders, and Seattle already has Kyle Lewis in the Majors. One of them is likely to go (and it’s not Kelenic). It will take a Godfather offer to pry Rodriguez away.
Emerson Hancock, Logan Gilbert, and George Kirby are third, fourth, and sixth, respectively, on the M’s Top-30 prospect list. One of them could move in a blockbuster, most likely Kirby.
Noelvi Marte, Cal Raleigh, and Brandon Williamson round out the top 10. I wouldn’t think Dipoto would be keen on moving any of the three, but they are far more available than the other prospects. Seattle also has players like starting pitcher Juan Then and Isaiah Campbell, who could be very attractive. They can move solo or in a package.
Ok, so his value is currently low. The latest reports on Mitch Haniger are he’s healthy and set to be ready for spring training. If the 30-year-old outfielder repeats his 2018, Dipoto will have his list of suitors and choose the best offer. It’s a situation that GM’s dream of, besides building annual champions.
So far, his MLB career hasn’t gone as expected. The improvement from year one to year two is a good sign. Hopefully, he improves again this year. Kikuchi’s Mariners time can come to an end after this season.
Seattle has an option for four-years, $66M. If Yusei Kikuchi takes another step forward, it will be an interesting situation. Come the trade deadline; teams always need more starting pitching. Desperate teams tend to overpay. Kikuchi could make an interesting rental.
Keeping with the theme of starting pitchers being in high demand at the deadline. This one may be the least likely of the group to happen, but he’s also the most desirable of this group. Marco Gonzales is coming off the best year of his career in 2020. Moving him would take an Austin Nola to the Padres like situation.
Speaking of Nola, these two are a combination of Austin Nola. A utility player and a catcher who can hit and play some good defense. If Dylan Moore repeats his 2020 year and Tom Murphy picks up from his 2019, these two can fetch a very nice return.
Some other tradeable players are Ty France, Justus Sheffield, Justin Dunn, Luis Torrens, and Rafael Montero. These guys would most likely move as part of a bigger package to bring veterans or higher ranked prospects. But as previously mentioned, all players are tradeable for the right price.
Who do you think the Seattle Mariners most attractive trade assets? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.