Seattle Mariners Trade Deadline Q&A
3. Aside from Soto, who is your top trade target?
Chris
I’ll go with a couple of Cubs. Willson Contreras and Ian Happ. I’ve written about acquiring Contreras earlier in the season, and getting Happ, who can also play second base in addition to the outfield, would be a nice addition. Adam Frazier isn’t really working out the way we all hoped. Nothing says Happ will be better. However, the Seattle Mariners have to make a well-thought-out effort to improve at the keystone position.
Chip
Although I hate the idea of trading within the division, Noah Syndergaard from LAA intrigues me. Thor missed the 2020 and 2021 seasons due to Tommy John Surgery but showed enough for LAA to sign him to a 1 year, $21M contract in the offseason. He responded with a 3.83 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 15 starts. If the Mariners are willing to pay his remaining salary, he shouldn’t require a prime prospect in return.
Noah Syndergaard is through seven scoreless innings, including this DP in the 7th. He's at 84 pitches.#Angels up 5-0. pic.twitter.com/DYiqvWW2YG
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) May 25, 2022
Andrew
Cincinnati Reds starter Luis Castillo. He’s the only true difference-maker available. Getting out of Great American Ballpark in and of itself is going to make him better.
Ed
I want to say Oakland starting Frankie Montas, but that’s out of the question because Dipoto won’t make a blockbuster deal within the division. He doesn’t want to see someone like Emerson Hancock or Matt Brash go against him for the next 5+ seasons.
So, I’m going with outfielder Bryan Reynolds from Pittsburgh. He’s a 24-year-old switch hitter with a career .844 OPS with very little protection in the lineup. And he can’t be a free agent until 2026. A trade package with the Bucs could also land Seattle a fifth starter or some bullpen help for the stretch run.