Seattle Mariners: One Big Deal Down, What’s Next?
Pitching! Get Your Pitching!
With the offensive upgrades practically done (there’s still the possibility Dipoto makes another move to help bolster their offense), it’s time to focus on the pitching side. A quick reminder from the Dipoto presser, he said the Seattle Mariners are looking for a front-end or mid-rotation starter, and they’d also be interested in acquiring a pitcher who can operate out of the bullpen and be an opener.
There is currently no front-end starter available in free agency, but there are a bunch of mid-rotation starters available. First, we’ll talk about some of the front-end rotation options brought up in trade rumors, such as Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, Luis Castillo, and Tyler Mahle. Others could be available via trade, such as John Means and Elieser Hernandez, but there hasn’t been chatter on either.
Since the Seattle Mariners just made a trade with Cincinnati and didn’t get either of the Castillo or Mahle. It’s fair to say these guys are no longer an option for the M’s. Especially since Cincinnati GM Nick Krall said he isn’t trading them. Montas and Manaea are also not likely options as the Athletics might want more from Seattle than they would from other teams since they’re both in the same division. It might be fair to cross their names off the list as well.
That leaves Means or Hernandez might be the next acquired piece. It could also mean another pitcher is in play from another team that we aren’t aware of yet. Dipoto wants another front-line starter, someone on the level of Robbie Ray.
JOHN MEANS NO-HITTER! pic.twitter.com/qEAoTvNs0m
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 5, 2021