The Mariners have gotten off to a strong start this season with a 47-38 record that places them firmly in the driver’s seat of the AL West division race, 4.5 games ahead of the second place Astros. Given that solid position in the standings as the second half gets underway, it’s hardly surprising that Seattle plans to add to their team ahead of the trade deadline, which is scheduled for exactly one month from today on July 30. Reporting last week indicated that the Mariners plan to be “aggressive” in improving their offense this summer, and today a report from MLBNetwork’s Jon Morosi added additional details regarding the club’s plans. Per Morosi, the Mariners have already begun exploring possible trades with other clubs and are currently prioritizing the addition of one everyday hitter, as well as help in the bullpen.
It’s certainly sensible for Seattle to look for upgrades in those areas. Despite their solid record, the club has not generated much offense this year, ranking 21st in the majors with a 94 wRC+ that’s identical to that of the lowly Athletics. Perhaps most concerning for a club that actively attempted to add more contact-oriented bats to their offense over the winter is the fact that they lead the majors with a 27.9% strikeout rate while getting on base at a clip of just .298, sixth from the bottom among all clubs.
The Mariners will surely be relying on internal improvements to spark the offense on at least some level with key pieces like Julio Rodriguez, Cal Raleigh, and J.P. Crawford hitting far below expectations, but even assuming core players like that trio remain in everyday roles there’s still plenty of room for the club to improve externally. Of the club’s 11 hitters with at least 100 trips to the plate under their belts this year, only Josh Rojas, Dylan Moore, and Luke Raley have posted a wRC+ more than 5% better than league average. Even then, Moore is a part-time player who has started just 17 of the club’s 27 games this month while Rojas has slashed just .230/.283/.323 after a scorching hot April.
Given the extreme dearth of offensive impact all over the roster, the Mariners shouldn’t be limited to any specific position in their search for offensive upgrades. Raleigh and Mitch Garver figure to continue serving as the club’s tandem behind the plate, Rodriguez figures to continue manning center field, and Crawford figures to remain at shortstop, but there’s plenty of flexibility elsewhere on the roster to accommodate an impactful offensive addition. It’s easy, for example, to imagine Seattle making room for White Sox veteran Tommy Pham and his 112 wRC+ alongside Raley, Mitch Haniger, and Dominic Canzone in their corner outfield mix, and as more teams inevitably make the decision to sell as the deadline approaches, it’s at least possible to imagine higher-profile players such as Cody Bellinger of the Cubs, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Blue Jays, or Brandon Lowe of the Rays becoming available.
The bullpen, on the other hand, isn’t in quite as dire a situation in Seattle as the offense is. The club’s relievers rank 15th in the majors with a 3.86 ERA, but more advanced metrics like FIP (12th), xFIP (8th), and SIERA (7th) all indicate that the Mariners’ relief corps is stronger than that middling performance would otherwise indicate. That’s thanks in no small part to the fact that they’ve struck out a whopping 25.1% of batters faced this year, good for fourth among all MLB clubs. Seattle also benefits from having the freshest group of bullpen arms in the majors; no team has leaned on their relievers less often than the Mariners, who have only drawn 254 innings of work from their entire bullpen.
That said, virtually any contender can benefit from adding depth to their bullpen mix, and the Mariners are no exception. That’s particularly true given the rash of injuries the club’s relievers have faced in the first half. Back-end arms Matt Brash, Gregory Santos, and Gabe Speier have all missed significant time this year. While Santos and Speier both still figure to contribute this year, Brash is now expected to miss the entire campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery last month.
Giving manager Scott Servais another quality option to pair with Andres Munoz and Ryne Stanek in the late innings, particularly one that throws from the left side, would make plenty of sense for the Mariners. Marlins lefty Tanner Scott is likely to be the best lefty bullpen arm available this summer, but T.J. McFarland of the A’s, Matt Moore of the Angels, and Andrew Chafin of the Tigers are among the other pieces who could potentially be available in the coming weeks.
Who isn’t
Was going to say the same thing. A lot of fans are going to be upset when their team doesn’t make a huge splash this year because too many teams are still in the chase for at least a WC spot. Only 2 are out in the NL and maybe 4 in the AL. A lot of teams that would have been selling in years past won’t be til the actual deadline because they are to close to shed gGood players now.
Idk. I see a lot more teams as realistically pretty much out of it or they will be soon. Yes they aren’t out of it on paper but when you are 6 or 7 games under 500 with so many teams competing is that record really gonna prevent moves from being made? This time a month from now a lot will be selling. Idk that a lot of moves are ever made far before the deadline.
Teams will sell but not till the last couple of days left before the deadline. Yes, there are teams that are 6-7 games under .500 but there is a half season left. The cubs are only 5 games back for the wildcard. They go on a bit of a streak and they can be over .500 quickly and right in the mix. Fan bases will go insane if their team sells and the are only 5 games or less away from the wildcard.
A few might fall off in the next month but there should be plenty in the mix. Some teams that maybe should sell won’t because that’s not how they operate. Some might sell rentals but buy a non rental. Too early to know for sure but I don’t see teams running away with it. Being 500 or few games back might mean you have a chance and will make moves in attempt to be above 500.
You do realize the Mariners sold last year when they were in better shape than that correct?
Different teams have different situations and timeliness. The Mariners are ready to compete this year. Some teams are going to be more likely to sell for numerous reasons.
What about a club like Washington? They aren’t going anywhere. They are improved, true. It is very unlikely they will make playoffs and extremely unlikely they would advance far. They are “in it” on paper in the sense that they aren’t absolutely out of it, but are they going to hold onto some rental they signed to flip for prospects when they arent even good?
Washington will be one of the bigger sellers imo. They have a lot of guys to sell they kinda planned it that way.
The Nats will certainly trade rentals who have performed and who will not have starting jobs next year with Wood and Crews on the horizon.
Jesse Winker has been productive and could be a candidate for a Seattle reunion.
The Nats could be more likely to DFA Eddie Rosario and Joey Gallo if there are no takers.
Yea my point is that there are other clubs that are pretty clearly not gonna compete and are at or below 500. I just didn’t agree with the post about only a few teams that are clear sellers. There are lots of teams that are VERY likely going nowhere. Doesn’t matter much if they are within a dreams reach of a WC slot.
Pretty sure that bridge has been burned!
Maybe Jarred Kelenic could help.
Lol i see what you did there
Yeah we all did.
“Maybe Jarred Kelenic could help”…At least Dipoto got played by a top 2 or 3 GM in Alex A. It’s not like he got played by some Joe Schmo borderline GM. Between the Kelenic & Chris Sale deals A.A has solidified himself as clearly one of the top overall baseball executives in the game. P.S: Kelenic was not traded for talent reasons, but for maturity reasons. I think the main reason he was moved, was because Seattle had just gotten tired of his act. It was pretty much an emotional reaction on Seattle’s part.
I think Seattle also felt they couldn’t afford to let him settle in. They are always so close in that wildcard that they have no room to breathe. This is the problem with being a decent, but not really that good or bad team. A prospect shouldn’t be expected (by media/fans/front office) to be the guy whose gonna help the weak offense. He basically had a bad seasons worth of at bats prior to age 23 and was running their patience. He also seems to enjoy having a transparent front office, in the sense that the GM speaks honestly to the players and values what they think/feel.
He was traded to get out of money owed to Marco Gonzales and Evan White. Braves bought the potential upside of Kelenic for about $25-$27m (can’t remember off hand) in bad contracts.
Kelenic is being helped out so much by that Atlanta lineup. He gets better pitches than he would anywhere else. He would not be that good in Seattle had they kept him.
1.The other players struggles have probably helped. He isn’t the only guy who was struggling. To be surrounded by these great players who are not hitting has got to be significant to how he views himself. To see that they aren’t panicked and still believe the runs will come is likely helpful.
2.The feel to the lineup has likely helped but they haven’t hit that much really. I know they still have a “presence” but still. Several missed time. His hottest stretch coincided with Acuna on the IL and half the lineup not hitting. He is clearly more comfortable on the team. I think the team and lineup are just more positive and confident. It probably makes him feel less stressed even tho in reality they aren’t even hitting as well as they should.
I maybe agree he wouldn’t have been as good in Seattle but I think that’s largely Seattle’s fault as an organization and some of the fans. He, like some others, didn’t like the GM. and that comic.. I mean. I know it’s one lady. But she should be ashamed imo. She just seemed totally unconscious/ignorant/or unfeeling for how she was throwing another human being under the bus. But as I’ve said before he had a well above average line at age 23 with them. IDC if it was several weeks only and he only played half the season. That stretch still showed something. I won’t excuse the accident he caused. But he’s 23. At least hes not apathetic. Maybe shoulda brought some different people into the organization. It’s always an argument between how much of the development is the player and how much is the environment. Different environments are different for different temperaments.
Haha how is it the fans fault?? Didn’t know the fans made him swing at a slider 4 feet out of the zone.
Haha.haha. well when a member of the fan base has made a comic depicting you as feeble/weak/and afraid of intimacy is that helping a young man who is trying to feel confident? Things don’t happen in total isolation. Has a Braves fan ever done something like that to a young guy coming up? When fans are getting on MLBTR and saying you are a bust who is a mental case at age 23 then I take that as an indication that a good bit of the fan base was too harsh on him simply because they never win and fans want messiahs
Actually when one feels self-conscious and is being stared at by 30,000 people, many of whom think you are a complete bust at best and a complete loser at worst, you may indeed swing at a ball well out of the zone. Did Marcell Ozuna not do it for 2 years?
Be careful about T.J. McFarland. I like the dude, and he will always take the ball, but he is one of those guys who are effective when their control is spot on but if they fall behind, watch out, he doesn’t have the stuff to pitch from behind.
You’re right spud. But other teams better get in line. You know that if Mo does nothing else this season, he is going to try to re-acquire T.J. McFarland. He loves that guy.
Maybe Paul Sewald could help.
Heard Jim Bowden interview Jerry Dipoto today and the latter said as much. The biggest takeaway from the interview was Jim Bowden is a passive aggressive know-it-all that loves talking about himself.
Social media has a field day with his trade proposals. They look like a fan proposal and not a former gm.
Agreed, Dream. Jim Bowden’s biggest fan is Jim Bowden – obnoxious in all regards.
Just thinking about this, it has been a long time since anyone called him by his old nickname, Leatherpants
That’s why he’s a “former GM” and not a GM, same for Steve Phillips
Orioles might trade Ryan Mountcastle to make room for Coby Mayo. They need starting pitching.
I can’t tell you how disappointed I am that Coby Mayo’s middle name isn’t Jack.
The Orioles are not going to trade Mountcastle
If the Orioles want starting pitching, they are likely going to have to trade Colby Mayo As a centerpiece of a deal
Article says looking for help now so that would be a Mountcastle not a Mayo in a trade. Os can do this. And Mouncastle gets Orioles that starter as well. Time to give O’Hearn his just dues as 1b starter anyways.
C Yards Jeff;
You’ve been trying to trade Mountastle for 2 years.
Stop it.
The O’s are primarily a LH hitting team. Santander – a switch-hitter – gives them some balance when he hits RH. They’re going to let him leave in FA after the season to open up playing time for their young OF’s.
If they move Mountcastle that team will be seeing nothing but LH pitchers in critical games, Teams need a balanced line-up – especially contenders.
Until Mayo comes up and proves he can hit ML pitching and be a run producer, I don’t believe they’ll trade Mountcastle. And Mayo may wll never do that.
It wouldn’t be popular, but the O’s could probably trade Anthony Santander. They have plenty of young outfielders with nothing left to prove in AAA. It would be risky to trade an established veteran in the middle of a playoff run, but it’s their only chance to recoup anything before he leaves. I doubt they give him a qualifying offer.
DonOsbourne;
See above.
What’s worse is that Austin Hays is not hitting well, particularly because his playing time has been cut due to the youngsters playing, so he can’t stay in rhythm.
Santander means a lot to that team in 2024.
Samuel, yes, easily 2 years I’ve been on that trade Mouncastle band wagon. IMO, not having him in the line up does not detrimentally effect number of wins in a season. And, IMO, he’s the only player in the org that can get us some decent pitching in a trade.
Time to give O’Hearn the opportunity to play as 1b starter. And creates that spot to get Coby up here to get his hacks in with opportunity to play some corner infield and DH positions without being thrown in to immediate starter role. Easy does it. EASY DOES IT.
Hey, 2 years ago I also didn’t see the Guardians as legit. You were on me for that one too. I’m now officially on that Cleveland band wagon. Cheers.
Cards have a couple of infielders that might help the Mariners, and since I lived in N. Idaho, and Port Angeles for a while, I am a Seattle fan. 3 names, Prieto, Fermin, and Sagesse are better than those the Mariners are currently employing. Yes, it would cost a starter, and if they include Carlson in the deal it would have to be a current 4 or 5, but they could do worse.
None of those guys have proven anything at the big league level. Carlson doesn’t add anything. Seattle isn’t going to give us a starter for our spare parts.
How can you say they haven’t proven anything at the big league level if they haven’t played in the Bigs. Short time for Fermin, but he isn’t an easy out, exactly what the Mariners need.
Fermin has been bad in the bigs. Saggese has been bad at AAA and Prieto looks decent at AAA and is unproven. If Prieto isn’t good enough for the Cardinals right now I don’t know why he’s good enough for the Mariners.
First off Fermin hasn’t been bad internet biga. Too few plate appearances to judge. Saggese hasn’t excelled. ok given, but he does have all the skills that are
hard to quantify. And Prieto, can hit. If Edman wasn’t near a return he would be an answer. The Cards are better than you think. My major concern is Comtreras. He is still hurt.
If Prieto isn’t good enough for the Cardinals why would he be good enough for the Mariners?
I think the Cardinals have a shot. But I am not a blind homer like you are.
@Spud One can say that a player hasn’t proven anything at the big league level if they in fact have not. Whether it be due to them not having a chance does not change the fact of a player lacking big league experience. That experience and being a proven commodity is what teams playing for something are after.
Agree. As a cardinal fan, those are “meh” guys.
None of those three even get the conversation started for one of Seattle’s pitcher. I like the potential of Nolan Gorman, but even he’s is not worth one of Seattle’s top pitchers alone. His batting avg and strikeout problems fit right in line with Seattle’s MO and he hits a homer here and there which is the only way Seattle ever scores . St. Louis would be trying to trade for Gilbert or Kirby. Two pitchers who have proven themselves and don’t have any question marks. It’s not gonna be easy to get either.
I think Pham is definitely going to Seattle, and they will probably also acquire tanner Scott or Aroldis Chapman to help with the bullpen
Their everyday hitter could be in the form of Luis Robert yet that depends on how much they overpay
Vlad in a mariners uniform would be wild
I doubt the Mariners would go in either direction. They won’t sacrifice, offense for either. They want complete ballplayers!
For either Robert or Guerrero the Mariners would have to deplete the farm. Pham, Christian Walker, Eddie Rosario or Tyler O’Neill (depending where the Red Sox are a month from now) would probably be more likely
And Robert and Guerrero aren’t that good this year. Big names only at this point.
Harry ford is blocked by Raleigh at a big league level so I think he would be the main trade chip in a deal
The Sox would want another top 100 prospect with ford but I wonder how much the jays would ask for Guerrero especially since they need a catcher with Kirk being bad and Jansen being a free agent
Moncada would help assuming the White Sox pay some salary. I think Pham makes a lot of sense for sure.
Moncada hasn’t helped the White Sox in years, not sure why he’d help the Mariners all of a sudden
The mariners would take any 700 ops hitter even if it’s a failed top prospect
Moncada is a 3 to 4 win player when healthy. That would help a lot of teams.
@Blackpink/Joel Moncacda has not been healthy and has had one really productive season that came in juiced ball year.
No team is giving up anything of consequence for Moncada.
You’ve been stuck on that Moncada to the Mariners for a while. Give it up. He’s trash
He’s a good fit for a lot of teams not just the Mariners.
Keep thinking that
They need 9 bats. Nobody’s hitting to their baseball cards on that team.
In other news, water is wet…
The problem for the Mariners is what they’re willing to concede and where.
JP isn’t hitting but the Mariners have an aversion to talking about SS.
I doubt they move on from Polanco at 2B.
The fan base isn’t ready to talk about Cal but he quite frankly isnt cutting it.
France and Garver have the 1B/DH locked down. France is meh and Garver was just paid. Do they give up on one of those?
Julio is hot garbage but clearly you don’t move on there.
Rojas has been a defensive godsend but the bat has fallen off. Do they pursue 3B?
Raley is good enough to keep him in the lineup.
So we’re looking at RF and potentially a 1B/DH combo. Are they willing to finally cut ties with Haniger? Are they willing to buy an asset and sit Garver after he was just the shiny acquisition?
All valid positional questions the Mariners have punted in previous offseasons, now coming back to haunt them. This team needs 6 bats; 4 of them are currently on the roster and just need to hit. So that leaves 2 external bats and I have serious doubts in ownerships desire to do it.
Even with a nice hit today, If he continues down the path he has been all season, I put the over/under as July 14th for the date they DFA Polanco.
They DFA Polanco next year exactly like the Jose Abreu situation
M’s gave up so much for Polanco this isn’t like wong where we threw sticks and stones at Milwaukee, we better hope Gonzales and topa don’t turn out
I really like this post, especially about ownership probably not going to address their glaring problems. The Ms have painted themselves into this corner, by the ownership’s inaction in the limited talent market the last several off seasons. Proven talent like Freddie Freeman ( I realize they would’ve had to overpay him to get him here ) would’ve been a great addition to bolster this lineup. Too late now…
At the time it wouldn’t have made sense because Ty France was somehow one of our best hitters then… yeah… I know now he’s fallen off
Jerry Dipoto may not be the GM, but he’s head of the Mariners Baseball Ops. I believe everything baseball-wise still goes through him. His history is similar to his buddy in San Diego – constant churning of players. Over a few years he finds himself with a team full of players he likes…but they’re not winning. As he finds himself yet again today as a trade deadline approaches.
In this years case he overdid the starting pitching thing, so now he has problems on offense and in the bullpen. It’s always something with his teams because he’s just not that good of a FO head. I’ve seen this guy do teardown rebuilds – with an “s” – multiple times in both Anaheim and Seattle. They always end like this…..until the franchise owners either say “Do another one” or “No Mas, move on”.
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Teams that contend and win in MLB have BALANCE. Their manager has multiple ways to win a games that they can use based on the opposition. Hitting: power, speed, contract hitting, RH hitters, LH hitters, Pitching: RH / LH pitchers both starting and in the bullpen, soft tossers, hard throwers, change speeds, keep the opposition hitters off-balance. Baserunning ability. Can play small ball or smashmouth depending on what will be effective that day.
Is this hard to do? You ‘betcha. Can it be done? Elias and Dombrowski have done it in Baltimore and Philadelphia. Matt Arnold and Mark Attanasio are well on their way to doing that in Milwaukee. David Stearns is currently working it out in Queens. The Rangers had some very good young players out of their farm system and threw money at it behind a recently-retired ML pitcher as their inexperienced GM. He put a team together quickly in the 2022-23 offseason that won a championship.
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Fans of Jerry Dipoto teams have to get used to coming up a buck short (as in San Diego). Always have. Always will. Waiting for his next teardown and rebuild. MLBTR writers and most readers love the nonsensical churning. It’s juicy.
Sam, I get what your saying, BUT, no one and I mean no one could forsee :garver,polonco, julio hitting this bad. Look around mlb and you can see alot of all-star way under producing. Some are coming out of the gutter and produce- Sea needs to have that happen. So it’s not “the trades or signings” JD has made- its falls on the players.
When it comes too signing a BIG FA- it takes 2 to tango
hoof hearted;
I never though those 3 players were going to keep up what they were doing offensively.
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Here’s something for you to consider….
Last night I saw Max Schurzer interviewed. He was asked what changes he’s seen in MLB the past 5 years. His first response was “Whoooo!” After citing some things things, he said the big move today is in pitching. Specifically he brought up starting pitching, and that now teams are backing off of a 100 pitch limit per start and moving to a 90 pitch limit. He said the bullpen is becoming more important. He also brought up rules changes that reward teams that play stronger fundamental baseball.
If you look at the surprise teams this year, the top 2 are the Guardians and Brewers. The Guardians arguably have the strongest bullpen in MLB. Their starters are OK. But like the Royals teams that went to the WS 2 years in the mid-2010’s it was a 6 inning game – if you were behind after 6 innings there was a vey small chance you could beat their bullpen. Look at Milwaukee – they literally have 2 (healthy) starting pitchers. They’re winning because their bullpen is lockdown.
Now look to the Mariners. They have great starting pitching. The team is based on that. But now Dipoto is looking for bullpen help. Of course he is – because that what MLB has evolved to!
Maybe 5-6 years ago as the Rays were doing things with their Opener it was discussed that MLB would move from strong starting pitching to having pitchers go for a certain amount of innings at different times of the game. That is what MLB is now evolving to.
Throw away your depth charts and standard thinking. The game has changed right in front of your eyes. Rosters change every day. Teams have virtual benches in the upper minors that have players moving back-and-forth depending on what is needed for the next series…or even game.
Dipoto is living in an age of baseball that simply isn’t being played anymore.
Brewers have plenty of relief pitchers. How about 2 or 3 of them for your number 3 0r4th starter?
LOL
See my post above…..
That’s why the Brewers are winning.
Right, It’s ‘easy’ to see a loudmouth like Pham with a temper problem brought onto a Mariner team known for a fun approach to the game.
That would really show desperation.
Brandon Lowe, however…
Can’t stay on the field
If he could play 160 a season, he wouldn’t be available.
But getting 50 from him would be better than 70 from Polanco.
So is the rest of the league in play.
Unless they bring in 3 minimum and have two guys here bounce back, it’s a waste.
Ask the D-Backs for Ketel Marte and and Vlad Jr. from the Blue Jays. Two everyday bats and upgrades to their lineup. Problem solved…
Arizona is just 2.5 games back of a wild card.
I doubt they’re selling unless they fall back significantly before the deadline.
Well bowden isn’t working for any major league teams. The guy is a goof.
Ok with, Marte, but it would be expensive, not that they don’t have the pitchers to make it happen. But, no
way the Mariners want Vlad, junior.
The mariners don’t want someone producing at a rate of 43% better than league average? Yet, you’re fine with Ketel Marte who’s producing at 41%?
Why not?
The Mariners are fortunate to be in first place. The Astros have a higher run differential (+33 compared to the Mariners +6) run differential. I don’t see the Mariners beating the Orioles, Yankees, Guardians, etc. if they manage to make the playoffs.
@exile
Well, DBacks just snuck into the expanded playoff format last year and went on a long run. They finished with a negative 15 run differential last year and were only 6 games above .500.
It is pretty rare for it to happen though.
The American League this year has a lot of competitive teams. The Diamondbacks were fortunate that the NL only had 4 teams with a record better than 85-77 last season.
It’s not going to be easy for Seattle to hold their lead over the Astros and compete with the Orioles, Yankees, Red Sox, Twins, and Royals. Especially if most of them make moves at the deadline.
It appears the 2 guys to be replaced are Haniger and Urias. Their lefty rights balance was already pretty good so probably 1 lefty and 1 right. Moncada I think makes sense. Pham or Lane Thomas make sense.
Some of these players just need to up their game and hit better:polonco, garver,julio. If they do, everything else will fall into place.
Otherwise: polonco for G. Torres. Bring back Sewald and extend him. Dejong to play 3b.
Oh, and the M’s ARE NOT…trading any of thier pitching >PERIOD<!!
-who ever mentioned “its time to move on from Cal”. You don’t know jack about his value to the pitching staff.
DeJong only plays shortstop.
If Jerry can convince Ian Happ to waive his NTC, they can probably get him from the Cubs for a couple of AA pitchers. The Cubs are out of it and need to make room in LF by the beginning of next season for Team Canada OF Owen Cassie.
They should sign Greg Bird
Getting Cody Bellinger sounds like a bad idea to me
A grossly overpaid bust
Greg Bird would hit better at a tenth of the cost
Ryan McMahon from the Rockies. Then move Rojas over to 2B, put Polanco on the bench.
There’s no news here. Not even a, what’s it called again? A rumor?
Maybe Kelenic, Ketel Marte, or Noelvi Marte are available?
As every M’s fan this season, I’m disappointed with the teams offense thus far, but one average bat is just that. An average bat. I would like to see them pick up a top end left handed reliever. Stanek has done well, but with Brash out and Santos still a bit of a question mark, they need another back end reliever. The optimist would say they have Munoz, Santos and Stanek on the back end, but they are all right handed. Throw in a top shelf left handed reliever and I’d feel a lot more comfortable. One bat is not going to fix the offense. The offense needs to fix themselves at this point.