Ahead of the 2022 season, Major League Baseball expanded the postseason to include a third wild card team in each league. MLB, simply put, wanted more teams (and their fans) involved in the playoff chase, and that’s exactly what’s happening.
Entering the weekend, 23 of MLB’s 30 teams were in playoff position or within 4.5 games of a playoff spot. That portends a lot of intrigue throughout the game as we enter June.
Does not?
It doesn’t make things so clear as we take an early look at potential sellers ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. A lot can and will change over the next seven or eight weeks to determine how front offices view their own playoff chances. Are they contenders? Are they suitors? Somewhere in the middle?
The Mariners, as is abundantly clear to everyone, could use a bat to bolster their lineup, and likely a reliever to shore up the back end of their bullpen, and will be one of many teams monitoring the trade market as The M. chase their first division title since 2001.
Which players from which teams could match up with the Mariners? Here’s an early look at some potential options, ranked by how likely each team is to sell at the deadline.
CLEARANCE SALE
White Sox, Marlins, A’s, Rockies
The White Sox are the worst team in baseball. There is no doubt about that. What remains a question is whether they would be willing to listen to offers for star center fielder Luis Robert Jr.
Robert has been on the injured list most of the season, but when healthy, the 26-year-old center fielder has an eerily similar profile to Julio Rodríguez. The Mariners and White Sox pulled off a trade for reliever Gregory Santos last winter, and had at least initial talks about ace Dylan Cease before he was traded to San Diego. Could you reach another agreement?
Meanwhile, the Marlins already sold their most coveted bat, Luis Arráez, to the Padres and, yes, he would have been a perfect fit for the Mariners. Miami, however, has a proven high-leverage reliever in Tanner Scott, a veteran lefty who would fill a need for the Mariners.
The Rockies? Well. Stay away. Stay far, far away.
LIKELY SELLERS
Mets, Nationals
There has already been strong speculation about a trade for Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, and particularly a possible combination with Seattle.
On the surface, of course, it seems logical. And the Mariners have the prospect capital (the kind of high-end young position players every team covets) that could help them land almost any trade candidate this summer.
But the specific deal with Alonso, a free agent after this season, would be a departure from the Mariners’ typical modus operandi under Jerry Dipoto. The Mariners have avoided signing players, preferring those with control of the club for at least a year.
IN THE AIR
Blue Jays, Lightning, Diamondbacks, tigers
Toronto could be the most intriguing team heading into the trade deadline.
The Blue Jays are not going to win the American League East Division. Not with the Yankees and Orioles in front of them, and not with the Rays and Red Sox in a better position heading into June.
The Blue Jays can’t be ruled out as a wild card, but they haven’t offered much reason for optimism over the first two months, which would lead to some uncomfortable conversations surrounding stars Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. , who will be free agents after the 2025 season.
It would seem more likely that the Blue Jays would wait until the offseason to trade any of their young stars, if they ever come to that conclusion. But if they do, the Mariners would have to at least ask about Guerrero, right?
In a similar situation, perhaps the Rays will make Randy Arozarena or Yandy Díaz available.
The Diamondbacks are interesting. After their World Series appearance, the organization invested heavily this offseason, raising payroll from $119 million in 2023 to a franchise-record $171 million this year.
Would they really sell on the deadline after such an investment? Probably not. But if the team continues to underperform, an intriguing option for the Mariners could be veteran first baseman Christian Walker.
TRANSPARENT
Reds, Pirates, Giants, Cubs, Red Sox
The Giants have been an up-and-down club…the Reds have been decimated by injuries…the Pirates are young and inconsistent…and the Cubs have cooled off after a hot start.
A good or bad week could alter the direction of any of these teams, pushing them into buy or sell mode. Or they could dabble in a bit of both, as the Mariners have tried to do a couple of times in recent years surrounding trades for relievers Paul Sewald (in 2023) and Kendall Graveman (in 2021).
LIKELY BUYERS
Astros, Rangers, Cardinals, Padres
As bad as things started for the Astros this season, they entered June just six games behind the Mariners in the division. Houston also has the third-highest payroll in MLB, at roughly $249 million, and it’s hard to imagine them clearing this season. The Astros aren’t going away, and if they stay within striking distance well into July, you can be sure they’ll be among some of the best starting pitchers available on the trade market.
It’s a similar situation for the Rangers and Cardinals. St. Louis has won 12 of 16 and appears determined to remain in the playoff hunt after its miserable 2023.
The Padres are as unpredictable as ever, but they are now in a playoff spot and will do everything they can to stay there.
Keynote USA
For the Latest Sports News, Follow Keynote USA Sports on Twitter.