The Seattle Mariners were one of the busiest teams at the MLB trade deadline last year. In turn, they were arguably the biggest winners of trade season. The team made blockbuster moves for Eugenio Suarez and Josh Naylor, and their trade aggression resulted in them falling just one win shy of making the World Series for the first time ever.
As the only team without an appearance in the Fall Classic, Seattle will again be anxious to make big moves that could thrust them toward contention. The Mariners are currently in first place in the American League West, but the division is tightly contested. So, who could the Mariners trade for to ensure a divisional win and perhaps their first championship?
Aroldis Chapman, Boston Red Sox, RP
The Mariners don’t need more starting pitching. Logan Gilbert, Bryan Woo, George Kirby, Emerson Hancock, Bryce Miller, and Luis Castillo form an elite sixsome of starting arms. The team has some solid relievers between Andres Munoz, Matt Brash, and Gabe Speier, too.
Teams can never have too much help in the bullpen, though, so why not add one of the best relievers of the 21st century? Aroldis Chapman is still going strong in year 17, and he’d make a lot of sense as a Mariners trade target. Chapman is a flamethrower known for tossing his fastball in the triple digits.
He may be 38 years old, but with a 0.46 ERA, Chapman is in the midst of arguably the most dominant season of his career. Plus, the pitcher has played in plenty of big moments throughout his career. If anyone were to elevate the Mariners enough to finally win the pennant, it would be Chapman.
Taylor Ward, Baltimore Orioles, OF
Taylor Ward has been one of the best offensive players in baseball this year. However, the young core in Baltimore has once again let the Orioles down, and they may end up as trade sellers again. If that becomes the case, then Ward is a player whom the Mariners must pursue.
Ward’s .396 OBP is the ninth-best mark in baseball. He is also third in walks with 56. This comes a season after a 36-home run performance. The kind of power and plate discipline combination that Ward offers would give Seattle’s offense a huge boost. Ward could replace Luke Raley in right field. While Raley has had an impressive season, especially when it comes to hitting long bombs, he doesn’t necessarily have a great track record of proven production. Ward could also fill in at designated hitter.
Seattle’s offense will get better internally this year, but an external addition like Ward would make them a scary team to face on a night-to-night basis.
Eugenio Suarez, Cincinnati Reds, 3B
Suarez has played for the Mariners not once, but twice. He is also in his second stint with the Cincinnati Reds. Perhaps the third time will be the charm. A year after trading for Suarez, just to let him walk in free agency, Seattle should again make a deal for the third baseman whom they are clearly comfortable inserting into the lineup.
Third base isn’t near the need it was last season. Colt Emerson, one of the top prospects in baseball coming into the year, has broken onto the scene at the hot corner. While Emerson can play shortstop, the team still has J.P. Crawford manning that position, too. However, the Mariners still need bats. Suarez could play third on nights where Emerson moves to shortstop, and he can then spend most of his time designated hitting.
Suarez was one of the top home run hitters in baseball last year. He smashed 49 shots over the outfield wall. With Cal Raleigh, the single-season home run leader among catchers in MLB history, struggling this season, the team could use an influx of power. The Mariners have traded for Suarez in the past, and it makes sense to do so again.
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