Seattle Mariners: Three trades the M’s can make to transform the franchise
Dee Gordon, Seattle Mariners. (Photo by Keith Allison, via Wikicommons)
The Seattle Mariners can rapidly escalate their rebuilding process with these three trades.
Author’s note: Anyone who has followed my work knows I don’t do “throw it against the wall and see if they stick” trade rumors. While each of the following trades may not be easy, they can get done.
This is a rebuilding year for the Seattle Mariners. Five to seven players in the lineup each night have under 500 career Major League plate appearances. Saying this team is inexperienced is like saying the Space Needle is tall. Because the M’s are green doesn’t mean they lack talent.
Several players on the roster are future stars such as J.P. Crawford, Kyle Lewis, and Evan White. Then there is another wave of top prospects led by Jarred Kelenic and Julio Rodriguez, who are close to breaking into the show. Expect that group to be part of the team next year. Even more potential impact players follow them. So the future is bright.
Seattle Mariners General Manager said he views the 2020 and 2021 seasons as one big 17-month developmental period. Young players will get every opportunity to succeed in the Emerald City. It’s not out of the question that the M’s emerge from the rebuild a little earlier than expected. Some wheeling and dealing from DiPoto can give the process a considerable boost.
The 2020 MLB season is unlike anything the league has ever seen before. With only 60 games and an expanded 16-team playoff, it’s a mad dash to the finish line. As the season reaches its midway point, and just five days from the trade deadline, only three teams are over five games from a playoff spot.
Another consideration when making deals is that there is no minor league baseball in 2020. Prospects are a considerable part of deadline deals as non-contenders deal away veterans and pending free agents in return for assets who can help them in the future.
In theory, there are very few sellers this year. The Seattle Mariners can take advantage of this situation and upgrade the team. Here are some big trades that could reshape the franchise.
With bad news on Zack Britton and James Paxton yesterday, looking at the Seattle Mariners as a potential trade partner for Yankees.https://t.co/xj7w39eg4J
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) August 21, 2020