With the Seattle Mariners still in striking distance of the final Wild Card spot in the American League, the team is expected to make a big splash at the MLB trade deadline because the organization has the type of chips contending teams around the league are looking for.
After back-to-back 90-win seasons, the Seattle Mariners have had a disappointing showing in 2023. The 52-50 team will surely win well below what they did the previous two years and have not taken that next step forward that their fanbase was hoping for. Nevertheless, despite the frustrations of their current campaign, they are still in the thick of the Wild Card race.
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Heading into the weekend, the Mariners are just 4 and a half games out of the final Wild Card spot, so this season is far from over and there is time to make something special out of it. Fortunately, Seattle knows what they need to improve their chances of reaching the postseason: Hitting.
The team has been solid this season at hitting home runs and putting points on the board, but they desperately need more, as well as the type of on-base threats that are key in the playoffs.
Seattle Mariners could trade an All-Star pitcher for hitting at trade deadline
While rivals landing the type of talent they really need on the trade block is always going to be difficult, it seems the Seattle Mariners have a better chance than most because they have a surplus of a specific commodity many contenders want: Starting pitching. On Thursday, The Athletic MLB insider Ken Rosenthal explained why the organization is primed to make a blockbuster before Aug. 1.
“The Mariners remain a team to watch. They have the one commodity virtually every other contender wants, controllable starting pitching. And as interest in their pitchers mounts, they are considering trading a starter for a package that would include a hitter of similar age and impact, according to sources briefed on their thinking.
“The Mariners currently have four starting pitchers in their rotation between the ages of 23 and 26 — All-Star George Kirby, Logan Gilbert, Bryce Miller, and Bryan Woo. They also have a potential starter-in-waiting, Emerson Hancock, 24, who was Texas League Pitcher of the Month for June.”
– Ken Rosenthal
Many playoff contenders like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles, and Texas Rangers have all been linked to interest in some of the top starters available before the MLB trade deadline.