Seattle Mariners: The Marco Gonzales, Tyler O’Neil trade 4 years later

  |  
Nov 9, 2021
Seattle Mariners
Marco Gonzales, Seattle Mariners.

On July 21, 2017, Seattle Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto made a curious trade. He dealt outfield prospect Tyler O’Neill for starting pitcher Marco Gonzales. Four years later, it’s turned out to be a rare win-win trade.

The Seattle Mariners hired former Los Angeles Angels General Manager Jerry Dipoto in 2015. In his first year with LAA, he drafted a player many doubted as a Major League prospect, Mike Trout, 25th overall. Trout has since turned out to be one of the best players of all time. So, for the Mariners to get Dipoto as their GM, after suffering years of ineptitude from others who filled this role, was a major success.

At the time of his hiring, the Seattle Mariners farm system was not great, especially the pitching options. Danny Hultzen was making his way back from rotator cuff surgery, and no one knew what to expect from him. Edwin Diaz showed promise but was years away from the Majors. Ryan Yarbrough was a finesse lefty and, at best, a mid-rotation starter.

From an offense standpoint, the Seattle Mariners had some better prospects. 2014 first-rounder catcher/outfielder Alex Jackson showed some real potential. D.J. Peterson looked he might be the team’s first baseman of the future. Ketel Marte was intriguing as the future starting shortstop. Then there was Tyler O’Neill. At that time, the  19-year-old Canadian seemed destined to be a Seattle Mariners corner outfielder or maybe the designated hitter due to his tremendous power. Hitting for average was going to be problematic.

The Trade

So, in 2017 when Dipoto made the trade sending O’Neill to St. Louis for Marco Gonzales, it was a bit surprising. The two teams joined up to trade from depth at one of their positions to help an area of weakness.

Initially, this guy didn’t like the deal. I saw a future Seattle Mariners starting outfielder in O’Neill and, on the other side, a number three starter, at best, in Gonzales. However, I resigned myself that Dipoto knows more about these players and baseball than I do.

Subsequently, four years removed, it looks like Dipoto and I were both right about the trade. Gonzales is arguably the Seattle Mariners staff ace and a one-time All-Star. Meanwhile, O’Neill is coming off his best MLB season. He hit .286 with 34 home runs (seventh in the NL), 6.3 WAR (eighth), and earned a second straight Gold Glove.

Some trades look lopsided right off the bat, and others look to be a win-win at the moment, only to fold over time. Four years later, this deal is still a win for all involved.

Looking back, did Seattle Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto make the right move by acquiring Gonzales in exchange for O’Neil? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.

Share: