Seattle Mariners General Manager Jerry Dipoto.
On June 19, the Seattle Mariners season looked to be over. The Angels shut them outs for the second straight game to drop their record 10 games under .500 at 29-39. We even wrote an article saying the M’s should be sellers at the deadline but didn’t have much to sell.
Five weeks later, the situation has drastically changed for the better. After sweeping the Texas Rangers on Wednesday, Seattle is 54-45, 11 games over .500. They now hold the American League’s second Wild Card spot, just one-half game behind Toronto.
With their reversal in fortunes, the Seattle Mariners are now buyers. We asked our baseball writers a few questions about what the M’s will do at the deadline.
Well, considering they aren’t undefeated, yes. Sarcasm aside, if this team really wants to be in this year’s World Series, not next year’s or the year after (which should be their goal), the team absolutely needs to make a move at the deadline to bolster their roster. This leads to my answer for the next question.
The Seattle Mariners are getting close to being an American League power, but they aren’t there yet. To go that far, they will need another starter, a consistent get-on-base threat at the top of the order, and maybe another reliever. I don’t have much faith in Penn Murfree, Diego Castillo, Matthew Festa, Tommy Milone, and Ryan Borucki.
I think that they need another starter to even feel confident about a playoff spot. If Mitch Haniger can come back as the hitter he’s been in the past, Seattle’s offense will be alright.
As presently constructed, this is a playoff team but not an American League title contender. The Mariners need some upgrades if they want to play in the fall classic this year.
YES! Juan Soto is arguably the best purest hitter in the MLB right now. Oh, and he’s young, ascending, and already has a World Series title too. So far, all of the rumored trade packages offered to get Soto are totally worth it. Losing Arroyo and Marte could hurt, but banners fly forever (don’t believe me, ask Houston). Not all prospects succeed.
I so badly want to say no, but I can’t. If Jerry Dipoto can make the deal, he should. Soto is so dang good and only 23 years old. There won’t be another player like him on the market for a long time.
Absolutely. Trading for Soto isn’t like giving up the farm for a 30-year-old all-star. He will likely be a better MLB player than any of those prospects, and with the moves Seattle made this spring, they are in win-now mode. Worst case, they can deal him for a haul to replenish their system if it doesn’t work out.
Definitely, Soto is a generational talent. Some say he’s currently the best hitter in baseball. If not, Soto has to be in the top three. And he’s only 23 years old. Players of his talent and age don’t come around very often, let alone become available for trade.
Also, he’s under team control through 2025, so the M’s would have him for three pennant races. He and Julio Rodriguez could be up there with Marris/Mantle or McGwire/Canseco in terms of all-time power-hitting duos.
I’d say Logan Gilbert is untouchable. At least he is on all my fantasy teams that have him. The dude is just so good already and continues to get better. He’s going to continue to be the team’s ace of the future. If Cal Raleigh keeps up his production while continuing to improve behind the plate, an argument could also be made for him.
Chip
Everyone can be replaced. A player is only worth what you can get for him. Two years ago, no one would have thought Dipoto could pull off something like the Aaron Nola deal, but he did. Logan Gilbert is at the top of my no-trade list, with George Kirby right behind. Also, Cal Raleigh will be a star in the near future. Of course, all bets are off when it comes to Soto.
I don’t think so if the conversation is Soto. I’d be reluctant to part with too much, though, for most of the other options out there.
Well, it depends if we’re talking Juan Soto or not. Everyone but J-Rod is available for him. When trading for anyone else, I’d say Noelvi Marte, Logan Gilbert, Cal Raleigh, Harry Ford, and J.P. Crawford are off the table. And it would take a heck of a deal to part with George Kirby.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There are many plausible options that could be )leaving the team. It all depends on the package to get a player they want. Even Kirby, Marte, Matt Brash, and Jarred Kelenic could get traded in the right deal. Might veterans like Frazier, Mitch Haniger, Jesse Winker, or Carlos Santana go? It’s really hard to peg just one guy or any guy for sure.
Borucki and/or Milone. Dipoto picked up both these lefties off the scrap heap. They’ve pitched well since arriving in Seattle, but they are over- exceeding their recent norms, and a reality check is coming. One or both will be Designated for Assignment by then.
Matt Brash is the most likely chip to be moved at the deadline. He has enough value to be a good piece in a deal without feeling like the Seattle Mariners gave up one of their best prospects. I’d say Haniger, but I’m not sure at this point Seattle would get anything more valuable than what he might provide down the stretch.
Ed
Wow, that’s a tough one. I’m going to go with Dylan Moore. Sam Haggerty is doing now what the Mariners expected from Moore the last two seasons. Haggerty has been nothing short of electric since coming back from Tacoma. He’s the spark plug off the bench this team needs. Plus, Haggerty is a switch hitter. Goodbye, Mr. Moore.
What are your thoughts on what the Seattle Mariners will do at the trade deadline? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.