The Mariners are currently 41-38 and in possession of the final American League Wild Card spot, putting them in position to add at the deadline. Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports that the club is looking to add an impact bat at a corner infield spot, though he adds that they could also just get the best bat available and worry about the positioning later. An extra leverage arm for the bullpen is another reported target. Kramer also reports that “ownership will green light increased spending” at this year’s deadline.
The note about the payroll is quite relevant. Throughout the offseason, reporting indicated that the club had about $15MM of spending capacity for upgrading the roster. The M’s then spent a combined $11.25MM on signing Jorge Polanco and Donovan Solano. In early May, they claimed Leody Taveras off waivers from the Rangers, taking on the roughly $3.7MM he had left to be paid out on this year’s salary. The M’s later outrighted Taveras to Triple-A.
Given that the M’s had seemingly spent their budget, it would have been fair to wonder about their ability to make deadline additions. While it’s unclear exactly how much increased spending ownership is willing to approve, any extra pocket money should help the front office pursue external additions.
As for the specific targets, they are not surprising, as the M’s have question marks at both infield corners. Ben Williamson has received the lion’s share of playing time at third base this year and has been solid with the glove, but has hit just .255/.291/.311 for a 77 wRC+. At first base, Rowdy Tellez was the regular there before his subpar bat got him bumped off the roster. He was designated for assignment last week and put on release waivers today.
Solano is now getting most of the playing time at first. He’s not having a great season overall but has been heating up after a dreadful start. He was hitting .131/.156/.148 through May 17th but has a massive .420/.463/.640 line since then. That latter line is a small sample of just 54 plate appearances and inflated by an unsustainable .474 batting average on balls in play but there’s no harm in riding the hot hand in the short term. He also slashed .294/.353/.413 for a 112 wRC+ from 2019 to 2024, so he has a track record of strong offense.
Considering that he’s 37 years old and slumped early in the year, it’s understandable that the M’s may not want to be totally reliant on him. A lot of his damage has also come against lefties in recent years, so they could consider a platoon, though he has reverse splits in this year’s small sample of work.
As for specific targets, Kramer relays that the Mariners have considered a reunion with old friend Eugenio Suárez, currently of the Diamondbacks. Suárez played for Seattle in 2022 and 2023, hitting a bunch of home runs but also striking out a lot. The M’s made a concerted effort to reimagine their offense with fewer punchouts and traded him to Arizona ahead of the 2024 season.
With the Snakes, Suárez got out to a rough start but has been one of the best hitters in baseball for about the past year. He had a .216/.302/.366 line and 87 wRC+ in the first half of 2024 but then exploded for a .307/.341/.602 showing and 153 wRC+ in the second half. Here in 2025, he already has 25 home runs, a .251/.323/.569 line and a 141 wRC+. He’s also been striking out less in the process. He struck out more than 30% of the time as a Mariner but dropped that rate to 27.5% last year and is down to 25.7% so far this year.
His defense isn’t as strong as Williamson’s but he would obviously provide a huge boost to the lineup from the third base spot. Suárez is making a notable salary of $15MM this year, which would leave about $5MM left to be paid out as of the deadline. As mentioned, it’s unknown how much wiggle room the M’s will have to take on money.
It’s possible the Diamondbacks would be willing to eat some of the money but it’s also not entirely clear if they want to make Suárez available at all. Despite a rash of injuries, they are currently 41-39 and just three games out of a playoff spot in the National League. If they fall back in the next few weeks, the possibility of a Suárez trade should increase.
There’s also an argument for Arizona to trade Suárez even in a win-now move. They have lost several arms to injury and could flip him for help on the pitching staff, with Jordan Lawlar then taking over at third. However, there is risk in that path. Lawlar is a top prospect and keeps hitting in the minors but hasn’t yet taken advantage of his major league chances.
Kramer also mentions Arizona first baseman Josh Naylor, noting that he had been linked to the M’s prior to being traded from Cleveland to Arizona in the offseason. Naylor, like Suárez, is an impending free agent. He is making $10.9MM this year while slashing .307/.363/.479 for a 132 wRC+.
Kramer also mentions some other players as possible fits, including Jarren Duran of the Red Sox as well as Ryan O’Hearn, Cedric Mullins and Félix Bautista of the Orioles, though those appear to be more speculative suggestions. He also throws out Isiah Kiner-Falefa of the Pirates and Jesús Sánchez of the Marlins as other possibilities.
Duran and Mullins are outfielders but, as mentioned, the Mariners might just grab the best bat they can and figure out the defense later. Luke Raley is currently spending most of his time in the outfield corners but could perhaps spend more time at first base if the M’s added an outfielder.
O’Hearn and Mullins are both impending free agents on a struggling Baltimore club, so they seem likely to be moved. O’Hearn is having a terrific year, with a .301/.384/.485 line and 149 wRC+. His $8MM salary is not nothing but it’s barely half of what Suárez is making. Mullins was hot to start the year but has gone cold lately. He had a .278/.412/.515 line and 168 wRC+ at the end of April but has since put up a line of .167/.201/.348 for a wRC+ of 50. He is making $8.725MM this year.
Duran is still controllable for three years after this one but the Sox have a crowded long-term outfield mix that also includes Wilyer Abreu, Ceddanne Rafaela, Roman Anthony, Masataka Yoshida and Jhostynxon Garcia. Perhaps the Sox would consider making Duran available as a way to preemptively clear out that logjam while simultaneously adding talent somewhere else. They are currently 40-42 and 2.5 games back of a Wild Card spot.
As for the bullpen, all contenders generally look for upgrades at the deadline. Bautista should be highly attractive if the O’s are willing to make him available but it’s unclear if they would. Unlike Mullins and O’Hearn, he can be retained for two more seasons beyond this one. But given the general volatility of relievers, Baltimore might think about cashing him in during a down year for the club overall.
After missing the 2024 due to Tommy John surgery recovery, Bautista’s control has been a problem, with a 15% walk rate. But he’s still been effective overall, with a 2.60 earned run average and 33.6% strikeout rate. It’s possible he is reining in his command as the season goes along as he has dropped that walk rate to 9.4% in June.
Kiner-Falefa is a glove-first utility guy, hitting .273/.319/.346 this year for the Bucs, which translates to a wRC+ of 85. He is making $7.5MM this season but the Blue Jays are on the hook for part of that as part of the trade that sent him to Pittsburgh at last year’s deadline. Sánchez has generally been a league average hitter for the Marlins. He is in his sixth big league season and has a .240/.309/.425 line and 99 wRC+. He is making $4.5MM this year and can be controlled for two more seasons via arbitration.
There are many possibilities for Seattle, which should make for a very interesting deadline. President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto has a reputation as being one of the most trade-happy executives in the sport and the Mariners have one of the best farm systems. Reportedly, they wanted to deal prospects for big leaguers during the offseason but found few clubs willing to make that kind of pact since so many teams came into the year hoping to contend. As the season goes along and some clubs fall back in the standings, they might be more willing to take some of those prospects off the Mariners’ hands.
Photo courtesy of Joe Nicholson, Imagn Images.
Where was this willingness to bump payroll for a corner infield bat when Pete Alonso was on the market all winter -_-
Huge difference between one-third of a season’s salary and the full paycheck.
And that’s not a defense of ownership, it’s just an explanation of why we might see something mid-season rather than in the offseason.
The willingness was in the hands of Pete Alonso, he’s not going to play for a team he doesn’t want to play for. He had the agency to freely choose and everybodys grandma knew he was going to be a met.
Pete was never coming here. He’s a home run hitter. Old school power 1B. Why would he take his services to TMobile park?
City Field isn’t exactly hitter-friendly, either, but park factors don’t matter too much with that kind of power.
That said, of course he wasn’t going to Seattle.
Everybody knew that Alonso wanted to stay with the Mets and nothing short of a drastic overpay would have made it even a remote possibility of him signing elsewhere
I believe the length of the contract was the issue. Alonso’s camp likely wanted a longer guaranteed deal if he had to come play at the toughest park in all of baseball to hit.
Mark Vientos
Brett Baty
Or maybe Jared Kelenic – could be acquired pretty cheaply, I believe.
Can’t imagine Vientos would even be available, let alone cheaply. The other two aren’t improvements.
Vientos would cost you one of your young controllable starters.
We did the Jared thing..no thanks.
M’s will have a better chance of winning a world series than Jared Kelenic coming back.
0% chance the Mets trade Vientos. 0%.
M’s ownership spending more just means they’ve green lit paying Dipoto’s cell phone bill for July.
Duran isn’t going anywhere, knock it off.
It would make no sense to trade their best player just to open up playing time for a rookie., but apparently that type of thing makes sense to the Red Sox.
That best player was a man-baby and unwilling to help the team because they hurt his feelings. In the long run that is addition by subtraction
The Red Sox didn’t trade their best player. Both Bregman and Rafaela are still on the team.
Many said the same about Devers. This front office is clueless.
I doubt the Red Sox want to pay Duran once his contract is up, he gives me a lot of Jacoby ellsbury vibes
I think Rafaela or abreu are likelier to go instead of Duran, a lot of people forgot how he had 8 war last year
No one is forgetting Duran’s 2024 season. We’re just smart enough to realize there’s little chance he has a season that provides even 75% of that WAR again. Half way through this season already and he’s got an almost zero chance of getting to that point right now.
Check out Rico Petrocelli in 1969.
10.0 bWAR.
Duran had an outlier season for sure.
bass – Yeah that wouldn’t make sense.
Rafaela’s value is at an all-time high right now, he’s the one that should be traded. He’s already started his descent.
What this really means is that they’re likely looking for a third baseman, unless they’re willing to play Solano or Polanco at third.
It makes little sense to squeeze out Raley, Canzone or Solano of PAs, which is what they’d be doing if they acquired another first baseman.
But I would hope they get a couple of relievers in addition to a bat. That might be the bigger need.
Polanco briefly played third in April. He bounced nearly every throw, sometimes twice, and once three times. Saying his arm was pathetic would be an understatement
I am aware of the Polanco experiment. We have yet to see Solano at third since spring. The point is that Seattle needs a first baseman really doesn’t make sense.
Red Sox trade Bregman and resign him in the offseason.
Bregman isn’t opting out of 40 mil a year.
Without a doubt Bregman is opting out. He’s going to get the contract he wanted last season. Boston will do it.
Why would anyone give him a long term contract a year older and more injuries? He would be an idiot to opt out of 40 mil a season.
It’s also $30M per season in NPV after accounting for deferrals. If he comes back resuming his production pace, it’s an easy opt-out.
I love how people think deferred money isn’t real money. The players ask for this to lower their income tax bill dramatically. Expecting to miss 2+ months at a minimum and continue to put up a career pace numbers is ludicrous. He may sign an extension with the Red Sox but opting out of his contract after having a serious injury wouldn’t be wise. He is looking at a four year deal max.
It’s still $30 million per season in net present value. For the simple minded, he didn’t make $40 million he is making $30 million.
Right. If you can collect that salary later, once you’ve moved to a low tax state or country, some of that lost growth from the deferral is earned back.
Have there been any case studies done? I’m curious. E.g. Ohtani moving back to Japan after he’s done playing to collect deferrals.
Sounds like they could have been a taker for Devers if Breslow had made the call. I’m sure the return would have been better.
The M’s would never take on that contract. When the M’s say they are allowing an increase in payroll, it usually means scrounging up a few more coins from the lounge’s sofa.
Rhys Hoskins could be available. Eugenio Suarez might be as well
Both of those guys would be nice
Brewers are in the playoff picture. Although they have traded before while in the hunt, I don’t see them repeating their mistake.
The Brewers have Jake Bauers and Andrew Vaughn to cover for Hoskins if a decent offer is made
So they trade the much less productive Bauers or worthless Vaughn.
Whoever they get it will be a young controlled infielder which will cost them Harry Ford.
Ford has gotten worse and I doubt he would challenge Raleigh for playing time
Fords AAA numbers say otherwise.
Silly, you do realize he plays in the PCL right? His numbers are nothing to write home about. Its not like he is hitting like Luis Campusano or something.
Harry Ford is having the best season of his career so far.
Solano is hot, but that BABIP is scary unsustainable. Gotta go, especially if they’re willing to spend/eat money – he’ll, some team might be fooled enough to pay a portion for the rest of the season. Raley is not a good 1B but is an excellent corner OF, so rotate him him with Canzone against RHP until one of them cools off. Against lefties, Canzone is 2-5 and Raley is 1-15, which is where IKF could be helpful (also to spell Williamson). Locklear and Taylor are doing well and languishing at Tacoma. But the team needs experienced,good offense and a reliever (LH?) that they can count on pre-Muñoz). Spend, Jerry, spend!
I would love to have Bautista as our setup guy so that we can stop having to put people like Casey legumina in the 8th inning and play musical chairs with Casey Lawrence
What we’re probably going to do is bring back good vibes only and overpay for Geno just for him to have a 700 ops again
700 ops sounds kinda nice compared to what we’ve had! It wont take any serious prospect capital to get Geno
There’s going to be a lot of bidders for him so I wouldn’t be surprised if it takes a #10 prospect
10 innings of Yimi Garcia costed Jonatan clase for example
While not a fan of the trade proposal, I’ve heard floated Harry Ford for Duran.
Ford and what other 3 prospects? Duran had an 8 WAR last season, is on pace for 3 WAR this season, and has 3 seasons of team control after 2025. .
Just now getting interested in spending? Wish they were during the offseason…
Harry Ford certainly is a valuable trade chip. I had expected the M’s to be having him play some other positions in an effort to get him up and the fact that they really haven’t seems to say he’s trade bait.
Every team needs 2 catchers, might as well roll with 2 good ones and rotate through the C/DH/1B trifecta, too.
Many games are still left before the trade deadline, so don’t be surprised if the M’s become sellers instead. Astros dynasty is alive and well.
M’s will have a better chance of winning a world series than Jared Kelenic coming back.
You can have Rengifo.
Maybe they shouldn’t have traded Eugenio Suarez for nothing!
Trade Eugenio to save money. Approve more money at the trade deadline. Trade to get Eugenio back. Sounds like a well oiled machine, the ownership and front office is…lol. Sell the team Stanton.
Be glad you didn’t trade for Mountcastle!🤣🤣🤣
Just an abstract observation, but Eugene is a HOFer if he hits 500 ding dongs… right?
I guess the Mariners just can’t be satisfied with Miles Mastrobuoni. 🤣🤣🤣
I still think we need to get a LHSPer. I still think White Sox is the place to go. Schultz is either a no go or too expensive. They do not need Ford so we bring in another team that needs a C. Who needs one because Ford is blocked by Cal and doesn’t want to move. To be fair we should move him and fill holes. We also put Castillo in that mix if need be. We will need to trade him anyway.
We get one of the lefties. We send Ford to team 3 who sends the players back to the WS for said lefty. If we need to add a player so be it. Just needs to get done. It also needs to be done ASAP to get him used to Cal and big boy pitching. Hanging out with the other 4 SPers and Cal should be good for him.
I am not sure if the Diamondbacks need a SPer but Castillo for Suarez and Naylor with another piece if need be. Naylor goes to 1st Polanco to 2nd some AS scrub at SS and Suarez to 3rd might be as good as it gets. We could substitute names from others mentioned depending on what Jerry can work out.
The guys that keep saying to get rid of Jerry are just talking out their backend because they are hurt there. The owner Arte screwed up the team and they blamed Jerry. Now our owners put handcuffs on Jerry and they blame the lack of players we can afford on Jerry.
Why don’t you blame the marine layer on him too? Might as well say Jerry is DB Cooper or knows who he was. Jerry made a lot of trades some good some bad. He didn’t make enough bad ones to handcuff the team long term. Look what he has done to the minors for us. Most everyone of you out there would like our minor league players. Add in Julio Cal and our 4 pitchers. That is a group anyone would be proud to say they drafted. Jerry is doing fine here thank you very much. After all these years it sounds like sour grapes and whining.
What does Laura from Kirkland have to do with this? She’s the only marine layer I know…