The Mariners are known to be looking for upgrades at multiple infield positions this offseason, with shortstop J.P. Crawford standing as their only locked-in starter. The M’s have strong interest in bringing back either Justin Turner or Carlos Santana for a second go with the organization at first base, and they’ve reportedly been exploring their options at both second base and third base. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic now writes that Seattle’s focus is more on third base options than at second base. The M’s currently have in-house options like Ryan Bliss, Dylan Moore and top prospect Cole Young at second base.
As it stands, Moore and recent DFA acquisition Austin Shenton are the most prominent options at third base. Moore and fellow infielder Leo Rivas profile better as utility options, with Moore in particular representing a potential short-side platoon option if the M’s add a left-handed bat.
Payroll stands as an obvious obstacle for the Mariners once again. Seattle ownership anticipates an increase in 2025, but likely not by a notable amount. Following the team’s non-tenders of Josh Rojas, Austin Voth, Sam Haggerty and JT Chargois, Adam Jude of the Seattle Times suggested the M’s could have somewhere in the vicinity of $16MM with which to work. There’s surely some wiggle room there, but it’s unlikely the Mariners are going to cannonball into the free agent pool with a splash for, say, Alex Bregman or Willy Adames. Even if the funds for such a move were there, president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto prefers to operate primarily on the trade market. In nine years with the Mariners, he’s only given a multi-year deal to one position-player free agent (Mitch Garver at two years and $24MM).
Trade options aren’t exactly plentiful, but there are some names known to be on the block. The Phillies have been shopping Alec Bohm around as they look to change up their offense. Bohm isn’t an elite bat and has a mixed-bag of defensive results at the hot corner, but he’s available and affordable enough, with a projected $8.1MM salary (courtesy of MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz). Elsewhere in the NL East, former Mets top prospect Brett Baty stands a change of scenery candidate following the emergence of Mark Vientos. Even if the Mets allow Pete Alonso to walk in free agency and move Vientos across the diamond, they could look to bring in a higher-profile third baseman.
Nolan Arenado is also widely known to be available, but he’s owed $32MM next season (plus $27MM in 2026 and $15MM in 2027). The Rockies are paying $5MM of that in each of the next two seasons under the terms of the trade that sent Arenado from Denver to St. Louis, but that’s still a big contract for a team that ostensibly has limited budget space. Speculatively speaking, the Mariners and Twins could line up on a deal for a second straight winter. Minnesota has a crowded infield mix and could consider moving Jose Miranda with both Brooks Lee and Royce Lewis as options to flank shortstop Carlos Correa. Then again, Miranda could just move across the diamond to first base, so it’s not as though he’s lacking a clear opportunity in Minneapolis. The Marlins would probably listen on Jake Burger, but he’s the type of low-OBP, strikeout-prone slugger from whom the Mariners have been trying to move away in recent seasons.
The Mariners’ options on the trade market would surely open up if they were willing to deal from their rotation. However, at season’s end, Dipoto not only indicated that moving a controllable starter wasn’t Plan A or B for the Mariners — he likened the notion to “Plan Z” (link via MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer).
Dipoto and GM Justin Hollander have both spoken openly about their fondness for the Mariners’ excellent young rotation and both expressed reluctance to move on from the group. Still, if Seattle were to make any of Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryce Miller or Bryan Woo available, they’d perhaps be in position to seek similarly appealing young hitters (e.g. Baltimore’s Jordan Westburg or Coby Mayo).
One point worth considering is that the Mariners’ depth beyond the current rotation isn’t as deep as some might think. Former No. 6 overall pick Emerson Hancock’s stock is down considerably, and he’s viewed largely as a back-end starter. Righty Taylor Dollard has only pitched 8 1/3 innings over the past two seasons. Logan Evans, a 12th-rounder in 2023, significantly boosted his stock with a big 2024 but still hasn’t pitched above Double-A. It’s a similar story with 2021 third-rounder Michael Morales. The Mariners already know they’re not likely to be as fortunate with pitcher health as they were in 2024, and trading one of the current arms only further creates the potential to overexpose some of those inexperienced arms in the event of an injury in the big league rotation.
Alec Bohm is arguably the best infield bat available on the trade market and the Mariners are hot for him. Their GM is not afraid to pull the trigger on a deal. Can see a scenario where they trade Bohm & Mick Abel for Andres Munoz & Dylan Moore. They could sign a left handed hitting 3B like Josh Rojas, giving them a nice L/R platoon at 3B. Don’t see the Phillies giving Alex Bregman $200 million but there is modest mutual interest between Bregman and the Phils. Moore just won a GG as a utility man and would probably play 2B vs. LHP while getting reps at 3B as well. This would instantly give the Phillies one of the best defensive infields in baseball and bonafide closer.
Ain’t no way they’re selling Munoz. He’s a cornerstone piece with a couple years of control and super cheap. And not at all sure what they’d do with another AAA down-on-his-luck prospect like Abel. He’s certainly not making the Mariners’ rotation and they already have Hancock and others, who are in a similar boats, as depth. Besides Bohn is a RHH and they’re looking for a lefty.
Guy to watch for the Mariners is Ryan McMahon from the Rockies. They’ve tried to acquire him before. Gold glove level fielder at both 3B and 2B. Lefty pop, league average (ish) hitter. Three years of decently priced control.
The Seattle Mariners are NOT TRADING Andres Munoz!!!!!! No way.
M’s have a recent and notable history of trading away their closers, just saying. It’s not a crazy notion even if it’s unlikely.
@ Yick04,
Yes, at the end of the year, trade deadline, they have done so, unfortunately. Both Graveman and Sewald. But not in the offseason or at the start of a season.
and Graveman trade was when he was a FA at end of year and M’s had a solid backend of bullpen behind him with Sewald, Castillo, Sadler, Swanson, and Steckenrider. Sewald was trade with just over a year left but was to also to give way for Munoz and Brash and they still had Topa on roster so were still a solid pen. They don’t have Munoz replacement and he has plenty of control left so doesnt fit the trade of the other closers. Diaz was traded to get rid of Cano. I highly doubt they regret any of those trades but would probably regret very quickly trading Munoz.
They traded Diaz because it offloaded Cano and they were in a full blown rebuild. The traded Seawald because he was starting to regress and they wanted to get something before his value tanked. Seawald obviously wasn’t the best move; but there have been valid reasosn for their actions.
They’re trying to win now(lol); no way they’re shipping out their All-Star Closer with 4 years of club control.
The mariners biggest strength is identifying and developing or rebuilding bullpen arms.
Eddy Diaz was untouchable until he wasn’t. I love Munoz but if we can get a proven hitter Munoz should be available.
If it’s Munoz for Bohm your crazy not to listen.
Diaz was used to dump Cano’s contract. One of the game’s best young arms shipped HAPPILY away so the ownership could offload a big contract. THAT is Seattle for ya.
JJ, I gotta say there’s no way you think Bohm is anywhere near the value of Munoz. like.. it’s not even in the same ballpark. Munoz is elite, Bohm absolutely is not. If, and giant IF, they were to shop Munoz, it’s for a bonafide star since that’s what he is. Closers like Muni don’t come along often. he still hasn’t even hit his ceiling yet. Bohm was literally benched during the playoffs. can’t trade a castoff for an elite closer with several years of control.
@JJ, Diaz was also traded during the “step-back” off-season.
You’re right that everything’s negotiable, but remember bullpen depth was a big issue this past season.
The M’s bullpen cant lose Munoz, they don’t have the depth nor the money to replace him and the M’s don’t want Able. He cant find the strike zone. There is a reason Seattle leads the league in fewest walks allowed. And the Mariners, who cant hit their way out of a paper bag, whom if they just had an average offense could run away with the division with their rotation, just let go of Josh Rojas. What does that tell you about his ability. If the Phillies are getting rid of Bohm and Seattle is wanting him, why would you want Seattle’s 3B they just gave away?
Josh Rojas to platoon with Sosa at 3B. Phils could probably sign him for 5 mil or less on a 1 year deal. Kody Clemens is more of a right side of the infield guy 1B/2B.
Rojas WAS a platoon in Seattle and still was terrible for the last 4mo of the season.
If that’s the 3rd base plan in this scenario they’d be better off keeping bohm and resigning Jeff Hoffman or something like that.
So in other words….Josh Rojas had a season like Alec Bohm’s 2024? Started off hot then was so bad in the 2nd half its almost a guarantee that 2024 will be their last season
L/R platoon with Edmundo Sosa*
The Padres are still hurting from the Munoz trade
Alec Bohm is not very good, and definitely not worth Munoz…Maybe we give up Austin Shenton or Dylan Moore for Bohm. But I wouldn’t even do that. We have better internal options.
You honestly think the Phillies would move their starting third baseman for a guy the Mariners picked up off the scrap heap after he was DFA’d by the Rays?
Bohm was literally benched in the playoffs. He’s apparently not a starter. More of a castoff now. I think he’s quality enough for an Ms team that only plays on the margins in terms of upgrading offense, but he’s not worth a ton. I wouldn’t get rid of D-Mo though. Too valuable as a swiss army knife guy. Might take Harry Ford and that’s it. Maybe not even that.
We’re suggesting trading Harry Ford for a player we’re calling a castoff?
How to do know who is available? Did Morosi or Heyman tell you this?
“Baltimore’s Jordan Westburg or Coby Mayo”
Well, can’t see Baltimore BOPO Elias willing to part ways with Westburg.
To fetch Kirby or Gilbert, Mayo alone wouldn’t get it done, but include Ramon Urias and Seattle POBO Dipoto might just bite. Yes? No? Maybe?
There is no way Ms trade Kirby, Gilbert, or Miller for Mayo and Urias. Urias is good with defense but that’s about it. Not a needle mover for top 15 pitcher in baseball. It’s got to absolute gut your team in order to get 1 of our elite SPs. King’s ransom. We’re talking like Westburg.
They may very well trade Munoz but it isn’t gonna be for $8M+ Bohm’s last two arb years. They’d do it for a prospect heavy return I bet
Ms are not trading Muni. Why would they? It makes no sense. His contract is ridiculously team friendly so unless they’re literally going to be the As in terms of payroll, it makes 0 sense to trade one of your best players in their prime. They’re relying on the 3 headed monster of Brash, Muni, Santos next year. Best combo of 3 relievers in the game.
I needed a good laugh today. Thank you. Their bullpen was terrible last year and you think they are gonna trade a kid with a rocket arm on a team friendly contract. Pass the Dutchie. Please.
“We are comfortable with Ryan Bliss” — got it.
The payroll constraints are artificial. Stanton just happens to be cheap.
Mountcastle?
Mariners can’t afford him.
Mariners are top 5 in pitching and hitting prospects. They could probably get whoever they want in all reality.
No, i mean he is going to make too much money. Not trade cost.
CORRECTION: Mariners are profit first. They don’t want to afford him.
As long as we the fans turnout and he can make a good profit he will stay the same way. Have a team that is just not good enough to make the playoffs. A boycott would not work because fans will still go. Not sure what would work.
I know I have been patient and backed the team but I am done with it. Time to hold Stanton to the lies he has told since he bought the team. Money will never be the problem. He just meant making money will never be the problem. We have put up with crappy ownership for years. Need to be grateful to the Nintendo guy he saved the team. He also said to get Ichiro no matter what it cost. Then he got cheap and would not let them bring in a SP at the deadline. Then the Mariners kept Nintendo USAslive for awhile when they had a down year. Then Stanton comes along promising a WS team. We get an almost good enough team.
When we have to start paying for games which is coming. MLS is a test case for all the sports. Disney will end up with maybe baseball. Football will go to the deepest pockets Prime I imagine since they are doing games already. Not paying for a mediocre team.
I don’t like entitled fans i really dont. But I think Mariners fans are right to be ticked about the last couple years. The team missed the playoffs for like 2 decades. Julio shows up plays like a superstar and they finally do it. And then the next couple years the team lowers payroll and sells at the deadline.
There is a way this is supposed to work. The Mariners are not doing it right.
Anyone (not saying you were) who calls Mariners fans entitled is off their rocker.
5 times… ((( 5 ))) is the total of playoff births Seattle has had since their inception in 1977. Averaging almost 1 playoff birth every 10 seasons. It’s the biggest laughing stock in baseball. The Mariners organization is a joke.
Yeah i really wasn’t saying that necessarily. What I was saying is I don’t like when teams demand ownership spend money. But the Mariners should be spending money. They made the playoffs finally and had a lot of positive momentum then went and killed it off with their cost cutting moves the last couple years. So I think the fans are right to be upset in this circumstance.
Ichiro didn’t cost much at all.
Ichiro was a net profit for the franchise. Just like Shohei would have been. Maybe they try and sign Roki, and deal a starter. But, I think he’s got SoCal dreams.
Not a ton of hope for the hometown 9. Ownership is more worried about winning the profit pennant.
That would be berth. I don’t think they are giving birth to anything.
At least Dipoto decided to quit talking so much. I fully expect to be underwhelmed again by his augmenting of the roster. Ownership fully plans on blowing this window for the most unsuccessful team in the league over the past two decades. But hey, at least they can sell us on Julio bobbleheads, no fly zone shirts, and dog collars for the next decade.
Don’t forget the hot dogs from heaven, and the post game drone shows!! Much better than winning baseball, right? Ownership has made a choice, a bad one, and they are pissing on what’s left of their interested fan base…
barrelup;
The Mariners continue in circles.
Who can’t see this? Just read the article. The PoBO can’t work with a budget.
The big question: How long before Jerry gets to do another teardown and build-it-back-up? So MLBTR writers can celebrate him making trades from his hospital bed…..playing rotisserie league for real.
I love Jerry talking. He’s a salesman, but it’s nice to have somebody with more than canned answers.
But one mis-step calling the fans ungrateful because the masses can’t wrap their heads around a hard-to-comprehend stat, then we gotta put the Golden Retriever in the barn. no more playtime
Yoan Moncada
This is nonsense. It’s posturing by Hollander.
Moore’s value is his positional flexibility. Rivas and Bliss aren’t real options at third (from the bench), Rivas was/is ahead of Bliss (and Bliss was platooned) on the depth charts, and Young didn’t dominate AA. He’s 21, he isn’t MLB ready, nor would Seattle start the clock on him and potentially miss out on a year of control.
Seattle doesn’t want to sound or appear desperate. I get that. But sometimes these comments are so ridiculous, you wonder how they can keep a straight face when they talk to reporters.
They are absolutely looking for a third baseman and a second baseman, among other needs.
I fully expect Young to get every opportunity to win the 2B job out of spring. AA offensive stats are generally depressed (weather I think he is near ready or not) and he had a pretty solid year by that measurement. If the rumored budget is true, I don’t see them addressing that position externally unfortunately and sadly hoping that some combination of Young, Bliss, Moore works out there. As much as I think Bliss eventually fills a utility roll, you are 100% correct in stating he isn’t a real option at 3B. He does not have the arm or defensive capabilities to play that at the MLB level at this point on a regular basis.
They just aren’t going to rely on a 21-year-old who didn’t dominate AA, and as a LHH, DSP isn’t as repressive. He isn’t a power-hitter, so there’s even less reason for them to promote him prematurely.
Missing out on an extra year of control makes it even less likely.
This isn’t a knock on him. I think he did well considering his age. But he’s more likely to be a trade chip than the opening day starting second baseman.
I am not sure that manipulating service time matters as much in this case as filling holes within the budget constraints considering the slew (albeit 1+ years away) of middle infield prospects currently in the system. Not saying it is the best option, but I think they give him every opportunity to break camp with Moore and Bliss as the fallback (even if I don’t particularly like that).
It would be nice if we finally close this gap we have had in the past couple years in MLB ready position players but unfortunately it may still exist as aside from Ford and Young all those kids are still over a year away.
If they were to run with Young on day one, he’d take a roster spot as well, which would mean maintaining a spot on the 40 and burning an option if/when he struggles. I don’t think he’s a real consideration, but I agree that it would be great to have a more permanent option at the keystone. That would have to come from outside the organization, though.
They don’t have a lefty infielder to platoon 2B with Bliss (and I don’t think they’d commit Young to a platoon), and even if they did, there wouldn’t be room on the roster, unless the platoon partner for Raley could handle an OF corner (serve as the fourth outfielder). The regular, and most glaring, holes are still 3B, 2B, and DH. How they address those needs will affect the type of bench they have.
And this is assuming Haniger gets moved. I’m expecting both Mitches to get traded, somehow.
OK, and how do you see them getting traded? Both have literally no value and they will not be traded.
The same way we saw Evan White, Robbie Ray, Marco Gonzales, and Geno traded last offseason….
Attached with a prospect or someone promising, taking on a different contract in return, and/or possibly eating some salary.
They moved over 110m off the books last offseason. The bad contracts they have this year are peanuts, comparatively.
Nobody wants Haniger and why we went for round two knowing his inability to stay on the field made no sense! How you can commit financially to your starters and then cheap out on your everyday lineup is frustrating to say the least! Logan and Kirby will double their arb salaries next year so we will never have a large enough position player budget to compete with the big boys with the current strategy! Either U R trying to win a championship or U aren’t!
Nobody wanted Evan White and the 15m he was owed, either, yet a deal got done.
Yeah-Bohm at least makes sense for Seattle (and other clubs with legit playoff aspirations). No secret he’s expendable for Philly, but talk of them trying to peddle him as a key part of getting Crochet is goofy for WSox that needs really good position player prospects with no service time burned.
If the Mariners would get Bohm, then go get Lowe from the Rays to play 2b, Turner at 1b to hit lefties and a difference making back end reliever. Could you trade a prospect to the Twins for Duran or Jax? Can you afford Jeff Hoffman? Would Sewald help? He sure seemed to be good in the clubhouse….
Bohm, Lowe and Turner already cost more than Seattle can afford.
Lowe would cost $10 million. Turner $5 million? Bohn 5..7 million.
$21 million….. Come on. That must be doable if you are attempting to upgrade and make the playoffs. $21 million!!! Three players for $21 million (and who knows what you trade back and if salary comes off the books) but that must be doable and supported by ownership.
Oh it should be doable, but we know its not. Most everyone with sources seem to agree the budget caps at around 15-18m left. So trading Castillo, Arozarena or somehow getting Haniger or Garver off the books is the only way to get more funds. The Mariners have for decades been run like a business. They WILL NOT extend themselves a penny more than was allotted.
I like trading Castillo. I think we trade him go hard after Sasaki. Ichiro should help there. That is not counted in this money I do not believe since it is International money. Get some big name corp to promise him a huge TV deal as incentive. Costco Google Microsoft among a few.
Then go after the Japanese fielder. Forget his name. He has the right bat to help the team. Forget power contact is more important. We have enough thumpers need a few dink and dumpers. There is also the Korean guy. We have enough here to get these guys just need to start winning to get them here. I know the two guys I mentioned will cost a bit more but with trading Castillo much of that money will be there.
I love how you believe $21 million should be doable. You are ABSOLUTELY correct. It is more than doable… for most organizations sporting arguably the best starting rotation and a young core of hitters around the corner. Except… these are the Mariners we’re talking about here. They’re notorious at getting in their own way because of their self imposed restraints.
In the scheme of things that amount is nothing. But you are probably correct and that is Sad. Then sell the team if you cannot allow for that much to be spent to attempt to upgrade the line-up. It is not going out and signing someone for Three years $60 million. It is getting three Bats that are very needed for around $20 million. Shame on this ownership if this is or something like this, is a possible scenario and they would not support it. Then sell the team because you don’t care about truly competing for anything that is meaningful.
It would likely be more than that. Bohm alone has a projected salary of just over 8m. I would think Turner will get more than 5m.
But then there’s the cost to acquire Lowe and Bohm. I’m not even sure Lowe is actually available and he has spent a lot of time on the IL the last three seasons.
All three players are likeable. I’d just be surprised if Seattle got those three.
The old corporate ownership used to set the allotted payroll to make sure, no matter what they wouldn’t lose money. But that also meant the payroll crept up over time. But this new ownership meddles more and puts more money into their own investments for than the old group. Its not John Fisher level here, but its still bad. The part that makes this all worse is that when they first got here, the ownership chairmen said how big of a Mariners fan he was and that he was going to bring a WS to Seattle. Then, shortly after, his President said on a “country club” call that the real goal was just to do enough to be competitive, to keep fans interested and coming back, but not enough to win. Its all been down hill since then.
The Japanese fielder you’re thinking of is actually the Korean guy, I believe. That’s the contact hitter. Kim
Hard to be a fan of baseball these days unless your team is one of the big market ones.
I already dropped my cable subscription for the Mariners. They are not trying and we already know they pocket most of the money. I’m seriously considering following a new team, like you said the big market ones that try. Boston, NYM or Philly. Boston is a really good comparison for the Seattle market and just shows what owners can do if they want, And remember, Seattle’s market includes like 5 states, unlike Boston.
Me and the girlfriend are doing the same thing bob we are just trying to find the right team to root for…Probably be between SD ATL or KC… This 45 year Mariner fan is done until they prove otherwise that they really want to win especially when you see a smaller market team like Kansas City making trades for bats trying to get better plus I want to watch a superstar like Acuna Witt or Tatis every night
Hllywdjff…..the jays are usually out there for one of the weekend series; could be part of the “home side” without leaving town.
The AFL (Australian Football League) is a nice alternative. I personally like the St. Kilda Saints. That’s my favorite suburb in Melbourne.
20 years ago I would have agreed with you (AFL but NOT St Kilda), but all the rule changes have made it a very soft game.
I remember fans complaining about the game getting too soft in 2007, when I lived there.
I still like it, but it’s not quite the same.
I’ve already jumped to the Mets. I like what they are doing there.
Jumping to the Mets because they’re in the biggest market and their owner is a unicorn? you’re a coward
GO M’S!
You’re right. And remember, Boston doesn’t have five states like Seattle’s market. They have six. All of New Enlgand.
Sure, if you are a fan of watching guys get paid a lot. If you like watching baseball, the Mariners have plenty of young, talented players that are worth watching.
The point of any sport is to win. I could watch a bunch of little leaguers play too and cost me a whole lot less. I don’t watch baseball just for the love of the game. I watch it to win.
“Love of the game” doesn’t necessarily equate to winning, it means that you love the sport and any baseball, winning or losing, good or bad, is fine with you. You can watch little league or college baseball or even minor league or international baseball, so why does the “love of the game” restrict you to only MLB and winning?
It doesn’t. Thats my point. I dont watch for the love of the game, not anymore. I have seen losing baseball for literally my entire life. Seattle has never won. Only team to never even be in a WS. I want to win. I want to watch a winner. Its killing my love for the game.
More broadly speaking, if people only wanted to watch baseball for the love of the game, why do we bother with keeping score? Why would it matter who won or lost?
bob, That’s what’s going to make it so sweet when the M’s finally pull within one win of making the World Series! What’s it like, waking up one morning knowing your favorite ball club could win the pennant that day? Sounds magical!!
GO M’S!
There are only 2 players on that team worth watching…
Bellinger is an obvious fit if they can find the right money balance and player return.
Greg Bird is an excellent first baseman and won’t break the bank cause teams are too stupid to see how good he is
Greg bird is the answer.
Also Clint Frazier, Refsnyder, and Andujar.
Future all stars.
Don’t forget Jesus Montero!
IF the Red Sox sign say Bregman and shift Devers across the diamond to 1B, is there any basis for a SEA-BOS trade centered around Triston Casas (plus more obviously) and one of the Seattle SPs?
All hypothetical of course.
Castillo. But that’s the only option.
I think the thirdbase option that teams should be looking at is Baty or even Ronny Marcio from the Mets
Mets have plans for Ronny long term. Not so much for Baty perhaps. What would they offer? No to Hancock being involved.
Get creative and get a third team involved if you want someone bad enough or up,the prospect return for the other team to include salary relief. Just seems Seattle continues to spin its own wheel in a division that’s winnable.
Paredes, Triantos, and Assad for Bryce Miller?
I’ll make this real simple: no. Ms ain’t trading any of Miller, Gilbert, or Kirby unless it’s a bonafide super star with several years of control. Woo is probably getting to that level too. If it wasn’t for his injury history, he’d be just as valuable. Castillo is the only option for trade since he’s owed a very reasonable amount on his contract (but not for the cheapskate owners).
I like Marcio. What an athlete. Good call!
We will give you Torkelson and a good prospect for taking on all of Castillo’s contract.
I like it.
Then go trade for Yandy Diaz to take over 1B until Briceno or Liranzo arrive in a few years.
Exactly what I’m thinking. I think Mize, Manning, or Madden would get that deal done. All three were not big factors in the postseason run. Neither was Foley. They got away from him after his blow in Houston. I wonder if TB would swing for him.
My ideal offseason:
1. Sign Bregman. Moves Vierling to OF where I think we are okay with Malloy and Perez as RH options.
2. Trade for Diaz. Swing Mize and a prospect. Maybe Foley, Madden, etc. instead.
3. Trade for Castillo. Offer Tork, a 11-15 prospect, maybe some cash. Take on all of Castillo contract.
4. Sign Walker Buehler. Overpay if you need to and let Fetter work with him.
5. Extend Skubal.
I like all those moves. Only thing I’d add is a shutdown BP arm for the back end of the pen.
Just wish we could get someone to hit the ball. Sheesh.
They should go after Goldschmidt and Oneil. That adds a lot of pop without breaking the bank. They need payroll put Castillo on the block to fill any additional holes.
One player that can’t stay healthy and another had bad year last year and is only going get worse considering hes damn near 40. No thanks. Would be much more cost-effective to sign Turner or Castillo if we’re going to sign an “old man.” I’m speaking in baseball terms, of course. And Goldy is going back to Arizona. Watch.
They are definitely not perfect but that makes them affordable. Oneil is built like a middle linebacker. If he stays healthy that guy can hit 40 homeruns anywhere and he’s a pretty good outfield glove.
I agree with you, but he can’t stay healthy. He’s proved it year after year after year after year.
If there’s anyone who knows about O’Neil it’s Seattle since they had him first and then flipped him to the Cardinals for Marco Gonzales.
The Mariners are garbage – then, now and always.
Maybe bring in the fences to make the ballpark a league average batter/pitcher ballpark. As it is now the M’s pitchers have a tough time on the road and it seems like the batters they bring in don’t perform as well as they did in the past.
Then look at a Christian Walker deal amd a Ryan McMahon trade.
The park not being a hitters park is true Apr and May then end of Sept. Would really like to see in Nov. Also the bats they bring in their K rates have gone up. That is not the park it is what is said from coach to player. Don’t know a lot about the new pitching coach but he would be stupid not to listen to Gar and his practices.
About half the season it is a tough place to hit. What can they do to help? Can’t change the marine layer. Maybe the approach like stop swinging for the fences and hit a single or a double. Choke up and find a hole. I know jogging is easier running but running is better than a golden sombrero.
They already brought the fences in before the 2013 season, and as a result have one of the smaller outfield areas in baseball. Statcast park factors show that T-Mobile plays close to average for HR but down for 1B and especially 2B/3B, there’s less room for those hits to drop. Bringing in fences again wouldn’t help.
They need to change the dimensions. That’s the only thing that will help as far as the field goes. It will cost a lot of money though, since they would have to change all the outfield seating. T-Mobile is also the only stadium with a retractable roof that still stays open air when the roof is closed. Idiotic mistake.
Sell the team already. It’s getting harder to pretend this team is even trying anymore.
I really like Brendan Rodgers. He’s a great fit for Seattle, and him and J.P. could be a legendary double play duo.
As for the corner positions, I’m not impressed with the options.
Josh Smith would be a fit in Seattle
I expect them to get Turner and Bohm, and that they still won’t generate enough offense and will miss the playoffs again.
How dare MLBtraderumors talk about any acquisition other than the Dodgers.
Are we forgetting that there is only one team in MLB?
Have you ever heard of the term little man complex?
Have you ever heard of sarcasm?
He’s not being sarcastic……he’s a crazy Padres fans who has lost his mind……
It’s the Mariners… who ever they acquire… it’s not really worth mentioning or reading about. Even speculations about who they’d acquire are boring and predictable.
For Mariner fans, it’s really not even worth your time reading any of these articles… unless you get your rocks off on reading how Dipoto likes predominantly trading to acquire players and that ownership is “raising” payroll… but not really… and will be restrained by financial constraints “like everyone else”.
Baty and mcneil for luis castillo
I kinda like that idea. Mariners would need a starter to replace Castillo but they can get one with the money saved. That would fill their needs while not raising payroll which I think is the Mariners goal. And I think Castillo would be a good fit in New York he’s intense I think he would like the pressure there.
Not enough. Castillo is still young and look what mediocre to average SPs are getting. Castillo making like $24M AAV is extremely team friendly. I mean.. Mets paid Scherzer AND Verlander +$40M and they were senior citizens in MLB terms. McNeil is practically a castoff in Queens. We need something of actual value. Failed prospect Baty doesn’t do it for us either.
Castillos deal is not team friendly. Comparing his contract to worse contracts doesn’t make it team friendly. Castillo has been ordinary the last couple years pitching half his games at a pitchers park and he makes a ton of money. It’s a bad contract.
um….no. No, its not a bad contract.
Upgrades depth in both infielder positions your looking for depth and takes your worse pitching contract off the books. You save money and years. Dealing from a position of strength for a position of weakness.
Dear Mr. Adams,
None of this is news. Martians know that the Mariners need a 2B and a 3B. There are no rumors here, just the same guesses that have been out there since the season ended. On a rumors site, you don’t have to be accurate, but you do have to have some real inkling about what a source is telling you.
We already knew about Alec Bohm. Ryan McMahon has never been available. The M’s aren’t trading from major league starting pitching unless they sign Sasaki and trade Castillo. They have a $12 million dollar backup catcher who couldn’t hit at T-Mobile. They have an $18 million outfielder that nobody wants – they’d have to trade him for another team’s bad contract. They make the most profits and don’t really care about winning a World Series.
All this and the chance to see a game on the air depends on fans overpaying for their broadcast rights on cable or Fubo.
But Mr. Adams, none of that is news, either. None of it is even substantiated rumor. Just like this very post, it’s just inane filler.
Yours,
Z the P
We don’t need corner infielder(s). We need a 3B. Luke Raley is passable at 1B IMO.
Feels like fans are forgetting that if the M’s simply hit around league average last year, their season could’ve had a significantly different outcome. Hopefully the FO just accepts that this team needs to hit line drives, opposite filed, doubles and run the bases (smartly).
1B – Yandy Diaz (My preference), Turner or Santana
2B – Ahmed Rosario – Not expensive. Ha-Seong Kim (Rosario or Moore/Bliss to cover 2B if Kim is not ready to start season)
3B – Bohm, Jose Miranda and I would stay away from Paredes and his pull happy egg-timer bat speed.
Ideally Dylan Moore is a Utility player ONLY.
A full season of Randy, Robles and Raley (who was benched a lot to start the season) should boost the floor and hopefully the ceiling too.
The M’s have a chance to land both 2B HeySeong Kim and SP Roki Sasaki from the international free agent market. Neither are financially unreachable.
While Cole Young is a top M’s 2b prospect, he’s not considered one of the top 10 2b minor league prospects, so signing Kim makes sense, especially being only 26 and not commanding an overwhelming salary.
If the M’s also signed Sasaki, doubling down on rotation strength, they could then trade a pitcher to fill the 3B hole. They would likely prefer to trade Luis Castillo if he can be talked into removing his no-trade clause.
Kim, Sasaki, and say, Alec Bohm from Philadelphia at 3B could supplemented by signing either Carlos Santana or Justin Turner to platoon with Luke Raley at 1B/DH..
Bottom line, the fan base is starting to give up on ownership, and Season Ticket sales are feeling the pinch. Many think it’s a “now or never” off-season for the Mariners, so they have to bite the bullet.
The above options seem both financially possible and reasonable and fill the right holes. M’s fans hope something reasonably close to this happens….or else.
Xander Boegarts and cash for a pitcher. Lets make this deal.
We don’t want your trash contract. Also the Mariners are poor and won’t take it on.
Casas for Castillo and Young then trade Hancock for Bohm sign Moncada to platoon at second with Moore then sign Sasaki. Done with the off-season lol
M’s aren’t moving Young, Phillies wouldn’t let Bohm go that cheap, Moncada hasn’t played second since 2018 and Sasaki isn’t going to Seattle. Start over ;)
And you know all those things how?? Thought so…
Hayes from Pirates.Great glove good potential,hurt alot but has potential. In his blood his dad was a good player as he became older.
hey, there is this power hittin’ 3rd baseman…Eugenio Suárez…nah, he strikes out too much, they did so much better without him in 2024
My realistic / but acceptable off-season version 1
1. Trade Andres Munoz and Logan Evans for one year of Bichette (3B)(11m) and 26 year old Spencer Horwitz (1B/2B) who hit .265 /12 HR / OPS of .790 in 97 games, thus freeing up additional 8-10m for Ms to use elsewhere.
2. Trade Emerson Hancock, Dylan Moore and Harry Ford for Brendan Donavan and Jordan Walker from St. Louis. Both Donavan and Walker are versatile and either can fill FT third base role after Bichette departs in 26.
Trade Tyler Locklear and P Cole Phillips to Tampa Bay for either reliever Jeffrey Springs or Pete Fairbanks to bolster bullpen with loss of Munoz
3. Sign Roki Sasaki – start year with 6-man rotation, then trade one of starters mid-year to fill the greatest mid-summer need that presents itself.
Sign FA relievers Sewald and LH Coloumbe, using Castillo $$
In reference to my last – Realistic but acceptable post. Correction needed. I ended up not trading Castillo, so no savings from Castillo contract, so Ms need to dip into existing FA funds to cover a Sewald or Coloumbe signing.