Seattle Mariners: Three trades the M’s can make to transform the franchise
Kyle Seager, Seattle Mariners. (Photo by Blake Handley, via Flickr)
Trade 1 Kyle Seager to the Atlanta Braves
Kyle Seager is the longest-tenured player on the roster and a fan favorite. In 2020, the 32-year-old Seattle third baseman is in the midst of an offensive renaissance. Seager is a consistent force at the plate for the first time in years. His trade value will never be higher than it is right now.
If it were only that simple. Seager comes with an $18M price tag for 2021, and a $15M team option in 2022 becomes a player option in the event the Seattle Mariners trade him. In short, it’s costly whoever deals for Seagerneeds deep pockets, despite the M’s kicking in a bunch of money.
Still, ESPN’s Jeff Passan had Seager heading to Atlanta as one of his most likely name players to move at the deadline. He reasoned that the Braves are disappointed with the young players they were counting on at the hot corner. Rookies Johan Camargo and Austin Riley have failed to fill departed free agent Josh Donaldson’s shoes.
As PNWS’ Ryan Bishop pointed out yesterday, Seager’s best fit is with the Seattle Mariners for the rest of this season and next. Even DiPoto said he expects Seager to be part of the team next year.
The financial flexibility Seattle gets by moving on from him is almost as important as what the team gets in return from Atlanta. Money will have plenty to do with who comes back to the Mariners. But an upper mid-level prospect isn’t out of the question.
One player they should target is outfielder Terone Harris, Atlanta’s number 15 prospect. Pitcher Huascar Ynoa (11th) is also someone who DiPoto can ask for in return. The former is needed for one of the upcoming trades, and the latter replaces a roster player who will be traded.
Jeff Passan also threw out this trade in his column. Kyle Seager to the Braves. The cost would likely be minimal if it happened. pic.twitter.com/71jYwaCMSB
— Scott Coleman (@scottcoleman55) August 24, 2020