The Mariners have a chance to push for a World Series. Here are four players that the team needs to seriously consider putting on the trade block
With the Super Bowl past us, it is officially baseball season! The Seattle Mariners will have their pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training on Thursday, while the rest of the squad will arrive on the 20th. In an action-packed offseason for Seattle coming off a disappointing 2023, the expectations and pressure on the ball club are real on this fresh new season.
With potentially six new faces in the lineup, and a bullpen that will look different (and nasty) in 2024, it’s clear that leadership wanted to shake some things up, while holding onto core pieces.
In a season where anything short of returning to the playoffs being considered a failure, it’s never too early to look at potential candidates that could already be on the trading block right now. As Jerry Dipoto and Justin Hollander proved, this team will find a way to get better, and no player (ok, maybe Julio) is off the table if it helps the M’s improve.
With Seattle fielding arguably the deepest rotation and lineup in decades, it’s fair to think that Peoria will turn into an intense battleground for players looking to make the Opening Day roster, or even earn starting jobs. This is a good problem to have, but one that does leave open the door to players potentially being dealt if the right opportunity arises, or if a player doesn’t step up to the challenge this spring.
#1 Dylan Moore
I believe that one of the most obvious names in the trade block for the Seattle Mariners is utility man Dylan Moore. Moore was an unsung hero in the 2022 playoff season, as Moore crushed lefties and was a plus player in the field and on the base paths. In 104 games, Moore had 19 extra base hits, stole 21 bases and had an OPS+ of 122.
His productive season earned him a contract extension in the winter, for 3 years and a little less than $9 million a year. In 2023, Moore never really had a chance to get going. Injuries prevented Moore from a normal start to the season, and when it was all said and done, Moore posted a 104 OPS+ in just 67 games, while slashing .207/.303/.428. Entering the second year of his deal, and slated to make around $3 million dollars, I wonder if Moore will be on the Mariners on Opening Day.
The recent trade acquisition of Samad Taylor, and internal competition in Sam Haggerty and the platoon of Luis Urias and Josh Rojas, there’s strong reason to believe Seattle may be looking at one of them to replace Moore’s abilities, and on a cheaper deal.
I still believe that Moore has the highest ceiling of the trio with Taylor and Haggerty, but he needs to prove he can be healthy, and that may not be worth the risk for a team that already has plenty of health concerns. I also believe that Moore would likely fetch the most value out of this group in any potential trade.
#2 AND #3 Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo
The belles of the 2024 trade rumor ball here in Seattle, we may not get full 100% clarity on these two promising young pitchers’ futures until after the trade deadline in August. While Dipoto has stated they didn’t feel comfortable with the offers they received for their young pitchers, I didn’t take that as the door is closed.
There are few things in baseball more valuable than a talented picture with multiple years of club control, and that is something Seattle has in excess. Logan Gilbert and George Kirby made the jump in the past two seasons, and while Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo likely made their MLB jumps a little earlier than the club had hoped, they showed that they belonged. There’s a clear vision to where we could see one of the most dominant 5 man rotations in baseball, and in a long time this year…so why are they on the trade block?
I truly believe that the Seattle Mariners were open to trading one of Miller or Woo for a strong package of offensive players to help their lineup take the next step. These are valuable assets that you only trade in two instances:
1- Seattle is floored by such an incredible offer of matching young offensive pieces, that they can’t refuse.
2- Seattle feels like they are a star away, and are willing to give up the 5+ years of control for 2 or 3 years of potential greatness.
With Baltimore acquiring Corbin Burnes and Dylan Cease still on the market, the timing hasn’t been quite right for an Option 1 deal. I still look to the Cincinnati Reds as a team to watch during Spring Training.
Option 2 is likely not going to be legitimately considered until the trade deadline. The Mariners will need to prove that they can not only stay healthy, but have an offense that can match their pitching, and find themselves as legitimate World Series contenders in July. Only then are conversations about Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt, or Pete Alonso realistic.
#4 Logan Gilbert
Don’t shoot the messenger, but we have to be realistic about this pitching staff. While Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo are promising young pitching prospects, Logan Gilbert’s current value is in another area code.
Arguably one of the best #3 starting pitchers in the league, Logan Gilbert is ascending as a player, and would likely be viewed as a #2 or even #1 starter for half the league. In 2023, Gilbert actually took a small step back from 2022 in some numbers, but in games against the Giants (5 hit complete game shutout) and and Padres (1 hit and 12 K’s in 7 innings), he showed that his development is on track.
So, much like with Miller and Woo, why would we put Gilbert on the block? Because Gilbert may already be on the clock.
Entering his fourth season in Seattle, Gilbert will be turning 27 and will have 4 years left on his contract before free agency hits. He’s entering his prime, and may be one of the most valuable “bang for the buck” contracts in baseball. Now feels like the time to figure out an extension.
If you can lock up Gilbert now, you may have control over his entire prime. With his size, mechanics, and durability shown so far, he feels like a safe bet, and a strong bet to be a winning deal if they could add another 3 or 4 years to his contract. The deal would likely be a huge win for the team, which is why Gilbert may not accept the extension. If he waits a little longer, his value could skyrocket, if he’s willing to bet on himself. There’s also the factor of whether a guy who grew up and played college ball in Florida wants to spend his career in the Pacific Northwest.
If Gilbert wants to wait, then the clock begins on Gilbert’s future with Seattle, and unlike with Miller and Woo, Gilbert could be a groundbreaking type of trade that could bring in truly elite star power right now. Would Tampa Bay, just 90 minutes from Gilbert’s hometown, be willing to part with Randy Arozarena AND Isaac Paredes in a deal involving Gilbert and prospects? Is that a deal you’d be open to? What if it opened the door for a certain free agent pitcher to come home? I don’t want to play fantasy baseball here, but you can see the difference in what you could get right now for this offense, heading into a make or break year, for a guy that slots in as your #3 pitcher.
I’m in favor of going another year or two with Gilbert, while strongly urging ownership to pay up to keep Walter long term. The potential value of this rotation is insane, and I want to see it through but don’t kid yourself to think a player like Gilbert is not being talked about if certain decisions are, or are not made.
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