Trade Targets for the Mariners to Consider

Luis Robert, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. , and who else?

Photo by Sung Shin on Unsplash

As the season presses forward, and the Seattle Mariners find themselves in first place in the AL West with a respectable five-game lead, the trade rumor mill is churning. The areas of improvement for this roster are clear. The team could use offensive upgrades at first base, left field, right field, designated hitter, and second base. The Mariners could also benefit from adding more help and depth in the bullpen..

Making a trade or trades can ensure that the Mariners make the playoffs and also potentially give them a shot to make the franchise’s first World Series appearance.

Here’s an early analysis of a few potential trade targets for the Mariners to consider, well before the July 30 trade deadline.

First Base

It’s no secret that Mariners first basemen Ty France is at best, average. His .2 WAR ranks 17th among all first basemen in the MLB. The Mariners aren’t getting enough value from France, especially offensive value.

Pete Alonso (New York Mets)

In the offseason, I didn’t like the idea of adding a one-year rental in exchange for prospects with club control. I still don’t love the idea, but I like it a little more if that means the Mariners can secure a playoff spot by upgrading with Alonso. If the Mets are smart, they’ll drive up the bidding for Alonso and come away with a few quality prospects. I think it would take Emerson Hancock and Colt Emerson/Harry Ford. Again, a steep price, but it may be worth it.

Brent Rooker (Oakland A’s)

The A’s are always in sell mode. I just wish they were in sell mode regarding new ownership. But that’s not the case. Rooker is having a fine season, slashing .270/.357/.541 with 12 home runs. Rooker’s 71 strikeouts isn’t exactly going to help the Mariners’ strikeout problem, so that could be a reason to stay away. For those wondering, Cal Raleigh has the eighth-most strikeouts in the MLB with 73, Julio has the tenth-most with 72. It could be worse. Former Mariner Teoscar Hernandez has 78, good for fifth-most.

Christian Walker (Arizona Diamondbacks)

I advocated for this last month, and I think the case for Walker is stronger. He won’t provide as much pop as Alonso and is not as dynamic Luis Robert (see below), but he’s still one of the best first baseman in the MLB. His 1.9 WAR ranks fourth-best amongst all first basemen. It’s not clear if the Diamondbacks will be sellers come July, but they are tied for third in the NL West, with the Dodgers in full control of their division. The Mariners could trade prospect Ryan Bliss and another prospect, maybe Emerson Hancock in exchange for Walker.

Outfield

Mitch Haniger continues to struggle at the plate. If he does not turn it around in the month of June, it makes sense to trade him and get an upgrade in the outfield. It pains me to say that. It really does.

Luis Robert (Chicago White Sox)

ESPN’s Jeff Passan has floated Robert as a trade target for the Mariners. The White Sox will be sellers at the deadline, as they sit in last place in the AL Central. Robert is under club control until 2027 and his trade value may be at its peak now because he is not just a short-term rental for the rest of the season. Last season, Robert slashed .264/.314/.542 and hit 38 home runs. He recently returned from injury and he is picking up right where he’s left off with three home runs in eight games.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays)

The Blue Jays aren’t completely out of the playoff race even though they are in last place in the AL East. They are only four games back in the wild card and won’t necessarily be in sell mode in July. Guerrero, like Alonso, would be a one-year rental. And according to Seattle Times Mariners beat reporter Ryan Divish, it’d take a lot to get Guerrero: prospects Colt Emerson, Harry Ford, and another low-level prospect. That would be two of the top three Mariners prospects according to our rankings. That is too much to give up for someone that may only play half a season in Seattle.

Taylor Ward (Los Angeles Angels)

Luke Arkins over at Mariners Consigliere mentioned Ward as a potential trade target. He’s a less sexy name than Robert and Guerrero, but is slashing a respectable .253/.322/.445. These numbers are an improvement over Haniger’s. What I like about Ward is that he won’t command an insane package like Robert and Guerrero. He is only on a one-year contract with the Angels, so he would be a playoff push rental.