The Seattle Mariners entered the 2026 season on the short list of consensus American League contenders, but through their first 73 games, they have barely been adequate. The M’s were one win away from advancing to the World Series for the first time ever last year. Retaining the divisional title and exiting the playoffs early will not suffice for the organization or fan base. If this squad is going to vie for a pennant, it may need to get audacious at the MLB trade deadline.
That strategy yielded overall positive results in 2025, as president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto acquired Josh Naylor, Eugenio Suarez and Caleb Ferguson. Perhaps the Mariners (37-36) will go all in once again. Former Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals general manager Jim Bowden definitely thinks that is the approach to take. He even has a trade package in mind for Seattle.
“If I’m the Mariners, I gotta be thinking out of the box,” he said on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM. “I want another big bat and I want another bullpen arm. Go get Aroldis Chapman and {Jarren Duran} from the Red Sox. What would be the price there? I might give you {right-handed pitcher Ryan Sloan} for both of them… Cause I might win the World Series if I make that trade.”
Mariners could use some help
Seattle ranks 28th in MLB with 95 doubles and is in the bottom-half with only seven triples. Duran led The Show in the former during the 2024 season and topped the AL in the latter in each of the previous two campaigns. Although the Boston Red Sox outfielder is struggling to find a consistently productive form in 2026 — .211 batting average, .655 OPS, 11 home runs, nine doubles and two triples in 284 plate appearances — a return to the West Coast could be rejuvenating for the 29-year-old California native.
The Mariners’ bullpen has been solid overall, but closer Andres Munoz has a frightening 5.92 ERA and 10.0 percent walk rate. Two-time AL Reliever of the Year Aroldis Chapman boasts a spectacular 0.44 ERA and has not surrendered a run since April 4. The last-place Red Sox (29-40) have talent to offer, so the M’s may want to at least consider Bowden’s suggestion.
Ryan Sloan is MLB’s No. 19 prospect, but he might still be a couple years away from joining the big-league roster. Seattle experienced a huge breakthrough last year. Now, it must figure out how to remain on the path to a World Series.
Dipoto will get the chance to see these potential trade candidates in action when the Mariners host Boston for a three-game series this weekend.
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